KeePassDX vs pass-tomb
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KeePassDX | pass-tomb |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 91 · Excellent | 46 · Fair |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Kotlin | Shell |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 7,355 | ★ 437 |
| First released | 2017 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, KeePass |
What are KeePassDX and pass-tomb?
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
pass-tomb
pass-tomb is an open-source extension for the standard Unix password manager that keeps the password store inside an encrypted Tomb container. It hides the directory structure of secrets when the store is locked.
- Encrypted Tomb container
- Hides store structure
- Integrates with pass
- Command-line workflow
KeePassDX vs pass-tomb: key differences
KeePassDX is written in Kotlin, while pass-tomb is built with Shell. KeePassDX has the considerably larger community, at 7,355 GitHub stars versus 437.
Why pick each one
Choose pass-tomb if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Written in Shell
- Tiny footprint — runs in 64 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassDX or pass-tomb better?
KeePassDX is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider pass-tomb if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are KeePassDX and pass-tomb free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassDX is licensed under GPL-3.0 and pass-tomb under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassDX and pass-tomb with Docker?
KeePassDX: check the project docs for container support. pass-tomb: check the project docs for container support.