Buttercup vs KeePass
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Buttercup | KeePass |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Status | Archived | Actively maintained |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | C# |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,388 | ★ 1,000 |
| First released | 2015 | 2003 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Buttercup and KeePass?
Buttercup
Buttercup is a free, open-source password manager available for desktop, mobile and browsers. Vaults are stored in an encrypted format and can sync through Dropbox, WebDAV, Google Drive or local files.
- Encrypted vaults with multiple backends
- WebDAV and cloud storage sync
- Browser extensions for autofill
- Cross-platform desktop and mobile apps
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
Buttercup vs KeePass: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: Buttercup's repository is archived and no longer developed, while KeePass is actively maintained. Buttercup is written in TypeScript, while KeePass is built with C#. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Buttercup versus GPL-2.0 for KeePass. KeePass is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Buttercup. KeePass is the more established project (first released 2003), while Buttercup arrived in 2015. Buttercup has the considerably larger community, at 4,388 GitHub stars versus 1,000.
Why pick each one
Choose Buttercup if…
- Flexible storage options
- Clean modern UI
Watch out for
- Sync relies on third-party storage
Choose KeePass if…
- Completely offline and private
- Time-tested and audited
Watch out for
- Dated Windows-centric interface
Frequently asked questions
Is Buttercup or KeePass better?
Neither is universally better. Buttercup has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Buttercup and KeePass free and open-source?
Yes. Buttercup is licensed under GPL-3.0 and KeePass under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Buttercup and KeePass with Docker?
Buttercup: check the project docs for container support. KeePass: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Buttercup or KeePass?
KeePass has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for Buttercup. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.