KeePassDX 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 | KeePassDX | Passky Server |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 91 · Excellent | 32 · At risk |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Kotlin | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 7,355 | ★ 244 |
| First released | 2017 | 2021 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | LastPass, Bitwarden |
What are KeePassDX and Passky Server?
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
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
KeePassDX vs Passky Server: key differences
KeePassDX is written in Kotlin, while Passky Server is built with PHP. KeePassDX is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Passky Server. KeePassDX is the more established project (first released 2017), while Passky Server arrived in 2021. KeePassDX has the considerably larger community, at 7,355 GitHub stars versus 244. Passky Server lists first-class Docker deployment; KeePassDX does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Passky Server if…
- Very easy to set up
- Minimal footprint
Watch out for
- Smaller community and ecosystem
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassDX or Passky Server better?
Neither is universally better. KeePassDX has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are KeePassDX and Passky Server free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassDX is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Passky Server under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassDX and Passky Server with Docker?
KeePassDX: check the project docs for container support. Passky Server: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePassDX or Passky Server?
KeePassDX 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.