KeePassDX vs One-Time Secret
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KeePassDX | One-Time Secret |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 91 · Excellent | 87 · Excellent |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Kotlin | Ruby |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 7,355 | ★ 2,942 |
| First released | 2017 | 2012 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, Doppler |
What are KeePassDX and One-Time Secret?
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
One-Time Secret
One-Time Secret is an open-source service for sharing passwords and other sensitive information through links that can only be viewed once. After the secret is read or expires, it is permanently deleted.
- Self-destructing secret links
- Optional passphrase protection
- Configurable expiration times
- Simple REST API
KeePassDX vs One-Time Secret: key differences
KeePassDX is written in Kotlin, while One-Time Secret is built with Ruby. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for KeePassDX versus MIT for One-Time Secret. KeePassDX is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 256 MB for One-Time Secret. One-Time Secret is the more established project (first released 2012), while KeePassDX arrived in 2017. KeePassDX has the considerably larger community, at 7,355 GitHub stars versus 2,942. One-Time Secret lists first-class Docker deployment; KeePassDX does not.
Why pick each one
Choose One-Time Secret if…
- Great for one-off credential sharing
- Easy to self-host
Watch out for
- Not a long-term vault
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassDX or One-Time Secret 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 One-Time Secret free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassDX is licensed under GPL-3.0 and One-Time Secret under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassDX and One-Time Secret with Docker?
KeePassDX: check the project docs for container support. One-Time Secret: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePassDX or One-Time Secret?
KeePassDX has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for One-Time Secret. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.