KeePassXC vs Passky Server
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
Passky Server
Simple, lightweight and open-source password manager backend
| Feature | KeePassXC | Passky Server |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 94 · Excellent | 32 · At risk |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C++ | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 28,926 | ★ 244 |
| First released | 2017 | 2021 |
| Replaces | LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane | LastPass, Bitwarden |
What are KeePassXC and Passky Server?
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
Passky Server
Passky is a simple and lightweight self-hostable password manager. The server component provides an encrypted backend that syncs with Passky web, desktop and mobile clients.
- Encrypted password sync server
- Lightweight PHP backend
- Web, desktop and mobile clients
- Two-factor authentication support
KeePassXC vs Passky Server: key differences
KeePassXC is written in C++, while Passky Server is built with PHP. KeePassXC is the more established project (first released 2017), while Passky Server arrived in 2021. KeePassXC has the considerably larger community, at 28,926 GitHub stars versus 244. Passky Server 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 Passky Server if…
- Very easy to set up
- Minimal footprint
Watch out for
- Smaller community and ecosystem
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassXC or Passky Server 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 Passky Server free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassXC is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Passky Server under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassXC and Passky Server with Docker?
KeePassXC: check the project docs for container support. Passky Server: yes.