Best Open-Source Password Managers 2026: 7 Options Compared

Password managers split into local-file and server-based designs, and the difference decides how you sync. KeePassXC and KeePass keep your passwords in an encrypted file on your own device. They are open source, need no account, and have no paid tier, but you decide how to sync the file between devices, for example through Syncthing or a cloud folder. KeePassDX opens the same files on Android. The pass and gopass tools store each password as an encrypted file in a Git repository, which suits people who live in a terminal and want history and sharing through Git. Vaultwarden is a lightweight server that works with the Bitwarden apps and extensions, so you get polished clients and sync while hosting the data yourself. Passbolt is built for teams, with sharing and permissions on a server you run. The trade-off is responsibility. Hosted managers handle backups, recovery and uptime; with open-source self-hosting, you handle them, and a lost database with no backup means lost passwords. Whichever you choose, use a long master password, turn on two-factor authentication where offered, and keep an offline backup of the database. Self-hosting a server also means keeping it updated, since an exposed password vault is a high-value target.

KeePassXC

GPLv3 desktop password manager that stores an encrypted file locally. Free with no paid plan; syncing between devices is up to you.

Price: Free (Free and open source; no paid plan) (KeePassXC pricing, checked 2026-10-22).

Platforms and license: Windows, macOS, Linux. GPLv3 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 29.5k GitHub stars · latest release 2.8.0 (Oct 21, 2026) · last commit Oct 26, 2026

Best for: Local, account-free storage.

KeePass

Open-source (OSI certified) original KeePass password manager, free. Interface is dated, but the file format is widely supported.

Price: Free (Free) (KeePass pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Windows. Open source, OSI certified (license name not given on vendor page) (open source) (license source).

Best for: Long-running Windows users.

Compare: KeePass alternatives

Vaultwarden

AGPL-3.0 server compatible with Bitwarden clients, not affiliated with Bitwarden. You host and update it yourself.

Price: Free (Free open source) (Vaultwarden pricing, checked 2026-10-24).

Platforms and license: Self-hosted (Docker, Linux). AGPL-3.0 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 69.8k GitHub stars · latest release 1.37.4 (Oct 5, 2026) · last commit Oct 25, 2026

Best for: Self-hosted sync with polished apps.

Worth knowing: Unofficial server compatible with Bitwarden clients; not affiliated with Bitwarden.

Passbolt Community Edition

AGPL-3.0 Community Edition for team password sharing, self-hosted. Paid Pro and Cloud editions exist and were not priced here.

Price: Free (Free open source) (Passbolt Community Edition pricing, checked 2026-10-24).

Platforms and license: Self-hosted, Browser extension. AGPL-3.0 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 6.2k GitHub stars · latest release v5.17.0 (Oct 20, 2026) · last commit Oct 20, 2026

Best for: Teams sharing credentials.

Worth knowing: Community edition code under AGPL-3.0; paid Pro and Cloud editions exist and were not priced here.

KeePassDX

GPL-3.0 Android app that opens KeePass databases. Pairs with KeePassXC on the desktop, though you must handle syncing the database file between devices.

Price: Free (Free open source) (KeePassDX pricing, checked 2026-10-24).

Platforms and license: Android. GPL-3.0 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 7.6k GitHub stars · latest release 4.5.6 (Oct 17, 2026) · last commit Oct 27, 2026

Best for: Android access to a KeePass file.

Worth knowing: Android app for KeePass databases.

pass (password-store)

GPLv2-or-later command-line manager storing one GPG-encrypted file per password. Best for terminal users who want Git history.

Price: Free (Free open source) (pass (password-store) pricing, checked 2026-10-24).

Platforms and license: Linux, macOS. GPLv2 or later (open source) (license source).

Best for: Terminal users.

Worth knowing: Site says pass is licensed under the GPLv2+; it stores one GPG-encrypted file per password.

gopass

MIT password manager compatible with the pass format and aimed at teams. Command line, with some setup effort.

Price: Free (Free open source) (gopass pricing, checked 2026-10-24).

Platforms and license: Linux, macOS, Windows. MIT (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 7.3k GitHub stars · latest release v1.17.4 (Oct 10, 2026) · last commit Oct 21, 2026

Best for: Team use of the pass format.

Worth knowing: Team-oriented password manager compatible with the pass format.

Which one to pick

• You want no server and no account: KeePassXC
• You want Bitwarden apps but your own server: Vaultwarden
• You manage shared team credentials: Passbolt Community Edition
• You live in the terminal and use Git: pass (password-store)