Bitwarden users unhappy with the open-source pivot, native Android app confirmed

Bitwarden is stirring up quite the storm among its user base, and not in a good way. This popular password manager, which many flocked to for its commitment to being open-source, is now facing backlash as users raise eyebrows over its recent shift. To top it off, there’s also buzz about the release of a native Bitwarden app for Android. But first, let’s dive into the drama.

From open-source darling to enterprise darling?

Bitwarden has long operated on a freemium model, and part of its charm was its semi-open-source nature — some code was available for the public to scrutinize. But recent changes have some loyalists feeling a little, well, betrayed. The issue stems from a new addition to the desktop client that introduces an internal SDK. What’s the problem, you ask? Well, this SDK comes with a catch. The license explicitly forbids users from leveraging the SDK to develop other apps or SDKs outside of Bitwarden. Essentially, it feels like Bitwarden is building some pretty hefty walls around its ecosystem.

For a service that many hailed as an open-source hero, this shift isn’t sitting well with everyone. Users across platforms, including Reddit and GitHub, have been vocal, claiming this move takes Bitwarden further away from the open-source ethos it once embraced. Some even believe the company’s growing focus on enterprise clients and revenue — fueled by venture capital funding — is at the root of this pivot.

Bitwarden says it’s not as bad as it looks

In response to the uproar, Bitwarden’s CTO and founder, Kyle Spearrin, addressed the community. The gist? Relax, everything is under control. According to Spearrin, the SDK and the desktop client are separate entities, and they’re working to fix the bug preventing users from building the app as before. He assures users that Bitwarden is still aiming for GPL compatibility. But let’s be honest — this explanation hasn’t calmed the storm. The GitHub ticket addressing this issue has since been locked, leaving some users wondering if the transparency they once enjoyed is fading away.

The cherry on top? Bitwarden admits that not everything has been fully open-source for quite some time. Enterprise products, for instance, operate under proprietary licenses. While the company insists it has no plans to abandon its current open-core model, these details leave some users feeling like the writing is on the wall.

Over on Reddit, the mood is anything but calm. Some users feel duped, having initially paid for Bitwarden with the expectation that they were supporting an open-source project. Others are less surprised, pointing to Bitwarden’s enterprise push over the past few years. It seems that the password manager’s focus on larger clients has left individual users feeling like second-class citizens.

And what about alternatives? Well, some users are already eyeing other password managers, with Proton Pass garnering interest despite its steeper price tag. Vaultwarden, an open-source implementation of the Bitwarden server API, is also getting a nod as a possible escape hatch for those not happy with the direction Bitwarden is heading.

Native Android app is here

On a somewhat brighter note, Bitwarden has been busy preparing a native Android app. While users were excited about its impending arrival, the timeline has been bumped just a little. In the meantime, the current Android app will get an update to support new encryption processes. The delay is all about making sure the native app is polished and free of any nasty surprises. And hey, that’s understandable — we’ve all been burned by buggy app rollouts before.

Bitwarden plans to push the new native app to Google Play soon, but even after submission, it might take a few days before everyone gets their hands on it. For now, Android users will have to sit tight and wait for the rollout to kick into full gear.

It’s clear that Bitwarden’s user base is feeling uneasy, and while the company insists that these changes aren’t as drastic as they seem, the perception of a move away from open-source principles is hard to shake. As the enterprise train picks up steam, it’s left many wondering if Bitwarden can continue to juggle both worlds without alienating its core users.

For now, the community waits. Whether Bitwarden’s next moves will soothe ruffled feathers or confirm suspicions remains to be seen.