This entry is compiled from primary sources: KeePassXC's own documentation, release notes, and licensing or pricing pages.
It has not been hands-on tested by us. Where a limit, a price or a requirement is stated below, it is the published figure at the time of writing rather than a measured result.
Anything we have not verified is left out instead of guessed at.
KeePassXC Review (2026) — Honest Take for Free Users
Freeopen-sourceOpen Source
KeePassXC, from KeePassXC Team, is a free and open-source alternative to paid desktop software. On its Open Source plan it is genuinely usable, not a teaser.
Below: what you actually get for free, where the limits sit, and who should skip it.
What it does well
- Real opensource capability on the Open Source tier — no credit card to start.
- Practical for everyday use; outputs are usable, not just demos.
- Actively maintained by KeePassXC Team; Password mgr is a current highlight.
Pros
- No-cost entry with meaningful features.
- Backed by KeePassXC Team, so it is actively maintained.
- Good fit for users who want a free and open-source alternative to paid desktop software without paid subscriptions.
Cons
- There is no sync. You put the .kdbx file in Dropbox, Nextcloud or Syncthing yourself — a deliberate design choice, and the single biggest reason people bounce off it.
- No official mobile app. Phone access means a third-party reader such as KeePassium or Keepass2Android, maintained by other people on other schedules.
- Lose the database file and your backups and the data is gone. Nobody can reset it for you — that is the point, and it is a real risk.
- Browser integration runs through a local socket and is the most common thing users report breaking after an update.
What it costs
Nothing, in the strongest sense on this list. KeePassXC is GPL-licensed software that stores an encrypted file on your own disk. There is no account, no server, no subscription and no upsell, because there is no company selling anything.
The cost is effort. You supply the sync mechanism, the backups and the mobile client. Budget an hour of setup and a real backup habit, and the running cost is genuinely zero after that.
Best alternatives
- Bitwarden — Unlimited passwords and devices on the free plan, zero-knowledge encryption (security).
- Proton Pass — Privacy-focused free tier with unlimited logins and hide-my-email aliases (security).
- Google Password Manager — Built into Chrome and Android — free, zero setup, passkey support (security).
FAQ
Is KeePassXC free? Yes — it is open source and free to use in full.
Do I need a credit card? No, to start.
Best for? a free and open-source alternative to paid desktop software without paying.