Password Gorilla vs KeePassDX
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 | KeePassDX |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 53 · Fair | 91 · Excellent |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Tcl | Kotlin |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 425 | ★ 7,355 |
| First released | 2005 | 2017 |
| Replaces | LastPass, Password Safe | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Password Gorilla and KeePassDX?
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
KeePassDX
KeePassDX is a free and open-source password manager for Android that is compatible with KeePass KDBX databases. It offers a modern Material interface, biometric unlock and form auto-fill.
- KDBX-compatible Android client
- Biometric and fingerprint unlock
- Auto-fill service integration
- Material design interface
Password Gorilla vs KeePassDX: key differences
Password Gorilla is written in Tcl, while KeePassDX is built with Kotlin. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for Password Gorilla versus GPL-3.0 for KeePassDX. Password Gorilla is the more established project (first released 2005), while KeePassDX arrived in 2017. KeePassDX has the considerably larger community, at 7,355 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
Frequently asked questions
Is Password Gorilla or KeePassDX better?
Neither is universally better. KeePassDX has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Password Gorilla and KeePassDX free and open-source?
Yes. Password Gorilla is licensed under GPL-2.0 and KeePassDX under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Password Gorilla and KeePassDX with Docker?
Password Gorilla: check the project docs for container support. KeePassDX: check the project docs for container support.