Comparison
Keyway vs dotenvx
Two approaches to securing your .env files
dotenvx encrypts files you commit to git. Keyway removes them entirely with centralized, synced secrets.
Quick Summary
Keyway
Best for teams who want centralized secrets management with automatic sync and GitHub-based access control.
dotenvx
Best for developers who want to keep using .env files but need encryption, without a centralized service.
Feature Comparison
See how Keyway and dotenvx compare across key features.
| Feature | Keyway | dotenvx |
|---|---|---|
Approach | Centralized storage | Encrypted files in git |
GitHub Permissions Repo access = secret access | ||
Runtime Injection Run commands with secrets in memory, no .env file | keyway run | dotenvx run |
AI Agent Support (MCP) MCP server for Claude, Cursor, VS Code | ||
Secret Versioning View and rollback to previous versions | Ops plan | |
Audit Trail Who accessed what and when | Ops plan ($49+/yr) | |
Encryption | AES-256-GCM | AES-256 + ECIES |
Secrets in Git Are encrypted secrets committed to repo? | ||
Key Management | Handled by Keyway | You manage private keys |
Team Sync Automatic sync across team | Automatic | Via git pull |
Access Revocation Remove access instantly | Remove from GitHub | Rotate keys |
Self-Hosted Option | ||
Open Source | BSD-3 License | |
Free Tier | Unlimited public, 1 private | CLI free, sync paid |
Pricing | $9/mo or $29/mo (Team, 5 users incl.) | $49 - $499/year (Ops) |
GitHub Actions | ||
Multiple Environments | Built-in | Multiple .env files |
Key Differences
Understanding the fundamental differences helps you choose the right tool.
Architecture
Centralized secrets storage. Your secrets live on Keyway servers, encrypted at rest. Pull them when needed, never commit them.
Decentralized approach. Encrypted .env files are committed to your git repo. The private key stays separate (in CI, env vars, etc.).
AI Agent Integration
Built-in MCP server for Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, and other AI tools. Use `keyway run` to inject secrets without exposing them to AI agents.
No MCP server. AI agents can read .env files on disk (even encrypted ones require the key to be available).
Key Management
No keys to manage. Keyway handles encryption/decryption. Access is controlled by your existing GitHub permissions.
You manage DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY yourself. Store it in CI secrets, pass it to containers, share it with team members who need access.
Access Control
GitHub-native. If someone has repo access, they can pull secrets. Remove them from GitHub, access revoked instantly.
Key-based. Anyone with the private key can decrypt. When someone leaves, you should rotate the key and re-encrypt all files.
Which Should You Choose?
The best tool depends on your specific needs. Here's our honest take.
Choose Keyway if...
- You don't want to manage encryption keys
- You want access tied to GitHub permissions automatically
- You prefer secrets never touching your git history
- You need instant access revocation when someone leaves
- You use AI coding tools and want secrets protected from them
Choose dotenvx if...
- You want to self-host or avoid third-party services
- You prefer keeping secrets in your repo (encrypted)
- You need an open-source solution
- You're comfortable managing private keys
- You want to migrate gradually from plain .env files
Last updated: December 25, 2025
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