Passbolt: Open Source Password Manager Designed for Teams

Most password managers on the market prioritize personal use. Whether they run online or locally, the idea is that each user controls and edits their own credential database. That dynamic isn't very convenient in collaborative environments. That's where Passbolt comes in: a manager designed specifically for teamwork, with an online version and the ability to deploy your own server thanks to its open source profile.

The password manager is a resource that should be present in every user's digital life. Not using it has serious consequences, such as the adoption of weak and exposed passwords, or worse, reusing the same password across multiple services. Personally, I never get tired of recommending KeePass – it's free, open source, offline, and backed by the European Union in terms of audits and bug bounties. However, KeePass isn't a perfect solution. For one, its learning curve is a bit steeper than normal, and for another, it doesn't adapt to collaborative environments. To be honest, this last point applies to most managers. If you're thinking about coordinating the use of secure passwords among several people and/or deploying a local instance with a server, maybe Passbolt is what you're looking for.

Exploring Passbolt

The best way to explore Passbolt's offering is by participating in its online demo. Of course, nothing stops you from using it as a regular password manager, but its advanced features are aimed at teamwork. You can share passwords and complete credentials securely thanks to a combination of public and private keys (courtesy of GnuPG), and the installation of an extension developed by the platform's creators. I understand some users aren't comfortable with adding an extension, but beyond guaranteeing the cryptographic integrity of sessions and transfers, it also serves to auto-insert credentials on registered sites we visit.

Passbolt is free as long as you handle the hosting yourself. Some features aren't available on that route, but it also supports an unlimited number of users. If you'd rather go for the cheapest online option, the Startup plan includes all premium features and a cap of 15 users for 19 euros per month. In short, Passbolt has the potential to be a great password manager for the business and/or education world, but if you're going to be the only user, I think it's more convenient to look for another tool.

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