Passbolt 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.
Passbolt
Open-source password manager built for teams
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Psono Client
Browser and web client for the Psono password server
| Feature | Passbolt | Psono Client |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 91 · Excellent | 62 · Good |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | PHP | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 6,136 | ★ 26 |
| First released | 2017 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | LastPass, 1Password |
What are Passbolt and Psono Client?
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
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
Passbolt vs Psono Client: key differences
Passbolt is written in PHP, while Psono Client is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Passbolt versus Apache-2.0 for Psono Client. Psono Client is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Passbolt. Passbolt has the considerably larger community, at 6,136 GitHub stars versus 26.
Why pick each one
Choose Passbolt if…
- Built for team sharing
- Strong encryption model
- Good admin controls
Watch out for
- Setup is involved
- Some features in paid tiers
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 Passbolt or Psono Client 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 Passbolt and Psono Client free and open-source?
Yes. Passbolt is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Psono Client under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Passbolt and Psono Client with Docker?
Passbolt: yes. Psono Client: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Passbolt or Psono Client?
Psono Client has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Passbolt. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.