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.
OpenBao
Open-source secrets management forked from Vault
| Feature | git-crypt | OpenBao |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 52 · Fair | 91 · Excellent |
| 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 | ★ 9,932 | ★ 7,472 |
| First released | 2013 | 2024 |
| Replaces | HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager | AWS Secrets Manager, HashiCorp Vault |
What are git-crypt and OpenBao?
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
OpenBao
OpenBao is a community-driven, open-source fork of HashiCorp Vault maintained under the Linux Foundation. It manages, stores and tightly controls access to secrets such as tokens, passwords and certificates.
- Truly open-source Vault alternative
- Dynamic secrets generation
- Encryption as a service
- Community governed under Linux Foundation
git-crypt vs OpenBao: key differences
Git-crypt is written in C++, while OpenBao is built with Go. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for git-crypt versus MPL-2.0 for OpenBao. Git-crypt is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 256 MB for OpenBao. Git-crypt is the more established project (first released 2013), while OpenBao arrived in 2024. OpenBao 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 OpenBao if…
- MPL-2.0 licensed
- Compatible with Vault tooling
Watch out for
- Young fork still stabilizing
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.
Which is lighter on resources, git-crypt or OpenBao?
git-crypt has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for OpenBao. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.