Clipperz vs Padloc
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Clipperz | Padloc |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 18 · At risk |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 750 | ★ 2,923 |
| First released | 2006 | 2016 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Clipperz and Padloc?
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
Padloc
Padloc is a modern, open-source password manager with a clean interface and end-to-end encryption, offering a self-hostable server. It targets individuals and small teams. It is deployed via Docker.
- End-to-end encryption
- Clean modern interface
- Self-hostable server
- Organizations and sharing
Clipperz vs Padloc: key differences
Both projects are written in JavaScript. Clipperz is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Padloc. Clipperz is the more established project (first released 2006), while Padloc arrived in 2016. Padloc has the considerably larger community, at 2,923 GitHub stars versus 750. Padloc 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 Padloc if…
- Polished UI
- Open source
- Cross-platform
Watch out for
- Smaller ecosystem
- Slower development pace
Frequently asked questions
Is Clipperz or Padloc better?
Neither is universally better. Padloc has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Clipperz and Padloc free and open-source?
Yes. Clipperz is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Padloc under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Clipperz and Padloc with Docker?
Clipperz: check the project docs for container support. Padloc: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Clipperz or Padloc?
Clipperz has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Padloc. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.