KeePass vs Padloc
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KeePass | Padloc |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | C# | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,000 | ★ 2,923 |
| First released | 2003 | 2016 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are KeePass and Padloc?
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
Padloc
Padloc is a modern, open-source password manager with a clean interface and end-to-end encryption, offering a self-hostable server. It targets individuals and small teams. It is deployed via Docker.
- End-to-end encryption
- Clean modern interface
- Self-hostable server
- Organizations and sharing
KeePass vs Padloc: key differences
KeePass is written in C#, while Padloc is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for KeePass versus AGPL-3.0 for Padloc. KeePass is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Padloc. KeePass is the more established project (first released 2003), while Padloc arrived in 2016. Padloc has the considerably larger community, at 2,923 GitHub stars versus 1,000. Padloc 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 Padloc if…
- Polished UI
- Open source
- Cross-platform
Watch out for
- Smaller ecosystem
- Slower development pace
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePass or Padloc better?
Neither is universally better. Padloc has the larger community, while KeePass is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are KeePass and Padloc free and open-source?
Yes. KeePass is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Padloc under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePass and Padloc with Docker?
KeePass: check the project docs for container support. Padloc: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePass or Padloc?
KeePass has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Padloc. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.