AliasVault vs KeePassium
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
AliasVault
End-to-end encrypted password and email alias manager
VS
KeePassium
KeePass-compatible password manager for iOS and macOS
| Feature | AliasVault | KeePassium |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 87 · Excellent | 70 · Good |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | Swift |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,141 | ★ 1,697 |
| First released | 2024 | 2019 |
| Replaces | 1Password, SimpleLogin | 1Password, LastPass |
What are AliasVault and KeePassium?
AliasVault
AliasVault is a self-hosted, end-to-end encrypted password manager that also generates private email aliases to protect your real address. It combines credential storage with built-in alias mailboxes so you can sign up for services without exposing personal data.
- Zero-knowledge encrypted vault
- Built-in private email aliases
- Browser extensions
- Docker-based self-hosting
KeePassium
KeePassium is an open-source password manager for iOS and macOS that works with KeePass KDBX databases. It supports Face ID, Touch ID and AutoFill while keeping all data under user control.
- KDBX-compatible iOS and macOS app
- Face ID and Touch ID unlock
- Password AutoFill integration
- Hardware key support
AliasVault vs KeePassium: key differences
AliasVault is written in TypeScript, while KeePassium is built with Swift. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for AliasVault versus GPL-3.0 for KeePassium. KeePassium is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for AliasVault. KeePassium is the more established project (first released 2019), while AliasVault arrived in 2024. AliasVault lists first-class Docker deployment; KeePassium does not.
Why pick each one
Choose AliasVault if…
- Combines vault and alias mail
- Strong encryption model
Watch out for
- Young project
- Requires running mail components
Choose KeePassium if…
- Polished Apple-platform experience
- Open source
Watch out for
- Apple platforms only
- Premium tier for some features
Frequently asked questions
Is AliasVault or KeePassium better?
Neither is universally better. AliasVault has the larger community, while KeePassium is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are AliasVault and KeePassium free and open-source?
Yes. AliasVault is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and KeePassium under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run AliasVault and KeePassium with Docker?
AliasVault: yes. KeePassium: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, AliasVault or KeePassium?
KeePassium has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for AliasVault. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.