dotenvx vs Stashbase

dotenvx encrypts secrets stored in.env files, then decrypts and injects them when an application runs. Its maker describes it as free and open source, with hosted and self-hosted deployment options. Public-key encryption uses a secp256k1 key pair, keeping the private decryption key separate from the encrypted file. For development, the private key can be stored in the operating system’s secret store, including macOS Keychain, Windows Credential Manager, or Linux Secret Service. Listed workflow tools include environment selection and composition, validation, pre-commit leak prevention, Docker image protection, key/value operations, and runtime log redaction. The maker says encrypted files can travel with code and be decrypted at runtime using a private key supplied in the deployment environment, without a secrets service in the application’s critical path. Installation options include CLI, npm, winget, Homebrew, GitHub releases, Docker, a Ruby gem, and Python pip. Guides cover developer tools, programming languages, and deployment services. The free User plan includes CLI, SDKs, encryption, and GitHub Issues support. Member is $5 a month; Business is $90 a month. The paid product has a 14-day free trial.

Stashbase manages application secrets across projects and environments, with scoped controls over how developers, services, and coding agents use credentials and other resources. Coding agents can run in native or Docker sandboxes with governed access to credentials, network, files, and MCP tools. The Agent Proxy keeps raw secret values outside the agent process, and policies can cover credentials, API requests, MCP tools, files, commands, and dependencies. Repository and secret scanning workflows help identify exposed or hard-coded secrets. Interfaces include a dashboard, CLI, SDKs, REST API, Agent Proxy, and MCP server. Documentation describes integrations for AWS Secrets Manager, Google Cloud Secret Manager, and Vercel. The security page states that Stashbase uses AES-256 multi-layer encryption and workspace isolation, and encrypts traffic in transit. It also supports secret rotation, CI/CD injection, and audit logs. Its local quickstart can run a file policy without an account, API key, or secrets; the desktop quickstart is for macOS or Linux. A free plan is listed, while paid pricing is noted from $25/user/mo.