KeePassium vs KeePassXC
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
KeePassXC
Cross-platform offline KeePass password manager
| Feature | KeePassium | KeePassXC |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 70 · Good | 94 · Excellent |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Swift | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary | binary, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,697 | ★ 28,926 |
| First released | 2019 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane |
What are KeePassium and KeePassXC?
KeePassium
KeePassium is an open-source password manager for iOS and macOS that works with KeePass KDBX databases. It supports Face ID, Touch ID and AutoFill while keeping all data under user control.
- KDBX-compatible iOS and macOS app
- Face ID and Touch ID unlock
- Password AutoFill integration
- Hardware key support
KeePassXC
KeePassXC is a free, cross-platform desktop password manager that stores credentials in a local, encrypted KeePass database. It targets individuals who want fully offline password storage. It runs natively on desktop platforms.
- Local encrypted KeePass database
- Browser integration extension
- TOTP and passkey support
- No cloud dependency
KeePassium vs KeePassXC: key differences
KeePassium is written in Swift, while KeePassXC is built with C++. KeePassium is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for KeePassXC. KeePassXC is the more established project (first released 2017), while KeePassium arrived in 2019. KeePassXC has the considerably larger community, at 28,926 GitHub stars versus 1,697.
Why pick each one
Choose KeePassium if…
- Polished Apple-platform experience
- Open source
Watch out for
- Apple platforms only
- Premium tier for some features
Choose KeePassXC if…
- Fully offline and private
- No subscription
- Mature and trusted
Watch out for
- Sync is your responsibility
- No native mobile app
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassium or KeePassXC better?
Neither is universally better. KeePassXC has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are KeePassium and KeePassXC free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassium is licensed under GPL-3.0 and KeePassXC under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassium and KeePassXC with Docker?
KeePassium: check the project docs for container support. KeePassXC: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePassium or KeePassXC?
KeePassium has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for KeePassXC. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.