Clipperz vs KeeWeb
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Clipperz | KeeWeb |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | ≈5-minute setup |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 64 · Good |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | JavaScript | HTML |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 750 | ★ 12,997 |
| First released | 2006 | 2015 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | LastPass, 1Password |
What are Clipperz and KeeWeb?
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
KeeWeb
KeeWeb is a free, cross-platform password manager compatible with KeePass databases, usable in a browser or as a desktop app. It targets KeePass users who want web access to their vault. It is deployed via Docker or static hosting.
- Reads and writes KeePass files
- Browser and desktop versions
- No backend database needed
- Offline support
Clipperz vs KeeWeb: key differences
Clipperz is written in JavaScript, while KeeWeb is built with HTML. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Clipperz versus MIT for KeeWeb. Clipperz is the more established project (first released 2006), while KeeWeb arrived in 2015. KeeWeb has the considerably larger community, at 12,997 GitHub stars versus 750. KeeWeb lists first-class Docker deployment; Clipperz does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Clipperz if…
- True zero-knowledge design
- Runs in any browser
Watch out for
- Project is largely dormant
Choose KeeWeb if…
- Works with KeePass files
- No server database
- Cross-platform
Watch out for
- Development has slowed
- No team features
Frequently asked questions
Is Clipperz or KeeWeb better?
KeeWeb 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 KeeWeb free and open-source?
Yes. Clipperz is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and KeeWeb under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Clipperz and KeeWeb with Docker?
Clipperz: check the project docs for container support. KeeWeb: yes.