KeePassDX vs Spectre
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KeePassDX | Spectre |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Kotlin | C |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 7,355 | ★ 200 |
| First released | 2017 | 2012 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are KeePassDX and Spectre?
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
Spectre
Spectre, the successor to Master Password, is an open-source stateless password manager. It derives strong, unique passwords from your name and a master password rather than storing them in a vault.
- Deterministic password derivation
- No vault to store or sync
- Cross-platform clients
- Works fully offline
KeePassDX vs Spectre: key differences
KeePassDX is written in Kotlin, while Spectre is built with C. Spectre 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 200.
Why pick each one
Choose Spectre if…
- Nothing to back up
- Stateless by design
Watch out for
- Niche project
- Hard to change individual passwords
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassDX or Spectre better?
KeePassDX is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Spectre if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are KeePassDX and Spectre free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassDX is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Spectre under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassDX and Spectre with Docker?
KeePassDX: check the project docs for container support. Spectre: check the project docs for container support.