pass vs Passbolt
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Passbolt
Open-source password manager built for teams
| Feature | pass | Passbolt |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Shell | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, binary, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,200 | ★ 6,136 |
| First released | 2012 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are pass and Passbolt?
pass
pass is a minimalist password manager that stores each secret in a GPG-encrypted file, optionally versioned with git. It follows the Unix philosophy and works entirely from the command line.
- GPG-encrypted password files
- Optional git versioning and sync
- Scriptable command-line workflow
- Many compatible GUI and mobile clients
Passbolt
Passbolt is an open-source password manager designed for teams, built around end-to-end encryption and OpenPGP. It targets organizations sharing credentials securely. It is deployed via Docker or packages.
- OpenPGP-based encryption
- Team-oriented sharing and roles
- Browser extension and apps
- Audit logs
pass vs Passbolt: key differences
Pass is written in Shell, while Passbolt is built with PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for pass versus AGPL-3.0 for Passbolt. Pass is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Passbolt. Pass is the more established project (first released 2012), while Passbolt arrived in 2017. Passbolt lists first-class Docker deployment; pass does not.
Why pick each one
Choose pass if…
- Simple and transparent storage
- Composes well with other tools
Watch out for
- Command-line oriented
- Requires GPG knowledge
Choose Passbolt if…
- Built for team sharing
- Strong encryption model
- Good admin controls
Watch out for
- Setup is involved
- Some features in paid tiers
Frequently asked questions
Is pass or Passbolt better?
Neither is universally better. Passbolt has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are pass and Passbolt free and open-source?
Yes. pass is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Passbolt under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run pass and Passbolt with Docker?
pass: check the project docs for container support. Passbolt: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, pass or Passbolt?
pass has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Passbolt. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.