Clipperz vs Vaultwarden
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Vaultwarden
Lightweight Bitwarden-compatible password server
| Feature | Clipperz | Vaultwarden |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | ≈5-minute setup |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 100 · Excellent |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | Rust |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 750 | ★ 68,080 |
| First released | 2006 | 2018 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass, Dashlane |
What are Clipperz and Vaultwarden?
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
Vaultwarden
Vaultwarden is a lightweight, unofficial Bitwarden-compatible server written in Rust that works with all official Bitwarden clients. It targets self-hosters who want Bitwarden without heavy resource use. It is deployed via Docker.
- Compatible with all Bitwarden clients
- Tiny resource footprint
- Organizations and sharing
- Includes premium-equivalent features
Clipperz vs Vaultwarden: key differences
Clipperz is written in JavaScript, while Vaultwarden is built with Rust. Clipperz is the more established project (first released 2006), while Vaultwarden arrived in 2018. Vaultwarden has the considerably larger community, at 68,080 GitHub stars versus 750. Vaultwarden 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 Vaultwarden if…
- Extremely lightweight
- Works with official apps
- Easy to deploy
Watch out for
- Unofficial, community project
- Self-hosting security is on you
Frequently asked questions
Is Clipperz or Vaultwarden better?
Vaultwarden 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 Vaultwarden free and open-source?
Yes. Clipperz is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Vaultwarden under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Clipperz and Vaultwarden with Docker?
Clipperz: check the project docs for container support. Vaultwarden: yes.