KeePass vs KeePassXC
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
KeePassXC
Cross-platform offline KeePass password manager
| Feature | KeePass | KeePassXC |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C# | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | binary, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,000 | ★ 28,926 |
| First released | 2003 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane |
What are KeePass and KeePassXC?
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
KeePassXC
KeePassXC is a free, cross-platform desktop password manager that stores credentials in a local, encrypted KeePass database. It targets individuals who want fully offline password storage. It runs natively on desktop platforms.
- Local encrypted KeePass database
- Browser integration extension
- TOTP and passkey support
- No cloud dependency
KeePass vs KeePassXC: key differences
KeePass is written in C#, while KeePassXC is built with C++. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for KeePass versus GPL-3.0 for KeePassXC. KeePass is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for KeePassXC. KeePass is the more established project (first released 2003), while KeePassXC arrived in 2017. KeePassXC has the considerably larger community, at 28,926 GitHub stars versus 1,000.
Why pick each one
Choose KeePass if…
- Completely offline and private
- Time-tested and audited
Watch out for
- Dated Windows-centric interface
Choose KeePassXC if…
- Fully offline and private
- No subscription
- Mature and trusted
Watch out for
- Sync is your responsibility
- No native mobile app
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePass or KeePassXC better?
Neither is universally better. KeePassXC has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are KeePass and KeePassXC free and open-source?
Yes. KeePass is licensed under GPL-2.0 and KeePassXC under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePass and KeePassXC with Docker?
KeePass: check the project docs for container support. KeePassXC: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePass or KeePassXC?
KeePass has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for KeePassXC. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.