Legacy Default
1Password / LastPass
Both are US-owned with corresponding sub-processor and CLOUD Act exposure.
Comparison
Passbolt vs 1Password / LastPass
Luxembourg-based open-source vault that can run entirely inside EU infrastructure. — a detailed comparison to help European teams evaluate the switch.
European Alternative
Passbolt
Luxembourg-based open-source password manager with end-to-end encryption and full self-hosting support.
Luxembourg EU Open Source Self-Hostable
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side comparison
How Passbolt compares to 1Password / LastPass on key dimensions.
| Dimension | 1Password / LastPass | Passbolt |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | US-based | Luxembourg |
| Jurisdiction | US law | Luxembourg |
| Hosting Region | Global / US default | Self-hosted or managed cloud |
| Company location | US vendor | Passbolt SA, Luxembourg |
| Source model | Proprietary | AGPL-3.0 open source |
| Deployment choice | Vendor-managed cloud only | Self-hosted, managed cloud, or hybrid |
| Encryption model | Vendor-managed key escrow | Client-side OpenPGP key pairs |
Key capabilities of Passbolt
- End-to-end encrypted password and secrets vault
- OpenPGP-based encryption with public/private key architecture
- Team and organization-level sharing with granular permissions
- Browser extensions and CLI client
- Fully self-hostable on Docker or Linux servers
Compliance Note
Passbolt is operated by Passbolt SA, incorporated in Luxembourg, with open-source software under AGPL-3.0 and full self-hosting documentation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Passbolt a good replacement for 1Password / LastPass?
Luxembourg-based open-source vault that can run entirely inside EU infrastructure. Passbolt is headquartered in Luxembourg with data hosted in Self-hosted or managed cloud, providing clearer GDPR compliance for European teams.
Where is Passbolt hosted?
Passbolt operates from Self-hosted or managed cloud under Luxembourg jurisdiction, keeping data within European legal frameworks.
Is Passbolt open source?
Yes, Passbolt is open source under the AGPL-3.0 license. It can also be self-hosted for full data control.
Pairings
Tools that work well with Passbolt
Complement your European stack with these pairings.
Hosting & Cloud
Hetzner
One of the most practical EU infrastructure defaults for startups that want predictable costs and regional clarity.
Hosting & Cloud
Scaleway
Public cloud and infrastructure platform for teams that want an explicitly European cloud provider with a modern product surface.
Identity & SSO
ZITADEL
Open-source IAM for customer and workforce identity with OIDC, SAML, SCIM, and machine identity support.