Clipperz vs Psono
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Clipperz | Psono |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 750 | ★ 700 |
| First released | 2006 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Clipperz and Psono?
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
Psono
Psono is a self-hosted, open-source password manager focused on secure secret sharing for teams and enterprises. It targets organizations needing granular credential management. It is deployed via Docker.
- Granular secret sharing
- Client-side encryption
- LDAP and SAML support
- Browser extensions and apps
Clipperz vs Psono: key differences
Clipperz is written in JavaScript, while Psono is built with Python. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Clipperz versus Apache-2.0 for Psono. Clipperz is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Psono. Clipperz is the more established project (first released 2006), while Psono arrived in 2017. Psono 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 Psono if…
- Strong sharing controls
- Enterprise auth support
- Open source
Watch out for
- Smaller community
- Setup takes effort
Frequently asked questions
Is Clipperz or Psono better?
Neither is universally better. Clipperz has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Clipperz and Psono free and open-source?
Yes. Clipperz is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Psono under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Clipperz and Psono with Docker?
Clipperz: check the project docs for container support. Psono: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Clipperz or Psono?
Clipperz has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Psono. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.