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.
Not the right match-up?
KeePass
Original free and open-source password manager
VS
KeePassXC
Cross-platform offline KeePass password manager
| Feature | KeePass | KeePassXC |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ★ 28,301 |
| First released | 2003 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane |
Why pick each one
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.