Top 10 Open Source Password Manager Alternatives You Need

Hayley Seattle
8 min read5 days ago

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Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Password Managers

Let’s talk about something that we all face during development: API Testing with Postman for your Development Team.

Yeah, I’ve heard of it as well, Postman is getting worse year by year, but, you are working as a team and you need some collaboration tools for your development process, right? So you paid Postman Enterprise for…. $49/month.

Now I am telling you: You Don’t Have to:

That’s right, APIDog gives you all the features that comes with Postman paid version, at a fraction of the cost. Migration has been so easily that you only need to click a few buttons, and APIDog will do everything for you.

APIDog has a comprehensive, easy to use GUI that makes you spend no time to get started working (If you have migrated from Postman). It’s elegant, collaborate, easy to use, with Dark Mode too!

Want a Good Alternative to Postman? APIDog is definitely worth a shot. But if you are the Tech Lead of a Dev Team that really want to dump Postman for something Better, and Cheaper, Check out APIDog!

Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Password Managers

Password management is an essential aspect of digital security that many individuals and organizations struggle to address effectively. While proprietary password managers are widely available, many users are turning to open-source alternatives that offer transparency, community support, and customization. In this guide, we will explore the top 10 open-source alternatives to traditional password managers, each providing unique features to meet varying security needs.

1. Bitwarden

Overview

Bitwarden is a popular open-source password manager that offers robust security features along with a user-friendly interface. It supports cross-platform usage and includes features for secure password sharing.

Features

  • End-to-End Encryption: Only you can access your data.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
  • Password Sharing: Share passwords securely with other users.

Installation Guide

  1. Self-Hosting: You can run Bitwarden on your own server or use Bitwarden’s cloud solution.
  • For self-hosting, you can set it up using Docker. First, install Docker, then run:
  • docker pull bitwardenrs/server:latest
  • Follow the documentation for additional configuration.
  1. Installation on Desktop:
  • Download the latest version from the Bitwarden website and follow the installation instructions based on your OS.
  1. Setting Up an Account:
  • Create an account, and you’ll be prompted to create a strong master password.
  1. Importing Passwords:
  • Use the import feature to bring existing passwords from other managers.

2. KeePassXC

Overview

KeePassXC is a community fork of the deprecated KeePassX. It is designed to be intuitive and offers a plethora of features that allow users to manage passwords effectively.

Features

  • Database Encryption: Uses AES-256 encryption to secure your password database.
  • Browser Integration: Compatible with various browsers for autofilling passwords.
  • Multi-Language Support: Available in various languages, making it accessible worldwide.

Installation Guide

  1. Downloading KeePassXC:
  1. Installation Process:
  • Follow on-screen instructions to install KeePassXC.
  1. Creating a Password Database:
  • Open the application, select “Database”, then “New Database”. Set a strong master password.
  1. Adding Passwords:
  • Use the “Add Entry” feature to insert individual passwords and notes.

3. Pass

Overview

Pass, or “The Standard Unix Password Manager,” aligns seamlessly with Unix philosophy. It uses GPG encryption, providing a command-line interface that appeals to tech-savvy users.

Features

  • Unix Integration: Leverages the file system to store passwords in encrypted text files.
  • GPG Support: Uses GnuPG to provide end-to-end encryption.
  • Simple and Lightweight: Minimal setup is required.

Installation Guide

  1. Installing Dependencies:
  • Ensure that git, gpg, and sh are installed on your Unix-like system.
  1. Install Pass:
  • git clone https://git.zx2c4.com/password-store cd password-store make install
  1. Initializing Pass:
  • Run pass init "<Your GPG ID>" to initialize the password store, replacing <Your GPG ID> with your existing GPG key ID.
  1. Adding Passwords:
  • Use pass insert <name> to add new entries.

4. Vaultier

Overview

Vaultier is a high-security password manager that focuses on controlling sensitive information. It applies security best practices, such as high encryption standards.

Features

  • Multi-User Support: Is suitable for teams needing shared access to passwords.
  • Strong Encryption Protocol: Uses Blowfish encryption for robust security.
  • Custom Categories: Users can define categories for organized management.

Installation Guide

  1. Download Vaultier:
  1. Setting Up:
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your account.
  1. Creating Entries:
  • Use the intuitive interface to create and manage password entries.

5. KeePass

Overview

KeePass is the original password manager that carved a niche for itself in the open-source domain. It has garnered tremendous community support and offers an extensive plugin system.

Features

  • Plugin Support: Enhance functionality with a variety of user-contributed plugins.
  • Strong Encryption: Supports both AES and Twofish encryption algorithms.
  • Portable Version: Can be run from a USB stick.

