1Password vs Bitwarden comparison for 2025
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In my April 2025 Bitwarden vs 1Password comparison, 1Password again emerges as the better option overall, offering enhanced security features like its secret key system and Travel Mode, along with an intuitive user interface. It's perfect for families and professionals who prioritize both security and ease of use. While Bitwarden is a solid choice for budget-conscious and tech-savvy users, 1Password’s premium features and superior user experience make it the top contender for most. When it comes to combining cutting-edge security with seamless usability, 1Password clearly takes the lead.
1Password | Bitwarden | |
⭐ Rating: | ||
🥇 Overall rank: | #2 out of #20 | #6 out of #20 |
🔥 Coupons: | 1Password coupon 50% OFF | Cybernews Password Manager Coupons |
💵 Price: | From $2.99/month | From $0.83/month |
✂️ Free version: | 14-day trial | Yes |
🔒 Encryption: | AES-256 | AES 256-bit |
🖥️ Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
🌐 Browser extensions: | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Safari | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, Vivaldi, Brave, Tor, DuckDuckGo |
1Password and Bitdefender are some of the most well-known password managers on the market, and for good reason. Both are highly secure, with easy-to-use apps for passwordless logins.
1Password stands out as a premium password manager with advanced security features and ample cloud storage. Bitwarden, on the other hand, is an open-source, budget-friendly solution with self-hosting capabilities, ideal for those who value transparency.
Here at Cybernews, we’ve been evaluating the best password managers since 2019, allowing us to build the expertise needed for a fair assessment in this 1Password vs Bitwarden comparison. Read on to learn about their key differences, including pricing and plans, security measures, features, usability, and customer support.
Key differences between 1Password and Bitwarden
1Password and Bitwarden are both exceptional password managers, but they target different kinds of users and needs. While our 1Password review showed, that it focuses on smooth user experience and premium features, Bitwarden has a reputation for being inexpensive and open-source. Below, I highlight fundamental differences to assist you in figuring out the best fit for your needs:
- Pricing. Bitwarden is more affordable, starting at $0.83/month for individuals, while 1Password begins at $2.99/month. It also offers a free plan, which 1Password lacks, and provides better value for businesses, making it the more cost-effective option overall.
- User experience. 1Password offers a more polished and intuitive user experience across all platforms, with a sleek interface, robust browser extensions, and feature-rich mobile apps that closely mirror its desktop version. In contrast, Bitwarden appeals to more tech-savvy users who prioritize utility over a highly polished interface and provides the ability to self-host your vault.
- Open-source vs proprietary. Bitwarden is fully open-source, allowing transparency and community scrutiny, while 1Password is proprietary software, meaning its code isn’t publicly available but is audited for security.
- Security features. 1Password offers an added layer of security with its Secret Key and Travel Mode for temporary access restrictions. In contrast, Bitwarden focuses on flexibility, offering self-hosting options for greater control over your data.
- Family and business plans. 1Password offers robust family and business plans with shared vaults and advanced permissions for secure collaboration. Bitwarden’s plans are more affordable but less feature-rich, focusing on simplicity over advanced features.
- Customizability. Bitwarden allows self-hosting for advanced users, giving them full control over password storage. 1Password lacks self-hosting but offers cloud-based convenience with automatic syncing.
Bitwarden vs 1Password: which is more secure?
Security measures | 1Password | Bitwarden |
Encryption protocol | AES-256 (GCM mode) | AES-256 (CBC mode) |
Zero-knowledge architecture | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Multi-factor security | ✅ Yes (email, authentication app, YubiKey, Titan, DuoSecurity) | ✅ Yes (email, authentication app, Yubico OTP, YubiKey, FIDO2, or Duo Security) |
Biometric authentication | ✅ Yes (facial, iris, or fingerprint recognition) | ✅ Yes (facial and fingerprint recognition) |
Security audits | ✅ Audited by ISE, Onica, Secfault Security, Recurity Labs, and Cure53 | ✅ Audited by Cure53, Fracture Labs, and Insight Risk Consulting |
Secret Key | ✅ Yes (128-bit Secret Key for additional security) | ❌ No |
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Both 1Password and Bitwarden use AES-256 encryption, support multi-factor authentication, and follow a strict zero-knowledge policy.
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1Password includes a unique Secret Key, better biometric options, and a more privacy-friendly data policy.
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1Password takes the lead in the security category with its additional protections, transparent practices, and stronger account recovery options.
Bitwarden vs 1Password: plans and pricing
Plan | 1Password | Bitwarden |
Free | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Individual/Premium | $2.99/month | $0.83/month |
Families | $4.99/month | $3.33/month |
Business/Enterprise | $7.99/month | $6.00/month |
Teams | $19.95/month | $4.00/month |
Try 1Password | Try Bitwarden |
Our Bitwarden review revealed, that Bitwarden is cheaper than 1Password. Bitwarden’s personal plans start at $0.83/month and go up to $3.33. The Premium plan enables sharing files with one other user, while you can share files with six other users on a Families plan. Both come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
1Password’s tiers range from $2.99/month for the Individual plan to $$4.99/month/month for the Families package with a 14-day free trial. While you can use both on all your devices, you can only share data with five other users using the Families plan. Please note that the price is lower when you commit to a long-term plan.
