Padloc 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 | Padloc | Psono Client |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 18 · At risk | 62 · Good |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,923 | ★ 26 |
| First released | 2016 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | LastPass, 1Password |
What are Padloc and Psono Client?
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
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
Padloc vs Psono Client: key differences
Both projects are written in JavaScript. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Padloc versus Apache-2.0 for Psono Client. Psono Client is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Padloc. Padloc has the considerably larger community, at 2,923 GitHub stars versus 26.
Why pick each one
Choose Padloc if…
- Polished UI
- Open source
- Cross-platform
Watch out for
- Smaller ecosystem
- Slower development pace
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 Padloc or Psono Client better?
Neither is universally better. Padloc has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Padloc and Psono Client free and open-source?
Yes. Padloc is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Psono Client under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Padloc and Psono Client with Docker?
Padloc: yes. Psono Client: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Padloc or Psono Client?
Psono Client has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Padloc. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.