Best Open Source Password Managers in 2026

Your password manager holds the keys to everything, so trust matters more here than almost anywhere else in software.

Open source password managers let researchers inspect the encryption and auditors verify the claims, while still offering browser autofill, mobile apps, and passkey support.

Here are the eight worth using in 2026.

Quick Comparison: Best Open Source Password Managers

Rank	Password Manager	Best For	Platforms	Storage
1	Bitwarden	Best overall	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, browsers	Cloud or self-hosted
2	KeePassXC	Offline desktop vaults	Windows, macOS, Linux	Local file
3	Proton Pass	Privacy and email aliases	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, browsers	Cloud
4	Vaultwarden	Self-hosting Bitwarden	Your own server	Self-hosted
5	KeePassDX	Android	Android	Local file
6	Strongbox	iPhone, iPad, and Mac	iOS, macOS	Local file or your cloud
7	Passbolt	Teams and IT departments	Browsers, desktop, mobile	Self-hosted or cloud
8	KeePass	Classic Windows vault	Windows	Local file

Before You Choose: What to Know

• Cloud sync vs. local files. Cloud-based managers like Bitwarden sync automatically across devices. File-based managers like KeePassXC keep your vault in a single encrypted file that you control and sync however you like.
• “Open source” can mean different things. Some services open source their apps but keep the server closed. We note which parts are open for each pick.
• Your master password is everything. Use a long, unique passphrase and turn on two-factor authentication wherever it’s offered.
• KeePass files work everywhere. The KDBX format is an open standard, so a vault created in one KeePass app opens in any other, with no lock-in.
• Keep everything updated. Even well-audited password managers patch security issues regularly, as several did in 2026.

1. Bitwarden: Best Overall

Bitwarden is the most popular open source password manager, combining zero-knowledge encryption with the convenience of automatic sync across every major platform.

What It Does Well

• Uses client-side zero-knowledge encryption, so the company can’t see your data
• The core password management code for Desktop, Web, Browser, Mobile, and CLI clients is available under the GPL 3.0 license
• Available on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS
• Offers a fully featured free version for individuals
• Can be self-hosted with the official server or the community-built Vaultwarden

Where It Falls Short

• Not everything is open source, since some modules are proprietary and certain server code falls under the Bitwarden License, which doesn’t qualify as open source under the OSI definition
• A 2024 licensing controversy over a client dependency shook community trust, though Bitwarden called it a packaging bug and reorganized the code so the apps build with only GPL/OSI licenses
• The interface is functional rather than polished

Who It’s For

• Nearly everyone who wants a trustworthy, cross-platform password manager that just works

2. KeePassXC: Best Offline Desktop Password Manager

KeePassXC is a free, open source, cross-platform password manager that stores your vault in a local encrypted file instead of the cloud.

What It Does Well

• Runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, and BSD, using the standard KeePass KDBX database format
• Includes a browser extension for autofill plus auto-type for desktop applications
• The 2.8 beta, released in September 2026, moves to Qt 6 and adds Auto-Type on Wayland, configurable shortcuts, remote database synchronization, and native ARM64 builds for Windows
• The new release also patches several vulnerabilities, including a use-after-free bug when importing crafted KDB files
• Licensed under GPL 2.0 and 3.0

Where It Falls Short

• No built-in sync, so you’ll need Dropbox, Syncthing, or another service to share your vault between devices
• No official mobile app, so Android users rely on KeePassDX and iPhone users on apps like Strongbox
• Version 2.8 is still in beta, with 2.7.12 as the current stable release

Who It’s For

• Privacy-focused users who want full control over where their vault lives

3. Proton Pass: Best for Privacy and Email Aliases

Proton Pass comes from the Swiss company behind Proton Mail and pairs open source apps with built-in email aliases.

What It Does Well

• The client apps are open source under GPLv3, with item-level end-to-end encryption
• Audited by Cure53 in 2023 and again by Recurity Labs in early 2026, which rated its overall security posture “well above par”
• The 2026 audit found no remote exploits, meaning users can’t be hacked simply by visiting a malicious website or clicking a link
• Generates email aliases for signing up on sites and forms
• Benefits from Swiss privacy jurisdiction and has never had a vault breach

Where It Falls Short

• The server isn’t open source, so only the software on your device can be inspected
• Cloud-only, with no self-hosting option
• The 2026 audit identified eight issues, including a medium-severity Android flaw fixed in version 1.39.2, so keep the app updated

Who It’s For

• Privacy-conscious users, especially those already using Proton Mail or who want email aliases built in

4. Vaultwarden: Best for Self-Hosting Bitwarden

Vaultwarden is an unofficial, lightweight, Bitwarden-compatible server written in Rust that lets you host your own vault.

