Psono Client vs HashiCorp Vault
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?
Psono Client
Browser and web client for the Psono password server
VS
HashiCorp Vault
Secrets management and data protection for infrastructure
| Feature | Psono Client | HashiCorp Vault |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | Apache-2.0 | BUSL-1.1 |
| Language | JavaScript | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | docker, kubernetes, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 26 | ★ 36,086 |
| First released | 2017 | 2015 |
| Replaces | LastPass, 1Password | AWS Secrets Manager, Azure Key Vault |
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
Choose HashiCorp Vault if…
- Industry standard for secrets
- Powerful policy engine
Frequently asked questions
Is Psono Client or HashiCorp Vault better?
Neither is universally better. HashiCorp Vault has the larger community, while Psono Client is simpler to set up (medium difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Psono Client and HashiCorp Vault free and open-source?
Yes. Psono Client is licensed under Apache-2.0 and HashiCorp Vault under BUSL-1.1. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Psono Client and HashiCorp Vault with Docker?
Psono Client: yes. HashiCorp Vault: yes.