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.
Not the right match-up?
git-crypt
Transparent file encryption for secrets stored in git
VS
Knox
Service for storing and rotating application secrets
| Feature | git-crypt | Knox |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ★ 9,837 | ★ 1,268 |
| First released | 2013 | 2016 |
| Replaces | HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager | HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager |
Why pick each one
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.