KeePassDX vs Psono
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KeePassDX | Psono |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Kotlin | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 7,355 | ★ 700 |
| First released | 2017 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are KeePassDX and Psono?
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
Psono
Psono is a self-hosted, open-source password manager focused on secure secret sharing for teams and enterprises. It targets organizations needing granular credential management. It is deployed via Docker.
- Granular secret sharing
- Client-side encryption
- LDAP and SAML support
- Browser extensions and apps
KeePassDX vs Psono: key differences
KeePassDX is written in Kotlin, while Psono is built with Python. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for KeePassDX versus Apache-2.0 for Psono. KeePassDX is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Psono. KeePassDX has the considerably larger community, at 7,355 GitHub stars versus 700. Psono lists first-class Docker deployment; KeePassDX does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Psono if…
- Strong sharing controls
- Enterprise auth support
- Open source
Watch out for
- Smaller community
- Setup takes effort
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassDX or Psono better?
KeePassDX is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Psono if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are KeePassDX and Psono free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassDX is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Psono under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassDX and Psono with Docker?
KeePassDX: check the project docs for container support. Psono: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePassDX or Psono?
KeePassDX has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Psono. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.