KeePass vs Bitwarden Comparison

Everyone loves free open source software and although open source software doesn’t guarantee quality it does mean that it can be rigorously tested by anyone to find flaws. We’ll be comparing two of the most popular open source password managers on offer, first we have KeePass, one of the originators of password management software against a relative newcomer in Bitwarden, which is rapidly growing in popularity since its launch in 2016. Although both are open source, they are in fact have little common and they show just how flexible password managers are.

Since KeePass is so stripped down and focuses on the essentials, users rely on plugins and extensions to add features that are more commonly found on other password managers. These plugins range from adding extra system compatibility (ensuring KeePass is now available for virtually operational system you can think of) as well as functions like adding cloud support, database backups, and further encryption methods. There is no direct customer support for KeePass since it’s an individual project but there are plenty of user guides and an active forum. KeePass is completely free so need to take your card out.

Like KeePass, Bitwarden is a very small enterprise but customer service is surprisingly good. You can contact them directly through email and Twitter and get a swift response. The Bitwarden website features a customer forum and a large number of guides. Although Bitwarden is free there is a very cheap premium version at just $10 a year, which grants access to further two-step authentication, password reports, 1GB storage, and priority customer service.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that KeePass and Bitwarden are both free open source software, they could not be more different in their execution. In that sense, it’s like comparing apples and oranges.

KeePass is the more secure password manager since nothing is stored on a server but Bitwarden is still incredibly safe. KeePass is the most customizable with so many plugins and extensions, but it does also require a large amount of technical knowledge from the user. Which is where Bitwarden differs greatly, with a simple, clean interface that won’t daunt any newcomers to password management. No matter which password manager you choose you’ll still have a reliable solution without losing any cash.