# Proton Pass Application: Proton AG Also called protonpass, proton password Proton AG, Security Proton's password manager. The window is Proton Pass.exe. It uses a Proton account. It is not Bitwarden and not Proton VPN. ## What you need to know Proton Pass is Proton's vault. Bitwarden is a different vendor. Proton Pass.exe uses a Proton account. It is not Bitwarden self-host, not 1Password, and not Proton VPN. KeePass remains a local kdbx with no Proton login. - **What is it?**: Proton's password manager **Same as Bitwarden?**: No. Proton account, not self-host **Same as Proton VPN?**: No. Different exe Feex says If you wanted Proton Pass and installed Bitwarden, I would treat that as the wrong vendor. Pass.exe wants a Proton account. NordPass is yet another company. Proton VPN does not store your logins. ## What is Proton Pass? Proton Pass is Proton AG's password manager. Proton Pass.exe is the Windows client. The account is Proton, not Bitwarden.org. ## If you have never used it If you already pay Proton for Mail, Proton Pass is their password manager, not Bitwarden. Download it from proton.me/pass/download. Proton Pass.exe is the Windows app. You sign in with a Proton account. Proton VPN is a different exe. It is not 1Password Watchtower and not a KeePass kdbx. ## What is it used for? **Proton-account vault** Unlock with the same Proton login you use for Mail. Bitwarden uses a Bitwarden identity unless you self-host. **Aliases and Hide-my-email extras** Proton-tied alias features live here. That is not 1Password Watchtower. **Pass plus Mail plus VPN on one bill** A Proton bundle can include Pass. ProtonVPN.exe is still a different process. ## Who is it for? - Proton Mail users who want the same vendor for passwords - People who should not install Bitwarden thinking it is Proton Pass - Anyone who opened Proton VPN and wondered where the vault went ## Current status Actively developed. This article is the Windows Pass app, not Proton Mail or Proton VPN. ## How old is it? Proton Pass launched in 2022, long after Proton Mail. It is the newest Proton security app in this set. Current Windows builds need a Proton account. ## Versions Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here. Free Pass Pass Plus Included in some Proton bundles ## System requirements Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need. ### Minimum | Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, per Proton Pass download | | ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | | RAM | Light Electron-class desktop app | ## Resource profile - **CPU demand**: Low except unlock **Network demand**: Proton account sync ## Installed processes These executables belong to this product when it is installed. | Proton Pass.exe | Desktop vault | | --------------- | ------------- | ## Startup components Proton Pass.exe can sit in the tray if you allow it. That is not ProtonVPN.exe. ## File locations | Typical install | C:\Users\\\\AppData\Local\Programs\Proton\Proton Pass\\ | | --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ## File formats Proton Pass vault, CSV import ## Common problems ### Signed into Proton VPN looking for passwords Wrong app. ProtonVPN.exe is the VPN client. Pass is Proton Pass.exe. ### People import to Bitwarden and think they are still on Proton After export, the vault vendor changed. The Proton account no longer holds those copies. ## Getting unstuck ### Install from proton.me/pass/download protonvpn.com is the VPN. bitwarden.com is a different manager. ### Sign in with the Proton account, not a Bitwarden email field Pass does not ask for a self-host URL. ### Unlock Pass.exe before the browser extension A locked app will not fill. ## Alternatives Bitwarden if you want open source and optional self-host. 1Password if you want Watchtower. Proton VPN if you meant the tunnel, not the vault. ## Official help and downloads Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel. | Download | [proton.me/pass/download ](https://proton.me/pass/download)Official installer or vendor page | | ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Help | [proton.me/support/pass ](https://proton.me/support/pass)Vendor support | | Official site | [proton.me/pass ](https://proton.me/pass)Start here, not a random exe host | ## Related hardware The desktop vault is light. Sync uses the Proton account network path. ## Technical details Technical details Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build. ## Related These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link. [Proton VPN: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/proton-vpn)[Bitwarden: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/bitwarden)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager) ## Sources and verification Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research). - [Proton Pass official site ](https://proton.me/pass)· Vendor product page - [Proton Pass help ](https://proton.me/support/pass)· Vendor support - [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark. ## Was this article useful? A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note. Quick facts The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article. - **Developer**: Proton AG **Category**: Password manager **Process**: Proton Pass.exe **License**: Freemium with a Proton account **First released**: 2022 **Official site**: [proton.me/pass](https://proton.me/pass) **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026 --- Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/proton-pass/) [Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)