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KeePassXC

Cross-platform password manager for secure offline credential storage

Modern, open-source password manager storing encrypted credentials offline. Compatible with KeePass databases, featuring browser integration, TOTP generation, and YubiKey support across Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Overview

Secure Password Management for Privacy-Conscious Users

KeePassXC is a cross-platform password manager designed for users with high security and privacy demands. It stores usernames, passwords, URLs, attachments, and notes in encrypted KDBX databases that remain completely offline, giving you full control over where your sensitive data lives—whether on local storage or your chosen cloud solution.

Comprehensive Feature Set

Beyond basic credential storage, KeePassXC offers browser integration with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and other major browsers, including passkey support. The built-in password generator creates strong passwords or memorable passphrases. Advanced users benefit from TOTP generation, YubiKey challenge-response authentication, SSH agent integration, database health reports including HIBP breach checks, and a command-line interface for automation.

Flexible and Compatible

Fully compatible with KeePass KDBX formats (KDBX3 and KDBX4), KeePassXC supports importing from CSV, 1Password, Bitwarden, and Proton Pass. Entries can be organized into customizable groups with icons, searched using advanced patterns, and shared via KeeShare. Additional encryption options include Twofish and ChaCha20 alongside standard AES.

Highlights

Offline encrypted database storage with full user control over file location
Browser integration supporting passkeys across Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and more
TOTP generation, YubiKey support, and SSH agent integration
KeePass KDBX format compatibility with import from major password managers

Pros

  • Complete offline operation ensures data never touches third-party servers
  • Extensive platform support: Windows, macOS, Linux with consistent features
  • Advanced security options including hardware key support and multiple encryption algorithms
  • Active development with rigorous code review and transparent contribution process

Considerations

  • Manual synchronization required across devices without cloud service integration
  • Steeper learning curve for users accustomed to cloud-based password managers
  • No official mobile apps from the core team (community alternatives exist)
  • Database file management responsibility falls entirely on the user

Managed products teams compare with

When teams consider KeePassXC, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.

1Password logo

1Password

Password manager to secure and autofill logins and sensitive info

Dashlane logo

Dashlane

Password manager with zero-knowledge vault, autofill, and passkey support

Enpass logo

Enpass

Offline-first password manager with local vault and optional cloud sync

Looking for a hosted option? These are the services engineering teams benchmark against before choosing open source.

Fit guide

Great for

  • Security professionals and privacy advocates requiring offline credential storage
  • Users migrating from KeePass seeking modern UI and cross-platform consistency
  • Organizations needing self-hosted password management without SaaS dependencies
  • Power users wanting advanced features like SSH integration and hardware key support

Not ideal when

  • Users expecting automatic cloud sync and seamless multi-device experience
  • Non-technical users seeking simplicity over configurability and control
  • Teams requiring built-in collaboration and centralized administration features
  • Mobile-first users needing official iOS/Android apps with feature parity

How teams use it

Personal Credential Vault with Cloud Backup

Store encrypted database in Dropbox or Google Drive for manual sync across devices while maintaining zero-knowledge security

Development Team SSH Key Management

Use SSH agent integration to securely manage deployment keys and server credentials without exposing private keys

Password Health Audit and Breach Monitoring

Generate database reports to identify weak passwords and check credentials against HIBP breach database offline

Migration from Commercial Password Manager

Import existing credentials from 1Password, Bitwarden, or Proton Pass to eliminate subscription costs and regain data ownership

Tech snapshot

C++95%
CMake2%
Python1%
Objective-C++1%
Shell1%
Go1%

Tags

cross-platformkeepassxcmacospasswordhacktoberfestyubikeykeepassprivacywindowspassword-managersecuritylinux

Frequently asked questions

Is KeePassXC compatible with KeePass databases?

Yes, KeePassXC fully supports KDBX4 and KDBX3 formats used by KeePass, allowing seamless database sharing and migration between applications.

How do I sync my database across multiple devices?

KeePassXC stores databases as files you manually sync using cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive) or file synchronization tools. The database remains encrypted during transfer and storage.

Does KeePassXC support two-factor authentication?

Yes, KeePassXC can store and generate TOTP codes for two-factor authentication and supports YubiKey/OnlyKey challenge-response for database unlocking.

Can I use KeePassXC with my web browser?

Yes, browser integration extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Chromium, Vivaldi, Brave, and Tor Browser, including support for modern passkeys.

What encryption does KeePassXC use?

KeePassXC uses AES-256 encryption by default, with additional options for Twofish and ChaCha20. All databases are encrypted at rest with your master password.

Project at a glance

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Repo age9 years old
Last commit3 days ago
Self-hostingSupported
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