Password Gorilla vs KeePassXC
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
KeePassXC
Cross-platform offline KeePass password manager
| Feature | Password Gorilla | KeePassXC |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 53 · Fair | 94 · Excellent |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Tcl | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 425 | ★ 28,926 |
| First released | 2005 | 2017 |
| Replaces | LastPass, Password Safe | LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane |
What are Password Gorilla and KeePassXC?
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
KeePassXC
KeePassXC is a free, cross-platform desktop password manager that stores credentials in a local, encrypted KeePass database. It targets individuals who want fully offline password storage. It runs natively on desktop platforms.
- Local encrypted KeePass database
- Browser integration extension
- TOTP and passkey support
- No cloud dependency
Password Gorilla vs KeePassXC: key differences
Password Gorilla is written in Tcl, while KeePassXC is built with C++. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for Password Gorilla versus GPL-3.0 for KeePassXC. Password Gorilla is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for KeePassXC. Password Gorilla is the more established project (first released 2005), while KeePassXC arrived in 2017. KeePassXC has the considerably larger community, at 28,926 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 KeePassXC if…
- Fully offline and private
- No subscription
- Mature and trusted
Watch out for
- Sync is your responsibility
- No native mobile app
Frequently asked questions
Is Password Gorilla or KeePassXC better?
Neither is universally better. KeePassXC has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Password Gorilla and KeePassXC free and open-source?
Yes. Password Gorilla is licensed under GPL-2.0 and KeePassXC under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Password Gorilla and KeePassXC with Docker?
Password Gorilla: check the project docs for container support. KeePassXC: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Password Gorilla or KeePassXC?
Password Gorilla has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for KeePassXC. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.