July 11th, 2024

Bitwarden (the SDK and mobile app) is not FOSS

Bitwarden password manager faces licensing challenges due to its non-FOSS SDK, limiting its availability on platforms like F-Droid. Community forums discuss implications and hurdles for FOSS compatibility.

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Bitwarden (the SDK and mobile app) is not FOSS

The Bitwarden password manager is not considered Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) due to its SDK using a proprietary license, as highlighted on the Bitwarden Community Forums. This licensing issue has led to Bitwarden not being included in platforms like F-Droid, as it does not meet the criteria for FOSS compatibility. Attempts to compile the package for inclusion in the F-Droid repository have been hindered by this licensing limitation. The discussion on the forums also references specific URLs pointing to the non-FOSS nature of the Bitwarden SDK. Despite being a popular password manager, Bitwarden's non-FOSS status has implications for its availability on certain platforms. The community forums provide insights into the licensing challenges faced by Bitwarden, impacting its accessibility for users seeking FOSS solutions.

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Link Icon 2 comments
By @robcohen - 7 months
Come on. This is... disappointing.