Passky Server vs Spectre
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Passky Server | Spectre |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | PHP | C |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 244 | ★ 200 |
| First released | 2021 | 2012 |
| Replaces | LastPass, Bitwarden | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Passky Server and Spectre?
Passky Server
Passky is a simple and lightweight self-hostable password manager. The server component provides an encrypted backend that syncs with Passky web, desktop and mobile clients.
- Encrypted password sync server
- Lightweight PHP backend
- Web, desktop and mobile clients
- Two-factor authentication support
Spectre
Spectre, the successor to Master Password, is an open-source stateless password manager. It derives strong, unique passwords from your name and a master password rather than storing them in a vault.
- Deterministic password derivation
- No vault to store or sync
- Cross-platform clients
- Works fully offline
Passky Server vs Spectre: key differences
Passky Server is written in PHP, while Spectre is built with C. Spectre is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Passky Server. Spectre is the more established project (first released 2012), while Passky Server arrived in 2021. Passky Server lists first-class Docker deployment; Spectre does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Passky Server if…
- Very easy to set up
- Minimal footprint
Watch out for
- Smaller community and ecosystem
Choose Spectre if…
- Nothing to back up
- Stateless by design
Watch out for
- Niche project
- Hard to change individual passwords
Frequently asked questions
Is Passky Server or Spectre better?
Passky Server is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Spectre if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Passky Server and Spectre free and open-source?
Yes. Passky Server is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Spectre under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Passky Server and Spectre with Docker?
Passky Server: yes. Spectre: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Passky Server or Spectre?
Spectre has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for Passky Server. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.