dotenvx

Secure environment variable manager with encryption, auditing, and multi-environment sync.

Overview

Dotenvx is a secure environment variable management tool created by the original author of dotenv. It extends the dotenv concept by adding encryption capabilities for .env files, allowing developers to safely store and manage sensitive configuration data.

The tool offers both a free open-source version and a paid "Armor" tier that adds enterprise features like armored keys, audit logging, access controls, and key rotation. It supports multiple environments and can be run anywhere via CLI, UI, or API.

Key features

Encrypted .env files
Audit logging and retention
Armored private keys
Multi-environment support
CLI, UI, and API access
Key rotation
Access controls and approvals
Run anywhere deployment

Pros

Free and open source core
Created by dotenv's original author
Enterprise-grade security features available
Flexible deployment options
Comprehensive audit trails
Team collaboration features

Cons

Armor features require paid subscription
Enterprise plan pricing not publicly listed
Learning curve for advanced features

Use this if

You need to encrypt and manage environment variables securely, require audit logging for compliance, or want to control access to secrets across teams.

Skip this if

You only need basic dotenv functionality without encryption or audit requirements, or you prefer a fully open-source solution without any paid tiers.

Best for

Developers managing sensitive configurationTeams needing encrypted environment variablesMulti-environment deploymentsOrganizations requiring audit trailsCI/CD pipelines with secrets management

Alternatives

dotenvVaultHashiCorp ConsulAWS Secrets Manager1Password Secrets Automation

Compare dotenvx alternatives

More Security

Compare all

Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender — software platform and tools for production teams.

hCaptcha

Enterprise security platform that provides real-time bot detection, AI agent verification, and fraud prevention.

Proton VPN

Privacy-focused virtual private network service created by the team behind Proton Mail.

Authy

Free two-factor authentication (2FA) app that adds an extra layer of security beyond passwords.