PanicVault vs. Strongbox

PanicVault and Strongbox are the two leading KeePass-compatible password managers built specifically for Apple devices. They share the same DNA: both use the open KDBX format, both are native Apple apps, and both provide system-wide AutoFill through Apple’s credential provider extension framework. This comparison, part of our password manager comparisons hub, examines the differences that matter when choosing between them.

Because both use KDBX, this is not a lock-in decision. You can switch between PanicVault and Strongbox at any time – your database file works in both. The question is which app provides the better daily experience for your workflow.

Pricing Models

Strongbox

Strongbox uses a freemium model. These are the prices on Strongbox’s website, in US dollars; App Store prices vary by country:

• Free version: For non-commercial use only. It is not read-only: on iPhone and iPad it opens and edits KDBX databases and includes AutoFill, TOTP codes, key files, and built-in sync
• Pro (monthly): $2.99/month
• Pro (yearly): $24.99/year, with a 3-month free trial
• Pro (lifetime): $124.99, one-time purchase
• Family options: Paid plans can be shared with up to 6 people through Family Sharing

According to Strongbox’s comparison page, Pro adds Face ID and Touch ID unlock, YubiKey support, offline editing, and Have I Been Pwned breach checks; on Mac it also unlocks AutoFill, SFTP and WebDAV sync, and the SSH agent. Without Pro, you unlock with your master password rather than Face ID, Touch ID or a PIN. The lifetime licence is the most relevant comparison point with PanicVault.

PanicVault

• $4.99 one-time purchase on the App Store (US price)
• All features included at purchase
• No freemium limitations, no subscription tiers

Pricing Verdict

Both tools offer a one-time purchase option that provides full functionality: PanicVault’s single $4.99 purchase, or Strongbox Pro’s $124.99 lifetime licence. Prices vary by country, so compare them at the time of purchase. Strongbox’s free version and 3-month Pro trial let you try the app before paying, but the free version is limited to non-commercial use.

For a broader view of password manager pricing, see our pricing comparison guide.

Feature Comparison

Both apps support the core KDBX feature set, but they differ in some areas:

*Strongbox publishes its source code under the AGPL-3.0, but App Store builds can’t be verified against it.

Strongbox’s Distinguishing Features

Multiple sync providers: Strongbox supports a wide range of cloud storage providers out of the box, including Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, WebDAV, and SFTP. While PanicVault now covers iCloud and Google Drive, Strongbox still offers more options for users who rely on Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, or SFTP.

Password audit: Strongbox audits your database for weak passwords, and with Pro it also checks them against Have I Been Pwned breach data. This helps identify credentials that need updating.

Apple Watch: Strongbox offers a limited Apple Watch companion app for quick credential access.

PanicVault’s Distinguishing Features

Focused UX: PanicVault’s interface is streamlined and focused on the core credential management workflow. There are fewer settings to configure and fewer menus to navigate. For users who want simplicity, this clarity is an advantage.

Hardware keys at no extra cost: PanicVault supports YubiKey challenge-response over NFC on iPhone, and over USB on Mac, in the same interoperable format Strongbox and KeePassXC use – included in the one-time purchase rather than gated behind a paid Pro tier, as it is in Strongbox. Strongbox additionally supports Lightning (5Ci) keys, which PanicVault does not. See Hardware Keys (YubiKey).

Streamlined sync: PanicVault supports iCloud Drive and Google Drive, covering the two most common cloud storage providers for Apple users. iCloud sync requires zero configuration – the database syncs like any other iCloud file – and Google Drive support extends PanicVault’s reach to cross-platform households without adding complexity.

Put this guide into practice PanicVault keeps your passwords in an encrypted KeePass file you own — offline-first, no subscription, on iPhone, iPad & Mac.

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User Experience

PanicVault’s Design Approach

PanicVault follows Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines closely. The app feels like it could be a first-party Apple application – clean typography, consistent spacing, standard navigation patterns. The design philosophy is “do less, do it better.”

Creating entries, organizing into groups, generating passwords, and filling credentials are all straightforward operations with minimal friction. The app does not overwhelm you with options.

Strongbox’s Design Approach

Strongbox has evolved over many years and offers more configuration options. The interface is competent and Apple-native, though the additional settings and features make it slightly more complex to navigate. Power users appreciate the configurability. Users who want simplicity may find it busier than necessary.

Strongbox’s settings panel is notably more detailed, with options for database lock behavior, clipboard clearing timers, AutoFill behavior, and icon management. These are useful features for advanced users but add cognitive overhead for casual users.

