Vaultwarden vs KeeWeb: Which Password Manager?
Quick Verdict
Vaultwarden is the better choice for most people. It has browser auto-fill, native mobile apps, password sharing, and a polished experience across every platform. KeeWeb is better if you’re already using KeePass databases, want a file-based vault with no server-side database, or prefer the simplicity of a single encrypted file you can move anywhere.
Overview
Vaultwarden is a server-side application that stores encrypted vaults in a database (SQLite) and syncs across all Bitwarden clients. It runs as a persistent service that clients connect to.
KeeWeb is a web-based UI for KeePass (.kdbx) files. It serves static files and all encryption happens client-side in the browser. Your vault is a single encrypted file — no database, no server-side state.
These are fundamentally different architectures serving different philosophies.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Vaultwarden | KeeWeb |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Client-server | File-based (static web app) |
| Database | SQLite | .kdbx file (KeePass format) |
| Browser extension | Yes (Bitwarden) | No (use KeePassXC extension) |
| Browser auto-fill | Yes | No |
| Desktop app | Yes (Bitwarden) | Yes (KeeWeb desktop, KeePassXC) |
| Mobile app | Yes (Bitwarden iOS/Android) | Via KeePassDX (Android) / Strongbox (iOS) |
| Mobile auto-fill | Yes | Via KeePassDX / Strongbox |
| Web vault | Yes | Yes (primary interface) |
| Password sharing | Organizations + collections | Share the .kdbx file |
| TOTP 2FA storage | Yes | Yes (KeePass supports TOTP) |
| File attachments | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency access | Yes | No |
| Passkeys | Yes | No |
| Send (temporary sharing) | Yes | No |
| Offline access | Yes (client cache) | Yes (open file locally) |
| Multi-device sync | Built-in (server syncs all) | Manual (Nextcloud/Syncthing) |
| Encryption | AES-256 / Argon2 | AES-256 or ChaCha20 / Argon2 |
| Server-side processing | Encrypts/decrypts nothing (client-side) | None (static file server) |
| RAM usage | ~50 MB | ~30 MB |
Installation Complexity
Vaultwarden requires a running server, HTTPS (Bitwarden clients require it), and a reverse proxy. Setup is straightforward but involves more moving parts.
KeeWeb is a static web app served by nginx. Deploy the container and you’re done. Creating and managing the .kdbx file is a separate step — you can create one with KeePassXC or within KeeWeb itself.
Winner: KeeWeb for pure simplicity. But Vaultwarden’s setup is still easy and the result is more feature-complete.
Performance and Resource Usage
| Metric | Vaultwarden | KeeWeb |
|---|---|---|
| Idle RAM | ~50 MB | ~30 MB |
| Docker image | ~50 MB | ~20 MB |
| Server-side work | API handling, sync | Serve static files |
| Disk footprint | SQLite database | Single .kdbx file |
Both are extremely lightweight. KeeWeb is slightly lighter because the server does almost nothing — all the work (encryption, decryption, search) happens in your browser.
Community and Support
| Metric | Vaultwarden | KeeWeb |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 43,000+ | 12,000+ |
| Client ecosystem | Bitwarden (massive) | KeePass ecosystem (mature) |
| Active development | Very active | Maintenance mode |
| Community size | Large | Medium |
Important note: KeeWeb development has slowed significantly. The last major release was in 2022. It’s functional and stable, but don’t expect new features. The KeePass ecosystem overall is very mature and stable.
Vaultwarden benefits from the entire Bitwarden client ecosystem, which is actively developed with frequent updates.
Use Cases
Choose Vaultwarden If…
- You want browser auto-fill that works seamlessly
- You need mobile apps with auto-fill
- You want built-in multi-device sync
- You need password sharing with family or team
- You want passkey support
- You want emergency access features
- You’re starting fresh without existing KeePass databases
Choose KeeWeb If…
- You already have KeePass (
.kdbx) databases - You want to use KeePassXC on desktop + web access from KeeWeb
- You prefer a file-based vault you can back up by copying one file
- You don’t need browser auto-fill from the web UI
- You want the simplest possible server setup
- You want maximum portability — the vault file works everywhere
Final Verdict
Vaultwarden is the better password manager for daily use. Auto-fill, mobile apps, syncing, sharing — it handles everything a modern password manager should.
KeeWeb is the better choice for KeePass users who want web access to their existing .kdbx vaults without changing their workflow. It’s also the right choice if you value the simplicity and portability of a file-based vault — one encrypted file, no server dependency, works with any KeePass client on any platform.
If you’re choosing your first self-hosted password manager, choose Vaultwarden. If you already live in the KeePass ecosystem, KeeWeb adds web access without disrupting anything.
FAQ
Can I migrate from KeeWeb/KeePass to Vaultwarden?
Yes. Export your .kdbx file to CSV from KeePassXC, then import the CSV into Vaultwarden’s web vault under Tools → Import Data → KeePass 2 (csv).
Which is more secure?
Both are secure. KeePass’s .kdbx encryption (AES-256/ChaCha20 with Argon2) is well-audited and battle-tested. Vaultwarden uses Bitwarden’s AES-256 with Argon2. The key difference: KeeWeb does zero server-side processing (pure client-side), while Vaultwarden processes API requests on the server (but doesn’t decrypt vault data server-side). Both approaches are sound.
Can I use both?
Not for the same vault — they use different formats. But you can run both and keep separate vaults. Some users run Vaultwarden for daily auto-fill and keep a KeePass backup vault.
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