KeePass vs KeePassium
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KeePass | KeePassium |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C# | Swift |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,000 | ★ 1,697 |
| First released | 2003 | 2019 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are KeePass and KeePassium?
KeePass
KeePass is a free, open-source password manager that stores credentials in a strongly encrypted local database. It is the original KeePass implementation that spawned an entire ecosystem of compatible clients.
- Strongly encrypted local database
- Portable, no installation required
- Extensive plugin ecosystem
- KDBX format used industry-wide
KeePassium
KeePassium is an open-source password manager for iOS and macOS that works with KeePass KDBX databases. It supports Face ID, Touch ID and AutoFill while keeping all data under user control.
- KDBX-compatible iOS and macOS app
- Face ID and Touch ID unlock
- Password AutoFill integration
- Hardware key support
KeePass vs KeePassium: key differences
KeePass is written in C#, while KeePassium is built with Swift. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for KeePass versus GPL-3.0 for KeePassium. KeePass is the more established project (first released 2003), while KeePassium arrived in 2019.
Why pick each one
Choose KeePass if…
- Completely offline and private
- Time-tested and audited
Watch out for
- Dated Windows-centric interface
Choose KeePassium if…
- Polished Apple-platform experience
- Open source
Watch out for
- Apple platforms only
- Premium tier for some features
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePass or KeePassium better?
Neither is universally better. KeePassium has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are KeePass and KeePassium free and open-source?
Yes. KeePass is licensed under GPL-2.0 and KeePassium under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePass and KeePassium with Docker?
KeePass: check the project docs for container support. KeePassium: check the project docs for container support.