Password Safe vs. KeePass: Compare Password Managers

KeePass and Password Safe are two password managers with services that are comparable in price (free), features, and compatibility. They share a lot of similar DNA as open-source projects which are the passion project of a single developer.

Which password manager should you get? Let this KeePass vs. Password Safe face-off help you decide.

Both Password Safe and KeePass are free and open source, asking for no compensation for download or use whatsoever. While most other services offer a limited free version with subscriptions to their premium version, both Password Safe and KeePass are unlocked from the start with no need to ever pay their creators a dime.

However, if you end up appreciating their work, you can make a donation to either Dominik Reichl (KeePass) or Rony Shapiro (Password Safe).

But it’s important to note that support for these offshoots comes and goes depending on the attention span of the person who released it — just because a version exists for iOS doesn’t mean it receives regular updates.

Password Safe’s user interface may look warm and familiar to those used to digging through their computer’s registry or who love tinkering with open-source tools. But the average person will run into problems right out of the gate as they are hit with a mass of icons and options only made clear through intentional exploration.

Both received the same overall score during our review, but I preferred KeePass.  It may not look any prettier, but I found it more intuitive to use.

All of this functionality comes at the cost of usability, though. I had to set up each site I wanted to have the ability to automatically log into and watch a few tutorials on how to set up Auto Type in the first place. This is a tedious process for the average user. It will only appeal to those who like the flexibility and customization that comes with a do-it-yourself (DIY) project.

I won’t say as much about Password Safe — its version of auto type works similarly, but not as well.  Again, I have to give the edge to KeePass.

Meanwhile, Password Safe uses the Twofish algorithm with a 256-bit key and is open source, which allows anyone who knows code to inspect it and point out flaws and weaknesses.

Since Password Safe only runs locally on your computer, most of the internal security options relate to individual device security, allowing you a measure of control over how often your vault will be locked and under what conditions.

While both are fairly barebones, KeePass offers more options for security.

Meanwhile, KeePass allows you to add another layer of security on top of especially sensitive accounts (such as bank accounts or other financial institutions) with an OTP generator.  This system shoots you a text or an email with a confirmation code before allowing access to your account. Setting up an OTP through KeePass isn’t intuitive, though I was impressed it was included in this free piece of software.

In the end, the edge goes to Password Safe. Physical security keys are more secure than OTPs and the difficulty in setting up through KeePass pushes the advantage in Password Safe’s favor.

In a lot of ways, KeePass and Password Safe have a lot in common — they’re both free and open source and developed by a single programmer (with all the limitations that come with that).  They also scored pretty similarly in every category.

In the end, it mostly comes down to preference.  Do you need physical security keys or is basic 2FA enough?  Do you have the time and patience that it takes to make autotype work for you?  Do you need a portable installation, or is a desktop install sufficient?

Many of you will answer these questions differently than I did and come to your own conclusions as to which is better.  And that’s ok. The good news is that you’re not risking anything but your time — both of these password managers are free to use.

On the surface, all password managers essentially generate and store passwords. As I evaluated providers, I dug deeper, comparing software on what matters most, including price, platform compatibility, security, and other factors.

I signed up for a plan with each provider to test:

• Plan value: Most password managers offer various subscription plans from free to around $20 per month. While free plans may be sufficient for some, those that need more functionality may prefer paid plans. We included a wide array of free and paid password managers to find the one that works best for you.
• Platform compatibility: You likely access your online accounts from multiple devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, phones, as well as through different web browsers. Your password manager should be compatible with various devices, operating systems and browsers, and sync seamlessly between them all.
• UX: This is how you interface with all the features and functions of your new password manager — if it’s bad, you’ll be less likely to use the service. While this is a highly subjective category and some will disagree, it’s important to provide an overview based on my experience.
• Form filling: A password manager doesn’t have to include form-filling, but it’s somewhat standard and the ease with which it performs that function can be the deciding factor in which password manager you ultimately choose.
• Security: Since a password manager is first and foremost a security tool, it should come with all of the most up-to-date standard security features. This includes the highest level of available encryption (256-bit AES with PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA512); 2FA, such as biometric logins or MFA, and a password generator.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA): Used all over the internet to protect your accounts, this is quickly becoming a standard security practice. 2FA is a great way to secure more sensitive accounts to ensure they’re not breached.

Learn more about our review methodology.