Clipperz vs KeePassXC
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Clipperz | KeePassXC |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 94 · Excellent |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | binary, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 750 | ★ 28,926 |
| First released | 2006 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane |
What are Clipperz and KeePassXC?
Clipperz
Clipperz is an open-source, zero-knowledge web password manager. All encryption happens in the browser before data reaches the server, so the host never sees plaintext credentials.
- Zero-knowledge browser encryption
- No plaintext ever sent to server
- Direct login links to sites
- Exportable encrypted data
KeePassXC
KeePassXC is a free, cross-platform desktop password manager that stores credentials in a local, encrypted KeePass database. It targets individuals who want fully offline password storage. It runs natively on desktop platforms.
- Local encrypted KeePass database
- Browser integration extension
- TOTP and passkey support
- No cloud dependency
Clipperz vs KeePassXC: key differences
Clipperz is written in JavaScript, while KeePassXC is built with C++. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Clipperz versus GPL-3.0 for KeePassXC. Clipperz is the more established project (first released 2006), while KeePassXC arrived in 2017. KeePassXC has the considerably larger community, at 28,926 GitHub stars versus 750.
Why pick each one
Choose Clipperz if…
- True zero-knowledge design
- Runs in any browser
Watch out for
- Project is largely dormant
Choose KeePassXC if…
- Fully offline and private
- No subscription
- Mature and trusted
Watch out for
- Sync is your responsibility
- No native mobile app
Frequently asked questions
Is Clipperz or KeePassXC better?
KeePassXC is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Clipperz if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Clipperz and KeePassXC free and open-source?
Yes. Clipperz is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and KeePassXC under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Clipperz and KeePassXC with Docker?
Clipperz: check the project docs for container support. KeePassXC: check the project docs for container support.