Installation Guide

  1. Download KeePass:
  • Visit the KeePass site and download the appropriate version for your OS.
  1. Installation:
  • Run the installer and follow the prompts.
  1. Creating a Database:
  • Open KeePass, go to “File” > “New” to create a new database.
  1. Using Plugins:
  • Access the plugin directory and follow their documentation to install desired plugins.

6. Buttercup

Overview

Buttercup focuses on simplicity and user experience while preserving security. It employs AES-256 encryption and offers a user-friendly interface with multi-device support.

Features

  • Secure Vaults: Everything is stored in a vault, encrypted automatically.
  • Cross-Platform: Access using web apps, desktop applications, and mobile devices.
  • Browser Integration: Autofill support on various browsers.

Installation Guide

  1. Downloading Buttercup:
  1. Setting Up:
  • Install the application and create a new vault.
  1. Importing Passwords:
  • Import passwords from existing managers using the import feature.

7. Psono

Overview

Psono is a modern open-source password manager targeted at teams and organizations, focusing on secure password sharing and collaborative features.

Features

  • Shared Vaults: Perfect for organizations needing shared password access.
  • Web-Based Application: Accessible from virtually any device with a web browser.
  • Strong Security Protocols: Data is encrypted before it leaves your device.

Installation Guide

  1. Self-Hosting or Cloud Option:
  • Psono offers both self-hosting and a cloud service option. Follow the installation guide for self-hosting instructions.
  1. Creating an Admin Account:
  • After installation, create an admin account to manage user access.
  1. Setting Up User Accounts:
  • Add users and grant them access to shared vaults as needed.

8. Teampass

Overview

Teampass is another collaborative password manager designed for teams and organizations. It emphasizes ease of use while providing essential features to secure organizational passwords.

Features

  • Role-Based Access Control: Control who can see or modify certain passwords.
  • Linking of Users: Connect different users to resources securely.
  • Web Interface: A web-based app that is easy to use.

Installation Guide

  1. Environment Preparation:
  • Ensure you have a server running PHP and MySQL.
  1. Downloading Teampass:
  1. Configuring:
  • Follow the installation steps provided in the repository’s documentation.
  1. User Management:
  • Add users and assign them to groups to manage access levels effectively.

9. Enpass

Overview

Enpass is known for its native applications for different operating systems and provides both offline and cloud storage solutions, giving users flexibility in managing their passwords.

Features

  • Offline Security: No cloud is required for storing passwords; everything is stored locally.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on all major platforms including mobile, desktop, and browser.
  • Secure Sharing: Facilitate secure sharing of passwords with trusted contacts.

Installation Guide

  1. Downloading Enpass:
  • Download Enpass from the official site and follow OS-specific installation instructions.
  1. Setting Up a Vault:
  • Once installed, open Enpass and create a new vault with a strong master password.
  1. Synchronization Options:
  • Choose whether to sync via local or cloud storage services (like Google Drive or Dropbox).

10. passwordstore

Overview

passwordstore is a lighter, command-line-focused password manager, mainly for those comfortable with terminal commands. It’s particularly suited for users preferring minimalistic applications.

Features

  • Git Integration: You can sync your password store using Git.
  • Text-Based Storage: Each password is stored in an encrypted text file that can be easily synchronized across devices.
  • Simple to Use: Minimal configuration is needed for basic functionality.

Installation Guide

  1. Ensure Prerequisites:
  • Make sure you have git and gpg installed on your system.
  1. Clone the Repository:
  • git clone https://git.zx2c4.com/password-store cd password-store
  1. Initialize:
  • Run pass init "<Your GPG ID>" to set up your password store.
  1. Entering Passwords:
  • Use pass insert <name> to begin adding passwords to your store.

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, open-source alternatives to traditional password managers not only offer flexibility and customization but also foster a culture of security among users. Each of the password managers listed above provides unique features that cater to various user needs, ensuring that everyone can find a tool that suits their password management requirements. By understanding and utilizing these open-source options, users contribute to a larger ecosystem that prioritizes security, transparency, and community engagement.

Let’s talk about something that we all face during development: API Testing with Postman for your Development Team.

Yeah, I’ve heard of it as well, Postman is getting worse year by year, but, you are working as a team and you need some collaboration tools for your development process, right? So you paid Postman Enterprise for…. $49/month.

Now I am telling you: You Don’t Have to:

That’s right, APIDog gives you all the features that comes with Postman paid version, at a fraction of the cost. Migration has been so easily that you only need to click a few buttons, and APIDog will do everything for you.

APIDog has a comprehensive, easy to use GUI that makes you spend no time to get started working (If you have migrated from Postman). It’s elegant, collaborate, easy to use, with Dark Mode too!

Want a Good Alternative to Postman? APIDog is definitely worth a shot. But if you are the Tech Lead of a Dev Team that really want to dump Postman for something Better, and Cheaper, Check out APIDog!

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