Bitwarden vs KeePass
How do Bitwarden and KeePass compare? Side-by-side features, pricing, and who each one is really for.
What matters to you?
Bitwarden
Free / $1.66/mo PremiumOpen-source password manager with a generous free tier and self-hosting option.
- Generous free tier with unlimited devices
- Fully open-source and audited
- Self-hosting with Vaultwarden
- CLI and API for developers
- UI less polished than 1Password
- No travel mode
- Free plan lacks advanced 2FA
KeePass
FreeFree, open-source local password manager. No cloud, no account. You hold the database file.
- Fully free and open source
- No account, no cloud
- You own the database file
- Plugins for browsers and 2FA
- No built-in sync; you must set it up
- No official family/business features
- UX less polished than 1Password or Bitwarden
Feature comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (from) | Free / $1.66/mo Premium | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Encryption | AES-256-CBC + HMAC | AES-256 / ChaCha20 |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser, CLI | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser |
| Family plan | $4.00/mo | — |
| Business plans | Yes | No |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Self-hosting | Yes | No |
| 2FA | Yes | No |
| Send | Yes | No |
| Local only | No | Yes |
| Plugins | No | Yes |
| No account | No | Yes |
| Portable | No | Yes |
Choose Bitwarden if…
- • Generous free tier with unlimited devices
- • Fully open-source and audited
- • Self-hosting with Vaultwarden
- • CLI and API for developers
Choose KeePass if…
- • Fully free and open source
- • No account, no cloud
- • You own the database file
- • Plugins for browsers and 2FA
Bitwarden vs KeePass: our comparison
Bitwarden and KeePass represent two different approaches: Bitwarden is cloud-synced (or self-hosted) with an account; KeePass is local-only, no account, no subscription. You keep a single .kdbx file and sync it yourself (Dropbox, NAS, or nothing). We compared them so you can decide which model fits you.
Bitwarden vs KeePass at a glance
KeePass is free forever, open source, and you own the database file. There is no vendor, no server, no account. Bitwarden is also free (unlimited devices) or 1.65 $/month Premium, with optional self-hosting (Vaultwarden). So Bitwarden gives you out-of-the-box sync and apps on every platform; KeePass gives you maximum control and zero dependency on a company. Bitwarden has family and business plans; KeePass has no official sharing—you share the file or use third-party sync. KeePass has plugins (KeePassXC, KeePass2Android) for browser and 2FA; Bitwarden has built-in features and a simpler setup.
What we tested
We use KeePass for a fully offline vault and Bitwarden for a synced one. With KeePass we put the .kdbx in Dropbox and opened it on Windows (KeePassXC) and Android (KeePass2Android). Autofill works via plugins but is less seamless than Bitwarden. With Bitwarden we signed up once and had sync everywhere. If you are technical and want no cloud at all, KeePass is the answer. If you want sync and multi-device without managing files, Bitwarden is easier. KeePass has no breach monitoring or family dashboard; Bitwarden Premium has vault health and emergency access.
Who should choose Bitwarden
- You want sync and multi-device without managing a file. - You need family sharing, business plans or a free tier on unlimited devices. - You prefer a single account and built-in features (2FA, Send, reports).
Who should choose KeePass
- You want zero cloud and zero vendor dependency. - You are okay managing a .kdbx file and sync (Dropbox, Syncthing, etc.). - You prefer open source, local-only and no subscription forever.
Our verdict
Choose Bitwarden if you want sync, family or business features and minimal setup. Choose KeePass if you want full control, no account and no cloud. Both are secure; the choice is convenience vs control.