Buttercup vs Psono Client
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Buttercup | Psono Client |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 62 · Good |
| Status | Archived | Actively maintained |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,388 | ★ 26 |
| First released | 2015 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | LastPass, 1Password |
What are Buttercup and Psono Client?
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
Psono Client
Psono Client is the open-source web and browser-extension client for the Psono password manager. It encrypts secrets locally and connects to a self-hosted Psono server for team password sharing.
- Client-side encryption
- Browser extension
- Team password sharing
- Connects to Psono server
Buttercup vs Psono Client: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: Buttercup's repository is archived and no longer developed, while Psono Client is actively maintained. Buttercup is written in TypeScript, while Psono Client is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Buttercup versus Apache-2.0 for Psono Client. Buttercup is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Psono Client. Buttercup is the more established project (first released 2015), while Psono Client arrived in 2017. Buttercup has the considerably larger community, at 4,388 GitHub stars versus 26. Psono Client 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 Psono Client if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in JavaScript
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Buttercup or Psono Client 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 Psono Client free and open-source?
Yes. Buttercup is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Psono Client under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Buttercup and Psono Client with Docker?
Buttercup: check the project docs for container support. Psono Client: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Buttercup or Psono Client?
Buttercup has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Psono Client. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.