AliasVault vs KeePassXC
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
KeePassXC
Cross-platform offline KeePass password manager
| Feature | AliasVault | KeePassXC |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 87 · Excellent | 94 · Excellent |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | binary, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,141 | ★ 28,926 |
| First released | 2024 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, SimpleLogin | LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane |
What are AliasVault and KeePassXC?
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
KeePassXC
KeePassXC is a free, cross-platform desktop password manager that stores credentials in a local, encrypted KeePass database. It targets individuals who want fully offline password storage. It runs natively on desktop platforms.
- Local encrypted KeePass database
- Browser integration extension
- TOTP and passkey support
- No cloud dependency
AliasVault vs KeePassXC: key differences
AliasVault is written in TypeScript, while KeePassXC is built with C++. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for AliasVault versus GPL-3.0 for KeePassXC. KeePassXC is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for AliasVault. KeePassXC is the more established project (first released 2017), while AliasVault arrived in 2024. KeePassXC has the considerably larger community, at 28,926 GitHub stars versus 3,141. AliasVault lists first-class Docker deployment; KeePassXC 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 KeePassXC if…
- Fully offline and private
- No subscription
- Mature and trusted
Watch out for
- Sync is your responsibility
- No native mobile app
Frequently asked questions
Is AliasVault or KeePassXC better?
KeePassXC is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider AliasVault if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are AliasVault and KeePassXC free and open-source?
Yes. AliasVault is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and KeePassXC under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run AliasVault and KeePassXC with Docker?
AliasVault: yes. KeePassXC: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, AliasVault or KeePassXC?
KeePassXC has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for AliasVault. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.