KeePassDX vs KeeWeb
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KeePassDX | KeeWeb |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | ≈5-minute setup |
| Health score | 91 · Excellent | 64 · Good |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Kotlin | HTML |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 7,355 | ★ 12,997 |
| First released | 2017 | 2015 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | LastPass, 1Password |
What are KeePassDX and KeeWeb?
KeePassDX
KeePassDX is a free and open-source password manager for Android that is compatible with KeePass KDBX databases. It offers a modern Material interface, biometric unlock and form auto-fill.
- KDBX-compatible Android client
- Biometric and fingerprint unlock
- Auto-fill service integration
- Material design interface
KeeWeb
KeeWeb is a free, cross-platform password manager compatible with KeePass databases, usable in a browser or as a desktop app. It targets KeePass users who want web access to their vault. It is deployed via Docker or static hosting.
- Reads and writes KeePass files
- Browser and desktop versions
- No backend database needed
- Offline support
KeePassDX vs KeeWeb: key differences
KeePassDX is written in Kotlin, while KeeWeb is built with HTML. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for KeePassDX versus MIT for KeeWeb. KeePassDX is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for KeeWeb. KeeWeb is the more established project (first released 2015), while KeePassDX arrived in 2017. KeeWeb lists first-class Docker deployment; KeePassDX does not.
Why pick each one
Choose KeeWeb if…
- Works with KeePass files
- No server database
- Cross-platform
Watch out for
- Development has slowed
- No team features
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassDX or KeeWeb better?
Neither is universally better. KeeWeb has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are KeePassDX and KeeWeb free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassDX is licensed under GPL-3.0 and KeeWeb under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassDX and KeeWeb with Docker?
KeePassDX: check the project docs for container support. KeeWeb: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePassDX or KeeWeb?
KeePassDX has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for KeeWeb. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.