KeeWeb vs Psono Client
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KeeWeb | Psono Client |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | ≈5-minute setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 64 · Good | 62 · Good |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | HTML | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 12,997 | ★ 26 |
| First released | 2015 | 2017 |
| Replaces | LastPass, 1Password | LastPass, 1Password |
What are KeeWeb and Psono Client?
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
Psono Client
Psono Client is the open-source web and browser-extension client for the Psono password manager. It encrypts secrets locally and connects to a self-hosted Psono server for team password sharing.
- Client-side encryption
- Browser extension
- Team password sharing
- Connects to Psono server
KeeWeb vs Psono Client: key differences
KeeWeb is written in HTML, while Psono Client is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — MIT for KeeWeb versus Apache-2.0 for Psono Client. KeeWeb is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Psono Client. KeeWeb is the more established project (first released 2015), while Psono Client arrived in 2017. KeeWeb has the considerably larger community, at 12,997 GitHub stars versus 26.
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 Psono Client if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in JavaScript
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is KeeWeb or Psono Client better?
KeeWeb is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Psono Client if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are KeeWeb and Psono Client free and open-source?
Yes. KeeWeb is licensed under MIT and Psono Client under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KeeWeb and Psono Client with Docker?
KeeWeb: yes. Psono Client: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, KeeWeb or Psono Client?
KeeWeb has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Psono Client. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.