Obskura or KeePassXC? Differences and which to choose
KeePassXC is the benchmark among open-source password managers and has done its job well for years. Obskura starts from a different idea: passwords and files on your own computers and servers, updated in real time. Here are the differences, plainly.
At a glance
| KeePassXC | Obskura | |
|---|---|---|
| Price and license | Free, open source (GPL) | Free; public, verifiable source code, not open source (PolyForm Strict) |
| Format | KDBX 4, compatible with KeePass and many apps | Its own .obk file; CSV export with KeePassXC columns |
| Servers (SFTP, WebDAV, SMB, FTP) | No: you use a synced folder | Yes, built in |
| Several computers at once | Reloads the file when it changes | Entry-by-entry merge within seconds, with notification |
| Encryption | AES-256, Twofish, ChaCha20 | AES-256, XChaCha20, Serpent, Twofish, Camellia and cascades |
| File vaults | No (attachments only) | Yes, Cryptomator-style encrypted folders |
| Import | From exported files | Direct access to Bitwarden, LastPass, 1Password and others, plus CSV |
| Browser | Extension with autofill, Auto-Type | Copy with automatic clipboard clearing |
| Smartphone | Third-party KDBX-compatible apps | Not yet |
Where KeePassXC is stronger
It is mature and widely used, and the KDBX format opens in dozens of apps, including on Android and iOS. It has a browser extension that fills in login forms, plus Auto-Type. If you need your passwords on your phone or autofill in the browser, KeePassXC is the better choice today. It is also open source: anyone can modify and redistribute it.
Where Obskura is different
- Built-in servers: opens and saves directly on NAS devices and servers over SFTP, WebDAV, SMB and FTP/FTPS, with no Dropbox or sync software.
- Real time: the same database open on several computers updates within seconds; changes are merged entry by entry and conflicts go into the history instead of creating conflicted copies.
- File vaults: besides passwords, encrypted folders for documents and photos, with names and structure hidden.
- Cipher cascades and Argon2id with up to 2 GiB of memory.
- Automatic backup to a second destination on every change, with dated copies.
- Per-device paths: Mac, Windows and Linux open the same database even when they reach it through different paths, and find key files and backups on their own.
Which to choose
Choose KeePassXC if you want the most compatible format, your passwords on your smartphone or browser autofill. Choose Obskura if you keep your data on your own NAS or server, use the same database on several computers at the same time or also want to encrypt files. Obskura is a young project: always keep a backup.
Trying Obskura coming from KeePassXC
In KeePassXC choose Database → Export → CSV File, then in Obskura ⋯ → Import from CSV (KeePass, …)…: groups, TOTP codes and expiry dates are preserved. You can keep both until you have decided. Remember to delete the CSV file.
Try Obskura
Free, no account, with verifiable source code. For Windows, macOS and Linux.
All guides
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Read the guide →Switch to Obskura from Bitwarden, 1Password, LastPass and others
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