Comparisons Password Manager Comparison 2026
Bitwarden vs KeePassXC: which password manager is better?
Two password managers side by side. They differ in 17 of 24 criteria. Here you can see where, and which one suits whom.
- Updated October 2026
- Compare all 12 providers
At a glance
Bitwarden
Best for: Anyone looking for a full-featured free plan, and businesses that want to self-host.
- Best free plan: unlimited passwords and devices
- Open source, regularly audited
- Very cheap Premium and affordable business plans
Better than KeePassXC at: Emergency access, Email aliases, Android, iPhone and iPad
Price: from 1.65 US dollars/month (Bitwarden bills in dollars only)
Visit BitwardenKeePassXC
Best for: Tech-savvy users who don’t want to trust any cloud.
- Completely free and open source
- No cloud, no company holding your data
- Passkeys and 2FA codes built in
Price: free
Visit KeePassXCAll criteria compared
Highlighted rows show where the two differ.
| Criterion | Bitwarden | KeePassXC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Free plan | Yes, unlimited passwords and devices | Yes, completely free |
| Price for one person | from 1.65 US dollars/month (Bitwarden bills in dollars only) | free |
| Family plan | 3.99 US dollars/month for 6 people | – |
| Business plan | Yes, from 4 US dollars per person/month | – |
| Free trial | Free plan | Free |
| Provider | ||
| Headquarters | USA | Community project (no company) |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Independent security audit | Yes | n/a |
| Known security incidents | None known | None known |
| Security | ||
| End-to-end encryption | Yes | Yes |
| Stores passkeys | Yes, also on the free plan | Yes |
| Built-in 2FA code generator | Yes, from Premium | Yes |
| Data breach alerts | Yes, from Premium | Yes (check against Have I Been Pwned) |
| Emergency access | Yes, from Premium | No |
| Local storage or self-hosting | Yes, self-hosting possible | Yes, local file only |
| Features | ||
| Secure password sharing | Free with one person, unlimited from the family plan | Only by sharing the file |
| Email aliases | Via connected alias services | No |
| Stand-out feature | Bitwarden Send for encrypted messages | Works completely offline |
| Platforms | ||
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Via compatible apps (e.g. KeePassDX) |
| iPhone and iPad | Yes | Via compatible apps (e.g. Strongbox) |
| Browser extension | Yes | Yes |
Strengths and weaknesses
Bitwarden
The classic open-source password manager: free without restrictions, Premium for under 2 US dollars a month.
- + Best free plan: unlimited passwords and devices
- + Open source, regularly audited
- + Very cheap Premium and affordable business plans
- + Can run on your own server
- – Interface a bit plainer than 1Password
- – Headquartered in the USA
- – Billing in US dollars only
KeePassXC
Completely free, open-source password manager without a cloud. Your passwords live in an encrypted file on your device.
- + Completely free and open source
- + No cloud, no company holding your data
- + Passkeys and 2FA codes built in
- – You have to handle syncing between devices yourself
- – No official mobile app (only compatible apps from other developers)
- – No sharing, no emergency access
Our verdict
Both are a good choice, but for different needs. Bitwarden is best for: anyone looking for a full-featured free plan, and businesses that want to self-host. KeePassXC is best for: tech-savvy users who don’t want to trust any cloud.
All information comes from the providers’ websites and the sources listed in the full comparison, as of October 2026. Links marked “Ad” are affiliate links.