About Bitwarden
This repository holds the client applications of Bitwarden, the password manager, except for the mobile apps. It contains the web app, the browser extension, the desktop application and the command-line tool, which together are the interfaces people use to store and fill in their credentials.
The code is written mostly in TypeScript, with Angular for the web interfaces, Electron for the desktop app and Node.js for the CLI. Browser extensions cover Chrome, Firefox and Safari. The clients talk to the Bitwarden server, which lives in a separate repository and covers the API, database and Docker deployment, while the iOS and Android apps each have their own repositories.
The repository is published under a custom Bitwarden license rather than a standard SPDX identifier. Contribution guidance, build instructions and recommended tooling are kept in Bitwarden's contributing documentation, and the project welcomes security audits and reports through its issue tracker or private email for sensitive findings.
Key features
- Web vault client for Bitwarden
- Browser extension for Chrome, Firefox and Safari
- Electron-based desktop application
- Command-line client for scripting access
- TypeScript and Angular codebase
Good fit for
- →Auditing or building Bitwarden client code
- →Scripting password manager access via CLI
- Tags
- bitwarden
- password-manager
- browser-extension
- electron
- cli
- angular
- typescript
Bitwarden: questions and answers
- What is Bitwarden used for?
- Bitwarden: Source repository for the Bitwarden web vault, browser extension, desktop app and command-line client for the Bitwarden password manager. It is a good fit for auditing or building Bitwarden client code and scripting password manager access via CLI.
- Is Bitwarden open source?
- Yes. Bitwarden is open source under a custom licence. Its source code is on GitHub at bitwarden/clients and is written mainly in TypeScript.
- Is Bitwarden free?
- Yes. Bitwarden is open source, so the software itself is free to use under the terms of its own licence. Paid plans are also available, starting at $1.65 per seat per month.
- Can I self-host Bitwarden?
- Yes. Bitwarden can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.
- What is Bitwarden an alternative to?
- Bitwarden is an open-source alternative to 1Password, LastPass, Dashlane and Keeper. Other open-source alternatives to 1Password include Bitwarden, Padloc and Vaultwarden.
- Is Bitwarden actively maintained?
- Yes. The most recent commit to Bitwarden was on 2 October 2026. The project has 14k stars on GitHub.
Open-source alternatives to Bitwarden
See all
Bitwarden
Password Management
Bitwarden infrastructure/backend (API, database, Docker, etc).
OSSvs 1Password★ 20k
Padloc
Password Management
A modern, open source password manager for individuals and teams.
AGPL-3.0vs Dashlane★ 2.9kVaultwarden
Password Management
Unofficial Bitwarden compatible server written in Rust, formerly known as bitwarden_rs
AGPL-3.0vs 1Password★ 68k
KeePassXC
Password Management
KeePassXC is a cross-platform community-driven port of the Windows application “KeePass Pa
OSSvs Dashlane★ 29k
AliasVault
Password Management
Privacy-first password manager with built-in email aliasing. Fully encrypted and self-host
AGPL-3.0vs NordPass★ 3.1k
Passbolt
Password Management
Passbolt Community Edition (CE) API. The JSON API for the open source password manager for
AGPL-3.0vs Keeper★ 6.1k
SaaS alternatives to Bitwarden
See all
1Password
Password Management
Password manager for individuals, families and teams with shared vaults and passkeys
SaaS
LastPass
Password Management
Password manager with autofill, vault sharing and admin controls
SaaS
Dashlane
Password Management
Password manager with autofill, passkey support, dark web monitoring and a built-in VPN
SaaS
Keeper
Password Management
Password manager and privileged access tool for individuals, families and enterprises
SaaSNordPass
Password Management
Password and passkey manager from the makers of NordVPN, with a limited free tier
SaaS
RoboForm
Password Management
Long-running password manager and form filler for browsers and mobile devices
SaaS

