Bitwarden
The open password manager
open sourceSecurity
Bitwarden is an open-source password manager: the free tier fully covers personal needs, and the server can be self-hosted. Clients for every platform, 2FA and passkeys included. The UI is simpler than 1Password's, but trust comes from transparent code.
// Install
Your MacHomebrew in /opt/homebrew
brew install --cask bitwarden// What it is for
- A free tier with no limit on passwords or devices
- Open source with regular third-party security audits
- Can be self-hosted so you do not depend on someone else's cloud
- Clients for every platform and browser, including a CLI for scripts
// Common questions
What does the paid tier add?
Vault health reports, a built-in one-time code generator, emergency access, and attachments. Core password storage and sync stay free.
Should I self-host?
Only if maintaining infrastructure is already a habit: your own server means your backups, your updates, and your responsibility for uptime. For most people the vendor cloud is the safer option.
