KeePass Review in 2025: Is it safe and reliable?

KeePass is a free, secure, and open-source password manager that has been around for more than two decades. It encrypts and stores passwords on your device instead of the cloud, which appeals to users wanting full control over their credentials and data.

However, KeePass lacks modern password managers' key features and is not as user-friendly as the top-leading password manager services on the market. Even though it’s highly customizable, this password manager requires advanced technical skills, lacks basic functionalities, and is not recommended for beginners.

Suppose you’re not tech-savvy and would like to check some more user-friendly password managers. In that case, I recommend considering alternative providers that don’t require additional plugins to provide excellent security and usability. A great example is NordPass, which offers a substantial free tier that’s a great alternative to KeePass.

	NordPass	KeePass
⭐ Rating:	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
🥇 Overall rank:	#1 out of #19	#18 out of #19
🔥 Coupons:	NordPass coupon 52% OFF	Cybernews Password Manager Coupons
💵 Price:	From $1.43/month	Free (donations)
✂️ Free version:	Yes, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee	Yes (unlimited)
🔒 Encryption:	XChaCha20	AES-256
🖥️ Platforms:	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows
🌐 Browser extensions:	Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Safari	Only with unofficial plugins

KeePass review – key takeaways

KeePass is an old-school password manager that puts you in complete control of how everything works. It lacks many features you’d expect from modern password managers and requires a fair bit of technical knowledge to get the most out of it. So, while it’s unsuitable for beginners, it’s an excellent fit for tech-savvy power users.

• Security. KeePass keeps your passwords safe using ultra-strong AES-256/ChaCha-256 encryption, while SHA-256 is used for hashing. It’s also not cloud-based like most other providers, meaning it isn’t vulnerable to data breaches.
• Ease of use. KeePass is pretty unintuitive and difficult to set up if you lack experience with offline password managers. There’s also no customer support to assist you in real-time.
• Features. The default feature package includes all the essentials for creating strong passwords and keeping them completely secure. There are also tools for automating specific tasks and writing scripts. Finally, you can install various community-made plugins to expand KeePass’ capabilities.
• Price. KeePass is entirely free, but you can support the developers by donating using PayPal or a bank transfer.

Who should use KeePass

In my opinion, KeePass is undeniably made for technically inclined users who want to adjust every detail of their password manager. The software expects users to have enough technical experience to customize the software to their liking without any guidance. It also lacks features like password capture and autofill, meaning it requires more input from the user when performing daily tasks. As such, I don’t think it’s a worthwhile option for people wanting a convenient password manager that automates everything. However, it’s a solid choice as a free password manager.

KeePass pricing and plans

Pricing with KeePass is pretty straightforward because this password manager is completely free. This is a different approach to modern password managers like NordPass and RoboForm, which offer a limited free tier and a feature-rich paid plan. If you’re not happy with KeePass’ standard feature set, you can expand it using third-party add-ons, which are also free.

However, if you want to contribute to KeePass’ development, you can support the software’s main developer, Dominik Reichl, with donations via PayPal or bank transfer. This is optional, of course, and doesn’t grant any benefits. But, if you contribute enough, you’ll be featured on the service’s donations webpage as a contributor.

Is KeePass safe?

KeePass password manager is one of the safest password managers on the market. It uses a different security approach from contemporary password managers, but it’s very reliable overall.

Firstly, this password manager is entirely offline, meaning none of your data is stored online. This means your password database is completely immune to data breaches because your personal device is the only attack vector. This also means the service has no network dependency.

Regarding encryption, KeePass uses AES-256 or ChaCha-256 ciphers by default, while SHA-256 is used for hashing. These are strong ciphers commonly used by other safe password managers and VPNs. You can customize your security further by enabling key derivation functions, such as AES-KDF, Argon2d, and Argon2id. If that isn’t enough, you can also change the number of iterations. These aspects will make it more difficult to guess your master password using dictionary attacks.

Unlike other password managers like NordPass, KeePass wasn’t subjected to any third-party independent audits. However, that also isn’t really necessary because this password manager is open-source, meaning anyone can look at its source code whenever they want. Moreover, many developers have created plugins for this service, and they likely would have noticed issues regarding its implementation. Finally, as seen on the service’s Awards page, KeePass received top ratings from numerous online publications and some government institutions.

It’s important to note that security researchers discovered a vulnerability in KeePass in May 2023. It allowed attackers to get fragments of the master password using the program’s memory dump. However, the threat actor needed direct access to your PC and the master password had to be typed in recently. The vulnerability has since been remedied with the 2.54 patch.

How does KeePass work?

