KeePass vs Passit
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KeePass | Passit |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | C# | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,000 | ★ 200 |
| First released | 2003 | 2016 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | LastPass, 1Password |
What are KeePass and Passit?
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
Passit
Passit is a self-hosted, open-source password manager with browser extensions. It encrypts credentials client-side before syncing them to your own Django-based server and supports group sharing.
- Client-side encrypted vault
- Browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox
- Group password sharing
- Self-hosted Django backend
KeePass vs Passit: key differences
KeePass is written in C#, while Passit is built with Python. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for KeePass versus AGPL-3.0 for Passit. KeePass is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Passit. KeePass is the more established project (first released 2003), while Passit arrived in 2016. KeePass has the considerably larger community, at 1,000 GitHub stars versus 200. Passit 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 Passit if…
- Simple sharing model
- Open and auditable
Watch out for
- Limited recent development
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePass or Passit better?
KeePass is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Passit if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are KeePass and Passit free and open-source?
Yes. KeePass is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Passit under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePass and Passit with Docker?
KeePass: check the project docs for container support. Passit: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePass or Passit?
KeePass has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Passit. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.