KeePassDX vs pass
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Kotlin | Shell |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 32 MB |
| Deployment | binary | bare-metal, binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 7,355 | ★ 4,200 |
| First released | 2017 | 2012 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are KeePassDX and pass?
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
pass is a minimalist password manager that stores each secret in a GPG-encrypted file, optionally versioned with git. It follows the Unix philosophy and works entirely from the command line.
- GPG-encrypted password files
- Optional git versioning and sync
- Scriptable command-line workflow
- Many compatible GUI and mobile clients
KeePassDX vs pass: key differences
KeePassDX is written in Kotlin, while pass is built with Shell. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for KeePassDX versus GPL-2.0 for pass. Pass is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 64 MB for KeePassDX. Pass is the more established project (first released 2012), while KeePassDX arrived in 2017.
Why pick each one
Choose pass if…
- Simple and transparent storage
- Composes well with other tools
Watch out for
- Command-line oriented
- Requires GPG knowledge
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassDX or pass better?
KeePassDX is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider pass if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are KeePassDX and pass free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassDX is licensed under GPL-3.0 and pass under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassDX and pass with Docker?
KeePassDX: check the project docs for container support. pass: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePassDX or pass?
pass has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 64 MB for KeePassDX. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.