KeePass vs Spectre
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
KeePass
Original free and open-source password manager
VS
Spectre
Stateless password manager that derives passwords on demand
| Feature | KeePass | Spectre |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C# | C |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,000 | ★ 200 |
| First released | 2003 | 2012 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
Why pick each one
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePass or Spectre better?
KeePass is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Spectre if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are KeePass and Spectre free and open-source?
Yes. KeePass is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Spectre under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePass and Spectre with Docker?
KeePass: check the project docs for container support. Spectre: check the project docs for container support.