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.
Not the right match-up?
pass
The standard Unix password manager built on GPG and git
VS
Psono Client
Browser and web client for the Psono password server
| Feature | pass | Psono Client |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Why pick each one
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.