pass-tomb vs Psono
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | pass-tomb | Psono |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Shell | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 437 | ★ 700 |
| First released | 2017 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, KeePass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are pass-tomb and Psono?
pass-tomb
pass-tomb is an open-source extension for the standard Unix password manager that keeps the password store inside an encrypted Tomb container. It hides the directory structure of secrets when the store is locked.
- Encrypted Tomb container
- Hides store structure
- Integrates with pass
- Command-line workflow
Psono
Psono is a self-hosted, open-source password manager focused on secure secret sharing for teams and enterprises. It targets organizations needing granular credential management. It is deployed via Docker.
- Granular secret sharing
- Client-side encryption
- LDAP and SAML support
- Browser extensions and apps
pass-tomb vs Psono: key differences
Pass-tomb is written in Shell, while Psono is built with Python. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for pass-tomb versus Apache-2.0 for Psono. Pass-tomb is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Psono. Psono lists first-class Docker deployment; pass-tomb does not.
Why pick each one
Choose pass-tomb if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Written in Shell
- Tiny footprint — runs in 64 MB RAM
Choose Psono if…
- Strong sharing controls
- Enterprise auth support
- Open source
Watch out for
- Smaller community
- Setup takes effort
Frequently asked questions
Is pass-tomb or Psono better?
Psono is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider pass-tomb if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are pass-tomb and Psono free and open-source?
Yes. pass-tomb is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Psono under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run pass-tomb and Psono with Docker?
pass-tomb: check the project docs for container support. Psono: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, pass-tomb or Psono?
pass-tomb has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Psono. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.