Password Gorilla vs Nextcloud Passwords
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 | Nextcloud Passwords |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 53 · Fair | 57 · Fair |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Tcl | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 425 | ★ 249 |
| First released | 2005 | 2018 |
| Replaces | LastPass, Password Safe | LastPass, Bitwarden |
What are Password Gorilla and Nextcloud Passwords?
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
Nextcloud Passwords
Nextcloud Passwords is a feature-rich password manager that runs as an app inside a Nextcloud instance, with client-side encryption and browser extensions. It integrates with existing Nextcloud users and sharing.
- Client-side encryption
- Browser extensions
- Password sharing
- Security audits
Password Gorilla vs Nextcloud Passwords: key differences
Password Gorilla is written in Tcl, while Nextcloud Passwords is built with PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for Password Gorilla versus AGPL-3.0 for Nextcloud Passwords. Password Gorilla is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Nextcloud Passwords. Password Gorilla is the more established project (first released 2005), while Nextcloud Passwords arrived in 2018. Nextcloud Passwords 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 Nextcloud Passwords if…
- Integrates with Nextcloud
- Strong feature set
Watch out for
- Requires Nextcloud
- Tied to PHP stack
Frequently asked questions
Is Password Gorilla or Nextcloud Passwords better?
Neither is universally better. Password Gorilla has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Password Gorilla and Nextcloud Passwords free and open-source?
Yes. Password Gorilla is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Nextcloud Passwords under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Password Gorilla and Nextcloud Passwords with Docker?
Password Gorilla: check the project docs for container support. Nextcloud Passwords: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Password Gorilla or Nextcloud Passwords?
Password Gorilla has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Nextcloud Passwords. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.