Jerry is a technology writer with over four years of experience, complemented by a CompTIA Security+ certification and a Bachelor's degree in English Language &…
Michael is a Tech Content Editor at Techopedia, who is passionate about delivering high-quality tech content online and ensuring the accuracy of our guides. With…
We uphold a strict editorial policy that focuses on factual accuracy, relevance, and impartiality. Our content, created by leading industry experts, is reviewed by a team of seasoned editors to ensure compliance with the highest standards in reporting and publishing.
Disclosure
When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn how our funding model works. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.
The 1Password vs Bitwarden comparison often comes up for people choosing a password manager, and both tools offer a comprehensive set of features to keep your passwords safe, secure, and easily accessible.
While they share some similarities, each tool has its own approach to password management. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the differences between these two password managers to help you determine which one best suits your needs.
We’ll compare Bitwarden vs 1Password based on factors such as security, ease of use, pricing, and additional features to provide a clear picture of each tool’s strengths and weaknesses and help you choose the best password manager for your digital life.
Unlimited / 2GB of files with 1GB personal, 1GB organizational
Max Devices
Unlimited
Unlimited
Money-Back Guarantee
14-day trial
30 days
1Password vs Bitwarden Pricing Compared
Winner: Bitwarden
Choosing between Bitwarden or 1Password can be daunting, especially when you’re trying to balance security with affordability. In this section, we’ll dive into the pricing plans of these two popular password managers to help you determine which one is the best fit for your needs.
Free plan available with organization groupings for two users with two collections
Starter
$2.99/month (annual) for individuals
$0.83/month (annual) for individuals
Advanced
$4.99/month (annual) for families with up to 5 users
$3.33/month (annual) for families with up to 6 users
Premium
$19.95/month for up to 10 users, $7.99/month per user for Business users
$4/month per user for Business Teams
When comparing the plans for individuals, families, and businesses, Bitwarden consistently offers more affordable options.
Unlike 1Password, Bitwarden also offers a free plan, and it includes organization groupings for up to two users with two collections. This makes it an attractive choice for those who want to try out a password manager without any upfront costs.
For individuals, Bitwarden’s $0.83/month plan is significantly cheaper than 1Password’s $2.99/month starter plan while still providing essential features like two-factor authentication, emergency access, file attachments, and vault health reports.
Bitwarden’s $3.33/month family plan supports up to six users and includes premium features such as unlimited shared vaults, unlimited sharing, and additional storage. 1Password’s family plan costs $4.99/month plan for up to five members, making Bitwarden a more cost-effective choice for families.
In the business category, 1Password’s team plan starts at $19.95/month for up to ten users, while Bitwarden offers a lower absolute price of $4/month per user.
For enterprise solutions, Bitwarden charges $6/month per user, undercutting 1Password’s $7.99/month per user Business plan and its 75+ user Enterprise plan, which is available with a custom quote.
Unless you require specific features exclusive to 1Password, Bitwarden is the more budget-friendly option for individuals, families, and businesses.
1Password and Bitwarden are highly regarded password managers, but after a thorough comparison of their security features, 1Password emerges as the safer choice. In this section, we’ll detail the encryption, data storage, and privacy policies of both providers to explore why 1Password comes out on top.
Encryption
1Password 8 for Android
Both 1Password and Bitwarden employ strong encryption to protect user data. 1Password uses AES-GCM-256 encryption, which is considered the gold standard in symmetric key cryptography. Bitwarden uses AES-CBC-256 encryption, which is also secure but slightly less efficient than GCM.
1Password also employs a unique user Secret Key. This 128-bit key is used with the Master Password – a single account password – to encrypt and decrypt data. The additional layer of security ensures that even if encrypted data is obtained, it can’t be decrypted without the Secret Key.
Data Storage
1Password stores user data on its servers in an encrypted format, with the encryption keys being derived from the user’s Master Password and Secret Key.
Bitwarden also stores encrypted user data on its servers but takes a different approach. Its encryption keys are derived from the user Master Password, which is hashed on the client side before being sent to the server. This is secure but lacks the additional protection provided by 1Password’s Secret Key.