UX Verdict

This is largely a matter of personal preference. PanicVault is cleaner and simpler. Strongbox is more configurable and feature-rich. Neither is objectively better – the right choice depends on whether you prefer a streamlined experience or granular control.

Sync and Storage

PanicVault

PanicVault syncs through iCloud Drive and Google Drive. iCloud sync is the simplest setup for Apple users – your KDBX file syncs automatically across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac with no additional configuration. Google Drive support adds a cross-platform option for users who share files with non-Apple devices or prefer Google’s ecosystem.

You can also store your database locally or in any file provider accessible through the Files app, but iCloud and Google Drive are the primary built-in sync options.

Strongbox

Strongbox supports multiple sync providers:

• iCloud Drive
• Dropbox
• Google Drive
• OneDrive
• WebDAV
• SFTP
• Local storage

All of these are available in the free version on iPhone and iPad; on Mac, WebDAV and SFTP require Pro. This flexibility is valuable if your KDBX file lives on a non-Apple cloud service. If you share a database with users on other platforms who access it through KeePassXC on Windows or Linux, having the file on Dropbox or a WebDAV server accessible to all parties is convenient.

For more on sync options, see our cloud sync and storage guide.

Sync Verdict

Both apps support iCloud and Google Drive, which covers most users. If you need Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, or SFTP, Strongbox is the only option with built-in support for those providers. The gap is narrower than it used to be, but Strongbox still offers broader sync flexibility overall.

Security

Both tools implement the same KDBX encryption. A database encrypted by PanicVault and one encrypted by Strongbox are identical from a security perspective – same algorithms, same format, same key derivation.

The differences are:

• Both support YubiKey challenge-response for hardware-backed database unlock – NFC on iPhone and USB on Mac, in the same interoperable format; Strongbox also supports Lightning (5Ci) keys, and requires Pro for hardware keys
• Strongbox offers password audit within the app (breach checking requires Pro)
• PanicVault has a simpler security surface (fewer features means fewer potential vulnerabilities)

For most users, these differences are not decisive. Hardware keys are no longer one of them: both apps unlock the same YubiKey-protected databases.

Migration Between Apps

Because both use KDBX, “migration” is trivial:

1. Open your existing database file in the new app
2. Done

There is no export/import process, no format conversion, and no data loss. This is the fundamental advantage of the KeePass ecosystem – your data is not tied to any particular application.

If you are currently using another password manager entirely, both PanicVault and Strongbox support importing from CSV and other common formats. See our guides on migrating from 1Password and migrating from LastPass for specific migration paths.

Who Should Choose Strongbox

• Those who store KDBX files on Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, or SFTP
• Users who still keep databases in the older KDBX 3.1 format
• Users who need a Lightning (5Ci) YubiKey, or hardware-key unlock on an iPad
• Users who want built-in password audit and breach checking
• Those who prefer more configuration options and granular control
• Users who want Apple Watch access to credentials
• Those who want to try a free tier before purchasing

Who Should Choose PanicVault

• Users who prefer a clean, streamlined interface
• Users who sync through iCloud or Google Drive and don’t need other providers
• Those who value simplicity over configurability
• Users who want all features included at purchase with no tier confusion
• Those who prefer fewer settings and a more opinionated design approach

The Bottom Line

PanicVault and Strongbox both open the same KDBX files on Apple devices. The choice between them is more about interface preference and specific feature needs (sync providers, password audit) than about fundamental capability – both now support YubiKey challenge-response over NFC on iPhone, and over USB on Mac. Both protect your credentials with the same encryption, both support the same database format, and both integrate well with the Apple ecosystem.

If you value simplicity, a focused native design, and every feature in a single one-time purchase, PanicVault is the better fit. If you need additional sync providers beyond iCloud and Google Drive, breach monitoring, or KDBX 3.1 support, Strongbox offers more flexibility. Either way, your data remains in the open KDBX format, and you can switch at any time. For a wider look at the iPhone side that includes KeePassium, see our guide to the best KeePass apps for iPhone.

Related Articles

• PanicVault vs. KeePassXC – How PanicVault compares to the cross-platform KeePass option
• KeePass-Compatible Apps for Apple – Full overview of all KeePass apps on Apple platforms
• KeePass Key Files – Using key files for additional security
• Cloud Sync and Storage – Options for syncing your KDBX database
• Best Password Manager for iPhone – Mobile password manager comparison