KeePassXC vs KeeWeb
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
VS
KeeWeb
Web-based client for KeePass databases
| Feature | KeePassXC | KeeWeb |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | ≈5-minute setup |
| Health score | 94 · Excellent | 64 · Good |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | C++ | HTML |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 28,926 | ★ 12,997 |
| First released | 2017 | 2015 |
| Replaces | LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane | LastPass, 1Password |
What are KeePassXC and KeeWeb?
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
KeeWeb
KeeWeb is a free, cross-platform password manager compatible with KeePass databases, usable in a browser or as a desktop app. It targets KeePass users who want web access to their vault. It is deployed via Docker or static hosting.
- Reads and writes KeePass files
- Browser and desktop versions
- No backend database needed
- Offline support
KeePassXC vs KeeWeb: key differences
KeePassXC is written in C++, while KeeWeb is built with HTML. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for KeePassXC versus MIT for KeeWeb. KeeWeb is the more established project (first released 2015), while KeePassXC arrived in 2017. KeePassXC has the considerably larger community, at 28,926 GitHub stars versus 12,997. KeeWeb lists first-class Docker deployment; KeePassXC does not.
Why pick each one
Choose KeePassXC if…
- Fully offline and private
- No subscription
- Mature and trusted
Watch out for
- Sync is your responsibility
- No native mobile app
Choose KeeWeb if…
- Works with KeePass files
- No server database
- Cross-platform
Watch out for
- Development has slowed
- No team features
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassXC or KeeWeb 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 KeePassXC and KeeWeb free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassXC is licensed under GPL-3.0 and KeeWeb under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassXC and KeeWeb with Docker?
KeePassXC: check the project docs for container support. KeeWeb: yes.