KeePassium vs Padloc
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KeePassium | Padloc |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 70 · Good | 18 · At risk |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Swift | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,697 | ★ 2,923 |
| First released | 2019 | 2016 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are KeePassium and Padloc?
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
Padloc
Padloc is a modern, open-source password manager with a clean interface and end-to-end encryption, offering a self-hostable server. It targets individuals and small teams. It is deployed via Docker.
- End-to-end encryption
- Clean modern interface
- Self-hostable server
- Organizations and sharing
KeePassium vs Padloc: key differences
KeePassium is written in Swift, while Padloc is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for KeePassium versus AGPL-3.0 for Padloc. KeePassium is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Padloc. Padloc is the more established project (first released 2016), while KeePassium arrived in 2019. Padloc lists first-class Docker deployment; KeePassium does not.
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 Padloc if…
- Polished UI
- Open source
- Cross-platform
Watch out for
- Smaller ecosystem
- Slower development pace
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassium or Padloc better?
Neither is universally better. Padloc has the larger community, while KeePassium is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are KeePassium and Padloc free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassium is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Padloc under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassium and Padloc with Docker?
KeePassium: check the project docs for container support. Padloc: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePassium or Padloc?
KeePassium has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Padloc. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.