What It Does Well

• One of the most popular self-hosted security projects anywhere, with more than 63,000 GitHub stars
• Works with the official Bitwarden apps and browser extensions, so you get the same polished clients with your own server
• Runs on low-powered hardware like a Raspberry Pi or small VPS
• Actively maintained, with version 1.37.3 in September 2026 hardening the login flow and adding a new SSO signup option

Where It Falls Short

• You’re responsible for security, backups, HTTPS, and updates
• Must stay current to keep up with Bitwarden clients, as version 1.37.2 was required for clients 2026.8.0 and newer
• When Bitwarden’s 2026.8.0 extension launched, some Vaultwarden users couldn’t log in or see entries until they updated

Who It’s For

• Home lab users and families who want Bitwarden’s convenience with complete control over their data

5. KeePassDX: Best for Android

KeePassDX is a lightweight, open source password and passkey manager for Android that uses the KeePass file format.

What It Does Well

• Stores credentials in a local encrypted KDBX file with biometric unlock, autofill, TOTP, and passkey support
• Compatible with KeePass, KeePassXC, KeeWeb, and other KeePass apps
• Licensed under GPL3, with version 4.5.5 released in September 2026
• Available on Google Play and F-Droid

Where It Falls Short

• Android only
• Syncing your vault across devices requires a separate file sync service
• Less polished than cloud-based password manager apps

Who It’s For

• Android users who keep their vault in KeePassXC on the desktop

6. Strongbox: Best for iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Strongbox is a native KeePass and Password Safe client for Apple devices with deep iOS integration.

What It Does Well

• Supports Face ID and Touch ID unlock, plus a PIN code with a duress PIN option
• Adds YubiKey challenge-response support as an extra encryption factor for KeePass databases
• Integrates with iOS AutoFill and supports passkeys stored in your KeePass database
• Built-in syncing with Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, Nextcloud, OneDrive, and WebDAV
• Source code is published under the AGPL-3.0 license

Where It Falls Short

• Freemium, with some features reserved for the Pro version
• There’s no way to verify that the App Store build was compiled from the published source
• Apple devices only

Who It’s For

• iPhone, iPad, and Mac users who want a native, polished KeePass experience

7. Passbolt: Best for Teams

Passbolt is an open source password manager built for teams and IT departments that need secure credential sharing.

What It Does Well

• Source code, including the commercial version, is released under the AGPL and publicly available
• Uses public and private keys plus a passphrase instead of a single master password
• Offers role-based access control and flexible folder organization for secure collaboration at scale
• Audited by Quarkslab and Cure53, including a new security audit in 2026
• The free Community Edition has no user limits

Where It Falls Short

• Built for teams rather than individuals
• Self-hosting requires server administration skills
• The Community Edition doesn’t include commercial support

Who It’s For

• Businesses, IT teams, and organizations moving beyond shared KeePass files

8. KeePass: Best Classic Windows Vault

KeePass is the original free, open source password manager that launched the KDBX format everything else builds on.

What It Does Well

• Licensed under GPL-2.0 or later, with version 2.61 released in March 2026
• Protects your database with any combination of a master password, a key file, and your Windows account
• A massive plugin ecosystem that can add almost any feature you need
• Two decades of proven reliability

Where It Falls Short

• Primarily built for Windows, with macOS and Linux support only through Mono
• The interface looks dated
• Features like browser integration require plugins

Who It’s For

• Windows users who want a proven, highly customizable offline vault

How to Choose the Right Password Manager

• Want the easiest cross-platform option: Bitwarden
• Want an offline vault you fully control: KeePassXC on desktop with KeePassDX or Strongbox on mobile
• Want email aliases and Swiss privacy: Proton Pass
• Want to self-host: Vaultwarden
• Managing passwords for a team: Passbolt
• On Windows and love plugins: KeePass

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bitwarden Still Open Source?

• Yes. The client apps are GPL 3.0 and the server is AGPL 3.0, though some business features fall under Bitwarden’s own license.

Are Open Source Password Managers Safer?

• Open code allows anyone to inspect the encryption and find flaws, and the best projects pair that with independent audits. Safety still depends on a strong master password and keeping apps updated.

Can I Use KeePassXC on My Phone?

• Not directly. Use KeePassDX on Android or Strongbox on iPhone to open the same KDBX file.

What’s the Difference Between Bitwarden and Vaultwarden?

• Vaultwarden is a community-built, lightweight server that works with the official Bitwarden apps, making self-hosting easier on modest hardware.

Do These Support Passkeys?

• Many do, including Bitwarden, Proton Pass, KeePassDX, and Strongbox.

Bottom Line: For most people, Bitwarden is the best open source password manager in 2026. It’s free, available everywhere, and backed by open code and client-side encryption. Choose KeePassXC if you want your vault stored offline in a file you control, Proton Pass for privacy-first email aliases, and Vaultwarden if you want to host it yourself. Whatever you pick, protect it with a strong master passphrase and two-factor authentication, because your password manager is only as secure as the key that opens it.