Buttercup vs LessPass
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Buttercup | LessPass |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 88 · Excellent |
| Status | Archived | Actively maintained |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,388 | ★ 6,065 |
| First released | 2015 | 2016 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Buttercup and LessPass?
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
LessPass
LessPass is an open-source password manager that generates unique passwords deterministically from a master password and site details. Because nothing is stored, there is no vault to sync or back up.
- Deterministic password generation
- No vault to store or sync
- Browser extensions and mobile apps
- Optional self-hosted profile sync
Buttercup vs LessPass: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: Buttercup's repository is archived and no longer developed, while LessPass is actively maintained. Both projects are written in TypeScript. LessPass lists first-class Docker deployment; Buttercup does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Buttercup if…
- Flexible storage options
- Clean modern UI
Watch out for
- Sync relies on third-party storage
Choose LessPass if…
- Nothing to back up
- Works fully offline
Watch out for
- Hard to change a single password
- Profiles must be remembered
Frequently asked questions
Is Buttercup or LessPass better?
Neither is universally better. LessPass has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Buttercup and LessPass free and open-source?
Yes. Buttercup is licensed under GPL-3.0 and LessPass under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Buttercup and LessPass with Docker?
Buttercup: check the project docs for container support. LessPass: yes.