Buttercup vs CyberArk: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Buttercup and CyberArk side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Buttercup leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Buttercup
Secure and open-source password management for everyone.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
CyberArk
Secure every identity across human, machine, and AI with intelligent privilege controls.
Best for you if:
- • You want comprehensive security for all identity types (human, machine, AI)
| At a Glance | Buttercup | CyberArk |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Not published |
Category | Security Password Managers | Security Compliance |
Rating | 3.3/5 SourceForge 2.5 · G2 4.8 9 reviews | 3.8/5 Trustpilot 3.2 · G2 4.4 · Capterra 4.3 976 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | Potential for high minimum user counts |
Choose Buttercup or CyberArk?
Choose Buttercup if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want completely free and open-source
- You want strong encryption for data security
Choose CyberArk if
- You want comprehensive security for all identity types (human, machine, AI)
- You want unified platform simplifies security stack and management
In-Depth Analysis
Buttercup
Secure and open-source password management for everyone.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free and open-source
- Pro: Strong encryption for data security
- Pro: Flexible storage options for vaults
- Pro: User-friendly interface
- Pro: Active community development
Weaknesses
- Con: No dedicated mobile app (as of current knowledge)
- Con: May require more manual setup for cloud sync compared to some commercial alternatives
- Con: Smaller feature set than some enterprise-grade password managers
Key features
CyberArk
Secure every identity across human, machine, and AI with intelligent privilege controls.
Watch out
Potential for high minimum user counts
Strengths
- Pro: Comprehensive security for all identity types (human, machine, AI)
- Pro: Unified platform simplifies security stack and management
- Pro: Advanced AI capabilities enhance threat detection and automation
- Pro: Strong focus on privilege controls and least privilege principles
- Pro: Supports hybrid, multi-cloud, and SaaS environments
Weaknesses
- Con: No free tier or trial explicitly mentioned
- Con: Complexity of implementation and management for large enterprises
Key features
Plans and prices: Buttercup vs CyberArk
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Buttercup | No plan prices on file | buttercup.pw |
| CyberArk |
| cyberark.com read Oct 3, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Buttercup pricing and CyberArk pricing.
Key Takeaways
Buttercup
- Has a free plan
CyberArk
- Choose if you want secure every identity across human, machine, and AI with intelligent privilege controls
What the data shows
On the data below, Buttercup leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (3.3/5 from 9 reviews for Buttercup, 3.8/5 from 976 reviews for CyberArk; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Only Buttercup has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Buttercup and CyberArk compare in 2026?
On the data below, Buttercup leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (3.3/5 from 9 reviews for Buttercup, 3.8/5 from 976 reviews for CyberArk; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Only Buttercup has a free plan.
What are Buttercup and CyberArk used for?
Buttercup: Secure and open-source password management for everyone. CyberArk: Secure every identity across human, machine, and AI with intelligent privilege controls.
What does Buttercup cost vs CyberArk?
Buttercup has no public paid-plan price on file. CyberArk has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 3, 2026.
What's the main difference between Buttercup and CyberArk?
Buttercup's main strength: completely free and open-source. CyberArk's main strength: comprehensive security for all identity types (human, machine, AI).