Buttercup vs One-Time Secret
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Buttercup | One-Time Secret |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 87 · Excellent |
| Status | Archived | Actively maintained |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | TypeScript | Ruby |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,388 | ★ 2,942 |
| First released | 2015 | 2012 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, Doppler |
What are Buttercup and One-Time Secret?
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
One-Time Secret
One-Time Secret is an open-source service for sharing passwords and other sensitive information through links that can only be viewed once. After the secret is read or expires, it is permanently deleted.
- Self-destructing secret links
- Optional passphrase protection
- Configurable expiration times
- Simple REST API
Buttercup vs One-Time Secret: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: Buttercup's repository is archived and no longer developed, while One-Time Secret is actively maintained. Buttercup is written in TypeScript, while One-Time Secret is built with Ruby. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Buttercup versus MIT for One-Time Secret. Buttercup is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for One-Time Secret. One-Time Secret is the more established project (first released 2012), while Buttercup arrived in 2015. One-Time Secret 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 One-Time Secret if…
- Great for one-off credential sharing
- Easy to self-host
Watch out for
- Not a long-term vault
Frequently asked questions
Is Buttercup or One-Time Secret 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 One-Time Secret free and open-source?
Yes. Buttercup is licensed under GPL-3.0 and One-Time Secret under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Buttercup and One-Time Secret with Docker?
Buttercup: check the project docs for container support. One-Time Secret: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Buttercup or One-Time Secret?
Buttercup has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for One-Time Secret. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.