Password Gorilla vs Psono
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Tcl | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 425 | ★ 700 |
| First released | 2005 | 2017 |
| Replaces | LastPass, Password Safe | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Password Gorilla and Psono?
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
Psono is a self-hosted, open-source password manager focused on secure secret sharing for teams and enterprises. It targets organizations needing granular credential management. It is deployed via Docker.
- Granular secret sharing
- Client-side encryption
- LDAP and SAML support
- Browser extensions and apps
Password Gorilla vs Psono: key differences
Password Gorilla is written in Tcl, while Psono is built with Python. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for Password Gorilla versus Apache-2.0 for Psono. Password Gorilla is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Psono. Password Gorilla is the more established project (first released 2005), while Psono arrived in 2017. Psono 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 if…
- Strong sharing controls
- Enterprise auth support
- Open source
Watch out for
- Smaller community
- Setup takes effort
Frequently asked questions
Is Password Gorilla or Psono better?
Neither is universally better. Psono 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 Psono free and open-source?
Yes. Password Gorilla is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Psono under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Password Gorilla and Psono with Docker?
Password Gorilla: check the project docs for container support. Psono: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Password Gorilla or Psono?
Password Gorilla has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Psono. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.