Bitwarden vs. KeePass 2024: Which One Is Better?

Manual Thomas
Updated on: October 13, 2024 Writer

Bitwarden and KeePass are two of the most secure password managers in 2024. They’re both open-source, offer strong basic security features, and have generous free versions. I compared them in terms of security, features, plans and pricing, ease of use, and customer support to determine which is best.

Bitwarden and KeePass share essential features like:

• 256-bit AES encryption.
• Password generator.
• Open-source architecture.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA).

However, there are also some key differences between them. For example, Bitwarden offers a more user-friendly interface, cloud-based syncing across devices, and a broader range of features, while KeePass lets you change the encryption standard and has numerous third-party plugins that can be added to customize and expand its functionality.

I determined which open-source password manager provides a better overall experience after spending several weeks testing and comparing them both. Read on to find out which password manager best suits your needs.

TRY BITWARDEN

Bitwarden vs. KeePass — Quick Overview

Security & Data Privacy — Bitwarden Wins This Round

Bitwarden and KeePass share several key features like:

• 256-bit AES encryption — uses an unbreakable encryption method to protect your info.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA) — requires you to use two forms of identification.

I really like how KeePass offers users the flexibility to choose their preferred encryption algorithm. You can select between 256-bit AES encryption or ChaCha20. While beginner users won’t necessarily need to choose between them (as neither method has been cracked by hackers), it lets advanced users easily pick the encryption method that best suits their needs. Bitwarden users on the other hand have to use 256-bit AES encryption.

The multi-factor authentication options also differ between the two. Bitwarden offers many 2FA options such as TOTP apps (Google Authenticator, Authy), USB tokens (Duo, YubiKey), and biometric logins. KeePass, on the other hand, relies on plugins to add 2FA functionality. On top of that, Bitwarden offers password auditing and data breach monitoring — something else KeePass lacks.

I was disappointed that neither password manager offers good account recovery options. Bitwarden has the option to set up Emergency Access, so if you trust someone, they can help you recover your master password if you forget it — but that’s about it. Still, this is better than KeePass, where if you lose your master password, you lose access to your vault. I wish both offered more account recovery options like LastPass does to reduce the risk of losing all your passwords.

Finally, both KeePass and Bitwarden are open-source, and their code has been reviewed by security experts to ensure security and reliability. Bitwarden is SOC 3 and SOC 2 Type 2 certified, meaning that an independent audit has proven that it protects users’ data. KeePass has passed a EU-FOSSA 1 and 2 audit, and while some security issues were found in the audit, they were quickly fixed.

Basic Features — Bitwarden Has More Features

Bitwarden offers an auto-fill feature that allows users to automatically input their saved credentials into login fields. On the other hand, KeePass lacks a convenient auto-fill function, requiring users to copy and paste their saved credentials or use the Auto-Type feature, which is less intuitive than Bitwarden’s auto-fill.

Bitwarden also has an auto-save feature to automatically save new login credentials, whereas KeePass lacks this essential feature — which is frustrating. That said, Bitwarden’s auto-save feature didn’t always work that well in my tests.

Another great thing about Bitwarden is its password-sharing tool — I was able to share any piece of information with any individual by sending them a unique link. The information can be a piece of text or a file attachment up to 500 MB on desktop or 100 MB on mobile. I wish KeePass had a similar tool, especially when most of the best password managers in 2024 include password sharing. You can allow multiple users to access your vault by storing it on a shared network or drive — but this isn’t anywhere near as intuitive or secure.

Both password managers have robust password generators, but KeePass’s generator is highly customizable and can generate passwords up to 30,000 characters long. However, Bitwarden’s password generator is more than sufficient for most users, with the ability to generate strong passwords up to 128 characters long. I really like how Bitwarden lets you generate passphrases, too. These are more secure than standard passwords, and it’s not super common for password managers to offer that option.

I was also able to store payment cards, notes, and identities in Bitwarden — KeePass is limited to password storage by default, although you can create custom fields to store different types of information.

