git-crypt vs OpenBao
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
OpenBao
Open-source secrets management forked from Vault
| Feature | git-crypt | OpenBao |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MPL-2.0 |
| Language | C++ | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, kubernetes, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 9,837 | ★ 6,961 |
| First released | 2013 | 2024 |
| Replaces | HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager | AWS Secrets Manager, HashiCorp Vault |
Why pick each one
Frequently asked questions
Is git-crypt or OpenBao better?
git-crypt is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider OpenBao if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are git-crypt and OpenBao free and open-source?
Yes. git-crypt is licensed under GPL-3.0 and OpenBao under MPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run git-crypt and OpenBao with Docker?
git-crypt: check the project docs for container support. OpenBao: yes.