Buttercup vs Padloc
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Buttercup | Padloc |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 18 · At risk |
| Status | Archived | Actively maintained |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,388 | ★ 2,923 |
| First released | 2015 | 2016 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Buttercup and Padloc?
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
Padloc
Padloc is a modern, open-source password manager with a clean interface and end-to-end encryption, offering a self-hostable server. It targets individuals and small teams. It is deployed via Docker.
- End-to-end encryption
- Clean modern interface
- Self-hostable server
- Organizations and sharing
Buttercup vs Padloc: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: Buttercup's repository is archived and no longer developed, while Padloc is actively maintained. Buttercup is written in TypeScript, while Padloc is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Buttercup versus AGPL-3.0 for Padloc. Buttercup is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Padloc. Padloc 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 Padloc if…
- Polished UI
- Open source
- Cross-platform
Watch out for
- Smaller ecosystem
- Slower development pace
Frequently asked questions
Is Buttercup or Padloc better?
Buttercup is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Buttercup if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Buttercup and Padloc free and open-source?
Yes. Buttercup is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Padloc under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Buttercup and Padloc with Docker?
Buttercup: check the project docs for container support. Padloc: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Buttercup or Padloc?
Buttercup has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Padloc. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.