Norton Password Manager vs 1Password: which is the best for you?

1Password is a highly-rated password manager known for its strong security, rich features, and user-friendly design – all of this at a budget-friendly price. Norton Password Manager, on the other hand, attracted plenty of users because it’s free, offering a decent solution. However, while some appreciate the value, others find its minimal security and limited features hard to overlook.

So, is 1Password worth the price, or does Norton Password Manager offer a great solution for free? In this comparison, I break down their security, features, pricing, ease of use, and customer support to help you decide which one fits your needs best.

Norton Password Manager vs 1Password – overview

	1Password	Norton Password Manager
⭐ Rating:	4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
🥇 Overall rank:	#2 out of #19	#15 out of #19
🔥 Coupons:	1Password coupon 50% OFF	Norton Password Manager coupon 58% OFF
💵 Price:	From $2.99/month	Free
✂️ Free version:	14-day trial	Yes
🔒 Encryption:	AES-256	AES 256-bit
🖥️ Platforms:	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
🌐 Browser extensions:	Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Safari	Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and Brave

Which one is more secure?

When comparing the security of Norton Password Manager vs 1Password, 1Password easily outperforms its competitor in a few vital aspects despite both password managers providing 256-bit AES encryption.

However, 1Password has a more flexible multi-factor authentication (MFA). It also offers secure data storage and has been rigorously audited by independent agencies.

In contrast, Norton Password Manager only allows 2-factor authentication. Plus, the password manager doesn’t provide data storage and lacks information about independent audits.

Encryption

Both 1Password and Norton Password Manager offer the industry standard 256-bit AES encryption. This is one of the most secure encryption methods and is near-impossible to decipher.

1Password uses 256-bit AES encryption to encrypt the vault and PBKDF2 password hashing to protect your master password. On top of that, you get a 128-bit Secret Key, which is used alongside the account password to guard your data. With the virtually unbreakable vault and unguessable password, your data couldn’t be any safer.

As for Norton Password Manager, it also secures your vault with 256-bit AES encryption. However, it lacks advanced features like the Secret Key.

Additionally, both password managers’ zero-knowledge architecture and end-to-end encryption mean that only you have access to your vault. Your data is free from interception and unauthorized access.

Overall, both password managers offer the gold standard 256-bit AES encryption. However, 1Password gains an edge with its added layer of security through the Secret Key.

Multifactor security

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is one of the best protective measures for your vault. It adds another layer of protection against breaches by requiring more than just a username and password during the login processes.

1Password has several 2-factor authentication (2FA) options. To begin with, 2FA with authenticator apps like Authy, Google Authenticator, and Microsoft Authenticator is supported. Alternatively, you can send push notifications to your mobile using Duo Security to verify login requests.

In contrast, Norton Password Manager has recently introduced 2FA options for desktop, addressing the previous weakness. The password manager offers multiple 2FA methods: mobile authenticator apps, USB security keys, SMS, and phone calls. Moreover, Norton introduced a mobile unlock feature for desktop access, which allows users to approve a notification on their phone to unlock their vault without entering a master password.

In brief, Norton Password Manager has vastly improved in this area, so, in my opinion, it’s a tie.

Data storage

Beyond just storing and managing login credentials, it’s also common for password managers to double as encrypted storage vaults for sensitive files.

That’s exactly what you get with 1Password. If you’re on its Individual or Families plan, you get 1GB of storage per user. That might not sound like a lot, but it’s more than enough if you limit it to passwords and vital documents. Meanwhile, 1Password’s Business plan users get 5GB of storage per user. Unfortunately, Norton Password Manager only offers storage for unlimited passwords, and that’s about it.

All in all, 1Password’s data storage capacity isn’t going to wow you, but it’s sufficient for passwords and vital documents. It’s also a big step up from Norton Password Manager’s total omission of data storage.

Privacy policy

While not terribly excessive, both 1Password and Norton Password Manager are quite aggressive with their data collection.