KeePass works like any offline password manager in that you must first create a database file where the software will store all your passwords. This can be tricky, especially if you haven’t done this before. I have some experience with offline password managers because I’ve used KeePassX for my personal needs. So, I had no trouble setting up KeePass, which is very similar. Below are the steps for getting started with KeePass on Windows:

1. Open the KeePass application
2. Click the new database button in the top-left corner to create a new database file. You can hover over the buttons to learn what they do
3. Choose a file location for your database and pick its name if you want. I left mine with the default “Database” name
4. Configure your database’s settings, such as the file encryption algorithm and key derivation function. I left everything as default because it seemed secure enough for me
5. Create a master password for your database. The app will show whether the password is strong enough
6. Choose whether you want to print an emergency sheet with information on how to open your database

And that’s it. You can create new password entries in your database using the Add Entry button in the top-left corner. The creation process is straightforward and requires little effort, unless you want to customize various additional details. For example, you can choose an icon that will display next to the entry in the database. Alternatively, you can set an expiration date for the password. Also, don’t forget to click the Save button to ensure your new entries are saved in the database.

The newly created database will have two sample entries where you can see what everything is supposed to look like. Each entry has a title, a username, the password (shown as asterixis), the website’s URL, and additional notes.

The login process using the saved credentials is also straightforward but obviously not as convenient as with modern password managers.

With KeePass, you can open an entry's corresponding URL by selecting the entry and clicking the open URL(s) button in the top left corner, which is denoted by the green globe. You can also use the Ctrl+U key binding to speed up the process. It will open a new tab in your default browser, but you can also choose an alternative browser using the drop-down menu.

Once the website is open, return to KeePass and double-click the corresponding entry’s user name column or click the Copy User Name button. This will copy the user name to your clipboard, so all you have to do is paste it into the login page of your site. Then, simply repeat the process with the password. As before, you can use the corresponding buttons or key bindings instead of double-clicking.

KeePass’ approach is great if you prefer doing everything yourself without assistance from additional browser extensions. On the other hand, it could appear inconvenient for people who want to do everything swiftly and efficiently. However, you can automate many of KeePass’ features to make it quicker but that requires a fair bit of technical knowledge. Overall, I think KeePass works excellent in its default form and gets the job done.

KeePass features

KeePass includes a fair number of features and customization options by default. Moreover, you can significantly expand its feature selection using plugins, but I won’t cover that in this review since many different plugins are available.

KeePass features	What it does
User keys	Used to encrypt your password vault
Password generator	Generates strong passwords based on selected parameters
Attachments	Allows securely storing file attachments in your vault
Auto-type	Automatically types in login credentials in web forms
Plugins	Extends KeePass’ functionality
Triggers	Allows creating automated tasks

Also, remember that KeePass has two versions (1.x and 2.x), which have different features available. For this review, I focused on the more recent 2.x version, which is safer and offers more features.

User keys

KeePass offers multiple user key options. That means you can add several security layers using a few different authentication methods. Or, you can simply use one, but that means getting a lower level of security.

The primary user key is the master password – an industry-standard method that decrypts your stored database only for you. For this, you will need to create only one strong and secure passphrase that only you should know and remember.

Then, there is a key file that you can add as an extra user key to your master password. It’s a file that includes a key and comes as a physical tool (USB, for example). Consequently, hackers have almost no chance of breaking into your vault. Just make sure you have at least two copies of it, a digital one and a physical one. Additionally, you can use your Windows user account, which means that only the owner will be able to access encrypted items in your vault.

Password generator

As any password manager should, KeePass includes a customizable password generator for creating strong passwords for your accounts. Each new entry you create already includes a new password generated automatically, but you can create one yourself to fit your needs.

You can pick from 9 different toggles that allow you to choose the included character types, symbols, and the password’s length. You can even use a custom algorithm, which is quite unique.

Of course, if you don’t feel like generating a password, you can use a pre-made pattern that also provides a unique password.

KeePass is excellent at being flexible. It allows you to create or choose secure passwords that will suit your needs and also protect you from snoopers.

Attachments

I have seen password managers that allow you to store files in your encrypted vault. But KeePass offers more regarding what you can store there. It also gives you lots of freedom when opening and editing stored files inside the app.

The Attachments feature allows you to store documents, text files, and images. Editing them inside the password manager guarantees that your data remains immune to hackers.

Auto-type

The top-tier password managers have browser extensions to capture new logins and fill-in forms. However, KeePass doesn’t offer such functionalities. Alternatively, it provides Auto-Type, which allows you to define a sequence of keypresses, which KeePass can automatically perform for you.

However, this feature is not the most user-friendly, like with Keeper or NordPass. It requires more technical knowledge to perform and command use, and it is not ideal if your preference is having a fast and intuitive autofill. It also doesn’t always work correctly on certain websites because the feature essentially types in your username, clicks Tab, then types in your password, and clicks Enter. While this is the standard procedure on most sites, it might not work with unconventional log-in forms. Luckily, you can customize the keypress sequence to suit your particular needs.

Plugins

KeePass’ extensive customization stems from its third-party plugin support. It allows developers to create extra features for the software while end users can pick and choose what extra tools they need from KeePass. Now, KeePass offers users over 100 plugins to choose from on its official website.

Every plugin expands KeePass's functionality, such as synchronization with various storages (Google Drive, OneDrive, and other online storages), adding another type of encryption algorithm, or auto-type customizations.

