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Top 5 Open-Source Password Managers in 2021

Looking for an open-source password manager, that will fit your particular need? This article contains the best open-source password managers available. Instead of a random or subjective ordering of “Best” password manager tools, we've used our proprietary algorithm to collect extensive, accurate data. Intensive research of more than 70 password managers was utilized to create this article. Researchers compared every feature and company attribute to come up with these top 5.

The term “Best” is actually dependent on your use case. You may come up with a different selection of top open-source password manager tools, depending on what you need. This research was conducted in a way that makes it possible for you to add your own feature-specific importance weighting for each of the tool features and attributes. We highly suggest you participate in our custom password managers survey so you can layer in your own importance prioritization for each feature.

Jump right in to ensure your online security practices are strong enough to ensure you don't get hacked. And if you are here because you've already been hacked, then congratulations on learning the hard way. Life goes on, and your past experience will likely make you more vigilant in the future!

Password managers aren't just for online accounts. It's a good idea to store any secure data in a well-vetted password manager solution, such as login credentials for devices like Wifi Routers, local machine encryption, and even smart phone details. Heck, even sensitive details like banking address info, credit card details, and other data can be stored as notes in most password managers.

We also have domain authority data which serves as a good indicator of overall popularity. If you think of any applications or features that we should have included in our comparison analysis let us know in the comments below.

We found 24 open-source password manager applications. We list the top five applications here, along with three runners up. 

As of this writing, we are not incentivized in any way by any of these password manager companies. The data here is accurate as of April, 2021. Please see our original research publication on password managers that is always kept up-to-date.

And don't forget, password managers are useless if they aren't used! Check out some important password manager best practices to keep yourself safe and secure on the internet.

So without further ado, we present to you our evidence-backed ordered listing of the top five open-source password managers:

  1. Dashlane
  2. KeePass 2.45
  3. Bitwarden
  4. KeePassXC
  5. Psono
  6. Runners up:

  7. Password Safe
  8. SAASPass
  9. EssentialPIM

Top Five Open Source Password Managers


Dashlane


Dashlane

Dashlane Comparison Details

Free trial: 30 Days

Pricing: $3.33 / Month

Feature summary: Conveniently fills your passwords, and personal info, on any device.

Age of Software/Company: 10.2 Yrs

Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.

Business Score: 16.35

Software Score: 88.95

Distinctive features:

  • Dark Web / Breached Scan-Monitoring
  • Digital Inheritance / Legacy
  • Portable Edition
  • Open Source Code

  • Active Directory
  • Google Authenticator
  • oAuthy
  • SSO Connect

  • Application-Level Encryption
  • Windows OS Support
  • Android Support
  • iOS Support
  • Mac OS Support
  • Cloud Support
  • Chrome Support Integration
  • Firefox Support Integration
  • Export Data
  • Generate Password
  • Bulk Password Import
  • Multi-factor Authentication / Access
  • Auto Fill Login / Data Forms
  • Single Sign-on System (SSO) / App Password
  • Sync with other Devices
  • Local Installation
  • Edge-IE Support Integration
  • Multi-Language Support
  • Safari Support Integration
  • Team Function: Share Info
  • Secure Sharing
  • Application Programming Interface Enhanced
  • Quick Response (QR) Code Support
  • Data Security Compliance
  • Actionable Password Strength Report
  • Autosave Password Capture
  • Autosave Password Capture
  • Open Source Code
  • Portable Edition
  • Digital Inheritance / Legacy
  • Dark Web / Breached Scan-Monitoring

  • Some users don't care for the “D” Dashlane icon that appears in a box while using a website but Dashlane password manager integrates with most platforms and provides easy-to-use desktop and mobile applications.




    KeePass 2.45


    KeePass 2.45

    KeePass 2.45 Comparison Details

    Free trial: Fully Free

    Pricing: Free

    Feature summary: Free, open source, light-weight and easy-to-use password manager.

    Age of Software/Company: 14.5 Yrs

    Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.