1Password collects account information, usage, and personally identifiable information. This includes logins, IP addresses, names, and email addresses.

Meanwhile, Norton Password Manager’s privacy policy is slightly trickier since it shares a policy with other Norton products. Among other things, it collects:

• User data – including your name, address, email, phone number, and identification number
• Administrative data – including device, system, and usage information
• Security data – may include financial transactions and location data

Even more concerning is how it uses the data. Your data could be used for promotions of the Norton Password Manager and its partners’ products, as well as lead generation. The silver lining here is that you can withhold your consent for these purposes.

Both password managers made efforts to enhance user privacy and data protection, with 1Password maintaining a slight edge due to its minimal data collection and more transparent policies.

Third-party security audits

Regular independent audits are important to ensure that your password manager is in pristine shape and as secure as ever. In this regard, 1Password outperforms Norton Password Manager with its rigorous audits and transparency.

To start, 1Password is SOC 2 Type 2 certified. It also has a public, ongoing bug bounty program on HackerOne. Apart from that, it has engaged a long list of auditors to review its products and services. This includes:

• Recurity Labs – penetration tests on web-based components
• Secfault Security – penetration tests on developer tools
• Cure53 – penetration tests on apps, operating systems, web-based components, automation, and more.
• ISE – penetration tests and code review of the system
• AppSec – penetration tests and code review of the app
• nVisium – security assessment of infrastructure
• CloudNative – best-practices guidance
• Onica – audit of security architecture, infrastructure configurations, tools, and practices
• Anvil Secure – evaluated the security of 1Password's web app, mobile apps, desktop apps, browser extension, and backend API
• Quaxio/Zxs – a review of the design and developer documentation

In comparison, Norton Password Manager doesn’t provide any information about whether it has been audited, let alone the results.

Norton Password Manager vs 1Password: features overview

1Password takes the lead when you compare Norton Password Manager vs 1Password in terms of their features. 1Password has a wide selection of additional features to set itself apart from other password managers. Password importing, recovering, generating, and sharing as well as autofill – the provider offers them all.

On the other hand, Norton Password Manager has introduced a few advanced features. You get things like a password generator, Safety Dashboard, autochange, and autofill, but even then, the quality and functionality of these features are questionable. The one aspect that I’d give Norton Password Manager a solid pass on, is its password-importing feature.

Password importing

Both password managers support several password-importing options. However, between the two providers, 1Password supports more applications than Norton Password Manager. Either way, this simplifies the process of migrating bulk data or passwords.

In 1Password’s case, it supports data importing from browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and Safari. Apart from that, you can easily migrate data from its competitors, including Bitwarden, KeePassXC, and Delinea Secret Server, KeePass, LastPass, and RoboForm. You can also import using CSV, 1pux, or 1pif files. In addition, you can label and organize information and choose which items to import during the process.

As for Norton Password Manager, it offers a considerably shorter list of supported applications. The list includes Chrome, Edge, Safari, Kaspersky Password Manager, Firefox, 1Password, Dashlane, LastPass, and True Key.

Account and password recovery

Both password managers have a way to recover your account. However, 1Password is more accommodating and forgiving in this regard.

With 1Password, your first avenue of help is the Emergency Kit, which is a PDF document that contains your account details and passwords. Follow 1Password’s advice and store digital as well as printed copies of the Emergency Kit someplace safe.

1Password also has a new recovery code feature. You can generate a recovery code to regain access to your account if you can’t remember your login.

Meanwhile, 1Password Family, Teams, Business, and Enterprise users have another lifeline. If you’re on one of those plans, you can request for the family organizer or team administrator to restore your access.

Unfortunately, recovery is more difficult with Norton Password Manager. To start, you can only reset your account on mobile since you need to use biometrics. Moreover, The Vault Access Recovery feature in Norton Password Manager allows you to set up a recovery key, which enables you to regain access to your vault if you forget your master password.

