Codebook Password Manager
Open-source password manager with SQLCipher encryption for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.
If you want a password manager that is open-source at the encryption layer and lets you organize data your own way, Codebook is a strong pick. The free personal tier with manual sync is generous, but the lack of a web app and browser extensions makes it less convenient than mainstream rivals. Choose it for security-first flexibility; choose 1Password or Bitwarden if autofill in the browser is non-negotiable.
Verified 1d ago · liveness 74/100 · cite: rightaichoice.com/tools/codebook-password-manager
- Privacy-conscious individuals who want open-source, peer-reviewed encryption
- Users who prefer a flexible, self-organizing data structure (custom categories, fields)
- Small teams needing secure shared vaults via Codebook Cloud subscription
- Users needing a local vault without cloud dependency (free manual sync)
- Users who rely on browser extensions for autofill—Codebook has none
- Enterprise teams requiring SSO or directory integration
- Those who want a free cloud-sync experience (requires $5/month subscription)
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Skip Codebook if you need browser extension autofill or a free cloud sync, as those are not available or require a subscription.
Automatic sync requires a Codebook Cloud subscription starting at $5/month, which may be a surprise if you expect free cloud sync.
Codebook's pricing is competitive for individuals: free for personal use, $5/month for cloud sync and sharing. Compared to 1Password at $2.99/month (individual) or Bitwarden's free tier with cloud sync, Codebook's free tier is more limited but offers open-source encryption. For families, Codebook's family plan is comparable to 1Password's family plan. Businesses pay custom licensing, which may be costlier than per-seat options like Bitwarden.
In short
Codebook Password Manager — Open-source password manager with SQLCipher encryption for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. Best for Privacy-conscious individuals who want open-source, peer-reviewed encryption, Users who prefer a flexible, self-organizing data structure (custom categories, fields), Small teams needing secure shared vaults via Codebook Cloud subscription. Free to start; paid plans from $5/mo.
What's new in Codebook Password Manager
Checked yesterdayAcross the latest 1 update: 1 changelog entry.
What people actually say about Codebook Password Manager — is it worth it?
We ran a structured research pass across product reviews, community discussions, and post-purchase forum threads to surface the patterns vendors won't publish themselves. Below: the recurring strengths, the hidden costs people mention most, and the cohort that consistently regrets adopting this tool.
20 mentions across 1 source (App Store) · researched Jul 30, 2026.
- +AES-256-CBC encryption with HMAC-SHA512 via peer-reviewed SQLCipher.
- +Flexible data model allows custom categories and storing images/PDFs.
- +Stable and reliable across major updates for over a decade.
- +Responsive customer support praised by multiple long-term users.
- +Offline-first with local backup via WiFi or Dropbox/Google Drive.
- −Cloud sync costs $5/month, no free tier for automatic sync.
- −No data from other platforms to verify widespread satisfaction.
- −Only 20 App Store reviews available, sample may be biased.
- −Lack of community forums or public bug tracker for issues.
- −Icon contrast change mentioned as minor but unappealing.
