git-crypt vs Knox
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | git-crypt | Knox |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 52 · Fair | 65 · Good |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | C++ | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 9,931 | ★ 1,271 |
| First released | 2013 | 2016 |
| Replaces | HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager | HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager |
What are git-crypt and Knox?
git-crypt
git-crypt is an open-source tool that enables transparent encryption and decryption of files in a git repository. Files you choose are encrypted when committed and decrypted when checked out, keeping secrets safe in version control.
- Transparent file encryption in git
- GPG-based key management
- Selective encryption via gitattributes
- No server required
Knox
Knox is an open-source secret management service developed at Pinterest. It stores, rotates and provides access control for sensitive keys, passwords and certificates used by applications.
- Centralized secret storage
- Key rotation and versioning
- Access control lists
- Audit logging
git-crypt vs Knox: key differences
Git-crypt is written in C++, while Knox is built with Go. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for git-crypt versus Apache-2.0 for Knox. Git-crypt is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Knox. Git-crypt is the more established project (first released 2013), while Knox arrived in 2016. Git-crypt has the considerably larger community, at 9,931 GitHub stars versus 1,271. Knox lists first-class Docker deployment; git-crypt does not.
Why pick each one
Choose git-crypt if…
- Simple to integrate with git
- Keeps secrets in repos safely
Watch out for
- Not a vault with access control
Choose Knox if…
- Battle-tested at Pinterest
- Simple Go service
Watch out for
- Smaller community
Frequently asked questions
Is git-crypt or Knox better?
git-crypt is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Knox if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are git-crypt and Knox free and open-source?
Yes. git-crypt is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Knox under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run git-crypt and Knox with Docker?
git-crypt: check the project docs for container support. Knox: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, git-crypt or Knox?
git-crypt has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Knox. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.