Password generator

1Password and Norton Password Manager both offer a password generator to create strong passwords that are difficult to crack. However, where 1Password’s version is flexible and functional, Norton Password Manager’s generator feels more like an afterthought.

With 1Password’s Strong Password Generator, you get plenty of customization options and control. To start, you can create random passwords, passphrases, and pins. Beyond that, you can also adjust password lengths, language, capitalization, and types of characters.

Meanwhile, Norton Password Manager’s password generator creates passwords between 4 and 64 characters. You have the option to include letters, mixed cases, punctuation, and numbers.

However, you aren’t allowed to edit the generated passwords. Nor do you have the option to create passphrases, which are easier to remember. Additionally, while the generator is available on its mobile app, it suggests only the shortest possible password. For those unfamiliar with password safety, that could leave their passwords vulnerable to cracking.

Password sharing

When it comes to password sharing, there’s no competition since 1Password has convenient sharing features, while Norton Password Manager totally skips this.

All 1Password users can share passwords and other saved items with others via a link. Before you send the link, you can also configure who gets access to the link and when it expires.

Additionally, those on 1Password’s Families, Team, and Business plans get an extra perk – they can share a vault. Here, the family organizer or team administrator can manage each user's permission and the access level.

In contrast, Norton Password Manager doesn’t provide nor facilitate secure password sharing. The best you get here is that it allows password syncing across multiple devices, which is not helpful if you’re looking to share your passwords with others.

Autofill

When it comes to autofill, both password managers offer the feature. This is great since it makes the login, payment, and other form-filling processes quicker. However, 1Password’s version could be slightly more intuitive, while Norton Password Manager’s autofill needs a total overhaul.

1Password’s autofill feature requires you to first click on its icon and then the login item. If there’s more than one suggested item, you’ll need to do some scrolling to get to the right one. While it’s not the most seamless process, 1Password worked on issues with private web elements that previously prevented autofill from working on certain websites. The browser extension now works more reliably in username fields, email fields, addresses, and forms.

It’s not usual to find free password managers skipping autofill entirely, so props to Norton Password Manager for offering the feature. However, at the same time, its autofill feature isn’t exactly efficient. In fact, most times, the feature simply doesn’t work. Otherwise, the feature just doesn’t respond to your click.

Plans and pricing

1Password has the advantage in the Norton Password Manager vs 1Password pricing showdown. In its favor, 1Password has plenty of plans to suit all types of users. Additionally, 1Password is very liberal with features considering its economical price tags.

Plan	1Password	Norton Password Manager
Free	–	✅ Yes
Premium	$2.99/month (1 user)	–
Family	$4.99/month (5 users)	–
Business	$7.99/month (per user)	–
	Get 1Password, now up to 50% OFF	Try Norton Password Manager with 58% OFF

As for Norton Password Manager, its zero cost is a definite plus. However, there’s only one plan, which would inevitably pigeonhole its prospective users. Beyond that, the password manager’s minimal features could also leave its users hanging or, worse, vulnerable.

1Password pricing

1Password has a wide range of plans for all sorts of users. Personal and business users have two options each:

• 1Password Individual plan – $2.99/month for 1 user
• 1Password Families plan – $4.99/month for 5 users
• 1Password Teams Starter Pack – $19.95/month for up to 10 users
• 1Password Business plan – $7.99/month per user

1Password features are amazing in each plan. If you’re flying solo, 1Password Individual is the plan for you. It can be used on unlimited devices and comes with unlimited password storage, 1GB file storage, autofill, 2FA, 1Password Watchtower, and travel mode.

To share the account with other users, you need a 1Password Families plan. It supports up to 5 users and comes with everything 1Password Personal plan has to offer, as well as access management and account recovery.

Meanwhile, depending on the size of your team, you can pick either the Teams Starter Pack or the Business plan.

Norton Password Manager pricing

It is a completely free solution. Taking this into account, Norton Password Manager features are lacking. Although minimal, its features include unlimited password storage, a password generator, mobile unlock, safety dashboard, autofill, and offline mode.

