Keeping track of passwords and login iDs shouldn’t be difficult.

(With a Password Manager, it isn’t)

And yet, people end up reusing passwords or modifying them every so often by changing the last character or two.

Unfortunately, this makes them vulnerable to hacking.

Worse, if someone accesses an email, they can just click through the forgot the password on other services, and have a them reset. And if someone locks you out of your own accounts by changing your passwords, you are going to have a tough time sorting it all out.

Password managers put all of your logins behind a virtual safe, where they’re accessible through one single password. They also generate secure passwords for new logins, and often come with many other useful features. 

 

I can’t think of good reason not to use a password manager — for crypto wallets obviously, but also for all your digital logins and iDs. 

– Mark

 

We’ll be comparing three of the most popular ones in this showdown.

Let’s find out how BitWarden, 1Password, and LastPass stack up so you can choose the right one for you, your team, or your family.

We’re going to be looking at: 

  • Price
  • Features
  • Security 
  • Ease-of-Use
  • Customer Support

Read until the end so you can make the best decision and start storing your passwords safely today.

Product Overview

Each of these products will be an enormous upgrade if you aren’t using anything at all.

BitWarden is an integrated open source password manager that’s secure and easy-to-use, even across teams or different devices.

1Password is developed by AgileBits Inc. so it is not explicitly an open-source manager.

LastPass is considered a “freemium” password manager which is currently sold by LogMenIn Inc.

Comparisons

Which Password Manager Costs the Least? 

Bitwarden and LastPass offer free services but charge for premium features.

1Password does not have a free version.

Bitwarden’s open-source free password manager is fully functional.

LastPass only has the very basic features available.

 

Bitwarden 1Password LastPass
Free
Version		 Fully functional Not available Basic functionality
Premium
Features		 $10/year $3.99/month

$35.88/year

 $2/month

$24/year
Family
Pricing		 Free for 2 users

$5/month
up to 5 users

$60 total 

 $4.99/month

$59.88 total

 $4/month/per user

 

Prices are always changing—this is probably fairly close but might not perfectly accurate by the time your reading it.

Which Password Manager has the Best Features?

BitWarden stands out because it offers all of its features for free.
It’s comparable in quality to 1Password or LastPass. An important note is that Bitwarden is open-source, meaning anyone can inspect and enhance the code. It also allows people to spot and upgrade vulnerabilities in the code, giving unparalleled transparency. 

Importantly, all of these services allow you to share passwords with your family without giving them access to everything in your vault. Only Bitwarden offers this feature for free.

In Bitwarden, you can create a separate collection of passwords and invite your family members so they too have access to those specific passwords. In 1Password, the family account comes with an additional vault that is shared with everyone else on the plan. LassPass also allows you to create these shared folders with family members.

For businesses and larger organisations, LastPass could be preferable simply because it supports up to 50 people on a team and is less expensive than 1Password.

Bitwarden 1Password LastPass
Open Source Yes No No
Password Sharing Yes Yes Yes
Two-Step Login: Free Tier Email, authentication app – SMS, authentication app
Two-Step Login:
Premium		 Email, authentication app, YubiKey, FIDO2, Duo SMS, authentication app SMS, authentication app
Password Generator Customize password length and select whether to include other types of characters, also generates passphrases Customize password length and select whether to include other types of characters, also generates passphrases Customize password length and select whether to include other types of characters, also generates passphrases
Syncing:
Free Tier		 Unlimited devices and device types – 1 device type
Syncing: Premium Tier Unlimited devices and device types Unlimited devices and device types Unlimited devices and device types
Vault Items Supports unlimited number of passwords, logins, notes, credit cards, identities Supports unlimited number of passwords, logins, notes, credit cards, identities Supports unlimited number of passwords, logins, notes, credit cards
Autofill Feature Doesn’t always work Works well Works well
Cloud Hosting Free Included Included
Compatibility Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Chrome OS, Linux, most browsers Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Chrome OS, Linux, most browsers Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Chrome OS, Linux, most browsers

Which Password Manager Is the Most Secure?

Bitwarden uses a zero-knowledge security model meaning that if you lose your master password, it cannot be replaced. It is not recommended to copy and store multiple copies of it on your computer. However, this does provide added security which may be worth the tradeoff. 

In addition, Bitwarden uses AES-256 and SHA-256 ciphers to increase encryption through password hashing, allows for secure multiple-handshake password sharing, an option to self-host your passwords and biometrics for mobile login.

1Password uses code feature validation, auto lock and other forms of encryption to protect personal information. It is not as transparent as Bitwarden because it is not open source. It also allows password recovery through a family account or biometric login, or via the recovery sheet in the emergency kit.

LastPass has considerably less security features but does have an app that alerts you when you should change your password. It also offers hints and one-time passwords tied to a machine or browser, meaning it is slightly less secure.

Which Password Manager Is Easiest to Set Up and Use?

Bitwarden is easy to download and set up. It allows you to import passwords from more than four dozen other password managers or browsers. 

Many of the aps and functionalities included within Bitwarden are intuitive and suit most basic needs. The password generator is easy to understand and use to create custom secure passwords.

1Password is also easy to use. One advantage is it sends out an emergency kit after you sign up, containing a master password, a secret key and contact information for Password support that will let you regain access to your account. However, this feature could also compromise security if it were ever to fall into the wrong hands.

LastPass also has automated password imports and uses an app to keep you up-to-date on changing and strengthening your passwords. It can change dozens of passwords with the click of a button. 

Note: Data cannot be self-hosted and is stored on the company’s servers.

 

Which VPN Has the Best Customer Support?

Bitwarden offers a Help and Learning Center, live demos and an email to contact support.

1Password has a support community where you can learn, share and have your questions answered, as well as help via email.

While LastPass has a customer center, it does not offer email support unless you have paid for the premium version.

None of these companies offer 24/7 customer support.

Bitwarden 1Password LastPass
Cost ✔ —
Features ✔ ✔ ✔
Security ✔ — —
Set-Up and Ease-of-Use — — —
Customer Support ✔ ✔ ✔

Conclusion

After doing our research, Bitwarden easily comes out on top. 

It has a fully functional free version that beats out the “freemium” offered by LastPass. Its premium version is also much cheaper than LastPass or 1Password.

It’s Open Source and uses Zero-Knowledge security, while also allowing you to store your passwords on your own server. 

1Password is a bit more expensive but it still offers all the features you would need to protect your passwords. It just isn’t worth the extra money.

Bitwarden is our pick for individuals, families and small teams. 

LastPass has more features that would give it an edge in a large business or enterprise.