Bitwarden vs KeePass
Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
Bitwarden
Open-source password manager with a generous free plan.
KeePass
The original free, open-source Windows password manager that stores everything in a local encrypted file.
The short answer
Bitwarden suits people who want free, automatic sync across all their devices with polished browser extensions and mobile apps, plus optional self-hosting. KeePass suits Windows users who want a fully offline vault file they store and sync themselves, with no accounts or servers. Both are free and open source; the key difference is a managed sync service versus a single local database file.
Bitwarden or KeePass: our take
Bitwarden is a cloud service with apps for the web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and every major browser. The free plan covers unlimited passwords on unlimited devices, and vaults are end-to-end encrypted and regularly audited. Premium adds built-in two-factor codes, attachments and emergency access at a low yearly price, and business plans add admin controls and single sign-on. Organisations can self-host the server for full control.
KeePass keeps every entry in one encrypted KDBX file, protected by a master password, a key file or both, using AES-256, ChaCha20 or Twofish. The official app is a Windows program, available as a portable version that runs from a USB stick, and it runs on Linux and macOS through Mono. There are no accounts and no official mobile apps; sync usually happens by putting the file in a cloud drive and opening it with compatible apps such as KeePassXC, KeePassDX or Strongbox. A large plugin library adds browser integration and other features.
The trade-off is convenience against control. Bitwarden works out of the box on a new phone or browser, and family or team sharing is built in. KeePass leaves the user in charge of where the file lives and how it syncs, which some people prefer for privacy, but it takes manual setup, and its interface looks dated. Both are completely free for personal use.
Choose Bitwarden for an easy, cross-device manager that the whole household or team can use. Choose KeePass for an offline, single-file vault on Windows, for people comfortable assembling sync and mobile access themselves, or for air-gapped and portable setups.
Which should you pick?
Choose Bitwarden if…
- Anyone who wants a free, open-source password manager
- You need to host it on your own servers
- You need Web, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension and Self-hosted, which KeePass doesn't list
- Free on unlimited devices
- Open source and audited
Choose KeePass if…
- Windows users who want a free, local, fully controllable vault file
- Completely free and open source
- Portable version runs without installation
About each app
What is Bitwarden?
Bitwarden is an open-source password manager that offers unlimited passwords on unlimited devices in its free plan. Vaults are end-to-end encrypted and regularly audited by third parties, and the source code is public. Premium adds built-in two-factor codes, encrypted file attachments and emergency access at a low yearly price, while business plans add admin controls and single sign-on. Organizations that need full control can self-host the server. Bitwarden is a common destination for people leaving LastPass or looking for a free alternative to 1Password.
What is KeePass?
KeePass Password Safe is the long-running open-source manager that created the KDBX database format now used by a whole family of apps. It keeps all your entries in one encrypted file that you store wherever you like, protected by a master password, a key file or both, using AES-256, ChaCha20 or Twofish. The official app is a Windows program, available as an installer or a portable version that runs from a USB stick, and it can run on Linux and macOS through Mono. A large plugin library adds features such as browser integration, sync and extra import formats. There are no accounts or servers: syncing between devices is up to you, typically through a cloud drive, with compatible apps such as KeePassXC, KeePassDX and Strongbox on other platforms. It is completely free. It suits Windows users who want full control over their data and don't mind some manual setup.
Side by side
| Attribute | Bitwarden | KeePass |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Open source | Open source |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hostable | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension, Self-hosted | Windows |
| Best for | Anyone who wants a free, open-source password manager | Windows users who want a free, local, fully controllable vault file |
| Status | Active | Active |
Verified facts, compared
Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.
| Fact | Bitwarden | KeePass |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | Yes | Yes (OSI certified) |
Bitwarden vs KeePass pricing
Bitwarden: open source
We couldn't verify Bitwarden's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
Bitwarden pricing pagePlatforms
| Platform | Bitwarden | KeePass |
|---|---|---|
| Web | ||
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Browser extension | ||
| Self-hosted |
Bitwarden facts
2 of 3 verified- Open source
- Yes
- Checked Oct 24, 2026bitwarden.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Stories Comparison Security & Trust Security Compliance Open Source Bug Bounty Program Open Source Security Summit Bitwarden”
- Self-hosting
- Yes
- Checked Oct 24, 2026bitwarden.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “as PDF Business sales Get started Log In Docs Courses Self-host Deploy & Configure Deploy with Docker Docs Courses Home”
KeePass facts
5 of 5 verified- Price
- Free
- Checked Oct 25, 2026keepass.info(opens source in a new tab)
- “Is it really free? Yes, KeePass is really free, and more than that: it is open source (OSI certified).”
- Open source
- Yes (OSI certified)
- Checked Oct 25, 2026keepass.info(opens source in a new tab)
- “Yes, KeePass is really free, and more than that: it is open source (OSI certified).”
- Encryption
- AES-256, ChaCha20, Twofish
- Checked Oct 25, 2026keepass.info(opens source in a new tab)
- “Strong Security KeePass supports the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES, Rijndael), ChaCha20 and Twofish for encrypting password databases.”
- Portable version
- Yes
- Checked Oct 25, 2026keepass.info(opens source in a new tab)
- “You need local installation rights (use the Portable version on the right if you do not have local installation rights).”
- Supported systems
- Windows 7–11; Linux and macOS via Mono
- Checked Oct 25, 2026keepass.info(opens source in a new tab)
- “Supported operating systems: Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11, Mono (Linux, MacOS, BSD, ...).”
Pros and cons of Bitwarden
- Free on unlimited devices
- Open source and audited
- Can be self-hosted
- Interface is less polished than 1Password
- Some features require Premium
Pros and cons of KeePass
- Completely free and open source
- Portable version runs without installation
- Huge plugin ecosystem and an open file format
- Dated Windows interface
- Browser autofill and sync need plugins or extra apps
- No official mobile apps
Other apps to consider
Bitwarden vs KeePass: common questions
Is Bitwarden better than KeePass?
Bitwarden suits people who want free, automatic sync across all their devices with polished browser extensions and mobile apps, plus optional self-hosting. KeePass suits Windows users who want a fully offline vault file they store and sync themselves, with no accounts or servers. Both are free and open source; the key difference is a managed sync service versus a single local database file.
Is Bitwarden free?
Yes. Bitwarden is free, open-source software you can host yourself.
Is KeePass free?
Yes. KeePass is free, open-source software.
Is Bitwarden or KeePass open source?
Both are open source.
Which platforms do Bitwarden and KeePass support?
Bitwarden: Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension and Self-hosted. KeePass: Windows.