- • No free auto-sync; manual sync only in free tier via Dropbox/Google Drive/WiFi
Viability Score
How well maintained and how widely used is Codebook Password Manager? Built from what the vendor actually publishes (docs, changelog, tutorials, integrations, pricing), whether the site is live, and how much real users discuss it. How we calculate this
Last calculated: August 2026
How we score →Key Features
- AES-256-CBC encryption with HMAC-SHA512 via SQLCipher
- Flexible data model: custom categories, entries, and dynamic fields
- Automatic sync with Codebook Cloud (subscription)
- Manual sync via Dropbox, Google Drive, or Desktop WiFi
- Password AutoFill on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows (global shortcut)
- Biometric login (Touch ID, Face ID, fingerprint)
- Built-in TOTP authenticator for two-step verification
- Random password generator with DiceWare option
- Password weakness warnings and HaveIBeenPwned checks
- Full-text search across entries, notes, and fields
- Attach images and PDF files (e.g., passports, insurance policies)
- Over 200 icons by Icon Factory
- Auto-lock after specified period
- Data import and export (CSV, specialized formats)
- Runs on Linux via Wine (Codebook for Windows 5.3.10)
About Codebook Password Manager
Codebook Password Manager is a secure data vault and password manager from Zetetic, built on the peer-reviewed SQLCipher engine. It encrypts your passwords, financial details, images, and PDFs using AES-256-CBC with HMAC-SHA512 integrity and 256,000 PBKDF2 rounds, offering strong resistance to brute force and side-channel attacks. The flexible data model lets you define custom categories, entries, and dynamic fields—Website fields launch URLs, Phone fields dial numbers—so your vault adapts to how you organize information, not the other way around. Codebook runs on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, including Linux via Wine. It supports Password AutoFill on Android, iOS, and macOS, plus a global keyboard shortcut on macOS and Windows. Biometric login with Touch ID, Face ID, or fingerprint, a built-in TOTP authenticator, password weakness warnings, HaveIBeenPwned breach checks, full-text search, and a random password generator with DiceWare are all included. You can attach images and PDFs, and pick from over 200 redesigned icons by Icon Factory. Sync is flexible: you can manually sync for free via Dropbox, Google Drive, or Desktop WiFi, or opt for automatic background sync with Codebook Cloud, a subscription service starting at $5/month that also adds secure sharing with trusted contacts. Codebook Cloud is free to try and offers personal and family plans. Codebook is free for personal, non-commercial use; businesses must purchase a license. The tool has been securing data for over 25 years, originally on Palm Pilot, which speaks to its long-term reliability. Compared to commercial password managers like 1Password or Bitwarden, Codebook emphasizes open-source encryption at the database level and a deeply customizable data model. It's not a one-size-fits-all tool—it lacks a native web app and browser extensions, so it's best for users who prioritize security and flexibility over browser-based convenience.
Behind the Verdict
Codebook stands out for its open-source encryption engine, SQLCipher, which is peer-reviewed and actively maintained—recently updated to 4.17.0 with security fixes. This is a real moat for security-focused users. The flexible data model is a differentiator: you can create custom categories, entries, and fields, and dynamic fields like Website or Phone trigger actions. This is ideal for organizing non-password data like documents and financial details. The free personal tier includes all core features, but sync is manual via cloud drives or WiFi. For automatic sync and sharing, you need Codebook Cloud at $5/month. A major limitation is the lack of a web app and browser extensions, so autofill relies on OS-level integration, which can be inconsistent. It's also not ideal for enterprises needing SSO or directory integration. Codebook fits individuals and small teams that prioritize security and customization over browser convenience. If you live in a browser and want seamless autofill, 1Password or Bitwarden are better fits. For a self-hosted, open-source option, Bitwarden offers more. Codebook's strength is its encrypted database and flexible storage, not its workflow integration.
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Real-world workflow fit
Concrete scenarios for the personas Codebook Password Manager actually fits — and what changes day-one when you adopt it.
Store passwords and document scans, manually sync via Dropbox.
Outcome: Vault is encrypted locally, accessible on multiple devices, with no cloud dependency.
Use Codebook Cloud subscription for automatic sync and secure sharing.
Outcome: All team members have up-to-date credentials, shared entries securely.
Use Cases
- Generate and store strong, unique passwords for all online accounts.
- Securely save scanned copies of passports, birth certificates, and insurance cards as encrypted attachments.
- Auto-fill login credentials on mobile and desktop using Password AutoFill.
- Organize sensitive notes with custom fields for website, phone, or any data type.
- Share encrypted records with family or team members via Codebook Cloud subscription.
Limitations
- Codebook Cloud sync requires a paid subscription; free users are limited to manual sync.
- No web application or browser extension is available, so autofill relies on OS-level Password AutoFill.
- The app is available on mobile (Android, iOS) and desktop (macOS, Windows), with Linux compatibility via Wine.
- No CLI support is documented.
as of 2026-08-14
Verification history
We have re-verified Codebook Password Manager 3 times since . Each pass re-reads the vendor's own pages and re-checks every listed field against that evidence; passes where nothing had changed are marked as such.
