KeePass — The Complete Guide: The Original Free, Local, Encrypted Password Manager
KeePass Password Safe is the original open-source password manager, developed by Dominik Reichl. All passwords are kept in one encrypted database on your computer, opened with a single master key — no cloud and no account: portals, licence keys and equipment codes in one place.
KeePass Password Safe
Dominik Reichl
Local encrypted password manager for Windows — licence portals, client extranets and equipment logins in one file.
Get it from the vendorWhat you get
- Encryption — AES-256, ChaCha20 or Twofish.
- Portable version — runs from a USB drive with no installation and leaves no settings on the computer.
- Master key — one password opens the whole database.
- Plugins — extensions for extra features.
- Shared format — the same file also opens in KeePassXC.
KeePass or KeePassXC?
KeePass is built for Windows; on Linux and macOS it runs through Mono, and the experience there is less smooth. KeePassXC is a native app for all three systems. KeePass’s strengths are its plugin system and portable version. Because the file format is the same, you can switch between them at any time.
Related tools
To encrypt removable drives — VeraCrypt. For an encrypted vault inside a cloud folder — Cryptomator. To sync the password file between computers — Syncthing.
KeePassXC
KeePassXC team
Local encrypted password manager — passwords for portals, software licences and equipment in one file you control.
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VeraCrypt
IDRIX
Encrypt disks, partitions and USB drives — protect drawings and client data if a laptop is lost.
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Cryptomator
Skymatic
Client-side encryption before files reach the cloud — encrypted vaults inside Dropbox, OneDrive or Google Drive.
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Syncthing
Syncthing Foundation
Sync files directly between computers, with no cloud — identical project folders at the office, at home and on site.
Get it from the vendorThe bottom line
KeePass is a long-standing, proven and completely free password manager — a good choice for an office that works on Windows and wants its passwords to stay in-house.