KeePass vs KeeWeb
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KeePass | KeeWeb |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | ≈5-minute setup |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | MIT |
| Language | C# | HTML |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,000 | ★ 12,997 |
| First released | 2003 | 2015 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | LastPass, 1Password |
What are KeePass and KeeWeb?
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
KeeWeb
KeeWeb is a free, cross-platform password manager compatible with KeePass databases, usable in a browser or as a desktop app. It targets KeePass users who want web access to their vault. It is deployed via Docker or static hosting.
- Reads and writes KeePass files
- Browser and desktop versions
- No backend database needed
- Offline support
KeePass vs KeeWeb: key differences
KeePass is written in C#, while KeeWeb is built with HTML. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for KeePass versus MIT for KeeWeb. KeePass is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for KeeWeb. KeePass is the more established project (first released 2003), while KeeWeb arrived in 2015. KeeWeb has the considerably larger community, at 12,997 GitHub stars versus 1,000. KeeWeb lists first-class Docker deployment; KeePass does not.
Why pick each one
Choose KeePass if…
- Completely offline and private
- Time-tested and audited
Watch out for
- Dated Windows-centric interface
Choose KeeWeb if…
- Works with KeePass files
- No server database
- Cross-platform
Watch out for
- Development has slowed
- No team features
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePass or KeeWeb better?
Neither is universally better. KeeWeb has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are KeePass and KeeWeb free and open-source?
Yes. KeePass is licensed under GPL-2.0 and KeeWeb under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePass and KeeWeb with Docker?
KeePass: check the project docs for container support. KeeWeb: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePass or KeeWeb?
KeePass has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for KeeWeb. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.