    Business Score: 16.41

    Software Score: 85.67

    Distinctive features:

    • Digital Inheritance / Legacy
    • Portable Edition
    • Open Source Code

  • Ubuntu

  • Application-Level Encryption
  • Windows OS Support
  • Android Support
  • iOS Support
  • Mac OS Support
  • Cloud Support
  • Chrome Support Integration
  • Firefox Support Integration
  • Export Data
  • Generate Password
  • Bulk Password Import
  • Multi-factor Authentication / Access
  • Auto Fill Login / Data Forms
  • Single Sign-on System (SSO) / App Password
  • Sync with other Devices
  • Local Installation
  • Edge-IE Support Integration
  • Multi-Language Support
  • Safari Support Integration
  • Linux Support
  • Secure Sharing
  • Quick Response (QR) Code Support
  • Data Security Compliance
  • Biometrics Login: Eye, Face, etc.
  • Other Browsers Integration
  • Actionable Password Strength Report
  • Autosave Password Capture
  • Autosave Password Capture
  • Open Source Code
  • Portable Edition
  • Digital Inheritance / Legacy

  • KeePass 2.45 provides 256-bit encryption. The layout and icons could stand updating, but users enjoy it’s reliability, the nice accounts grouping function, and auto filling of passwords.




    Bitwarden


    Bitwarden

    Bitwarden Comparison Details

    Free trial: Limited

    Pricing: $1.00 / Month

    Feature summary: Control online password security on any device and keep personal information secure.

    Age of Software/Company: 4.8 Yrs

    Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.

    Business Score: 12.9

    Software Score: 89.45

    Distinctive features:

    • Digital Inheritance / Legacy
    • Portable Edition
    • Open Source Code

  • Duo Security
  • K Desktop Environment (KDE)
  • SSO Connect

  • Application-Level Encryption
  • Windows OS Support
  • Android Support
  • iOS Support
  • Mac OS Support
  • Cloud Support
  • Chrome Support Integration
  • Firefox Support Integration
  • Export Data
  • Generate Password
  • Bulk Password Import
  • Multi-factor Authentication / Access
  • Auto Fill Login / Data Forms
  • Single Sign-on System (SSO) / App Password
  • Sync with other Devices
  • Local Installation
  • Edge-IE Support Integration
  • Multi-Language Support
  • Safari Support Integration
  • Linux Support
  • Team Function: Share Info
  • Secure Sharing
  • Application Programming Interface Enhanced
  • Quick Response (QR) Code Support
  • Biometrics Login: Eye, Face, etc.
  • Other Browsers Integration
  • Actionable Password Strength Report
  • Autosave Password Capture
  • Autosave Password Capture
  • Open Source Code
  • Portable Edition
  • Digital Inheritance / Legacy

  • Bitwarden is easy to set up and user-friendly. While browser plugins are sometimes difficult to understand at first, most users find it hard to find a weak point with this password manager.




    KeePassXC


    KeePassXC

    KeePassXC Comparison Details

    Free trial: Fully Free

    Pricing: Free

    Feature summary: Safely stores your passwords and provides convenient auto filling into websites and applications.

    Age of Software/Company: 4.4 Yrs

    Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.

    Business Score: 14.29

    Software Score: 68.79

    Distinctive features:

    • Digital Inheritance / Legacy
    • Portable Edition
    • Open Source Code

  • OnlyKey
  • YubiKey

  • Application-Level Encryption
  • Windows OS Support
  • Mac OS Support
  • Cloud Support
  • Chrome Support Integration
  • Firefox Support Integration
  • Export Data
  • Generate Password
  • Bulk Password Import
  • Multi-factor Authentication / Access
  • Auto Fill Login / Data Forms
  • Single Sign-on System (SSO) / App Password
  • Local Installation
  • Edge-IE Support Integration
  • Multi-Language Support
  • Linux Support
  • Quick Response (QR) Code Support
  • Biometrics Login: Eye, Face, etc.
  • Other Browsers Integration
  • Actionable Password Strength Report
  • Autosave Password Capture
  • Autosave Password Capture
  • Open Source Code
  • Portable Edition
  • Digital Inheritance / Legacy

  • KeePassXC is easy to learn and great for users who want to control all aspects of their personal data. The flatpak version sometimes fails at saving files but KeePass uses local storage as opposed to the cloud and provides secure browser integration plugins.




    Psono


    Psono

    Psono Comparison Details

    Free trial: Limited

    Pricing: $2.50 / Month

    Feature summary: An open-source password manager that provides self-hosted solutions for groups.

    Age of Software/Company: 4.8 Yrs

    Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.

