pass-otp vs TeamPass
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | pass-otp | TeamPass |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 28 · At risk | 85 · Excellent |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Shell | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,498 | ★ 1,828 |
| First released | 2017 | 2010 |
| Replaces | Authy, 1Password | LastPass, 1Password |
What are pass-otp and TeamPass?
pass-otp
pass-otp is an open-source extension that adds TOTP one-time-password support to the standard Unix password manager. It generates two-factor codes directly from secrets stored in the pass tree.
- TOTP code generation
- Integrates with pass
- Offline two-factor
- Command-line based
TeamPass
TeamPass is a collaborative password manager that lets teams store and share credentials with granular access rights. It targets IT teams managing shared passwords. It is deployed via Docker or a PHP stack.
- Granular access control
- Folder-based credential organization
- LDAP integration
- Audit logging
pass-otp vs TeamPass: key differences
Pass-otp is written in Shell, while TeamPass is built with PHP. Pass-otp is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 512 MB for TeamPass. TeamPass is the more established project (first released 2010), while pass-otp arrived in 2017. TeamPass lists first-class Docker deployment; pass-otp does not.
Why pick each one
Choose pass-otp if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Active community (1.5k GitHub stars)
- Written in Shell
- Tiny footprint — runs in 32 MB RAM
Choose TeamPass if…
- Good for shared team passwords
- Detailed permissions
- Mature
Watch out for
- Dated interface
- Configuration is involved
Frequently asked questions
Is pass-otp or TeamPass better?
Neither is universally better. TeamPass has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are pass-otp and TeamPass free and open-source?
Yes. pass-otp is licensed under GPL-3.0 and TeamPass under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run pass-otp and TeamPass with Docker?
pass-otp: check the project docs for container support. TeamPass: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, pass-otp or TeamPass?
pass-otp has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for TeamPass. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.