# Vaultwarden vs Bitwarden

> Pick Vaultwarden for a lightweight Bitwarden-compatible server on a home server or small VPS; pick the official Bitwarden server if you need vendor support and audited enterprise features.

## Verdict

Vaultwarden is the right choice for individuals, families and small teams: it runs in one small container, works with the official Bitwarden apps and unlocks organizations and premium-style features for free. Choose the official Bitwarden server when you need vendor support, compliance paperwork, SSO and enterprise policies, and you are fine with a heavier MSSQL-based stack or the newer Bitwarden Lite image.

- Best for Vaultwarden: Homelabs, families and small teams on low-power hardware
- Best for Bitwarden: Companies that need vendor support, SSO and enterprise policies

## Key differences

| Aspect | Vaultwarden | Bitwarden |
|---|---|---|
| License | AGPL-3.0. Independent community project, not affiliated with Bitwarden Inc. | AGPL-3.0 for the core; enterprise features sit under the separate Bitwarden License in the bitwarden_license folder. |
| Language/stack | Rust, single binary or one Docker image. | C# and .NET, deployed as a set of Docker containers (standard) or one image (Bitwarden Lite). |
| Database | SQLite by default, with MySQL/MariaDB and PostgreSQL supported. | Standard install requires MSSQL; Bitwarden Lite supports SQLite, PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB and MSSQL. |
| Hardware needs | Runs comfortably on a Raspberry Pi or the smallest VPS tier. | Docs list 2 GB RAM minimum for a standard install; Lite is documented at 200 MB RAM minimum. |
| Clients | Uses the official Bitwarden browser, desktop and mobile apps by pointing them at your server URL. | Same official Bitwarden apps, with first-party support for every client. |
| Support | Community support through GitHub discussions and Matrix. | Vendor support and security audits; organization licenses come from Bitwarden. |

## GitHub numbers

| Metric | Vaultwarden | Bitwarden |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 68,572 | 20,244 |
| Forks | 3,284 | 1,784 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 181 | 1,544 |
| Last commit | Oct 5, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 |
| Latest release | 1.37.4 | v2026.9.2 |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| License type | Open source | Open source |
| Language | Rust | C# |
| Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| Repository | https://github.com/dani-garcia/vaultwarden | https://github.com/bitwarden/server |

App pages: [Vaultwarden](https://appsgit.com/apps/vaultwarden), [Bitwarden](https://appsgit.com/apps/bitwarden)

## FAQ

### Can I use the official Bitwarden apps with Vaultwarden?

Yes. Vaultwarden implements the Bitwarden client API, so the official browser extensions, desktop apps and mobile apps work once you set your server URL in the client.

### Is Vaultwarden safe to use?

Vaultwarden is widely used and open source, and vault data stays end-to-end encrypted by the Bitwarden clients. It has not gone through Bitwarden's own third-party audits, so organizations with formal compliance needs usually choose the official server.

### Can I migrate from Vaultwarden to Bitwarden later?

Yes. Export your vault from a Bitwarden client connected to Vaultwarden, then import it into an account on the official server. Organization data needs to be exported and imported per organization.

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Canonical page: https://appsgit.com/compare/vaultwarden-vs-bitwarden
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