Privacy Policy
Bitwarden’s privacy policy is more transparent and straightforward than that of 1Password.
Bitwarden clearly states that it does not collect or store any user data except for basic account information necessary for providing the service. In contrast, 1Password’s privacy policy is more complex and allows for the collection of certain usage data.
Bitwarden’s open source password manager model also contributes to its superior privacy, as the source code can be audited by security experts and the community to ensure no hidden vulnerabilities or data collection mechanisms exist. 1Password, being a closed-source solution, lacks this level of transparency.
When it comes to usability, both 1Password and Bitwarden offer user-friendly interfaces that cater to both novice and experienced users. However, 1Password holds a slight advantage in this category.
1Password Mac dashboard
Its sleek and intuitive design makes it easy for first-time users to navigate and manage their passwords. The app’s layout is clean and well-organized, with clear labels and icons that guide users through the process of creating, storing, and accessing their passwords.
1Password also offers a helpful onboarding process that walks users through the setup and key features, ensuring a smooth transition into using the software.
Bitwarden Password Generator
On the other hand, the Bitwarden UI, while functional and efficient, may feel a bit more technical and less visually appealing. Its straightforward approach is well-suited for experienced users who prioritize functionality over aesthetics, though.
The app’s minimalist design allows users to quickly access and manage their passwords without any unnecessary extras.
Bitwarden vs. 1Password – Key Features
Winner: 1Password
1Password edges out Bitwarden when it comes to key features. While both are excellent password managers with robust core functionality, and both allow you to store unlimited passwords and access them with unlimited devices, 1Password offers a few additional security features and more polished sharing and business capabilities that make it the better choice overall.
In this section, we’ll compare Bitwarden to 1Password in terms of its core and advanced features.
Password Generator
Both Bitwarden and 1Password include built-in password generators to help you create strong, unique passwords.
With Bitwarden, you can specify the length from 5 to 128 characters, whether to use uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and whether to avoid ambiguous characters. You can also generate passphrases.
The Bitwarden password generator
The 1Password password generator provides a few more options, letting you choose a memorable password or PIN code, use a custom word list, and create separate passwords for different websites based on a single master password using the Smart Password feature.
The 1Password password generator
While Bitwarden’s generator covers the essentials, 1Password’s offers a bit more flexibility and convenience.
Password Sharing
1Password offers a more comprehensive and flexible password-sharing solution than Bitwarden, which tailors its sharing features based on the user’s plan, limiting its usefulness for teams.
Bitwarden’s Free and Premium plans allow sharing passwords and other sensitive data with only one other user, making it less suitable for groups and organizations.
However, the Families plan expands this capability, enabling sharing with up to six users, making it suitable for small groups or households. Bitwarden also offers a secure file-sharing tool called Bitwarden Send, allowing users to encrypt and share files securely, regardless of their plan.
1Password password sharing
With 1Password, users can create secure sharing links for passwords and other vault items, granting access to specific recipients. These links can have expiration dates set and can be deleted, adding extra layers of control.
Family plan users can also access shared vaults and can easily share passwords with one another, and these capabilities also transfer over to teams and businesses using higher-tier 1Password plans for seamless collaboration.
Autofill
The 1Password autofill feature works seamlessly across all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Once you’ve saved login credentials in 1Password, it will automatically detect and fill in the relevant fields when prompted when you visit that website or app. This saves time and effort, eliminating the need to manually enter usernames and passwords.
Bitwarden also offers autofill capabilities, but its implementation can be less consistent and reliable. While it successfully fills in login fields on many websites, it may struggle with complex or non-standard forms, and users may need to manually intervene or trigger the autofill process.
This can make the overall experience less smooth and convenient compared to 1Password’s integrated approach.
Other Security Features
1Password offers a comprehensive suite of advanced security features. Its Watchtower feature monitors for password breaches and supplying security reports, while Travel Mode ensures sensitive data is inaccessible while you’re traveling.
