Password Gorilla vs Psono Client
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 | Psono Client |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 53 · Fair | 62 · Good |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Tcl | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 425 | ★ 26 |
| First released | 2005 | 2017 |
| Replaces | LastPass, Password Safe | LastPass, 1Password |
What are Password Gorilla and Psono Client?
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
Psono Client
Psono Client is the open-source web and browser-extension client for the Psono password manager. It encrypts secrets locally and connects to a self-hosted Psono server for team password sharing.
- Client-side encryption
- Browser extension
- Team password sharing
- Connects to Psono server
Password Gorilla vs Psono Client: key differences
Password Gorilla is written in Tcl, while Psono Client is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for Password Gorilla versus Apache-2.0 for Psono Client. Password Gorilla is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Psono Client. Password Gorilla is the more established project (first released 2005), while Psono Client arrived in 2017. Password Gorilla has the considerably larger community, at 425 GitHub stars versus 26. Psono Client 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 Psono Client if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in JavaScript
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Password Gorilla or Psono Client better?
Password Gorilla is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Psono Client if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Password Gorilla and Psono Client free and open-source?
Yes. Password Gorilla is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Psono Client under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Password Gorilla and Psono Client with Docker?
Password Gorilla: check the project docs for container support. Psono Client: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Password Gorilla or Psono Client?
Password Gorilla has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Psono Client. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.