Password Gorilla vs Padloc
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 | Padloc |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 53 · Fair | 18 · At risk |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Tcl | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 425 | ★ 2,923 |
| First released | 2005 | 2016 |
| Replaces | LastPass, Password Safe | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Password Gorilla and Padloc?
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
Padloc
Padloc is a modern, open-source password manager with a clean interface and end-to-end encryption, offering a self-hostable server. It targets individuals and small teams. It is deployed via Docker.
- End-to-end encryption
- Clean modern interface
- Self-hostable server
- Organizations and sharing
Password Gorilla vs Padloc: key differences
Password Gorilla is written in Tcl, while Padloc is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for Password Gorilla versus AGPL-3.0 for Padloc. Password Gorilla is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Padloc. Password Gorilla is the more established project (first released 2005), while Padloc arrived in 2016. Padloc has the considerably larger community, at 2,923 GitHub stars versus 425. Padloc 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 Padloc if…
- Polished UI
- Open source
- Cross-platform
Watch out for
- Smaller ecosystem
- Slower development pace
Frequently asked questions
Is Password Gorilla or Padloc better?
Neither is universally better. Padloc has the larger community, while Password Gorilla is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Password Gorilla and Padloc free and open-source?
Yes. Password Gorilla is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Padloc under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Password Gorilla and Padloc with Docker?
Password Gorilla: check the project docs for container support. Padloc: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Password Gorilla or Padloc?
Password Gorilla has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Padloc. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.