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Home/Categories/Security & Monitoring/Password Safe
icon of Password Safe

Password Safe

Open source alternative to 1Password, Dashlane and Keeper

Password Safe is a free, open source password manager that stores credentials in a locally encrypted database unlocked by a single master password. Runs fully offline with no cloud account. Originally designed by Bruce Schneier.

849 starsC++Active this week
image of Password Safe
Contents
  1. 01Who Password Safe is for

Repository

Stars
849
Forks
167
Latest
1.24.0
Last commit
4 days ago
Last verified
May 29, 2026
Repo
pwsafe/pwsafe ↗

Additional details

Visit websiteGitHub repo
  • 02The problem it solves
  • 03How it solves it
  • 04Strengths and trade-offs
  • 05Tech stack
  • 06FAQ
  • 07Similar open-source tools
    • TL;DR

    Password Safe is a local password database that stores credentials in an encrypted file unlocked by one master password. It replaces cloud password managers for users who want an offline vault with a long security history and simple desktop workflow.C++ · 849 stars · Active this week

    who it's for

    Who Password Safe is for#

    Individuals wanting offline passwords

    Password Safe fits users who want a local encrypted password database and do not want a cloud account.

    Skip if:

    You need automatic multi-device sync, browser autofill, or team sharing controls.

    Security-sensitive desktop users

    The simple vault model is useful when passwords should stay in a local file under the user's backup and device-control process.

    Skip if:

    You cannot reliably back up and protect the database file.

    the problem

    The problem it solves#

    how Password Safe solves it

    How it solves it#

    Encrypted local database

    Password Safe stores passwords in an encrypted file unlocked by a single master password.

    Simple clipboard workflow

    Password Safe supports Windows, macOS, Linux packages, and FreeBSD.

    Desktop platform support

    Password Safe supports Windows, macOS, Linux packages, and FreeBSD.

    strengths · trade-offs

    Strengths and trade-offs#

    Strengths

    • Focused offline designPassword Safe is intentionally simpler than cloud team vaults. That makes it attractive for users who want local encrypted storage without account infrastructure.
    • Security lineagePassword Safe traces back to the original design by Bruce Schneier, which gives the project a clear security-history signal.

    Trade-offs

    • -No built-in cloud convenienceAn offline database avoids cloud lock-in but leaves sync, backups, and recovery to the user. Teams needing shared access controls should consider a team password manager.
    tech stack · detected from GitHub

    What it's built on#

    Languages
    CC#C++
    frequently asked

    FAQ#

    How does Password Safe store passwords?

    Password Safe stores passwords in an encrypted database file unlocked by one master password.

    Does Password Safe require a cloud account?

    No. Password Safe is designed around local encrypted password storage rather than a hosted account.

    Is Password Safe good for teams?
    also worth a look

    Similar open-source tools#

    Passbolt

    Passbolt

    Open source team password manager with sharing and audit

    6KPHPAGPL-3.0
    Passwordcockpit

    Passwordcockpit

    Self-hosted team password manager with role-based access

    135DockerfileBSD-3-Clause
    Vaultwarden

    Vaultwarden

    Self-hosted Bitwarden-compatible password management

    60.2KRustAGPL-3.0
    KeePass

    KeePass

    Free open source password manager with encrypted local file

    44TypeScriptGPL-3.0
    KeePassXC

    KeePassXC

    Cross-platform open source password manager with browser plugin

    27.4KC++
    Psono

    Psono

    Self-hosted password manager for teams with enterprise SSO

    100Python
    Language
    C++
    Open issues
    162
    Contributors
    133
    First release
    2015

    Categories

    Security & MonitoringBusiness & ProductivityIT Management

    Tags

    SecurityCybersecurityAuthenticationSelf HostedOpen CorePrivacy Tools

    Many password managers now assume cloud sync, browser accounts, team sharing, and subscription features. Some users and organizations need the opposite: a local encrypted vault that does one job and does not require a hosted account.

    Offline password storage reduces vendor dependency, but it also puts responsibility for backups and device access on the user. The best fit is a user who values simplicity and understands how to protect the database file.

    It is better for individual offline vaults. Teams that need sharing, roles, and offboarding should use a team password manager.