Ep. 54
Vault Warden is an open-source alternative to Bitwarden, built using the Rust programming language, known for its speed and security—essential for a password manager. It offers nearly all the features of Bitwarden, including personal and organization vaults, two-factor authentication, emergency access, and support for security keys like YubiKey. With significant community engagement, evidenced by its 39.5k stars on GitHub, Vault Warden thrives on crowdsourced security and continuous improvement. Self-hosting Vault Warden is efficient, requiring less RAM than the official version, making it suitable for older hardware. Users appreciate the control and privacy that comes with self-hosting, although a public instance is available for those who prefer simplicity without server management.
The project is community-driven, meaning support relies on user forums rather than a dedicated support team, which can be both beneficial and challenging. Security is prioritized, with Rust reducing vulnerabilities and thousands of eyes on the code for quick bug fixes. Two-factor authentication is emphasized as a critical feature for added protection against unauthorized access. Ultimately, choosing between Vault Warden and Bitwarden depends on whether users prioritize convenience or control and transparency in managing their passwords. The discussion highlights the importance of making informed choices in the evolving landscape of online security.