- — re-verified summary, description, our verdict, our analysis, pricing model, pricing tiers, features, integrations, who it suits, who should skip it
- — re-verified summary, description, our verdict, our analysis, pricing model, pricing tiers, features, integrations, who it suits, who should skip it
- — re-verified summary, description, our verdict, our analysis, pricing model, pricing tiers, features, integrations, who it suits, who should skip it
Free to cite with attribution — this page re-verifies continuously.
12-month cost
Project the real annual outlay, including the implied monthly cost when only an annual tier is published.
Vendor list price only. Add-on usage, seat overages, and contract minimums are surfaced under Hidden costs & gotchas.
Plans compared
For each published Codebook Password Manager tier: who it actually fits, and what it adds vs. the previous tier. Cross-reference the cost calculator above for projected annual outlay.
Personal
$0
Ideal for
Individual users who want a secure password manager for non-commercial use and are okay with manual sync.
What this tier adds
Free entry point with all core features but manual sync only.
Codebook Cloud
$5/month
Ideal for
Individuals or families who need automatic sync across devices and secure sharing.
What this tier adds
Adds automatic background sync, secure sharing, and personal/family plan options for $5/month.
Business License
Custom
Ideal for
Organizations that need to manage Codebook Cloud for employees with central licensing.
What this tier adds
Adds organizational license management and admin control over Codebook Cloud subscriptions.
Where the pricing makes sense
The company stage and team size where Codebook Password Manager's pricing actually pencils out — and where peers do it cheaper.
Codebook's pricing is competitive for individuals: free for personal use, $5/month for cloud sync and sharing. Compared to 1Password at $2.99/month (individual) or Bitwarden's free tier with cloud sync, Codebook's free tier is more limited but offers open-source encryption. For families, Codebook's family plan is comparable to 1Password's family plan. Businesses pay custom licensing, which may be costlier than per-seat options like Bitwarden.
Setup time & first value
How long it actually takes to get something useful out of Codebook Password Manager — broken out by persona, not the marketing-page minute.
Setup is quick: install the app, create a vault, and start adding entries. Manual sync via Dropbox may take a few minutes to configure. Codebook Cloud setup is also straightforward, requiring only a subscription and sign-in.
Switching to or from Codebook Password Manager
How to bring data in from common predecessors and how to get it back out — written for the switcher, not the buyer.
- →From 1Password: Export CSV from 1Password and import into Codebook using its CSV import feature.
- →From Bitwarden: Export as CSV or JSON and import into Codebook.
- →From LastPass: Export CSV and import into Codebook.
- ↗To 1Password: Export CSV from Codebook and import into 1Password.
- ↗To Bitwarden: Export CSV from Codebook and import into Bitwarden.
Resources & Guides
Tutorials & Learning
Official links
Featured Head-to-Head Comparisons
Codebook Password Manager vs Sublime Security
If you need a secure, open-source password vault with flexible data organization and local sync, Codebook is a strong choice, especially for privacy-conscious individuals willing to pay $5/month for cloud sync. For enterprise security teams facing advanced phishing and BEC attacks, Sublime Security's AI agents and transparent detection rules make it the clear winner, despite the opaque pricing. They solve entirely different problems, so pick based on whether your need is credential storage or email threat defense.
Codebook Password Manager vs Audioeye
Codebook and AudioEye serve entirely different needs. Choose Codebook if you need a secure, offline-capable password manager with strong encryption and flexible data storage, and you're comfortable with manual sync or a $5/mo cloud subscription. Choose AudioEye if you're an enterprise facing accessibility compliance requirements (ADA/WCAG) and need automated scanning, remediation, and legal support. They are not competitors.
Codebook Password Manager vs Push Security
For security teams facing AI-powered browser attacks (AiTM, ClickFix, session hijacking) and shadow AI use, Push Security is the clear choice—its autonomous threat hunting and real-time controls across all browsers outclass static DLP. For individuals or small teams wanting a highly customizable, open-source password vault with strong encryption and local sync, Codebook Password Manager delivers unmatched flexibility. If your need is credential management, pick Codebook; if it's browser-borne threat protection, pick Push.
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