🩺 Vitals
- Version: v2025.11.1 (Released 2025-11-26)
- Velocity: Active (Last commit 2025-12-08)
- Community: 17.6k Stars · 1.5k Forks
- Backlog: 198 Open Issues
🏗️ Profile
- Official: bitwarden.com
- Source: github.com/bitwarden/server
- License: AGPL-3.0
- Deployment: Docker
- Data Model: SQL (MSSQL / Postgres in unified container)
- Complexity: Moderate (3/5) - Standard Docker Stack
- Maintenance: Moderate (3/5) - Regular Security Updates
- Enterprise Ready: Very High (5/5) - SSO, Directory Sync, Policies
1. The Executive Summary
What is it? Bitwarden is the leading open-source password management platform for businesses and individuals. It secures passwords, passkeys, and sensitive data in an end-to-end encrypted vault. Unlike proprietary solutions, its codebase is fully auditable, ensuring no "backdoors" exist.
The Strategic Verdict:
- 🔴 For "Set and Forget": Caution. Self-hosting the official server requires maintenance. Consider the SaaS plan if you lack Ops resources.
- 🟢 For Digital Sovereignty: Strong Buy. Full control over your cryptographic keys and data location.
2. The "Hidden" Costs (TCO Analysis)
| Cost Component | Proprietary (1Password) | Bitwarden (Self-Hosted) |
|---|---|---|
| License Fee | ~$8/user/mo | $0 (AGPLv3) |
| Infrastructure | $0 | ~$20/mo (VPS) |
| Compliance | Vendor Cloud | 100% Owned |
3. The "Day 2" Reality Check
🚀 Deployment & Operations
- Installation: The official self-hosted instance is deployed via a unified Docker container setup (Identity, Api, Admin).
- Vaultwarden: Note that many home-lab users run "Vaultwarden" (a lightweight Rust rewrite), but for Enterprise use, the Official Server is recommended for support and feature parity.
🛡️ Security & Governance
- Compliance: SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA, GDPR. Regular third-party audits.
- Identity: Enterprise plans support SAML 2.0 and OIDC for integration with Okta, Azure AD, etc.
4. Alternatives & Ecosystem
- Alternative: 1Password is the UX gold standard but is closed source.
- Alternative: LastPass is another proprietary giant.
- Community Fork: Vaultwarden is a popular lightweight alternative for Raspberry Pi / small VPS use cases, compatible with Bitwarden apps.