Bitwarden vs Vaultwarden
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Bitwarden
Open-source password manager you can self-host
VS
Vaultwarden
Lightweight Bitwarden-compatible password server
| Feature | Bitwarden | Vaultwarden |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | C# | Rust |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 19,782 | ★ 65,100 |
| First released | 2016 | 2018 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass, Dashlane | 1Password, LastPass, Dashlane |
Why pick each one
Choose Vaultwarden if…
- Extremely lightweight
- Works with official apps
- Easy to deploy
Frequently asked questions
Is Bitwarden or Vaultwarden better?
Vaultwarden is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Bitwarden if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Bitwarden and Vaultwarden free and open-source?
Yes. Bitwarden is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Vaultwarden under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Bitwarden and Vaultwarden with Docker?
Bitwarden: yes. Vaultwarden: yes.