Bitwarden vs KeePassXC
Pick Bitwarden for built-in sync and apps everywhere; pick KeePassXC if you want a free offline file you control.
Pick Bitwarden if…
You want a password manager that syncs across devices on its own, with a free plan and mobile apps, and you may want to self-host.
Pick KeePassXC if…
You want a free, offline password file with no account and are happy to sync it yourself and use a third-party phone app.
Price
- Freemium
- Open source
- Free
- Open source
Starting price
Free plan
Open source
Works on
| Feature | An open source password manager with a free plan and low-cost paid plans for individuals, families and teams. | A free, open source password manager that keeps your passwords in an offline encrypted file. |
|---|---|---|
| Price |
|
|
| Starting price | $1.65 per month (Premium), billed annually at $19.80 (US price, USD) | — |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Works on | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension | Windows, macOS, Linux, Browser extension |
| Try Bitwarden (opens the Bitwarden website in a new tab) | Try KeePassXC (opens the KeePassXC website in a new tab) |
Both are open source. Bitwarden's server code is on GitHub under AGPL-3.0 and Bitwarden also has a separate Bitwarden License for some commercial features. KeePassXC's code is under GPL-2 or GPL-3.
Bitwarden is an account-based service. Its free plan has unlimited devices and passwords and sharing with one other user, and Premium is $1.65 per month billed annually at $19.80. It has a web vault, desktop and mobile apps, browser extensions and a command-line tool. KeePassXC is free with no paid plans listed.
KeePassXC keeps everything in an offline encrypted file and says no data is stored on remote servers. It has no sync service, so syncing means putting the file in a cloud or sync folder yourself. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and the project has no official mobile app.
KeePassXC also supports TOTP codes, an SSH agent, Auto-Type and YubiKey challenge-response. On Bitwarden, the built-in authenticator and emergency access need Premium. The practical split is sync and phone apps (Bitwarden) against full local control (KeePassXC).
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Last updated 16 October 2026. How we make money