Bitwarden Server vs Vaultwarden
Bitwarden Server and Vaultwarden are both password manager software. Bitwarden Server is open source under a license set out in its repository, with 21k GitHub stars. Vaultwarden is open source under AGPL-3.0, with 70k GitHub stars.
Which to pick
- Pick Bitwarden Server when
- Your organisation wants Bitwarden password management but must host the vault on its own infrastructure.
- Pick Vaultwarden when
- You want to self-host password management for a family or small team on minimal hardware.
Side by side
The backend API, database and Docker deployment for Bitwarden, the password manager whose apps, browser extensions and CLI sync to it.
An unofficial, lightweight Bitwarden-compatible password manager server written in Rust that works with the official Bitwarden apps and extensions.
Self-hosting runs many containers on SQL Server, organisation features still need a paid licence, and parts of the code are under the source-available Bitwarden License; Vaultwarden is a lighter unofficial alternative.
Unofficial and not audited like Bitwarden's own server, and you are responsible for backups and security of your vaults.
Production-ready (both)
Self-hosted server and cloud service
Self-hosted server
C#, ASP.NET Core, SQL Server and Docker
Rust, Rocket, SQLite and PostgreSQL
Open source, license unclear on GitHub
Open source, AGPL-3.0 (network copyleft)
GitHub could not read the license. Check it in the repository before reusing any code.
Use inside your business is unrestricted. If you change it and let customers use it over the internet, you must publish your changes.
21k GitHub stars
70k GitHub stars
Established: started 11 years ago, latest release v2026.10.1.
Established: started 8 years ago, latest release 1.37.5.
Other comparisons
More password managers
Both sides were judged on 2026-11-06 from each project's README and GitHub data. License, age and popularity lines are worked out directly.