Searching simply for 'download KeePassXC' usually signals you already trust the name -- maybe from a security forum or a friend's recommendation -- and just want the installer without a sales pitch. Because it stores an encrypted database file on your own disk rather than a company server, the setup involves one extra step most cloud password managers skip: choosing where that vault file lives. This guide covers that step plus the platform-specific installer format, before you head to our full KeePassXC page for browser integration and YubiKey setup.
The One Setup Choice That Matters
Unlike hosted password managers, KeePassXC never uploads your vault anywhere, so the only real decision during setup is picking a synced folder -- like a personal cloud drive -- if you want the same database on multiple devices.
It is released under GPL-2.0/3.0, and the Windows build is offered both as an installer and a portable ZIP for users who cannot install software on a locked-down machine.
Who ends up using KeePassXC
KeePassXC draws privacy-conscious users and IT admins who want a password vault they fully control instead of a cloud subscription.
- Privacy-focused users who don't want a company hosting their password database in the cloud
- IT admins managing shared credential vaults on air-gapped or offline machines
- People migrating away from the original KeePass who want built-in browser autofill
Before you install
A couple of things worth knowing about KeePassXC before you request the link: it covers Windows, macOS and Linux, so pick the right build for the machine you're setting up. And on pricing, KeePassXC is open source, so the installer is free with no trial timer, feature lock, or upsell screen to click past. It's developed and maintained by KeePassXC Team.
System requirements
- WindowsWindows 10 or 11 (64-bit); older 7/8.1 builds usually still run but no longer get official support
- macOSa recent macOS release — check the download page for the current minimum version, since Apple Silicon vs Intel builds sometimes differ
- Linuxmost current 64-bit distributions; look for a native .deb/.rpm/AppImage or a package in your distro's own repository
Heavier workloads (large files, high-res media, big projects) will naturally want more RAM and a faster CPU/GPU than the bare minimum.
Quick steps
- Download the installer for your OS
- Create a new database and set a master password
- Optionally add the browser extension for autofill
KeePassXC: the honest trade-offs
- Local-only AES-256 encrypted database with no account or cloud dependency
- Built-in browser integration and YubiKey hardware-key support
- Fully auditable open-source code with active, frequent releases
- No native cloud sync, so multi-device use requires a separate syncing tool
- Interface feels utilitarian and less polished than commercial password managers
This download links to the official KeePassXC releases page, so you are getting the exact build the developers publish -- not a repackaged copy.
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Keeping KeePassXC up to date
Since KeePassXC is open source, most Linux distributions keep it current through their own package manager. On Windows/macOS, re-running the installer from the official site (or an updater built into the app, if it has one) gets you the latest release. Sticking to the developer's own distribution channel — which is what this page links to — means you're never stuck on an old build with unpatched bugs just because a mirror site stopped updating its copy.
Features, install steps, alternatives and more detail live on the main KeePassXC page.
Frequently asked questions
Does KeePassXC sync between my phone and laptop automatically?
No, it has no built-in sync -- you pair it with a cloud folder like Dropbox or Syncthing yourself.
Is KeePassXC different from the original KeePass?
Yes, it's a cross-platform community fork built in C++/Qt, independent of the original Windows-only KeePass codebase.
