If you want to run KeePass in Mac OS X like me, you can do it with Mono (described here for example, and also mentioned in the program’s downloads page) but I find it buggy (random exceptions, crashes, etc that can ruin unsaved work). Instead, you can try using KeePassX. KeePassX is actually an old project, a KeePass client for many platforms. I have used it in the past in Linux-based systems but at that time it couldn’t handle v2 databases and actually Mono worked well under Linux so I used the official application. This doesn’t seem to be the case with OS X though.
- Official Keepass 2.x For Mac Os X Website
- Keepass Alternative Mac Os X
- Keepass Mac Os X El Capitan
- Keepass Download
Running KeePass under Mono (Linux, Mac OS X, BSD.) Debian/Ubuntu Linux: Install the keepass2 / KeePass 2.x for Debian/Ubuntu Linux package (e.g. Fedora Linux: Install the keepass package (from the Fedora repository; link on the downloads page). OpenSUSE Linux: Install. KeePassX (for Linux / Mac OS X) KeePassXC (for Linux / Mac OS X) Note that KeePass 2.x runs under Linux / Mac OS X, too; see Running KeePass under Mono.
Newsflash: KeePassX now works under Mac OS X, and it can also manipulate KeePass v2 databases!
The thing is, if you go to the regular KeePassX downloads page you’ll end up with an old version of the application for Mac that doesn’t really work with v2 databases. Instead, you have to get the so-called KeePassX 2.0 version which you can only find through the site’s News page (sigh). Here is a direct link to the latest version: https://www.keepassx.org/dev/attachments/download/59/KeePassX-2.0-alpha5.dmg. Please keep in mind that this is an alpha version. Still, I found it to work OK, but I would use a cloud based solution with versioning (see Dropbox, Owncloud, etc) to store the database file just in case.
Another option is to use MacPass, a native open source KeePass client for OS X, but this is even more alpha software, so I would recommend against it for the time being. It is being developed quite actively though and looks a promising alternative for the future.
This plugin adds support for loading/saving files from/to servers using the SCP (Secure CoPy) protocol, SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) and FTPS (FTP over SSH). KeePass can handle FTP by default (using classes of the.NET framework). However, this plugin replaces the FTP handler to use WinSCP instead. Download one of the KeePass application ZIP packages above, unpack it and move the contents into your 'Applications' folder. Alternatives For more ways to run KeePass 2.x on Mac OS X (especially how to run the latest version of KeePass 2.x), see the following discussion thread.
Related posts:
Finding a good KeePass app for your iPhone or iPad can be challenging. Some apps are no longer maintained, others lack necessary features. This article will give you an overview of the current options.
KeePassium
KeePassium features a clean well-polished interface and makes KeePass easy to use. It is a lightweight app that respects your privacy: offline-first, no ads, no analytics.
- Main features
- AutoFill, TouchID/FaceID, kdb/kdbx3/kdbx4, attachments, TOTP, YubiKey, iOS 13 support
- Missing pieces
- TOTP is read-only
- Synchronization
- Automatic sync via system integration (Files app), using the original cloud apps. This way, KeePassium itself stays offline).
- Transparency
- Open source (GPL-3.0)
- Maintenance / updates
- actively maintained
- User support
- very responsive
- Ethics
- published a critical review of competing apps (you are reading it now)
- Price
- free (no ads, no trial period) + premium upgrade for convenience features
MiniKeePass
Note 2: on 5 April 2020, MiniKeePass returned to the App Store with an announcement that the app will be retired by the end of the year.
Started in 2011, MiniKeePass is one of the oldest KeePass app for iOS. Unfortunately, it has been abandoned by its developers.
- Main features
- AutoFill, TouchID/FaceID, kdbx4, YubiKey, iOS 13 dark mode.
- Missing pieces
- No synchronization, no attachments, no kdbx4 support
- Synchronization
- none
- Transparency
- open source (GPL-3.0)
- Maintenance / updates
- none
- User support
- none
- Ethics
- all good :)
- Price
- free
KeePass Touch
KeePass Touch is a fork of MiniKeePass, but with more features and still maintained.
- Main features
- AutoFill, TouchID/FaceID, kdb/kdbx3/kdbx4, iOS 13 dark mode.
- Missing pieces
- no file attachments
- Synchronization
- in-app support of Dropbox, FTP and local Wi-Fi sync
- Transparency
- As a fork of MiniKeePass, KeePass Touch must make its source code public, but was reluctant to do so
- Maintenance / updates
- largely inactive for years, but had several major updates in 2019.
- User support
- none
- Ethics
- questionable
- Price
- free (with ads) + one-time purchase to hide ads
- Misc
- Technically, KeePass Touch is not allowed on the App Store due to the AppStore-vs-GPL conflict. One complaint from a MiniKeePass contributor, and Apple will remove KeePass Touch from the App Store.
Strongbox
Official Keepass 2.x For Mac Os X Website
Strongbox Password Safe supports KeePass format since 2018.
- Main features
- AutoFill, TouchID/FaceID, kdbx4/pwsafe formats, TOTP, iOS 13 dark mode, very customizable.
- Synchronization
- in-app integration with several clouds, and iOS Files app.
- Transparency
- open source (AGPL-3.0)
- Maintenance / updates
- actively maintained
- User support
- very responsive
- Ethics
- all good, but finds inspiration in KeePassium :)
- Price
- free (some features disabled after a trial period) + paid premium
PassDrop 2
- Main features
- opens KeePass 1.x
kdb
databases - Missing pieces
- everything else, even no support for key files
- Synchronization
- none
- Transparency
- open source (AGPL-3.0)
- Maintenance / updates
- abandoned
- User support
- none
- Price
- free
KyPass 4
KyPass is one of the oldest KeePass apps on the App Store. It has a rather unconventional design, but is packed with features.
- Main features
- AutoFill, TouchID/FaceID, kdbx4/pwsafe formats, TOTP, InputStick,
- Missing pieces
- no iOS 13 dark mode
- Synchronization
- in-app integration with several clouds, and iOS Files app.
- Transparency
- proprietary, closed source
- Maintenance / updates
- actively maintained
- User support
- hit-and-miss, response time varies
- Ethics
- “borrowed” other developer’s code, removed inconvenient questions, and systematically abandons its paying customers
- Price
- one-time purchase (of the current version only)
Keepass Alternative Mac Os X
AuthPass
Keepass Mac Os X El Capitan
Cross-platform app that supports KeePass format. Available on iOS, Mac and Android.
Review coming soon.
- Transparency
- Open source (GPL-3.0)
- Maintenance / updates
- under development
MiKee
New app in beta stage.
Review coming soon.
- Transparency
- Open source (GPL-3.0)
- Maintenance / updates
- under development
There is a direct link to each app, feel free to try them. If you need best quality, reliability and support — get KeePassium.
Keepass Download
Last Updated: 2020-04-07