Alternatively, Norton Password Manager can also be bundled with the Norton’s complete security suite. Depending on your plan, you could get an antivirus program, a VPN, dark web monitoring, and parental control.

Platforms, interface, and ease of use

If we compare 1Password vs Norton Password Manager for compatibility, 1Password is yet again the winner. 1Password is compatible with all the major operating systems and browsers. In contrast, Norton Password Manager offers only browser extensions and mobile apps but no desktop app.

	1Password	Norton Password Manager
Supported OS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Android, iOS
Browser extensions	Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Brave	Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Brave
Number of users	Up to 5 (Families plan)	1

1Password also has the edge when it comes to ease of use. Whether you’re setting up or managing your data, the process is beginner-friendly and intuitive. In comparison, Norton Password Manager’s setup process will test your patience. However, once done, it’s easy enough to navigate.

Desktop apps

1Password’s desktop apps are supported on Windows, macOS, and Linux devices. Installation and setup are quick and only require you to follow the instructions on screen.

As for the interface, it depends on your operating system. Overall, the apps are somewhat cramped but modern, clean, and sleek. You’ll have no trouble navigating around.

In clear contrast, Norton Password Manager doesn’t have a desktop app, only a browser extension, which makes an impossible comparison.

Quite obviously, 1Password has the lead here. Its intuitive and easy-to-use interfaces ensure that password management is accessible to all. And if you’re looking for an even more convenient-to-use provider, check 1Password alternatives.

Browser extensions

Both providers’ extensions are supported on all mainstream browsers: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and Brave. Installation requires just a few clicks, and you’re done.

With 1Password, its extension’s functionality is tied to its web app, so you can’t access the entire range of tools and features, which is common for browser extensions. Instead, you get only the core features like password and credential saving, generating, and auto-filling.

Similarly, you’ll see the same thing with Norton Password Manager. You get features like a built-in password generator, credentials auto-save, and autofill.

Mobile apps

To set up 1Password’s or Norton Password Manager’s mobile app, you just need to download the app from either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

1Password’s iOS and Android mobile apps look very similar to each other. Both versions are responsive, easy to navigate, and well-organized.

Likewise, Norton Password Manager’s mobile apps only offer basic features. Worse, some of the features are watered down. For instance, its password generator on mobile has a default suggested password of eight characters, while the desktop version has a default of 20 characters. Yet, this only indicates that the mobile apps are clean and easy to use.

Even though 1Password’s mobile apps have better features and deployment, both password managers’ mobile apps could be more functional. Needless to say, if you don’t want to miss out on better opportunities, be sure to check the very best password managers for iPhone and Android devices.

Customer support

1Password’s winning streak continues with its well-trained agents and helpful guides. With 1Password, you should check its knowledge base at the first sign of trouble. It’s home to thousands of detailed articles and step-by-step guides.

Meanwhile, agent assistance is available via email, Twitter, and community forums. They’re typically quick to help.

As for Norton Password Manager, you’ll need to head to Norton’s main page for support. Here, your available channels are 24/7 live chat, phone support, and a community forum. While Norton's live chat initially starts with a chatbot, human agents are quickly available when needed.

Knowledge base and FAQ are also only available on Norton’s main support page. But, again, this is shared with other Norton products.

Norton Password Manager vs 1Password – which one to choose?

Category	1Password	Norton Password Manager
Features	✅	❌
Pricing & plans	❌	✅
Security	✅	❌
User-friendliness	✅	❌
Customer support	✅	❌
Compatibility	✅	❌

All things considered, 1Password is a significantly better option than Norton Password Manager. While it isn’t free, the price that you pay provides top-notch security, strong encryption, flexible MFA, great user experience, and robust features.

In contrast, Norton Password Manager comes with gaps in its security, few features, and weak user experience. That said, it could be a good option if you just want a basic password manager with strong encryption and little else at zero cost.

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