KeePass
Overview
KeePass is the original mainstream open-source password manager, still hugely popular after two decades. It stores all of your passwords in a single encrypted database file on your own machine — no cloud, no account, no subscription. Native Windows support is excellent, it runs on Linux and macOS through Mono, and a vast ecosystem of plugins extends it with OTP codes, auto-type, browser integration, synchronisation and more. The latest stable release is KeePass 2.61.1.
Key Features
- Encrypted database file — your vault is a single file protected with AES-256, Twofish or ChaCha20.
- Truly portable — carry the database anywhere and open it without installing anything; no cloud involved.
- Multi-factor unlock — combine a master password with key files and/or Windows user account for stronger protection.
- Huge plugin ecosystem — add OTP, auto-type, browser extension links, cloud sync and dozens more capabilities.
- Auto-type and hotkeys — global shortcuts fill login forms and auto-clear the clipboard after use.
- Structured vault — group entries in a tree, assign icons, tags and store full password history.
Why Use It
KeePass is the tool of choice for people who want to own their password database completely. There is no third-party server to trust, the format is open and mature, and twenty years of plugins mean almost any workflow is covered. If the default look feels dated, remember a huge reason for its longevity is that your data is never anywhere but in your hands.
Use Cases
- Local, offline password storage on a Windows PC
- Portable USB-stick vault carried between machines
- Power users extending KeePass with plugins for OTP, autofill and sync
Platforms
Windows (x86, x64, ARM64) · Linux (Mono) · macOS (Mono) · BSD (Mono) — portable version available
Licence
GPL-2.0+