KeePassXC vs pass-tomb
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-tomb
Encrypted storage extension for the pass manager
| Feature | KeePassXC | pass-tomb |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 94 · Excellent | 46 · Fair |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C++ | Shell |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 28,926 | ★ 437 |
| First released | 2017 | 2017 |
| Replaces | LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane | 1Password, KeePass |
What are KeePassXC and pass-tomb?
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-tomb
pass-tomb is an open-source extension for the standard Unix password manager that keeps the password store inside an encrypted Tomb container. It hides the directory structure of secrets when the store is locked.
- Encrypted Tomb container
- Hides store structure
- Integrates with pass
- Command-line workflow
KeePassXC vs pass-tomb: key differences
KeePassXC is written in C++, while pass-tomb is built with Shell. Pass-tomb is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for KeePassXC. KeePassXC has the considerably larger community, at 28,926 GitHub stars versus 437.
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-tomb if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Written in Shell
- Tiny footprint — runs in 64 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassXC or pass-tomb better?
KeePassXC is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider pass-tomb if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are KeePassXC and pass-tomb free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassXC is licensed under GPL-3.0 and pass-tomb under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassXC and pass-tomb with Docker?
KeePassXC: check the project docs for container support. pass-tomb: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePassXC or pass-tomb?
pass-tomb 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.