KeePassXC review

KeePassXC is the opposite of a subscription password manager. It is free, open source and stores your passwords in a single encrypted file that never leaves your control unless you move it. There is no account, no server and no advertising. The desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux are mature, with Auto-Type, browser integration and support for attachments and notes, and version 2.7.9 earned a Security Visa from ANSSI, the French national cybersecurity agency. Version 2.8.0, released in October 2026, added Auto-Type on Wayland and configurable shortcuts. The cost is convenience. Sync between devices is up to you, through a cloud folder or, since version 2.8.0, remote synchronization with external tools, and phones need separate KeePass-compatible apps from other developers. Choose KeePassXC if you are comfortable with that work and want zero recurring cost.

Who it is for

Technical users who want full control and no cloud account at all.

Price

Free and open source; no paid plan.

No cloud, no ads, no subscriptions.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 4, 2026.

Key features

• Offline encrypted database file you can store anywhere
• Auto-Type and browser autofill
• Open source under GPLv3
• Security Visa from France's ANSSI for version 2.7.9
• Auto-Type on Wayland and Qt6 in version 2.8.0

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Completely free, with no ads or tracking
• Strength: No vendor servers holding your data
• Strength: Independently certified by a national cybersecurity agency
• Weakness: No built-in sync; you move the database file yourself
• Weakness: Desktop only; phones need third-party KeePass apps
• Weakness: More setup and less polish than paid rivals

Key facts

• Price: Free
• License: GPLv3
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
• Latest stable: 2.8.0, released October 21, 2026

Where it ranks

KeePassXC is No. 8 in our Best Password Managers verdict.