Open-Source Customisation · Password Manager
Vaultwarden, hosted and looked after
A shared password manager for your team on your own UK server, using the Bitwarden apps people already know, with someone keeping it updated and backed up.
The Bitwarden apps, on your own server
Your team installs the normal Bitwarden apps and browser extensions and points them at your server instead of Bitwarden's. Passwords are shared through collections, with two-factor login, and everything is encrypted on each person's device before it is saved.
Vaultwarden is an unofficial, Bitwarden-compatible server written in Rust, open source under the AGPL-3.0 licence. It is much lighter to run than Bitwarden's own self-hosted server. It is not made by or associated with Bitwarden, Inc., and its maintainers ask people not to use Bitwarden's support channels for it. They also strongly recommend regular backups of both the files and the database. Details checked against the project's own repository on 11 October 2026.
Weighing it against 1Password or LastPass? Rob reviews the options honestly at rob-sherwood.co.uk/alternatives.
Vaultwarden hosting, support and migration
Vaultwarden hosting
On a UK server in an account in your name, behind HTTPS, with the admin page locked down and email set up for invitations and two-factor codes.
Backups you have tested
The database and files backed up every night to somewhere separate, and a test restore every quarter, so a backup is a backup rather than a hope.
Vaultwarden support
Because it is unofficial, Bitwarden will not support it. We do: updates as they are released, monitoring, and someone to call when a phone will not sync.
Moving your passwords in
From Bitwarden, KeePass, a browser or a spreadsheet, with counts checked before and after so nothing goes missing.
Set up for your team
Collections for each team or client, sensible permissions, two-factor login for everyone, and a short guide for staff.
Leavers handled properly
Someone leaves, their access goes the same day, and the shared passwords they knew get changed.
Bitwarden to Vaultwarden, or KeePass to Vaultwarden
Bitwarden to Vaultwarden migration
A Bitwarden to Vaultwarden migration is an export and an import: export each vault from Bitwarden, import it into the Vaultwarden web vault, then point everyone's apps at the new server. Personal vaults and organisation vaults are moved separately, and file attachments and Sends have to be added again by hand. We do a trial run, count the items on both sides, and only then switch people over.
KeePass to Vaultwarden migration
For a KeePass to Vaultwarden migration, the Bitwarden importer accepts an encrypted KeePass .kdbx file, or a CSV or XML export from KeePass2 or KeePassX. Attachments need uploading again. Bitwarden's community has also reported that KeePassXC entries with a blank name can be skipped on import, which is another reason to check the counts. Checked against Bitwarden's KeePass import guide on 11 October 2026.
When to pay for Bitwarden instead
Bitwarden's business plans were $4 per user per month for Teams and $6 for Enterprise, billed annually, when we checked bitwarden.com on 11 October 2026. That buys official support, compliance paperwork and no server to look after. For a small team without anyone to run a server, that is usually the better deal, and we will say so.
Is Vaultwarden right for you?
A good fit when
- Passwords live in a spreadsheet, a notebook or people's heads
- You want them on a UK server you control
- Per-user fees for a password manager are adding up
- Someone will look after updates and backups
Pay for Bitwarden or 1Password when
- Nobody will run and update a server
- You need vendor support or compliance paperwork
- A customer contract asks for a certified provider
- You are a team of three and the subscription is cheap
What people ask us
No. Vaultwarden is an unofficial, open-source server that works with the official Bitwarden apps and browser extensions. It is not made by Bitwarden, Inc., and Bitwarden's own support will not help with it. Your team uses the same Bitwarden apps either way.
It can be, when it is looked after properly: kept updated, behind HTTPS, with the admin page locked down, two-factor login switched on and tested backups kept somewhere else. The vault data is encrypted on each person's device before it reaches the server. The risk is running it and forgetting about it.
Yes. Export each vault from Bitwarden, import it into Vaultwarden, then point the apps at the new server. Personal and organisation vaults are moved separately, and file attachments and Sends have to be added again by hand. We count items before and after so nothing is missed.
Yes. The Bitwarden importer, which Vaultwarden uses, accepts a KeePass .kdbx file or a CSV or XML export from KeePass2 or KeePassX. Attachments need uploading again, and entries with a blank name can be skipped, so we check the counts afterwards.
