KeeWeb vs Padloc
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KeeWeb | Padloc |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | ≈5-minute setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 64 · Good | 18 · At risk |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | MIT | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | HTML | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 12,997 | ★ 2,923 |
| First released | 2015 | 2016 |
| Replaces | LastPass, 1Password | 1Password, LastPass |
What are KeeWeb and Padloc?
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
Padloc
Padloc is a modern, open-source password manager with a clean interface and end-to-end encryption, offering a self-hostable server. It targets individuals and small teams. It is deployed via Docker.
- End-to-end encryption
- Clean modern interface
- Self-hostable server
- Organizations and sharing
KeeWeb vs Padloc: key differences
KeeWeb is written in HTML, while Padloc is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — MIT for KeeWeb versus AGPL-3.0 for Padloc. KeeWeb is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Padloc. KeeWeb has the considerably larger community, at 12,997 GitHub stars versus 2,923.
Why pick each one
Choose KeeWeb if…
- Works with KeePass files
- No server database
- Cross-platform
Watch out for
- Development has slowed
- No team features
Choose Padloc if…
- Polished UI
- Open source
- Cross-platform
Watch out for
- Smaller ecosystem
- Slower development pace
Frequently asked questions
Is KeeWeb or Padloc better?
KeeWeb is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Padloc if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are KeeWeb and Padloc free and open-source?
Yes. KeeWeb is licensed under MIT and Padloc under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeeWeb and Padloc with Docker?
KeeWeb: yes. Padloc: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, KeeWeb or Padloc?
KeeWeb has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Padloc. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.