KeePassXC vs Vaultwarden
KeePassXC and Vaultwarden are both password manager software. KeePassXC is open source under a license set out in its repository, with 30k GitHub stars. Vaultwarden is open source under AGPL-3.0, with 70k GitHub stars.
Which to pick
- Pick KeePassXC when
- You want an offline password manager where you control the database file and choose how, or whether, it syncs.
- Pick Vaultwarden when
- You want to self-host password management for a family or small team on minimal hardware.
Side by side
A desktop password manager for Windows, macOS and Linux that keeps passwords, TOTP codes, attachments and notes in an encrypted KeePass file, with browser integration and YubiKey support.
An unofficial, lightweight Bitwarden-compatible password manager server written in Rust that works with the official Bitwarden apps and extensions.
There is no built-in sync or sharing, so teams and multi-device users must manage the file through their own cloud storage and pick separate mobile apps.
Unofficial and not audited like Bitwarden's own server, and you are responsible for backups and security of your vaults.
Production-ready (both)
Desktop app, command line and browser extension
Self-hosted server
C++, Qt and CMake
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.
30k GitHub stars
70k GitHub stars
Established: started 10 years ago, latest release 2.8.0.
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.