1Password is a polished password manager, but subscription costs and cloud dependency lead some users to look for alternatives. devpick lists five open-source options: the local-file KeePassXC, the self-hostable Bitwarden and Vaultwarden, the team-oriented Passbolt, and Infisical for developer secret management.
- Self-hosting — keep password data on your own server (Bitwarden / Vaultwarden / Passbolt)
- Local-only option — KeePassXC needs no server; it stores an encrypted KDBX file anywhere you choose
- Migration from 1Password — KeePassXC imports 1Password-format databases, and Bitwarden documents an official 1Password import path
- Zero-knowledge / E2E encryption — Bitwarden cannot decrypt your vault server-side; Passbolt uses end-to-end encryption with user-owned keys
- Ultra-lightweight — Vaultwarden runs even on a Raspberry Pi and works with the official Bitwarden clients
- Secret management — Infisical specializes in team management of API keys and connection strings
5 tools
vaultwarden
Unofficial Bitwarden compatible server written in Rust, formerly known as bitwarden_rs
infisical
Infisical is the open-source platform for secrets, certificates, and privileged access management.
keepassxc
KeePassXC is a cross-platform community-driven port of the Windows application “KeePass Password Safe”.
clients
Bitwarden client apps (web, browser extension, desktop, and cli).
passbolt_api
Passbolt Community Edition (CE) API. The JSON API for the open source password manager for teams!
How to Choose an Alternative
Choose by operating model (local / self-hosted / team)
If you manage passwords on a few devices without a server, the local-file KeePassXC is simplest. If you need automatic sync with mobile and browser extensions, use server-based Bitwarden (or self-host Vaultwarden). For organizational sharing, permissions, and auditing, Passbolt is designed for teams.
Ease of migration from 1Password
KeePassXC supports importing 1Password-format databases, and Bitwarden provides an official import guide for 1Password data, so the main migration paths are well established.
How syncing works
Bitwarden, Vaultwarden, and Passbolt sync devices automatically through a server. KeePassXC uses no server, so with multiple devices you sync the encrypted file yourself, e.g. via your own cloud storage.
Verifiable security
Open source means the code can be inspected. Passbolt is audited multiple times a year with findings made public, and KeePassXC holds an OpenSSF Best Practices badge — unlike closed SaaS, the encryption implementation is open to third-party review.
1Password vs Open-Source Alternatives
- Fully managed cloud service with zero server maintenance
- Paid support available
- Free plan covers core features
- Source code is public and verifiable
- Self-hosting keeps data under your control (with lightweight Vaultwarden as an option)
- Built-in cloud sync keeps every device up to date automatically
- Family and team sharing comes with a managed admin experience
- Completely free (GPL-2/GPL-3) with no account or server required
- Data stays in a local encrypted KDBX file and never leaves your machine
- Official import support for 1Password databases
How to Choose
Pick KeePassXC for serverless personal use, Bitwarden for free automatic sync across devices (or Vaultwarden to run it yourself), Passbolt for team sharing and permissions, and Infisical for developer secret management.
FAQ
- What can replace 1Password?
- Leading open-source alternatives are Bitwarden, Vaultwarden, KeePassXC, Passbolt, and Infisical. Choose Bitwarden or Vaultwarden for cross-device sync, KeePassXC for serverless local management, and Passbolt for team sharing and permissions.
- Is 1Password unsafe?
- There is no widespread claim that 1Password itself is unsafe. People mainly switch because of subscription costs and the desire to keep password data under their own control — on their own server or in a local file. Open-source alternatives publish their code and let you decide where data lives and how it syncs.
- 1Password or Bitwarden — which should I pick?
- Pick Bitwarden if you want a free start, code transparency, or self-hosting. Pick 1Password if you want a fully managed service with no operational overhead. Bitwarden can also be self-hosted via Vaultwarden, a lightweight compatible server that works with the official client apps.
- Isn't my browser's built-in password manager enough?
- Built-in browser storage covers basic saving and autofill. Dedicated password managers add cross-browser use, TOTP management, encrypted attachments and notes, and team sharing. Open-source options like KeePassXC provide these features for free.