KeePass vs Passky Server
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KeePass | Passky Server |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C# | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,000 | ★ 244 |
| First released | 2003 | 2021 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | LastPass, Bitwarden |
What are KeePass and Passky Server?
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
Passky Server
Passky is a simple and lightweight self-hostable password manager. The server component provides an encrypted backend that syncs with Passky web, desktop and mobile clients.
- Encrypted password sync server
- Lightweight PHP backend
- Web, desktop and mobile clients
- Two-factor authentication support
KeePass vs Passky Server: key differences
KeePass is written in C#, while Passky Server is built with PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for KeePass versus GPL-3.0 for Passky Server. KeePass is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Passky Server. KeePass is the more established project (first released 2003), while Passky Server arrived in 2021. KeePass has the considerably larger community, at 1,000 GitHub stars versus 244. Passky Server 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 Passky Server if…
- Very easy to set up
- Minimal footprint
Watch out for
- Smaller community and ecosystem
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePass or Passky Server better?
Neither is universally better. KeePass has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are KeePass and Passky Server free and open-source?
Yes. KeePass is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Passky Server under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePass and Passky Server with Docker?
KeePass: check the project docs for container support. Passky Server: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePass or Passky Server?
KeePass has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for Passky Server. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.