Password Gorilla vs KeePass
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Password Gorilla | KeePass |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Tcl | C# |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 425 | ★ 1,000 |
| First released | 2005 | 2003 |
| Replaces | LastPass, Password Safe | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Password Gorilla and KeePass?
Password Gorilla
Password Gorilla is an open-source password manager that stores credentials in encrypted databases compatible with the Password Safe format. It runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS as a lightweight desktop app.
- Password Safe compatible
- Encrypted database
- Cross-platform desktop
- Lightweight
KeePass
KeePass is a free, open-source password manager that stores credentials in a strongly encrypted local database. It is the original KeePass implementation that spawned an entire ecosystem of compatible clients.
- Strongly encrypted local database
- Portable, no installation required
- Extensive plugin ecosystem
- KDBX format used industry-wide
Password Gorilla vs KeePass: key differences
Password Gorilla is written in Tcl, while KeePass is built with C#. KeePass is the more established project (first released 2003), while Password Gorilla arrived in 2005. KeePass has the considerably larger community, at 1,000 GitHub stars versus 425.
Why pick each one
Choose Password Gorilla if…
- Released under the GPL-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Written in Tcl
- Tiny footprint — runs in 64 MB RAM
Choose KeePass if…
- Completely offline and private
- Time-tested and audited
Watch out for
- Dated Windows-centric interface
Frequently asked questions
Is Password Gorilla or KeePass better?
Neither is universally better. KeePass has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Password Gorilla and KeePass free and open-source?
Yes. Password Gorilla is licensed under GPL-2.0 and KeePass under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Password Gorilla and KeePass with Docker?
Password Gorilla: check the project docs for container support. KeePass: check the project docs for container support.