Clipperz vs LessPass
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Clipperz | LessPass |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 88 · Excellent |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 750 | ★ 6,065 |
| First released | 2006 | 2016 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Clipperz and LessPass?
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
LessPass
LessPass is an open-source password manager that generates unique passwords deterministically from a master password and site details. Because nothing is stored, there is no vault to sync or back up.
- Deterministic password generation
- No vault to store or sync
- Browser extensions and mobile apps
- Optional self-hosted profile sync
Clipperz vs LessPass: key differences
Clipperz is written in JavaScript, while LessPass is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Clipperz versus GPL-3.0 for LessPass. Clipperz is the more established project (first released 2006), while LessPass arrived in 2016. LessPass has the considerably larger community, at 6,065 GitHub stars versus 750. LessPass 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 LessPass if…
- Nothing to back up
- Works fully offline
Watch out for
- Hard to change a single password
- Profiles must be remembered
Frequently asked questions
Is Clipperz or LessPass better?
LessPass 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 LessPass free and open-source?
Yes. Clipperz is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and LessPass under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Clipperz and LessPass with Docker?
Clipperz: check the project docs for container support. LessPass: yes.