Bitwarden vs 1Password (2024): Which One Ought to You Select?

As two of the highest password managers in the present day, each Bitwarden and 1Password supply high quality password administration — albeit in numerous methods. Bitwarden is an open-source resolution with a robust emphasis on affordability and transparency. In the meantime, 1Password is a closed-source service that provides a streamlined consumer expertise with top-tier safety.

On this article, we check out which password supervisor is greatest for you and your group.

Bitwarden vs 1Password: Comparability

Bitwarden vs 1Password: Pricing

Each Bitwarden and 1Password divide their paid subscriptions into Private and Enterprise tiers. When it comes to free plans, solely Bitwarden has a free model, whereas 1Password doesn’t at the moment supply a devoted free plan.

SEE: LogMeOnce vs Bitwarden (2024): Which Password Supervisor is Higher? (TechRepublic)

Happily, each password managers have free trials for his or her paid subscriptions. Of the 2, 1Password is extra beneficiant because it offers a 14-day free trial for all its plans, aside from its Enterprise subscription. In distinction, Bitwarden has a good seven-day free trial for each its Bitwarden Groups and Enterprise subscriptions.

Bitwarden pricing

Bitwarden Private:

• Free: Limitless passwords, limitless gadgets.
• Premium: $0.83 monthly; limitless gadgets; built-in authenticator, file attachments, emergency entry, amongst others.
• Households: $3.33 monthly; as much as 6 customers; limitless sharing, limitless collections, group storage.

Bitwarden Enterprise:

• Groups: $4 monthly per consumer; knowledge sharing, occasion and audit log monitoring, consumer teams, listing integration, amongst others.
• Enterprise: $6 monthly per consumer; all Groups options plus enterprise insurance policies, passwordless SSO integration, account restoration capabilities.
• Customized quote: Contact gross sales for pricing; scalable subscription.

If you wish to study extra, learn our full Bitwarden overview.

1Password pricing

In comparison with Bitwarden’s month-to-month subscriptions, 1Password offers an possibility for both a month-to-month or an annual plan. Under is an summary of pricing of 1Password’s plans for each contract choices:

1Password Private

1Password Enterprise

If you wish to study extra, learn our full 1Password overview.

Bitwarden vs 1Password: Characteristic comparability

Safety and encryption

Winner: Tie

Each Bitwarden and 1Password supply high-end safety with their respective password managers. When it comes to encryption, each providers make the most of the AES-256 encryption algorithm — extensively thought of the trade normal within the house.

SEE: Bitwarden vs KeePass (2024): Battle of the Greatest — Who Wins? (TechRepublic)

As well as, I’m joyful to report that each Bitwarden and 1Password take third-party testing severely. Within the realm of safety software program, security and safety claims can solely achieve this a lot. That’s why having unbiased safety audits is a essential function to look out for.

For Bitwarden, they’ve proven a robust dedication to third-party testing with its suite of safety audits relationship again to 2018. It’s additionally SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA-compliant. Its most up-to-date third-party audit was an evaluation of its Internet App performed by safety agency Cure53 again in August 2023.

Then again, 1Password likewise affords a formidable portfolio of third-party audit outcomes. As of Could 2024, 1Password has 24 third-party audits protecting numerous elements of its password administration service.

1Password has additionally achieved SOC 2 sort 2, ISO 27001:2022, 27017:2015, 27018:2019, and 27701:2019 certifications — displaying it meets trade and worldwide requirements for info safety.

On August 6, 2024, 1Password shared {that a} vulnerability on 1Password 8 for Mac (variations earlier than 8.10.36) was found, probably affecting the applying’s platform safety. Per 1Password, the problem “enables a malicious process running locally on a machine to bypass inter-process communication protections.”

Happily, 1Password has patched the problem with 1Password for Mac model 8.10.36 and has stated that there have been no stories of the problem being exploited by anybody else. On this occasion, I commend 1Password for its easy, swift, and clear response to the problem.

Lastly, the 2 password managers differ in software program distribution. Bitwarden is open-source, permitting the general public to freely view its supply code for attainable holes or vulnerabilities. On the flipside, 1Password is closed-source and has its full supply code personal.

Personally, I favor open-source software program because it offers a further layer of transparency. Nonetheless, I acknowledge that closed-source software program has its benefits — usually providing issues like extra premium buyer assist.

All in all, I’ve no bother recommending both Bitwarden or 1Password by way of safety. Each password managers have the mandatory safety measures to make sure your passwords will likely be secure and safe.

Multi-factor authentication choices

Winner: Bitwarden

On the subject of multi-factor authentication or two-factor authentication, I give the win to Bitwarden. Bitwarden affords a spread of 2FA choices. For its free model, it helps 2FA through FIDO2 WebAuthn credentials, authenticator apps, and electronic mail.

