Password Gorilla vs KeeWeb
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 | KeeWeb |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | ≈5-minute setup |
| Health score | 53 · Fair | 64 · Good |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | MIT |
| Language | Tcl | HTML |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 425 | ★ 12,997 |
| First released | 2005 | 2015 |
| Replaces | LastPass, Password Safe | LastPass, 1Password |
What are Password Gorilla and KeeWeb?
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
KeeWeb
KeeWeb is a free, cross-platform password manager compatible with KeePass databases, usable in a browser or as a desktop app. It targets KeePass users who want web access to their vault. It is deployed via Docker or static hosting.
- Reads and writes KeePass files
- Browser and desktop versions
- No backend database needed
- Offline support
Password Gorilla vs KeeWeb: key differences
Password Gorilla is written in Tcl, while KeeWeb is built with HTML. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for Password Gorilla versus MIT for KeeWeb. Password Gorilla is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for KeeWeb. Password Gorilla is the more established project (first released 2005), while KeeWeb arrived in 2015. KeeWeb has the considerably larger community, at 12,997 GitHub stars versus 425. KeeWeb lists first-class Docker deployment; Password Gorilla does not.
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 KeeWeb if…
- Works with KeePass files
- No server database
- Cross-platform
Watch out for
- Development has slowed
- No team features
Frequently asked questions
Is Password Gorilla or KeeWeb better?
Neither is universally better. KeeWeb has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Password Gorilla and KeeWeb free and open-source?
Yes. Password Gorilla is licensed under GPL-2.0 and KeeWeb under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Password Gorilla and KeeWeb with Docker?
Password Gorilla: check the project docs for container support. KeeWeb: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Password Gorilla or KeeWeb?
Password Gorilla has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for KeeWeb. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.