pass 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 | pass | Psono Client |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Shell | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, binary, source | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,200 | ★ 26 |
| First released | 2012 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | LastPass, 1Password |
What are pass and Psono Client?
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
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
pass vs Psono Client: key differences
Pass is written in Shell, while Psono Client is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for pass versus Apache-2.0 for Psono Client. Pass is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Psono Client. Pass is the more established project (first released 2012), while Psono Client arrived in 2017. Pass has the considerably larger community, at 4,200 GitHub stars versus 26. Psono Client 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 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 pass or Psono Client better?
Neither is universally better. pass has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are pass and Psono Client free and open-source?
Yes. pass is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Psono Client under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run pass and Psono Client with Docker?
pass: check the project docs for container support. Psono Client: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, pass or Psono Client?
pass has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Psono Client. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.