When you go for their paid model, you get 2FA by way of Duo Safety with Duo Push, SMS, cellphone name, and safety keys, in addition to YubiKey assist. I admire how Bitwarden nonetheless affords MFA/2FA to its free customers — actually making it a practical free possibility that doesn’t sacrifice important safety features like MFA.

That isn’t to say that 1Password is lagging behind. 1Password helps 2FA by way of authenticator apps and safety keys like YubiKey and Titan. Particularly, 1Password helps authenticator apps like Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, or Okta Confirm.

That being stated, in case you’re particularly searching for a greater variety of MFA choices, I like to recommend going for Bitwarden over 1Password.

Ease of use and efficiency

Winner: 1Password

On the subject of ease of use and efficiency, I’ve to offer it to 1Password. 1Password’s desktop software has a contemporary and intuitive consumer interface that I discovered nice to make use of all all through my testing.

The entire consumer expertise felt polished and properly thought out. To me, that is essential for companies that plan to combine 1Password of their workforce, because it helps much less tech-savvy customers be snug with the software program and maximize worker adoption.

SEE: The High 5 1Password Alternate options for 2024 (TechRepublic)

Then again, Bitwarden implements a extra minimalist interface with a less complicated design. Subjectively talking, I don’t have any main points with Bitwarden’s UI. It’s respectable and will get the job executed.

Nonetheless, it’s clear that Bitwarden has the extra dated-looking software of the 2. After testing each password managers, I personally desire 1Password’s extra user-friendly and refined software.

For efficiency, I discovered Bitwarden and 1Password have been related in providing a strong — however not excellent — password administration expertise. Each providers had no bother producing passwords or saving new log-in credentials.

Nonetheless, I did expertise a couple of quirks with each providers with their respective autofill capabilities.

For Bitwarden, I discovered it peculiar that autofill wasn’t toggled on by default. Throughout my first time utilizing Bitwarden, I needed to manually click on on the instructed password from the browser extension to insert my log-in particulars as a substitute of Bitwarden mechanically filling in. Whereas this may be modified within the settings menu, I want this was turned on out of the field.

On the 1Password aspect, I had cases the place it outright didn’t autofill my credentials, even once I made certain it was turned on.

Happily, these hiccups from each providers have been typically outliers. For essentially the most half, each Bitwarden and 1Password offered a dependable password seize and replay expertise. That being stated, it should be talked about that little quirks right here and there are to be anticipated.

Further options

Winner: 1Password

For additional options, I give the sting to 1Password. Whereas each password managers supply dependable password storage and password era, 1Password comes with distinctive performance that helps it standout.

One distinctive 1Password function I discovered noteworthy was its inclusion of Journey Mode. Journey Mode permits customers to take away a vault of their alternative when touring.

I envision this to be helpful for customers who incessantly go on enterprise journeys and wish to defend sure logins when going by way of customs or border companies. 1Password additionally has a complete Watchtower dashboard that mechanically scores all of your passwords by way of password well being and energy.

I notably like how Watchtower additionally acts as a knowledge breach monitor, alerting customers if any of their credentials have been compromised or uncovered in a breach. To Bitwarden’s credit score, it additionally has a model of this referred to as Vault Well being Experiences — which may create summaries of uncovered passwords, knowledge breach knowledge, and the like.

Nonetheless, I discovered 1Password’s Watchtower to be extra handy because it creates all this knowledge mechanically. Compared, Bitwarden customers need to manually generate every Vault Report on their very own.

One clear benefit Bitwarden has over 1Password is its devoted free model. The place 1Password fully lacks a free plan, Bitwarden has among the finest free password managers because it affords limitless password storage for limitless gadgets.

That is important since different free password managers, like Dashlane or McAfee True Key, restrict the utmost quantity of passwords free customers can retailer.

Bitwarden additionally has Bitwarden Ship, its end-to-end encrypted textual content and file-sharing function that can be utilized to share passwords, monetary or authorized paperwork, and different delicate info.

Whereas each providers present their very own standout options on high of password storage, I really feel 1Password’s Watchtower and Journey Mode capabilities, amongst different options, present considerably extra worth than Bitwarden’s function set.

In order for you extra in-depth protection on 1Password’s high options, try TechRepublic’s High 5 1Password Options video.

Buyer assist

Winner: 1Password

Whereas each Bitwarden and 1Password embody a wholesome quantity of assist choices, I discovered 1Password was barely higher within the customer support division. For Bitwarden, we get their devoted Assist Heart that includes data base articles and tutorials; an electronic mail and ticketing system; and its Bitwarden Neighborhood Discussion board.

