KeePass vs Passbolt
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Passbolt
Open-source password manager built for teams
| Feature | KeePass | Passbolt |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | C# | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,000 | ★ 6,136 |
| First released | 2003 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are KeePass and Passbolt?
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
Passbolt
Passbolt is an open-source password manager designed for teams, built around end-to-end encryption and OpenPGP. It targets organizations sharing credentials securely. It is deployed via Docker or packages.
- OpenPGP-based encryption
- Team-oriented sharing and roles
- Browser extension and apps
- Audit logs
KeePass vs Passbolt: key differences
KeePass is written in C#, while Passbolt is built with PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for KeePass versus AGPL-3.0 for Passbolt. KeePass is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Passbolt. KeePass is the more established project (first released 2003), while Passbolt arrived in 2017. Passbolt has the considerably larger community, at 6,136 GitHub stars versus 1,000. Passbolt 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 Passbolt if…
- Built for team sharing
- Strong encryption model
- Good admin controls
Watch out for
- Setup is involved
- Some features in paid tiers
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePass or Passbolt better?
Neither is universally better. Passbolt 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 Passbolt free and open-source?
Yes. KeePass is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Passbolt under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePass and Passbolt with Docker?
KeePass: check the project docs for container support. Passbolt: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePass or Passbolt?
KeePass has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Passbolt. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.