Open source password manager built for transparency and security
The source code for Bitwarden is hosted on GitHub and everyone is free to review, audit, and contribute to the Bitwarden codebase.
GitHub Code Repositories
How is open source different from other proprietary software password managers?
Propriety, or closed-source, password managers don’t share their source code publicly. That means users can’t independently verify how their data is secured or how the software works behind the scenes.
Open source solutions offer greater transparency, giving users the confidence that security claims can be reviewed and validated. Proprietary tools also have restrictive licensing, making them less flexible for advanced customization for teams with specific needs. They may also come with licensing fees and limited options for customization, making them less flexible for teams with specific needs.
To provide transparency, security, and community collaboration.
Transparency - A core value of transparency builds trust, as users can verify the security claims made by Bitwarden, such as its use of end-to-end encryption to protect sensitive data.
Security - Allowing anyone to inspect, audit, and contribute to the code can lead to faster identification and resolution of vulnerabilities.
Community collaboration - A community of engaged developers and users who contribute to the software's development drive innovation and enhance security, improving the overall product.
In an open source password manager like Bitwarden, every line of code is published online where thousands of security enthusiasts and third-party auditors review it.
Why choose an open source solution?
Open source security tools, such as an enterprise password manager or password vault, provide the transparency needed to build trust, along with strong security and a community that drives innovation.
Besides transparency and community innovation, open source solutions are also generally more accessible and cost-effective, making them a great option for organizations with limited resources.
Recommended by Bitwarden users
Bitwarden has been recognized for its ease of use and robust security. Top security features include:
Zero knowledge, end-to-end AES-256 bit encryption.
Multifactor cloud encryption.
PBKDF2 SHA-256 authentication process.
In addition, Bitwarden partners with third parties such as Cure53 to conduct regular security audits, cryptographic analysis, and penetration testing. Bitwarden is SOC 2, GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and Data Privacy Framework (DPF) compliant.
Host It Yourself
Don‘t want to use the Bitwarden cloud? You don‘t have to.
With Docker you can easily host Bitwarden‘s entire infrastructure stack on the platform of your choice.
Linux / MacOS
$ curl -Lso bitwarden.sh https://go.btwrdn.co/bw-sh \
&& chmod +x bitwarden.sh
$ ./bitwarden.sh install
$ ./bitwarden.sh start
Windows
> Invoke-RestMethod -OutFile bitwarden.ps1 `
-Uri https://go.btwrdn.co/bw-ps
> .\bitwarden.ps1 -install
> .\bitwarden.ps1 -start
Community
Join us in our Gitter chat channel to talk directly with Bitwarden developers about code contributions or swing by our community forums to ask questions or discuss product features.
Additional Resources
Bitwarden is a prime example of a product that effectively leverages open source principles. The product strengthens the overall security posture of a company and has a superb command line interface that can be used for a multitude of automations.
Shane Rodness, MaRS Discovery District Systems Administrator
Bitwarden is a solution to the enterprise-class headache. No more uncertainty and process approximation around password management. No more unsecured sharing. It has all the functionality you expect from an open source platform.
Alberto Gaiga, Intesys CEO
"#1 - Bitwarden stands out due to its open source nature. Being open source, any security expert or researcher can dig into the code and see how it works. This level of transparency is reassuring, especially when dealing with something as sensitive as password management.
Bitwarden offers a clean user interface, cross-platform support, and solid core functionality. You can generate strong and unique passwords, support password auditing, and use 2FA. "
5 password managers I personally recommend
"Bitwarden offers a whole lot of value for the price regardless of whether you stick with its free plan or upgrade to one of the paid ones. At the same time, this password manager is highly secure, open source and many premium features are available on its free tier."
The best password managers in 2025
“Some password managers, the type of encryption that they use isn't quite as strong as others. I'd make sure you're using a reputable password manager. There are a lot out there. The one that I think is really interesting is Bitwarden because it's open source and it's free for everyday folks. And the open source is cool because it means it's been vetted by the security community over and over again.”
CNN Terms of Service with Clare Duffy: Remembering All Your Passwords is Hard. Let's Make It Easier
Learn more about Bitwarden commitment to security, privacy, and compliance with international standards.