Bitwarden vs KeePass
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Bitwarden
Open-source password manager you can self-host
VS
KeePass
Original free and open-source password manager
| Feature | Bitwarden | KeePass |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | C# | C# |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker | binary, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 20,184 | ★ 1,000 |
| First released | 2016 | 2003 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass, Dashlane | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Bitwarden and KeePass?
Bitwarden
Bitwarden is an open-source password manager offering encrypted vaults, sharing, and apps on every platform, with a self-hostable server. It targets individuals and teams wanting an audited password manager. It is deployed via Docker.
- Encrypted cross-platform vaults
- Secure password sharing
- Regular third-party audits
- Self-hostable official server
KeePass
KeePass is a free, open-source password manager that stores credentials in a strongly encrypted local database. It is the original KeePass implementation that spawned an entire ecosystem of compatible clients.
- Strongly encrypted local database
- Portable, no installation required
- Extensive plugin ecosystem
- KDBX format used industry-wide
Bitwarden vs KeePass: key differences
Both projects are written in C#. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Bitwarden versus GPL-2.0 for KeePass. KeePass is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 2,048 MB for Bitwarden. KeePass is the more established project (first released 2003), while Bitwarden arrived in 2016. Bitwarden has the considerably larger community, at 20,184 GitHub stars versus 1,000. Bitwarden lists first-class Docker deployment; KeePass does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Bitwarden if…
- Audited and trusted
- Apps everywhere
- Open source
Watch out for
- Official server is resource heavy
- Setup more complex than Vaultwarden
Choose KeePass if…
- Completely offline and private
- Time-tested and audited
Watch out for
- Dated Windows-centric interface
Frequently asked questions
Is Bitwarden or KeePass better?
Neither is universally better. Bitwarden has the larger community, while KeePass is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Bitwarden and KeePass free and open-source?
Yes. Bitwarden is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and KeePass under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Bitwarden and KeePass with Docker?
Bitwarden: yes. KeePass: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Bitwarden or KeePass?
KeePass has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 2,048 MB for Bitwarden. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.