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Bitwarden vs Vaultwarden
Official Bitwarden service is hosted SaaS, while Vaultwarden is self-hosted and free.
BitwardenOpen-source password manager
VaultwardenLightweight Bitwarden-compatible server written in RustWhich to pick
Pick Bitwarden if you want…
- Open-source password and secrets manager
- Managed cloud password vault
Pick Vaultwarden if you want…
- Self-hosted Bitwarden-compatible password storage
- A free, open-source tool
Side by side
- What it is
- Bitwarden:Bitwarden is an open-source password manager that stores, shares and manages passwords, passkeys and secrets for individuals and organizations.
- Vaultwarden:Vaultwarden is a lightweight, self-hosted server compatible with Bitwarden’s API, written in Rust.
- Best for
- Bitwarden:Open-source password and secrets manager
- Vaultwarden:Self-hosted Bitwarden-compatible password storage
- Who it’s for
- Bitwarden:Individuals, teams and enterprises needing secure credential management
- Vaultwarden:Teams and individuals who want to run their own password manager without using Bitwarden’s cloud service.
- Pricing
- Bitwarden:Freemium
- Vaultwarden:Open source
- Plans
- Bitwarden:Premium $1.65 per month (billed annually) · Families $3.99 per month (billed annually) · Teams $4 per month / per user (billed a · Enterprise $6 per month / per user (billed a
- Vaultwarden:—
- Open source
- Bitwarden:Yes, 20,244 GitHub stars
- Vaultwarden:Yes, 68,665 GitHub stars
- Works with
- Bitwarden:—
- Vaultwarden:Docker
Bitwarden features
- End-to-end encryption. All vault data is encrypted client-side with zero-knowledge architecture.
- Autofill & generation. Instantly autofill logins and generate strong, unique passwords and usernames.
- Secure sharing. Share passwords, notes and files with granular permissions across users and teams.
- Credential lifecycle. Manage creation, rotation, retirement and succession of credentials.
- Multi-factor support. Integrated authenticator, Duo MFA and hardware security key options.
- Enterprise policies. Granular access control, passwordless SSO, custom roles and organization-wide policies.
Vaultwarden features
- Bitwarden-compatible API. Provides the same API as Bitwarden, allowing existing Bitwarden clients to connect without changes.
- Rust implementation. Built in Rust for performance and safety, using minimal resources.
- Docker support. Official Docker images enable quick deployment on any container platform.
- Two-factor authentication. Supports email, authenticator apps, YubiKey and Duo for added security.
- SSO and organization support. Includes single sign-on, organization keys and user management similar to Bitwarden.
- Extensible configuration. Environment-file based settings let you customize storage, email, and security options.
Bitwarden vs Vaultwarden FAQ
Is Bitwarden or Vaultwarden free?+
Bitwarden has a free plan; paid plans start at $1.65/month (Premium). Vaultwarden is free and open source.
Which is cheaper, Bitwarden or Vaultwarden?+
Vaultwarden is free, so it costs less. Bitwarden starts at $1.65/month (Premium).
Is Bitwarden or Vaultwarden open source?+
Yes, both are open source: Bitwarden (bitwarden/server on GitHub) and Vaultwarden (dani-garcia/vaultwarden on GitHub, AGPL-3.0 license).
On DevHunt
Based on each tool's website and DevHunt data. Details may change; check the official sites.