KeePassXC vs Proton Pass
Both are free/open-source alternatives to 1Password. Here's how they stack up — verified facts, no spin.
KeePassXC
A fully local, offline password database.
KeePassXC keeps your passwords in a single encrypted file on your own disk — no server, no cloud, no subscription. Sync the file yourself however you like.
Proton Pass
End-to-end encrypted password manager from the Proton privacy suite.
Proton Pass is a hosted, end-to-end encrypted password manager (passwords, passkeys, 2FA codes, and hide-my-email aliases) from the Swiss privacy company Proton. Its apps are open-source and independently audited, but the service runs on Proton's servers — you can't self-host it. It's the easy, no-server option for people who want strong privacy without running infrastructure.
Side by side
| KeePassXC | Proton Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty Score | 92 | 62 |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Self-hostable | Yes | No |
| Local-first | Yes | No |
| License | GPL-2.0 / GPL-3.0 | Proprietary hosted service (client apps open-source, GPL-3.0, audited) |
| Pricing | Free / open-source | Free tier; paid from about $2/month (or bundled in Proton Unlimited) |
KeePassXC edges it on the Sovereignty Score, but the right pick depends on the trade-offs below.
KeePassXC
Strengths
- +No server or cloud at all
- +Single encrypted local file
- +Cross-platform and browser integration
Trade-offs
- −You arrange your own sync
- −Less turnkey team sharing
Proton Pass
Strengths
- +End-to-end encrypted — Proton cannot read your vault
- +Open-source, independently audited client apps
- +Zero setup — no server to run or maintain
- +Includes passkeys, 2FA, and hide-my-email aliases
Trade-offs
- −Hosted on Proton's servers — you cannot self-host it
- −The service itself is proprietary; only the client apps are open
- −Your vault lives in Proton's cloud, not on hardware you own
- −Full features require a paid plan
Facts verified 2026-07-04. Licenses and pricing change — spotted something out of date? That's a correction we want.