# KeePassXC — A free, open-source, offline password manager that stores an encrypted vault locally with no cloud account or subscription.

By Noah — last updated & pricing verified September 15, 2026.

> **KeePassXC** is a free, open-source, offline password manager and a community-maintained fork of the original KeePass (which is Windows-only).

It stores logins, passkeys, secure notes, and file attachments in a single AES-256-encrypted `.kdbx` database file that lives on the user's own device rather than a vendor's cloud, and it includes a password generator, browser extension integration (with per-site access confirmation prompts), and a built-in TOTP generator for two-factor authentication codes. Because KeePassXC has no first-party sync service, cross-device use relies on the user placing the vault file in their own cloud storage (Dropbox, Nextcloud), or a tool like Syncthing — a deliberate trade-off for keeping the vault entirely outside any vendor's servers.

The project is licensed under GPL-2.0/GPL-3.0 (with some bundled components under BSD, LGPL, MIT, and other licenses), runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and has no commercial tier, subscription, or account requirement of any kind. It received a security certification (ANSSI security visa) for version 2.7.9, and development is funded through donations rather than sales.

## Facts

- Website: https://keepassxc.org
- Pricing: Free (verified undefined NaN, NaN)
- License: Open source
- Platforms: windows, macos, linux
- Best for: privacy-conscious individuals and technical teams who want a fully offline password vault they control, rather than a cloud-synced subscription service
- Standout feature: The entire vault is a single locally encrypted file with no vendor cloud account required, and browser integration prompts for per-site access confirmation rather than auto-filling silently.
- Biggest weakness: There is no built-in cross-device sync, so keeping the vault current across a phone and multiple computers requires manually configuring a third-party sync tool (Dropbox, Nextcloud, Syncthing), and the mobile experience relies on separate community apps rather than a first-party KeePassXC app for iOS or Android.
- Categories: [Password Managers](https://findalternative.to/categories/password-managers)

## Pricing snapshot

| Plan | Price | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| KeePassXC | $0/mo | Fully free and open source; no paid tier, account, or subscription. Development is funded by donations. |

## Pros and cons

- Pro: Vault is a single locally encrypted file with no vendor cloud account or subscription required.
- Pro: Fully open source (GPL-2.0/GPL-3.0) with 28,500+ GitHub stars and an ANSSI security certification for version 2.7.9.
- Pro: Browser integration asks for per-site confirmation instead of silent autofill, reducing phishing risk.
- Pro: Built-in TOTP generator removes the need for a separate authenticator app for many accounts.
- Con: No first-party sync service; cross-device use requires manually pairing with Dropbox, Nextcloud, or Syncthing.
- Con: No official KeePassXC mobile app; iOS and Android users rely on separate, third-party KeePass-compatible apps.
- Con: Interface is more utilitarian and less polished than commercial competitors like 1Password or Bitwarden.
- Con: Family or team sharing requires manual vault-file sharing rather than a built-in sharing feature.

## AI summary

- KeePassXC is a free, open-source fork of the original Windows-only KeePass.
- It stores an AES-256-encrypted vault as a local .kdbx file with no vendor cloud account.
- The GitHub repository has more than 28,500 stars, licensed under GPL-2.0/GPL-3.0.
- There is no first-party sync service or official mobile app.
- Best for: privacy-conscious users who want full control of a local, offline password vault instead of a cloud subscription
- Pricing: Completely free with no paid tier, account, or subscription.
- Top alternatives: Bitwarden, 1Password, KeePass, Proton Pass
- Limitation: No built-in sync; cross-device use requires a third-party tool.
- Limitation: No official first-party mobile app.
- Limitation: Sharing a vault with family or a team is manual, not a built-in feature.

## Alternatives

4 vetted alternatives to KeePassXC: https://findalternative.to/keepassxc — top picks: Bitwarden, 1Password, Proton Pass

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