Triggers

The Triggers feature allows users to create custom events to automate various KeePass aspects. It’s a neat feature, I’m sure, but due to its complexity, the average user cannot fully utilize it. Even I had trouble understanding how to make it work. However, I’m sure die-hard tech enthusiasts will appreciate this feature.

Overall, the KeePass password manager allows for extensive customization and makes its app as versatile as possible. But, as mentioned before, it takes a fair amount of technical knowledge to fully utilize KeePass’ potential and I haven’t even discussed any plugins individually.

KeePass compatibility and ease of use

KeePass has a steep learning curve, especially for beginners who haven’t used offline password managers. Personally, I had no trouble utilizing KeePass’ standard features because this wasn’t my first time using such software. But I can understand if others have difficulty getting used to such a hands-off password manager that puts you in the driver’s seat.

Installing KeePass on Windows is pretty straightforward if you’ve installed other Windows apps. The potential usability issues begin once you open the KeePass app, which I’ve described previously. Basically, you see an empty interface without any indication about what you should do. I understood I had to create a database file for my passwords, but I think it would be nice to include a basic prompt to nudge users to do that themselves. This would significantly help new users who aren’t experienced with such old-school offline password managers.

Once I overcame this initial hurdle, everything else seemed straightforward, mainly because it was clear what each feature did. Most of the tools are placed in the app's upper-left corner, and you can hover over each button to learn what it does. Each one also includes a keybinding if you’d like to improve your KeePass efficiency in the long term.

Naturally, things get more complicated if you want to utilize KeePass’ advanced features like automation and triggers. Each standard feature also includes many customization options, but playing with them isn’t necessary if you don’t understand what they do. That was my approach while testing KeePass, and I didn’t feel like I was missing out on some crucial features. Plus, since the KeePass Help Center is so extensive, I was confident I could find additional information about any feature.

KeePass is only available on Windows computers by default. However, there are loads of community ports available for other operating systems if you want to use KeePass on different devices. Just remember that using unofficial software is not always the best approach regarding security since the third-party options don’t necessarily adhere to the same protection standards. But, since everything is open-source, the community has likely ensured that everything is in order.

Overall, I think KeePass is a solid password manager once you get used to its quirky interface. It isn’t as complicated as some would have you believe, especially if you stick with the standard features. However, if you want to utilize all its features, you’ll need additional technical knowledge.

KeePass customer support

Customer support is definitely not KeePass’ strong suit since a small team operates the service. There are no conventional support communication methods like live chat or even email. Instead, you must rely on written guides, FAQs, and community support. The KeePass website has an official forum, but you can also visit the service’s subreddit if you want something more modern.

Option	Availability
24/7 live chat	❌ No
Email support	❌ No
Knowledge base	✅ Yes
How-to guides	✅ Yes
Phone support	❌ No

I tried visiting KeePass’ support page to find additional information but was immediately overwhelmed by the site’s scale. The old-school interface (which isn’t mobile-friendly) did not make the overall search easier.

On a positive note, there’s plenty of information to peruse. The KeePass help center includes various FAQs, extensive technical guides, and a somewhat active community forum. However, the user experience is far from ideal because the page’s design is outdated, which might push away users who are used to contemporary and more user-friendly website interfaces.

KeePass alternatives

While KeePass is remarkable in its own way, its unique approach is precisely why I can’t recommend it to most users. For starters, its offline-only mode means you’ll have a difficult time synchronizing it across multiple different devices. I mean, it doesn’t even have official apps for other OSes besides Windows. Secondly, its old-school user interface and hands-off user experience make it unappealing to less tech-savvy users and anyone who’s used to modern software. As such, I suggest considering one of these KeePass alternatives instead.

Brand	NordPass	Keeper	RoboForm	Dashlane	Sticky Password	Enpass	Passwarden
Rating	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Free version	✅ Yes	❌ No, 30-day trial	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Advanced encryption	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Multi-factor authentication	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes
Unlimited password storage	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes
Customer support	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

My favorite KeePass alternative is NordPass since it fixes all the issues that plague KeePass. For example, NordPass works with various devices and operating systems without requiring a complicated setup. Secondly, it has excellent security features by default, such as dark web monitoring, 2FA support, biometric logins, and more. It even offers a robust free plan if you’re looking for a free alternative. So, I suggest reviewing NordPass and giving it a shot if you find KeePass too complicated.

How I tested KeePass

The Cybernews research team and I tested KeePass for about a week to get thoroughly familiar with it.

We did most of our password manager evaluations on Windows laptops since that’s the only platform that KeePass officially supports. Naturally, we only tested the service’s default features because the plugin variety is too vast to test properly. Plus, the plugin choice is a matter of personal preference, and I found KeePass’ default features satisfactory. As such, we focused on KeePass’ default package without any optional add-ons so readers would know what the standard experience is like.

We focused our tests on the password manager’s overall daily user experience and feature effectiveness. This means using the service to store various website credentials and files, using its features to log in, and adjusting its various technical settings.

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