Advanced Features — Bitwarden Comes Out on Top

Bitwarden has many advanced features, including password auditing, passkey support, emergency access, and breach monitoring. KeePass lacks many of these features by default, but I extended its functionality through the use of third-party plugins. For example, I installed a plugin that scanned the haveibeenpwned database for leaked passwords stored in my KeePass vault. That said, this can be tricky for non-technical users due to the configuration required to get it to behave as desired.

That said, KeePass does have an interesting Auto-Type feature that lets you set up a sequence of keypresses. These keypresses are automatically entered into dialog windows using a hotkey. It’s pretty cool, but I can’t see much use for it outside of auto-filling passwords (which Bitwarden offers as standard anyway).

I found Bitwarden’s password auditing tool pretty impressive — it checks the haveibeenpwned database for passwords exposed in a breach and flags weak, reused, or duplicate passwords, as well as sites with inactive 2FA. Bitwarden also warns you if any of your accounts are registered on unsecured websites, which most password managers don’t do.

Emergency Access is another useful feature provided by Bitwarden — it allowed me to designate a trusted user to access my password vault or take over my account in case of an emergency. Unfortunately, KeePass doesn’t include any kind of emergency access.

Apps & Browser Extensions — Bitwarden Is More Intuitive

Bitwarden provides a smooth experience across all its supported platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux.

I found Bitwarden’s mobile app really user-friendly, too, offering seamless integration with iOS and Android devices. It syncs passwords across devices, supports biometric login, provides a password generator and offers the ability to send passwords to your trusted contacts. I also appreciate the ease of switching between private and shared vaults and multiple accounts.

Bitwarden’s browser extensions also worked well for me. Auto-filling was intuitive, and I liked that if I chose Bitwarden as my authenticator app, it would also auto-fill TOTPs. However, this only works if you use one-click auto-fill and not auto-fill on page load. If you choose to use auto-fill on page load, you’ll have to copy and paste your TOTP.

KeePass, on the other hand, relies on unofficial third-party apps like KeePass2Android and Strongbox (for iOS). While both apps offer clean and user-friendly interfaces, I found the iOS app to have limited auto-fill capabilities in Safari during my testing. Plus, the fact that they are developed by third parties and may require additional plugins can be off-putting.

KeePass’s browser extensions are available for the same browsers as Bitwarden, but the overall experience can be less polished due to its reliance on third-party developers.

Ease of Use & Setup — Bitwarden Is Easier to Install and Use

Bitwarden is easy to install and provides a more comprehensive range of tools. Its straightforward interface allows users to quickly add item vaults, favorite frequently used items, and enable 2FA without issues. Although Bitwarden’s auto-save feature may not always work properly, it functions well most of the time.

In contrast, KeePass has a plain and outdated interface, making it harder for users to navigate its features. Although it is simple to install, the process of setting up a database and adding entries can be time-consuming and frustrating. Even essential tasks like importing passwords from another password manager take some effort. I had to consult a guide to do this and most other things.

KeePass’s reliance on third-party plugins makes it fundamentally harder to use, too. Features like 2FA, password auditing, and data breach alerts are all available via plugins, but these can be tricky to set up for non-technical users. Even auto-fill, arguably the most useful feature a password manager can have, requires a plugin — and it doesn’t work very well!

All of these features are built into Bitwarden, making it much easier to use. It also means Bitwarden is safer because it doesn’t rely on outside sources. While the basic infrastructure of KeePass is secure and regularly updated, that’s not the case with many plugins. Some haven’t been updated for years and might have vulnerabilities.

If you have any issues using KeePass, you have to rely on a help guide and a forum as there is no official customer support. The guides on the KeePass website are generally good, but they tend to be quite technical. The forum isn’t very active either so it can be hard to get an answer there.

The guides in Bitwarden’s knowledge base are easier to understand. Though there isn’t any live chat or phone number, I got a quick response when I emailed the support team with a question.

