KeePassXC vs pass-otp
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
pass-otp
One-time-password extension for the pass manager
| Feature | KeePassXC | pass-otp |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 94 · Excellent | 28 · At risk |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C++ | Shell |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 32 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 28,926 | ★ 1,498 |
| First released | 2017 | 2017 |
| Replaces | LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane | Authy, 1Password |
What are KeePassXC and pass-otp?
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
pass-otp
pass-otp is an open-source extension that adds TOTP one-time-password support to the standard Unix password manager. It generates two-factor codes directly from secrets stored in the pass tree.
- TOTP code generation
- Integrates with pass
- Offline two-factor
- Command-line based
KeePassXC vs pass-otp: key differences
KeePassXC is written in C++, while pass-otp is built with Shell. Pass-otp is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 128 MB for KeePassXC. KeePassXC has the considerably larger community, at 28,926 GitHub stars versus 1,498.
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 pass-otp if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Active community (1.5k GitHub stars)
- Written in Shell
- Tiny footprint — runs in 32 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassXC or pass-otp better?
KeePassXC is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider pass-otp if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are KeePassXC and pass-otp free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassXC is licensed under GPL-3.0 and pass-otp under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassXC and pass-otp with Docker?
KeePassXC: check the project docs for container support. pass-otp: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePassXC or pass-otp?
pass-otp has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for KeePassXC. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.