KeePassium 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 | KeePassium | Psono |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Swift | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,697 | ★ 700 |
| First released | 2019 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are KeePassium and Psono?
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
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
KeePassium vs Psono: key differences
KeePassium is written in Swift, while Psono is built with Python. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for KeePassium versus Apache-2.0 for Psono. KeePassium is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Psono. Psono is the more established project (first released 2017), while KeePassium arrived in 2019. KeePassium has the considerably larger community, at 1,697 GitHub stars versus 700. Psono 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 Psono if…
- Strong sharing controls
- Enterprise auth support
- Open source
Watch out for
- Smaller community
- Setup takes effort
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassium or Psono better?
KeePassium 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 KeePassium and Psono free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassium is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Psono under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassium and Psono with Docker?
KeePassium: check the project docs for container support. Psono: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePassium or Psono?
KeePassium 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.