If you want support from the company that makes it, need compliance paperwork, or do not want a server to look after. Bitwarden Teams was $4 per user per month billed annually when we checked, so for a small team that is often the simpler choice.
What our clients say
19 clients. A few of their words.
A well-rounded team, ensuring a full suite of expertise & resource is always available. CDS Global have seen the successful completion of major projects over the years where Dev Partners' ability to grasp the underlying business needs to provide a future-proof solution has been invaluable.
We have worked with Jason & his team to develop our Shopify store, and the experience was outstanding from start to finish. The design is clean, modern, and perfectly aligned with our brand identity, while the build is fast, responsive, and easy to manage on the backend. They clearly understood our vision and delivered a store we're genuinely proud of. Highly recommend to any brand looking for a top-quality Shopify partner.
After ongoing issues and delays with our previous developers, we brought in Rob & Jason at Dev Partners to take over all our websites and bespoke software. What a breath of fresh air, fully focused, excellent pre-launch designs and clear communication throughout. Highly recommended.
BPC Energy Ltd turned to Dev Partners for a complete turnkey solution, and they exceeded our expectations. The team handled everything from project management to development and support with real care and attention. They understood what we were aiming for, stayed on top of every detail, and always delivered on schedule with excellent quality.
Working with Dev Partners to redesign and modernise our WMS system: the whole process has been thoroughly professional from the outset and a delight to work with. Cannot recommend enough.
Great agency. Have used Dev Partners for several years and they have built 20+ sites for us, in addition to taking on our legacy websites, upgrading and maintaining. Easy to work with and some great practical ideas to improve our digital offerings.
Jones Hire have been working with Dev Partners on several projects, which have been very successful. They linked our catering database to a new improved website so clients can easily place and update orders, created a custom warehouse picking app to fulfil all our challenging requirements, and are currently developing a custom transport app to streamline our loading and delivery process.
We have been trying to reinvent our website for over 5 years, trying to make it convert and failing each time. Spoke to Rob at Dev Partners, the team helped create our new site and the improvement was instant.
We have been working with Rob and the team for about 10 years now. Dev Partners helped us build a completely bespoke CRM from scratch which manages our daily business and is always well maintained. We have been able to use the system and roll it out in our new franchise branches.
We collaborated with Dev Partners on the front end of a fairly complex telemarketing platform. Rob and Jason took the time to properly understand the moving parts, asked the right questions, and delivered a clean, intuitive interface that's made the system far easier for our team to use.
I have been working with the team at Dev Partners for the last 3 years and we have always been impressed with the speed in which they act on things for us, along with the honest open communication. The team are a valuable and vital part of our supply chain.
We've had a program for our business in the electronic security sector that Dev Partners developed and keep up to date. They've never let us down, always there when needed. Thanks Rob and the team.
Dev Partners have been working with us for just over 2 years. They have significantly upgraded and redesigned our existing web platforms, and always deliver a first class service.
Dev Partners helped us build an event website. The team were very knowledgeable, easy to work with and quick to deliver a high quality product.
Working with Dev Partners has been an exceptional experience. Their team is highly skilled, professional, and committed to delivering results. What truly sets them apart is their communication and transparency; we always felt informed, supported, and confident.
We've worked with Dev Partners a few times to support us on bespoke web build tasks. They're very easy to work with, approachable, and explain the detail in a way that's understandable. A great partner for technical issues at sensible prices.
Excellent customer service backed up with solid experience. As a media business we have had five websites built by Dev Partners. I would certainly recommend them.
Found Dev Partners and they were great, nothing too much trouble. They managed to help us with integrating our old existing system with Shopify.
I've worked with Rob and his team off and on for many years and have always found them to be professional, knowledgeable, and best of all, they listen to their clients and deliver what is required.
We have worked with Dev Partners for 7 years and can highly recommend them for their expertise and excellent customer service.
Passwords in a spreadsheet?
Tell us how your team shares passwords today.
How many people, what you use now, and whether anyone looks after a server. If a Bitwarden subscription is the right answer, we will say so.
We reply within one working day.
