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Bitwarden vs KeePassXC

Bitwarden and KeePassXC are free apps you can use instead of 1Password and LastPass. Bitwarden is a vault with apps. KeePassXC is an offline database in a file you keep.

A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement. How this works

Instead of 1Password

Last checked October 15, 2026

Bitwarden is #1 (96). KeePassXC is #4 (72).

Bitwarden

#1 · Closest

10 of 10 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

You only get part of: breach monitoring.

KeePassXC

#4

10 of 10 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

What you give up: breach monitoring. You only get part of: browser autofill, desktop and mobile apps, and secure sharing, and 1 more.

Scroll sideways to see both apps.

Bitwarden and KeePassXC on the 1Password list. Full, partial, missing, or not checked.
FeatureBitwarden#1 · 9610 of 10 checked featuresKeePassXC#4 · 7210 of 10 checked features
Encrypted vaultCounts for 10FullFull
Browser autofillCounts for 9FullPartialBrowser integration works and is less automatic than 1Password.
Desktop and mobile appsCounts for 8FullPartialOfficial desktop apps. Mobile means a different KeePass-compatible app.
Password generatorCounts for 5FullFull
Secure sharingCounts for 6FullPartialYou share a file, not a vault with permissions.
PasskeysCounts for 6FullPartial
Breach monitoringCounts for 5PartialBreach reports are a Premium feature, not part of the free vault.Missing
A server you runCounts for 7FullFullThere is no server to depend on.
Export your dataCounts for 6FullFull
TOTP authenticator codesCounts for 7FullFull

Where they differ

  • Browser autofill

    Worth 9 points. Bitwarden does all of it. KeePassXC does part of it. Browser integration works and is less automatic than 1Password.

  • Desktop and mobile apps

    Worth 8 points. Bitwarden does all of it. KeePassXC does part of it. Official desktop apps. Mobile means a different KeePass-compatible app.

  • Secure sharing

    Worth 6 points. Bitwarden does all of it. KeePassXC does part of it. You share a file, not a vault with permissions.

  • Passkeys

    Worth 6 points. Bitwarden does all of it. KeePassXC does part of it.

  • Breach monitoring

    Worth 5 points. Bitwarden does part of it. Breach reports are a Premium feature, not part of the free vault. KeePassXC does none of it.

Both do all of these: encrypted vault, password generator, a server you run, export your data, and TOTP authenticator codes.

Also ranked: Vaultwarden is #2 (84). Proton Pass is #3 (78).

Free alternatives to 1Password

Instead of LastPass

Last checked October 25, 2026

Bitwarden is #1 (100). KeePassXC is #5 (64).

Bitwarden

#1 · Closest

6 of 6 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.
Notes on the review

KeePassXC

#5

5 of 6 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

What you give up: share an item. You only get part of: browser autofill.

Notes on the review86% of the list checked

Scroll sideways to see both apps.

Bitwarden and KeePassXC on the LastPass list. Full, partial, missing, or not checked.
FeatureBitwarden#1 · 1006 of 6 checked featuresKeePassXC#5 · 645 of 6 checked features
A password vaultCounts for 10FullFull
Browser autofillCounts for 8FullPartial
A password generatorCounts for 6FullFull
Share an itemCounts for 6FullMissing
Import from another managerCounts for 8FullFull
Warn when a saved password was in a leakCounts for 6FullBitwarden help says the Data Breach report checks Have I Been Pwned, and that the report is free.Not checkedNot found in the project's public docs during this check.

Where they differ

  • Browser autofill

    Worth 8 points. Bitwarden does all of it. KeePassXC does part of it.

  • Share an item

    Worth 6 points. Bitwarden does all of it. KeePassXC does none of it.

  • Warn when a saved password was in a leak

    Worth 6 points. Bitwarden does all of it. Bitwarden help says the Data Breach report checks Have I Been Pwned, and that the report is free. KeePassXC was not checked. Not found in the project's public docs during this check.

Both do all of these: a password vault, a password generator, and import from another manager.

Also ranked: Vaultwarden is #2 (84). Proton Pass is #3 (80). Passbolt is #4 (68).

Free alternatives to LastPass

The facts on file

Bitwarden

The open-source password manager with a usable free plan.

Rules
Open source. AGPL-3.0 (server) and GPL-3.0 (clients)
Some organization features are paid even though the code is open.
Run it yourself
Hard. The official server is a multi-container install. Vaultwarden is the lighter compatible server.
Free plan
The core vault, unlimited devices, and autofill are free.
They host it
Premium is $1.65/month, billed annually at $19.80.
Where it runs
Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Web, Run it yourself

Last checked October 25, 2026

Website·Source

KeePassXC

An offline password database in a file you keep.

Rules
Open source. GPL-3.0
Run it yourself
No server. Put the database file somewhere you already sync, or do not sync it.
Free plan
The application is free.
They host it
No hosted price on file.
Where it runs
Mac, Windows, Linux

Last checked October 25, 2026

Website·Source

Which one to pick

Bitwarden

Pick Bitwarden if you want browser autofill, desktop and mobile apps, and passkeys marked full. Sharing an item is full. A breach report is partial on the free vault for the 1Password list, and full on the LastPass list. The server is AGPL-3.0 and the clients are GPL-3.0. Running the official server is hard.

KeePassXC

Pick KeePassXC if you want an offline password database and no server. Browser integration is partial. Official apps are desktop. Mobile means a different KeePass-compatible app. Sharing a file is partial on the 1Password list. Sharing an item is missing on the LastPass list. The license is GPL-3.0.

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