KeePassXC vs Spectre
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
Spectre
Stateless password manager that derives passwords on demand
| Feature | KeePassXC | Spectre |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C++ | C |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 28,926 | ★ 200 |
| First released | 2017 | 2012 |
| Replaces | LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane | 1Password, LastPass |
What are KeePassXC and Spectre?
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
Spectre
Spectre, the successor to Master Password, is an open-source stateless password manager. It derives strong, unique passwords from your name and a master password rather than storing them in a vault.
- Deterministic password derivation
- No vault to store or sync
- Cross-platform clients
- Works fully offline
KeePassXC vs Spectre: key differences
KeePassXC is written in C++, while Spectre is built with C. Spectre is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for KeePassXC. Spectre is the more established project (first released 2012), while KeePassXC arrived in 2017. KeePassXC has the considerably larger community, at 28,926 GitHub stars versus 200.
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 Spectre if…
- Nothing to back up
- Stateless by design
Watch out for
- Niche project
- Hard to change individual passwords
Frequently asked questions
Is KeePassXC or Spectre better?
KeePassXC is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Spectre if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are KeePassXC and Spectre free and open-source?
Yes. KeePassXC is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Spectre under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeePassXC and Spectre with Docker?
KeePassXC: check the project docs for container support. Spectre: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, KeePassXC or Spectre?
Spectre 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.