Password Gorilla vs TeamPass
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 | TeamPass |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 53 · Fair | 85 · Excellent |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Tcl | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 425 | ★ 1,828 |
| First released | 2005 | 2010 |
| Replaces | LastPass, Password Safe | LastPass, 1Password |
What are Password Gorilla and TeamPass?
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
TeamPass
TeamPass is a collaborative password manager that lets teams store and share credentials with granular access rights. It targets IT teams managing shared passwords. It is deployed via Docker or a PHP stack.
- Granular access control
- Folder-based credential organization
- LDAP integration
- Audit logging
Password Gorilla vs TeamPass: key differences
Password Gorilla is written in Tcl, while TeamPass is built with PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for Password Gorilla versus GPL-3.0 for TeamPass. Password Gorilla is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for TeamPass. Password Gorilla is the more established project (first released 2005), while TeamPass arrived in 2010. TeamPass has the considerably larger community, at 1,828 GitHub stars versus 425. TeamPass 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 TeamPass if…
- Good for shared team passwords
- Detailed permissions
- Mature
Watch out for
- Dated interface
- Configuration is involved
Frequently asked questions
Is Password Gorilla or TeamPass better?
Neither is universally better. TeamPass 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 TeamPass free and open-source?
Yes. Password Gorilla is licensed under GPL-2.0 and TeamPass under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Password Gorilla and TeamPass with Docker?
Password Gorilla: check the project docs for container support. TeamPass: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Password Gorilla or TeamPass?
Password Gorilla has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for TeamPass. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.