Is Buttercup still being developed?

No, the Buttercup project has been discontinued and archived, so there are no active updates or support. The repositories are now public archives, and issues or PRs are ignored.

How do I sync Buttercup with my own Nextcloud server?

Use WebDAV by configuring Nextcloud to support CORS access from any source, as noted in the README. Then, add the WebDAV URL in Buttercup to sync vaults.

Buttercup vs Bitwarden for self-hosting?

Buttercup uses local vault files synced via services like WebDAV, while Bitwarden is server-based with a dedicated self-hosted option. Buttercup offers more control over storage but lacks active development compared to Bitwarden's ongoing updates.

How to make the Windows version portable?

Download the portable executable from releases and set environment variables like BUTTERCUP_HOME_DIR, as shown in the sample batch file in the README, to store configs and cache on a portable drive.

Does Buttercup work on mobile devices?

Buttercup Desktop is for desktops only; mobile support is not mentioned in the README and likely not available, making it unsuitable for on-the-go password management.

What encryption does Buttercup use?

It uses strong industry-standard encryption for .bcup vault files, but security relies on a strong primary password. The README advises using long, unique passwords with varied characters.

Open-Awesome

Buttercup Desktop

GPL-3.0TypeScriptv2.28.1

A free, open-source, cross-platform password manager that securely encrypts credentials in vault files.

Visit Website GitHub

4.4k stars340 forks0 contributors

What is Buttercup Desktop?

Buttercup Desktop is a free, open-source, and cross-platform password manager application for Mac, Linux, and Windows. It encrypts passwords and credentials using strong industry-standard encryption within local `.bcup` vault files, which can be synced across devices via local storage, Dropbox, Google Drive, or WebDAV services like Nextcloud and ownCloud.

Target Audience

Individuals and professionals across Windows, macOS, and Linux who need a secure, offline-capable password manager and want full control over their encrypted data storage without relying on proprietary cloud services.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Buttercup Desktop for its commitment to being free, open-source, and putting users in full control of their encrypted vaults, offering flexible syncing via multiple backends while maintaining strong offline access and portability.

Overview

:key: Cross-Platform Passwords & Secrets Vault

Use Cases

Best For

Managing passwords securely across Windows, macOS, and Linux with native applications.
Storing encrypted credentials offline with local vault caching for use without an internet connection.
Syncing password vaults across devices using preferred cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or WebDAV-enabled platforms such as Nextcloud and ownCloud.
Using a portable password manager on Windows via the portable executable or on Linux via standalone AppImage.
Maintaining password security with a focus on user-controlled encryption and open-source transparency.
Archiving or evaluating a discontinued open-source password manager project for historical or educational purposes.

Not Ideal For

Users requiring active security updates and ongoing maintenance, as the project is archived and discontinued.
Teams needing integrated browser extensions or mobile apps for seamless cross-device password autofill.
Organizations relying on commercial support or SLAs for critical password management infrastructure.
Environments with 32-bit systems or specific Linux package formats like .deb or .rpm, as Buttercup only supports 64-bit and AppImage.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cross-Platform Native Apps

Provides native applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux, including portable Windows executables and Linux AppImages for flexibility.

Flexible Storage Backends

Supports local files, Dropbox, Google Drive, and WebDAV services like Nextcloud for vault syncing, giving users control over data storage.

Strong Encryption Standards

Encrypts vaults with industry-standard encryption in .bcup files, ensuring data security at rest as emphasized in the README's precautions.

Offline Access Capability

Caches vaults locally for use without an internet connection, making it reliable in disconnected environments.

Cons

Project Discontinuation

The project is archived and no longer maintained, meaning no bug fixes, security patches, or new features will be released.

Limited Linux Integration

Full functionality on Linux, such as Google Drive authentication, depends on AppImageLauncher, adding complexity and extra steps for users.

Complex Portable Setup

Portable use requires manual configuration of environment variables and batch files, as detailed in the README, which can be error-prone for casual users.

Frequently Asked Questions

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