Then again, 1Password affords related buyer assist with its 1Password Help web page housing first-party guides; electronic mail and ticketing system; and its 1Password Neighborhood buyer discussion board.

Sadly, each password managers don’t have reside chat assist to attach customers with an precise assist agent. Nonetheless, 1Password affords an AI chatbot that acts as a reasonably useful substitute.

It was in a position to reply a lot of the questions I had with an inexpensive quantity of accuracy. After all, a human assist agent is extra best, however I believe having the chatbot to deal with fast questions is an underrated benefit. This may be particularly helpful in case you’re pressed for time and don’t essentially wish to scour by way of assist articles to reply a easy query.

I additionally admire how the chatbot itself is obtainable for non-1Password customers, not requiring an energetic 1Password subscription to entry and use.

Worth and worth

Winner: Bitwarden

The place Bitwarden excels is in its reasonably priced pricing. At $0.83 monthly, its base premium plan is nearly thrice extra reasonably priced than 1Password’s equal subscription at $3.99 monthly. Its Households plan can be less expensive, priced at $3.33 monthly for six customers in comparison with 1Password’s Households possibility at $4.99 for 5 members of the family.

That’s to not say that 1Password doesn’t have any worth plans. 1Password’s Groups Starter pack at $19.95 monthly covers as much as 10 customers, which comes out to round $2 per consumer. It is a whole lot contemplating Bitwarden’s Groups plan would require round $40 for a similar quantity of customers.

When it comes to enterprise plans, Bitwarden is as soon as once more extra reasonably priced with its $6 monthly Enterprise plan in comparison with 1Password’s equal Enterprise subscription at $9.99 monthly, per consumer.

I additionally wish to point out Bitwarden’s free model with limitless password storage and limitless machine assist — strengthening Bitwarden’s case as a first-rate choose for budget-oriented customers. If affordability is an enormous precedence, Bitwarden is the clear alternative.

Bitwarden execs and cons

Professionals

• Open-source software program.
• Reasonably priced pricing throughout paid subscriptions.
• Free model with limitless storage, limitless gadgets.
• Vast platform assist and intensive MFA/2FA choices.
• Independently audited.

Cons

• Much less polished consumer interface.

1Password execs and cons

Professionals

• Refined and intuitive consumer expertise.
• Distinctive Journey Mode and Watchtower options.
• 24 third-party audits since Could 2024.
• Provides AI chatbot for buyer assist.
• Worth-laden Groups subscription.

Cons

Ought to your group use Bitwarden or 1Password?

Whereas this round-up noticed a detailed combat between two high quality password managers, 1Password comes out on high over Bitwarden. Per my testing, I discovered 1Password’s refined consumer expertise, distinctive additional options, and barely higher buyer assist to have important benefits over Bitwarden.

SEE: Tips on how to Run a Cybersecurity Danger Evaluation in 5 Steps (TechRepublic Premium)

Even with its much less reasonably priced subscriptions, I believe 1Password’s extra user-friendly software is properly definitely worth the extra spend. That is very true within the context of a enterprise attempting to combine a password supervisor of their group, because it reduces the educational curve for much less tech-savvy people and workers.

Don’t get me mistaken, I nonetheless assume Bitwarden is an excellent password supervisor in its personal proper. Its  open-source nature will likely be appreciated by each privateness fans and builders. As well as, its beneficiant free model and reasonably priced paid plans are excellent for these on a tighter finances.

Select Bitwarden if:

• You need an open-source password supervisor.
• You’re searching for a free password supervisor with limitless password storage.
• You’re a budget-oriented consumer searching for an reasonably priced but high-quality password supervisor.
• You desire a various set of MFA choices.

Select 1Password if:

• You need an all-around password supervisor that gives a well-designed and intuitive consumer expertise.
• You favor closed-source software program.
• You need an reasonably priced Groups plan that covers as much as 10 members.
• You desire a set-and-forget password well being and knowledge breach monitoring system.
• You’re a frequent traveler that wants a approach to safe passwords whereas overseas.

Take a look at our full opinions of Bitwarden and 1Password for extra particulars.

Overview methodology

My match-up of Bitwarden and 1Password concerned a complete evaluation of every password supervisor’s options, price, and real-world efficiency.

Each password managers have been scored on the whole lot from their MFA choices to their extra safety features. Particularly, we took under consideration 5 fundamental pillars with their corresponding weights:

• Pricing (25%).
• Core password administration options (35%).
• Ease of use (15%).
• Buyer assist (15%).
• Skilled evaluation (10%).

I additionally supplemented my findings with real-world consumer testimonials and different respected overview websites to spherical out my suggestions.

For extra info on how we overview password managers, you possibly can view our full Overview Methodology for Password Managers.