    Business Score: 12

    Software Score: 80.48

    Distinctive features:

    • Open Source Code

  • Application-Level Encryption
  • Windows OS Support
  • Android Support
  • iOS Support
  • Cloud Support
  • Chrome Support Integration
  • Firefox Support Integration
  • Export Data
  • Generate Password
  • Bulk Password Import
  • Multi-factor Authentication / Access
  • Auto Fill Login / Data Forms
  • Single Sign-on System (SSO) / App Password
  • Sync with other Devices
  • Local Installation
  • Edge-IE Support Integration
  • Multi-Language Support
  • Linux Support
  • Team Function: Share Info
  • Secure Sharing
  • Application Programming Interface Enhanced
  • Quick Response (QR) Code Support
  • Biometrics Login: Eye, Face, etc.
  • Web Version
  • Actionable Password Strength Report
  • Autosave Password Capture
  • Autosave Password Capture
  • Open Source Code

  • Psono installs easily and, after set up, is simple to use. Users like how the Psono server can be configured to use Lightweight Directory Access Protocol.



    Top Open Source Password Managers – Runners Up


    Password Safe


    Password Safe

    Password Safe Comparison Details

    Free trial: Fully Free

    Pricing: Free

    Feature summary: Quick install, open-source, encrypted password management.

    Age of Software/Company: 19.4 Yrs

    Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.

    Business Score: 15.57

    Software Score: 57.43

    Distinctive features:

    • Open Source Code

  • Application-Level Encryption
  • Windows OS Support
  • Android Support
  • iOS Support
  • Mac OS Support
  • Cloud Support
  • Chrome Support Integration
  • Firefox Support Integration
  • Export Data
  • Bulk Password Import
  • Multi-factor Authentication / Access
  • Auto Fill Login / Data Forms
  • Single Sign-on System (SSO) / App Password
  • Sync with other Devices
  • Local Installation
  • Edge-IE Support Integration
  • Multi-Language Support
  • Linux Support
  • Autosave Password Capture
  • Open Source Code

  • While there are not a lot of import options with Password Safe, users enjoy that it is straightforward and has local data encryption. Using a flash drive will afford the user some portability.




    SAASPass


    SAASPass

    SAASPass Comparison Details

    Free trial: 30 Days

    Pricing: $10.00

    Feature summary: Versatile, provides full-stack identity, and makes your credentials easily accessible.

    Age of Software/Company: 2.1 Yrs

    Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.

    Business Score: 13.14

    Software Score: 68.95

    Distinctive features:

    • Proximity / Wearable Support
    • Open Source Code

  • Application-Level Encryption
  • Windows OS Support
  • Android Support
  • iOS Support
  • Mac OS Support
  • Cloud Support
  • Chrome Support Integration
  • Export Data
  • Generate Password
  • Bulk Password Import
  • Multi-factor Authentication / Access
  • Auto Fill Login / Data Forms
  • Single Sign-on System (SSO) / App Password
  • Sync with other Devices
  • Local Installation
  • Linux Support
  • Team Function: Share Info
  • Secure Sharing
  • Application Programming Interface Enhanced
  • Quick Response (QR) Code Support
  • Biometrics Login: Eye, Face, etc.
  • Web Version
  • Open Source Code
  • Proximity / Wearable Support

  • Though there have been some security concerns, TeamPass is always improving and offers many features. Their open-source code is located on Github.




    EssentialPIM


    EssentialPIM

    EssentialPIM Comparison Details

    Free trial: Limited

    Pricing: $39.95

    Feature summary: Manage tasks, notes, appointments, contacts, passwords and email messages using various platforms or using the cloud.

    Age of Software/Company: 16.6 Yrs

    Industry thought leadership blog: Click to visit blog.

    Business Score: 13.27

    Software Score: 66.95

    Distinctive features:

    • Training
    • Portable Edition
    • Open Source Code

  • Application-Level Encryption
  • Windows OS Support
  • Android Support
  • iOS Support
  • Mac OS Support
  • Cloud Support
  • Firefox Support Integration
  • Export Data
  • Generate Password
  • Bulk Password Import
  • Multi-factor Authentication / Access
  • Auto Fill Login / Data Forms
  • Single Sign-on System (SSO) / App Password
  • Sync with other Devices
  • Local Installation
  • Multi-Language Support
  • Team Function: Share Info
  • Application Programming Interface Enhanced
  • Data Security Compliance
  • Web Version
  • Open Source Code
  • Portable Edition
  • Training

  • With great, easy to use features, EssentialPIM provides a way for users to organize their whole day. While it doesn't provide attached voice notes to documents, users can manage everything from emails and to-do lists, to commitments and passwords.



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