1Password vs Bitwarden: Which Password Manager Should You Choose?
One costs money, one is free. But which password manager is actually better? We break it down.
1Password and Bitwarden are both excellent password managers, but they serve different users. This comparison will help you decide which one is right for you.
Price
Bitwarden wins on price — its free tier is genuinely unlimited and the premium plan costs just $10 per year. 1Password starts at $35.88 per year with no free tier.
Security
Both use AES-256 encryption and zero-knowledge architecture. Bitwarden is fully open source, which means its code has been publicly audited. 1Password uses a unique Secret Key system that adds an extra layer of protection.
Features
1Password has the edge on features: Travel Mode (hides sensitive vaults at borders), Watchtower (monitors for data breaches), and the most polished apps on every platform. Bitwarden keeps it simple but covers all the essentials.
Verdict
Choose Bitwarden if budget is your priority. Choose 1Password if you want the most polished experience and do not mind paying for it.
We test every tool we review. Ratings are based on real testing, not affiliate commission rates. Learn about our methodology →