Passbolt vs Proton Pass
Both Passbolt and Proton Pass are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the password manager space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
Passbolt
EU- Headquarters
- Luxembourg, LU
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Proton Pass
EU- Headquarters
- Geneva, CH
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Key Differences
- Passbolt offers a free tier, while proton Pass offers a free tier. The different pricing models mean you should evaluate which approach better fits your usage pattern.
- Data residency differs: Passbolt hosts data in EU, while Proton Pass hosts in Switzerland, Germany. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- Proton Pass holds ISO 27001 certification, providing third-party assurance of its security practices. Passbolt does not currently hold these certifications, which may matter for enterprise procurement requirements.
- Passbolt was founded in 2016, giving it a 6-year head start over Proton Pass (founded 2022). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
- Each product has unique strengths: Passbolt offers OpenPGP end-to-end encryption and Team password sharing, while Proton Pass provides End-to-end encryption and Password generator. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Passbolt | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Passbolt | Proton Pass |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Luxembourg, LU | Geneva, CH |
| Data Centers | EU | CH, DE |
| OpenPGP end-to-end encryption | ||
| Team password sharing | ||
| Role-based access control | ||
| Browser extensions | ||
| CLI tool | ||
| API for automation | ||
| LDAP/Active Directory sync | ||
| Audit logs | ||
| MFA support (TOTP, Duo) | ||
| Self-hosting option | ||
| End-to-end encryption | ||
| Password generator | ||
| Autofill | ||
| Secure notes | ||
| 2FA authenticator | ||
| Email aliases (hide-my-email) | ||
| Mobile apps | ||
| Passkey support |
Pricing Comparison
Passbolt
Freefree / enterprise
Proton Pass
Freefreemium
Compliance Comparison
Passbolt
GDPRDPA
Proton Pass
GDPRISO 27001DPA
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How to Choose
Your procurement requires ISO 27001 certification
Choose Proton Pass
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose Proton Pass
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose Passbolt
Passbolt vs Proton Pass — FAQ
What is the main difference between Passbolt and Proton Pass?
Both Passbolt and Proton Pass are European password manager solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Passbolt uses free / enterprise pricing while Proton Pass uses freemium. Passbolt is headquartered in Luxembourg, Luxembourg, while Proton Pass is based in Geneva, Switzerland. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Passbolt or Proton Pass?
Both Passbolt and Proton Pass offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Pricing models differ (free / enterprise vs. freemium), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both Passbolt and Proton Pass GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Passbolt and Proton Pass are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. Additionally, Proton Pass holds ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.