The 1Password Watchtower
The Secret Key and Secure Remote Password (SRP) protocols add robust encryption, making it virtually impossible for anyone to access your data without the proper credentials.
1Password’s Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) implementation is also more user-friendly and more deeply integrated, supporting various methods like one-time passwords, biometrics, and physical security keys. This provides an extra layer of protection for user accounts. You can also use both platforms as authentication apps for other services.
Both providers offer tools to automatically clear your clipboard to remove sensitive information. Both also include email masking tools, allowing you to sign up for services with aliases and protect your real credentials.
While Bitwarden prioritizes security with end-to-end encryption and encrypted cloud storage, its feature set lags behind 1Password’s offerings. As an open-source solution, though, Bitwarden’s codebase is publicly available for scrutiny, enhancing transparency and adding to its security credentials.
When comparing 1Password vs Bitwarden security, however, 1Password’s approach is more thorough, and its comprehensive feature set caters to a broader range of user needs and use cases.
1Password vs. Bitwarden – Compatibility
Winner: Bitwarden
Both 1Password and Bitwarden offer extensive compatibility across platforms and devices. However, Bitwarden takes the lead in terms of overall compatibility and the number of supported devices.
1Password is compatible with major operating systems such as Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS, and Android. It provides browser extensions for popular web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Brave. Additionally, 1Password offers a command-line tool for advanced users and integration with apps like Slack.
On the other hand, Bitwarden has an even wider range of compatibility. It supports all the platforms and browsers mentioned above for 1Password but also extends its reach to less common browsers with browser extension compatibility for Opera, Tor Browser, and Vivaldi.
Bitwarden also provides a self-hosted option, allowing users to run their own password management server on platforms like Docker, Kubernetes, and Raspberry Pi, meaning your data would live on your own infrastructure rather than Bitwarden’s cloud-hosted servers.
Because of this, when comparing 1Password to Bitwarden for compatibility, Bitwarden comes out on top.
1Password vs Bitwarden Customer Reviews
Winner: 1Password
When it comes to choosing a password manager, one of the best ways to gauge real-world performance and user experience is with customer reviews. On Trustpilot, 1Password stands out with an “Excellent” overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 11,500 user reviews.
In comparison, Bitwarden has a “Great” rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on around 100 customer reviews on the same platform.
The majority of reviews for 1Password are highly positive, with users praising the excellent customer support, user-friendly interface, and robust security features. Many customers shared instances of issues being quickly resolved and customer support staff being knowledgeable and helpful, making their experiences with 1Password very positive.
Very good experience. Best customer service ever. Super nice employees. Fast, very friendly, and solved my problem in very short time. Kudos to all customer service staff.
1Password is not without its drawbacks, though. Some negative reviews highlight issues with pricing and difficulties during the setup or migration process.
Bitwarden has also received its fair share of positive reviews. Users highlight Bitwarden’s affordability, with its free tier offering a comprehensive set of features and more than providers like Norton Password Manager.
I have wanted to try a password manager for many years now and finally decided that I will be using Bitwarden. It’s easier to use than I expected and worth much more than its price. I can feel 10x times safer now that I can use complex passwords and don’t need to remember them all.
The open-source nature of Bitwarden and its robust security features are also much appreciated by its customers.
However, some reviews mention the complexity involved in setup and use, with users finding it challenging to navigate features like vaults, collections, and organizations. There’s also some negative feedback about the lack of certain advanced features some users expected.
When comparing Bitwarden vs 1Password, it’s clear that both password management solutions have strengths, but 1Password emerges as the better choice for most users.
While Bitwarden offers affordability and broad compatibility, 1Password excels in critical areas such as security, ease of use, features, and customer satisfaction.
Those who prioritize cost savings and the ability to use the software across multiple platforms may find Bitwarden to be the better choice, but for the majority of users, 1Password offers a more comprehensive and user-friendly solution.
To ensure our readers get the most reliable and comprehensive information when choosing a password manager, we subject each tool to a rigorous testing process. Our methodology focuses on several key aspects:
Features – We assess the range of features offered by each password manager to determine which tools provide the most robust and practical solutions for users.
