pass-tomb 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-tomb | TeamPass |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 46 · Fair | 85 · Excellent |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Shell | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 437 | ★ 1,828 |
| First released | 2017 | 2010 |
| Replaces | 1Password, KeePass | LastPass, 1Password |
What are pass-tomb and TeamPass?
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
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-tomb vs TeamPass: key differences
Pass-tomb is written in Shell, while TeamPass is built with PHP. Pass-tomb is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for TeamPass. TeamPass is the more established project (first released 2010), while pass-tomb arrived in 2017. TeamPass has the considerably larger community, at 1,828 GitHub stars versus 437. TeamPass 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 TeamPass if…
- Good for shared team passwords
- Detailed permissions
- Mature
Watch out for
- Dated interface
- Configuration is involved
Frequently asked questions
Is pass-tomb or TeamPass better?
TeamPass 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 TeamPass free and open-source?
Yes. pass-tomb 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-tomb and TeamPass with Docker?
pass-tomb: check the project docs for container support. TeamPass: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, pass-tomb or TeamPass?
pass-tomb has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for TeamPass. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.