Clipperz vs Passbolt
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Passbolt
Open-source password manager built for teams
| Feature | Clipperz | Passbolt |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 91 · Excellent |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 750 | ★ 6,135 |
| First released | 2006 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Clipperz and Passbolt?
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
Passbolt
Passbolt is an open-source password manager designed for teams, built around end-to-end encryption and OpenPGP. It targets organizations sharing credentials securely. It is deployed via Docker or packages.
- OpenPGP-based encryption
- Team-oriented sharing and roles
- Browser extension and apps
- Audit logs
Clipperz vs Passbolt: key differences
Clipperz is written in JavaScript, while Passbolt is built with PHP. Clipperz is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Passbolt. Clipperz is the more established project (first released 2006), while Passbolt arrived in 2017. Passbolt has the considerably larger community, at 6,135 GitHub stars versus 750. Passbolt 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 Passbolt if…
- Built for team sharing
- Strong encryption model
- Good admin controls
Watch out for
- Setup is involved
- Some features in paid tiers
Frequently asked questions
Is Clipperz or Passbolt better?
Neither is universally better. Passbolt has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Clipperz and Passbolt free and open-source?
Yes. Clipperz is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Passbolt under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Clipperz and Passbolt with Docker?
Clipperz: check the project docs for container support. Passbolt: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Clipperz or Passbolt?
Clipperz has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Passbolt. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.