KeePassXC vs KeeWeb (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, we pick KeePassXC: it is third in our ranking of password managers, though KeeWeb grades higher (3.2 against 2.8) on ease of use and platforms.
Checked Oct 5, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Oct 10, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan and features.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Which one is for you
Pick KeePassXC if
- Fits if you want your passwords in a local file, with nothing kept on anyone's servers
- Works for moving between Windows, macOS and Linux with SSH keys and one-time codes next to your logins
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want one app on your phone too, as there's no mobile version
- Not for you if you expect sync out of the box, because you place the file in a cloud folder yourself
- Tight if you rely on KeePass 2 plugins, which aren't supported and probably never will be
- Watch out: current downloads need macOS 12 or 64-bit Windows 10 or 11; older systems need legacy builds
Pick KeeWeb if
- Fits if you already keep a KeePass file and want a nicer window onto it
- Works for people who store the file in their own cloud or server
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want phone apps, as mobile browsers can only view and copy
- Watch out: there is no browser extension or autofill on the site
- Not for you if you want hosted sync, since KeeWeb does not host vaults
- Tight if you want paid support: it is one named author funded by donations
How we grade them
| 2.8GPAKeePassXCGood | 3.2GPAKeeWebVery good | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree and open source under the GPLv3, with no ads, no subscriptions and no paid tier, where the middle paid password manager here wants $2.99 a month. The team takes donations to cover its costs. | AThe whole app is free with no trial or limits, which the site states. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe full desktop app and the KeePassXC-Browser extension both cost nothing. No paid tier, no account and nothing held back. | AFree outright, with no plan, no cap and no account to open. |
| Features | CThe vault covers encryption with a key file or YubiKey on top of the master password, passkeys, one-time codes, SSH keys, Auto-Type, a health report, an independent audit and an ANSSI certification. But the project names two holes in the basics: no mobile app, and no sync of any kind. | CKeePass compatibility, tags, history and multiple files. It lists no autofill or extension. |
| Ease of use | CNo rating on record, and there are a few steps before it does anything: install it, create the database, pair the browser extension, then put the file in Dropbox, Google Drive or Nextcloud yourself if you want it on a second machine. | BYou open a KeePass file and go, though a file and a sync location come first. No store rating on record. |
| Platforms and integrations | CComputers only: Windows, macOS and Linux, with an extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Vivaldi, Brave and Tor Browser. No mobile app at all, with the team pointing you at KeePassDX on Android and Strongbox on iOS. | BWeb, Mac, Windows and Linux, with sync through Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive or your own server. No native phone apps. |
| Best for | offline passwords on Windows, Mac and Linux | a free KeePass file editor in your browser or desktop |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: KeePassXC and KeeWeb. How we grade
Price against what you get
KeePassXC has no paid plan and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. KeeWeb has no paid plan and scores 2.7.
KeeWeb scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other password managers on the chart, none scores higher than KeePassXC for less, and none scores higher than KeeWeb for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- KeePassXC also covers passkeys.
In commonFree planmacOSWindowsLinuxOpen sourceWorks offlinePassword manager
At a glance
| KeePassXC | KeeWeb | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Free and open source under the GPLv3 license, with no ads, no subscriptions and no paid tier. The team accepts donations to cover its expenses. | The whole app is free, with no trial, demo version or limits, according to the site. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Web | ||
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Browser extension | ||
| Made by | KeePassXC Team | Antelle |
| Price read from | keepassxc.org | keeweb.info |
| Checked | Oct 5, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
KeePassXC
- There is no mobile app. The team points to third-party KeePass-compatible apps such as KeePassDX on Android and Strongbox on iOS.
- Cloud sync is not built in: you place the database file in a service such as Dropbox, Google Drive or Nextcloud yourself.
- KeePass 2 plugins are not supported, and the team says they probably never will be.
- The current downloads target macOS 12 or later and 64-bit Windows 10 or 11; older systems need legacy builds.
KeeWeb
- There are no native iOS or Android apps; mobile browsers can view details and copy passwords only.
- Sync depends on your own Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive or server storage; KeeWeb does not host vaults.
- No browser extension or autofill is listed on the site.
- It is a project with one named author and donation funding, not a company with paid support.
Key features
KeePassXC
- Offline encrypted database
- Passwords live in a local KDBX file encrypted with AES-256 or Twofish. A key file or a YubiKey can be added to the master password to strengthen the key.
- Browser extension
- KeePassXC-Browser links the desktop app to Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Chromium, Vivaldi, Brave and Tor Browser and fills usernames, passwords and TOTP codes.
- Passkeys
- Supports passkeys through the browser integration; the user guide covers creating a new passkey and logging in with one.
- Auto-Type
- Types passwords into other applications. The user guide covers global and entry-level Auto-Type and configurable typing sequences.
- One-time codes and password generator
- Stores TOTP secrets and generates the codes, creates random passwords and word-based passphrases, and reports on password health.
- Audit and certification
- An independent security audit was completed in January 2023, and version 2.7.9 received a first-level security certification (CSPN) from France's ANSSI.
KeeWeb
- KeePass file compatibility
- Works with KeePass databases, so a vault can be opened here and in other KeePass-compatible apps.
- Cloud and server sync
- Opens files from Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive or your own server and syncs changes across devices automatically.
- Offline access
- Files are saved for offline use, including ones opened from Dropbox, and changes sync when the connection returns.
- Multiple files and one search
- Open several database files at once and search all entries from a single box, with regular-expression and field filters.
- History and tags
- Every change goes into entry history that can be rolled back, and entries can be organized with tags and color marks.
- Protected fields and password generator
- Fields can be hidden and are held in memory in a more protected way; the generator takes any length and symbol set.
Plans
KeePassXC
Free$0
The full desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux, plus the KeePassXC-Browser extension.
KeeWeb
KeeWeb$0
Free and open source, with desktop apps for macOS, Windows and Linux and an online web app. Donations are optional.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, KeePassXC or KeeWeb?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both KeePassXC and KeeWeb are free to use.
Which has a free plan, KeePassXC or KeeWeb?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both KeePassXC and KeeWeb have a free plan.
Which platforms do KeePassXC and KeeWeb run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only KeePassXC lists a browser extension and only KeeWeb lists a web app. Both list macOS, Windows and Linux apps. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.