3 open source alternatives to 1Password
Popular consumer and team password manager. Here are the open source projects real teams use instead — ranked by fit, with honest pros and cons for each.
What people don't love about 1Password
- Subscription-only since 7.x — no standalone license.
- Cloud-only by default.
- Family sharing options have changed repeatedly.
Current 1Password pricing (for reference): Individual from $2.99/month; Family from $4.99/month.
Quick comparison
| Alternative | Best for | License | Self-host | Hosted cloud? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bitwarden Open source password manager with free cloud and self-host options. |
The strongest 1Password-like cloud and self-host story. | GPL-3.0 / AGPL-3.0 | ★★☆☆☆ | Yes |
|
Vaultwarden Lightweight Bitwarden-compatible server in Rust. |
Lightweight self-hosted server that works with Bitwarden clients. | AGPL-3.0 | ★☆☆☆☆ | Self-host only |
|
KeePassXC Offline password database — KeePass-compatible. |
Offline, no-account password vaults for power users. | GPL-3.0 | ★☆☆☆☆ | Self-host only |
1. Bitwarden — The strongest 1Password-like cloud and self-host story.
Open source password manager with free cloud and self-host options.
Strengths
- Generous free tier on the hosted service.
- Strong open source credentials.
- Cross-platform clients and browser extensions.
Weaknesses
- Self-hosting the full stack is multi-container.
- Some polish features (password health, reports) are paid.
- Occasional syncing edge cases on mobile.
Bitwarden homepage · Source on GitHub · 1Password vs Bitwarden →
2. Vaultwarden — Lightweight self-hosted server that works with Bitwarden clients.
Lightweight Bitwarden-compatible server in Rust.
Strengths
- Single container — runs on a Raspberry Pi.
- Fully compatible with all Bitwarden clients.
- Trivial backups.
Weaknesses
- Not officially supported by Bitwarden Inc.
- Paid Bitwarden features require self-bypass.
- Home-lab focus — not aimed at large teams.
Vaultwarden homepage · Source on GitHub · 1Password vs Vaultwarden →
3. KeePassXC — Offline, no-account password vaults for power users.
Offline password database — KeePass-compatible.
Strengths
- No server — just a single encrypted file you sync yourself.
- Fast and minimal resource usage.
- Strong browser integration.
Weaknesses
- No native mobile app (KeePassDX/Strongbox fill the gap).
- Sharing between users is manual.
- Sync is user's responsibility.
KeePassXC homepage · Source on GitHub · 1Password vs KeePassXC →
Not what you're looking for?
Browse other tools in Password Managers, or check out open source projects by category on the full category index.