Plans & Pricing — Bitwarden’s Plans Offer More

Bitwarden offers three plans: Free, Premium, and Families, as well as plans for businesses. The free plan is excellent (it’s one of the best free plans in 2024), with unlimited password storage on unlimited devices, 2FA compatibility with TOTP authenticators, data breach scanning, and unlimited password sharing with 1 user.

The Premium plan, at just $1.00 / month, adds features such as a built-in 2FA authenticator, password health and auditing tools, 2FA compatibility with USB tokens like Duo and YubiKey, and 1 GB of encrypted storage.

The Families plan costs $3.33 / month and includes the same features as the Premium plan. It also extends password sharing to up to 6 users and adds an extra 1 GB of storage for shared items.

Bitwarden accepts payment through credit card, PayPal, bank transfer (ACH), and Bitcoin. Plus, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

KeePass, on the other hand, is a free password manager with no premium plans available. It’s most suitable for single users looking for a password manager for personal use on a single device.

Customer Support — Bitwarden’s Support Is More Comprehensive

Bitwarden’s customer support options include:

• Email support.
• Knowledge base.
• Forum community.

I found Bitwarden’s email support to be excellent — I got a response in just over 90 minutes after business hours on a Friday!

The Bitwarden knowledge base is pretty impressive as well — it covers a wide range of topics, including features and applications, while the Learning Center offers tutorials organized by skill level.

Bitwarden’s forum is really active, and most threads receive helpful responses from both Bitwarden staff and other users. When I posted a question, I received a helpful response from a moderator within a few hours.

KeePass’s customer support options include:

• FAQs.
• Documentation.
• Forums.

Being a completely open-source project, KeePass relies on its community for support. It offers a knowledge base with articles on various aspects of the program, such as installations and error codes, as well as FAQs addressing administrative and technical aspects.

Unlike Bitwarden, KeePass doesn’t offer email support or any other direct support option — which is very disappointing.

Overall Winner: Bitwarden

Bitwarden is a secure, feature-rich, and intuitive open-source password manager — I was particularly impressed with its passkey support, range of two-factor authentication options, and the seamless user experience across devices.

KeePass, on the other hand, is a good password manager that offers strong security. That said, its reliance on third-party plugins and outdated interface can be off-putting for users who prefer a more streamlined and modern approach.

Overall, Bitwarden and KeePass are both good options, but I found Bitwarden to provide a better overall experience. With a more user-friendly interface, more features, and better customer support, Bitwarden is the clear winner in this comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which password manager is better: Bitwarden or KeePass?

Bitwarden is better for most users — it’s easier to use and has more features like password auditing, secure password sharing, emergency access, and secure file storage. KeePass is somewhat flexible thanks to a wealth of plugins, but these can be hard to get to work. Even basic features like auto-fill didn’t reliably work after I went through the hassle of messing with multiple third-party plugins.

Are Bitwarden and KeePass secure enough for storing sensitive information?

Yes, both Bitwarden and KeePass offer strong security measures to protect your sensitive information. They use end-to-end 256-bit AES encryption to secure user data, ensuring only you can access your password vault. Plus, both password managers offer advanced 2FA options — which adds an extra layer of protection to secure your online accounts.

How user-friendly are Bitwarden and KeePass?

Bitwarden is more user-friendly than KeePass. It features a simple, intuitive interface and supports seamless syncing across multiple platforms, making it easy for users to access their passwords. In contrast, KeePass has an outdated interface that may be challenging for non-technical users. It requires some technical knowledge and experience to fully take advantage of its features and options.

Can I use Bitwarden and KeePass on my mobile devices?

Yes, both Bitwarden and KeePass offer mobile apps for Android and iOS devices.

Additionally, they provide desktop applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux. However, it’s essential to note that Bitwarden offers more seamless cross-platform syncing compared to KeePass. That’s because KeePass is only available on mobile devices via third-party ports. If you prioritize easy access to your passwords on multiple devices, Bitwarden is a better choice.

Read more about the best password managers in 2024