KeePassXC vs Proton Pass
Both are alternatives to 1Password. Here's how they stack up — verified facts, no spin.
Also searched as Proton Pass vs KeePassXC — same comparison, one verdict.
KeePassXC is open source (GPL-2.0 / GPL-3.0) and Proton Pass is not (Proprietary hosted service (client apps open-source, GPL-3.0, audited)) — so the real question is whether you want to own the password managers stack or rent it.
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
10 points of comparison, every one read from a verified field. Green marks the side that wins a row outright. A dash means we do not hold that fact — never that it is zero.
| KeePassXC | Proton Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty ScoreOur transparent 0–100 composite for data ownership and exit cost. | 92 | 62 |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Self-hostable | Yes | No |
| Local-first data | 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) |
| RAM to run it wellThe figure that actually matters, not the vendor's minimum. | 300 MB | — |
| Realistic running costWhat the box costs each month if you run it yourself. | $0 — it runs on the machine you already own | — |
| Setup timeHonest first-install estimate, not the marketing quickstart. | 15 minutes | — |
| Ongoing maintenanceThe part nobody budgets for. | None beyond updates. | — |
KeePassXC edges it on the Sovereignty Score, but the right pick depends on the trade-offs below.
Weighing both against staying on 1Password? Is 1Password free? What it actually costs →
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
Which one fits you
The trade-offs above, turned into a decision. Find the line that describes your team.
Choose KeePassXC
if you want the source and the option to fork it, and you would rather run it on your own hardware, and your data should stay on machines you control.
Choose Proton Pass
if end-to-end encrypted — Proton cannot read your vault.
Neither, yet
if both carry a real cost you should weigh first — you arrange your own sync, and hosted on Proton's servers — you cannot self-host it. If either of those is a dealbreaker for your team, the shortlist is wrong rather than the choice.
What it takes to run these yourself
Real requirements and honest running costs, not the vendor quickstart.
KeePassXC vs Proton Pass — common questions
Is KeePassXC a better fit than Proton Pass for password managers?
It depends on what you are optimising for, and the honest split is this: KeePassXC scores 92 to Proton Pass's 62 on data ownership and exit cost, so it is the safer choice if you care about being able to leave. Proton Pass earns its place on a different axis — end-to-end encrypted — Proton cannot read your vault. Neither is a wrong answer for every team; the table above is the actual comparison.
What happens if we want to switch later?
KeePassXC keeps its data local or in open formats, so leaving is an export rather than a negotiation. Proton Pass keeps your data on its own infrastructure, which is the part to plan for: confirm the export path before you commit, not when you are already trying to leave.
Can I self-host KeePassXC?
KeePassXC can be self-hosted; Proton Pass cannot, so it stays on the vendor's infrastructure whatever you do.
Are KeePassXC and Proton Pass both alternatives to 1Password?
Yes — both appear in our 1Password comparison, which is why they are worth putting side by side. People usually arrive here already having decided to move off 1Password and now choosing between the two replacements, which is a narrower and much easier question.
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Facts verified 2026-07-04. Licenses and pricing change — spotted something out of date? That's a correction we want.