Ease of use – We evaluate the user interface, navigation, and overall user experience of each password manager to ensure that it’s intuitive and accessible for users of all skill levels.
Security – We examine each password manager’s encryption methods, storage practices, and overall security to ensure user data remains protected at all times.
Third-Party Reviews – We take into account independent security audits and customer feedback to get a well-rounded perspective on each password manager’s reputation and reliability within the industry.
Pricing – We compare the pricing structure of various password managers, considering factors such as subscription plans, free versions, and value for money.
How to Choose the Best Password Manager
When choosing the best password manager, it’s essential to consider a variety of factors to ensure you select a secure, user-friendly solution with all the features you need. By evaluating the following criteria, you can find the perfect password manager for your requirements:
Security and encryption – The password manager should have robust security measures and no history of leaks or breaches.
Password importing and exporting – It should allow seamless importing and exporting of your password vault between services for easy transitions.
Ease of use – The password keeper should ensure a smooth user experience with an intuitive interface and no requirements for extensive training.
Compatibility – The provider should offer mobile apps and integrations that work with your devices and platforms.
Key features – The service should have features that align with your needs and budget. Consider essentials such as two-factor authentication, secure password sharing, and password generation. Also, look for advanced features like encrypted file storage and dark web monitoring, which may be restricted to higher-tier plans.
Customer support – The password manager should have adequate support hours, communication methods, and positive user reviews to indicate the quality and responsiveness of its customer service team.
Price – The password manager should provide good value for money, taking into account any additional features included in the plan you’re considering. Compare the pricing of different password managers, looking for those that offer a balance of essential features and affordability while also considering any extra benefits or discounts available with long-term subscriptions and family plans.
Our Other Password Manager Guides
Going beyond Bitwarden-1Password, our team of cybersecurity experts have created a wide range of resources covering other password managers for different use cases. These include:
Both 1Password and Bitwarden are excellent password managers with similar features. The choice between them largely depends on personal preference and specific needs. 1Password offers a more polished user interface and some strong, unique features, while Bitwarden is open-source and generally more affordable.
What are the drawbacks of Bitwarden and 1Password?
Bitwarden’s user interface may not be as intuitive or visually appealing as 1Password’s. 1Password, on the other hand, is more expensive than Bitwarden and lacks a free tier for personal use.
Have Bitwarden or 1Password ever been compromised?
As of now, there have been no known successful attacks or data breaches involving Bitwarden or 1Password. In October 2023, however, 1Password confirmed a security incident involving suspicious activity on a system managing employee-facing applications, but it emphasized that no user data was accessed.
Is Bitwarden still the best password manager?
Bitwarden remains one of the best password managers available, particularly for users who prioritize open-source software and affordability. However, the “best” password manager depends on individual needs and preferences. Other top contenders include 1Password, LastPass, and Dashlane, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Can you use 1Password or Bitwarden for free?
Bitwarden offers a free plan for individual users, which includes unlimited password storage, syncing across devices, and basic two-factor authentication. 1Password does not have a free plan, but it offers a 14-day free trial for users to test its features before committing to a paid subscription.
Techopedia’s editorial policy is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.
Jerry is a technology writer with over four years of experience, complemented by a CompTIA Security+ certification and a Bachelor's degree in English Language & Literature. His expertise covers cybersecurity, cloud computing, emerging tech trends, and digital transformation. Jerry's background as a Technology Writer at U Green has sharpened his ability to effectively communicate technical information, ensuring that even the most complex subjects are presented with clarity. Jerry's passion for technology stems from his curiosity about how things work. He loves deconstructing new products, apps, and services to understand their inner workings and impact on users' lives. When he's not…
We uphold a strict editorial policy that focuses on factual accuracy, relevance, and impartiality. Our content, created by leading industry experts, is reviewed by a team of seasoned editors to ensure compliance with the highest standards in reporting and publishing.
Disclosure
When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn how our funding model works. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.
When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn 