Unsurprisingly, business plan prices will vary based on your needs and the organization’s size. Bitwarden Enterprise costs $6.00/month per user, and the Teams plan is $4.00/month per user. 1Password asks for $7.99/month per user for the Business plan and $19.95/month per 10 users for the Teams. You also have the option to contact the sales team and bargain for something befitting your needs.
1Password vs Bitwarden: security features
Features | 1Password | Bitwarden |
Encrypted file storage | ✅ Yes (up to 5GB) | ✅ Yes (up to 2GB in total: 1GB of personal storage + 1GB of organizational storage) |
Travel mode | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Weak password monitoring | ✅ Yes (Watchtower) | ✅ Yes (Vault Health) |
Automatic backups | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Self-hosting | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Payment card autofill | ✅ Yes (Privacy Cards) | ✅ Yes (Cards Vault) |
Automatic autofill | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Password generator | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Password sharing | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
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1Password and Bitwarden cover all core features like password sharing, autofill, and weak password alerts.
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With features like Travel Mode, automatic backups, and 5GB of encrypted storage, 1Password stands out for its usability and convenience.
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1Password takes the lead with a more polished, secure, and feature-rich experience, especially for frequent travelers or those seeking advanced functionality.
Platforms, interface, and ease of use
1Password | Bitwarden | |
Supported OS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
Browser extensions | Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Brave | Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, Edge, Brave, Vivaldi, Tor |
Number of users | Up to 10 | Up to 6 |
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Both Bitwarden and 1Password support all major operating systems and browsers, with Bitwarden offering more browser extension options.
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1Password interface is more intuitive across desktop, browser, and mobile platforms, with advanced features easily accessible.
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1Password takes the lead with a more seamless and polished user experience across devices.
1Password vs Bitwarden: customer support
1Password | Bitwarden | |
Email support | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
24/7 live chat | ❌ No (only chatbot) | ❌ No |
Phone support | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Support community (forum) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
How-to guides/Knowledge base | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Social media support | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Video review
Check our dedicated 1Password vs Bitwarden video comparison to see the services in action if you want more details.
1Password vs Bitwarden: final verdict
While 1Password and Bitwarden are both excellent password managers, offering robust security measures, user-friendly apps, and practical features, 1Password stands out as the better solution. With advanced security features like automated backups, Travel Mode, and Watchtower, 1Password gives peace of mind with a few extra layers of security.
That said, 1Password is more expensive than most password managers, making Bitwarden an affordable password management solution for those who don’t need a comprehensive suite of security features. I also found autofill clunky and importing passwords was a bit of a hassle, but these are not deal breakers.
All in all, if you’re looking for a password manager with an online security suite, 1Password is the way to go.
Category | 1Password | Bitwarden |
Features | ✅ | ❌ |
Pricing and plans | ❌ | ✅ |
Security | ✅ | ❌ |
Compatibility | ✅ | ✅ |
User experience | ✅ | ❌ |
Customer support | ✅ | ✅ |
1Password vs Bitwarden: comparison methodology
To find out which password manager is better, I collaborated with the Cybernews research team. We followed our password manager testing process and evaluated these aspects of each password manager:
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Security practices (40%). I assessed their overall security practices by analyzing encryption standards, privacy policies, and third-party audit findings to ensure adequate account protection.
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User experience (30%). I assessed the overall user experience, noting how intuitive and user-friendly each provider is on different platforms. Then, I evaluated essential password management features, such as autosave and autofill, and how easy they are to use.
- Price (20%). I evaluated each provider’s subscription plans to find the best price-to-value ratio. I also considered the discount for new users, free trial availability, and refund policies.
- Customer support (10%). I contacted customer support to see how quickly and efficiently customer support agents deal with inquiries. I also assessed the knowledge base.
FAQ
Should I use 1Password or Bitwarden?
1Password is best for users looking for ease of use, robust monitoring, ample document storage, and travel features. Bitwarden suits those preferring open-source solutions with free and affordable pricing options. Consider your priorities and see which password manager you should choose.
Is 1Password worth it over Bitwarden?
Yes, 1Password outperforms Bitwarden with robust monitoring, ample document storage, and handy travel features. While Bitwarden is budget-friendly and open-source, 1Password's intuitive design and advanced tools make it the top choice for secure password management.
Is 1Password safer than Bitwarden?
Yes, 1Password is slightly safer than Bitwarden. While both use strong 256-bit AES encryption, offer MFA, and are regularly audited by third parties, 1Password’s privacy policy is more friendly to users since it collects minimal information.
What is the downside of Bitwarden?
When compared to other password managers like 1Password, Bitwarden has a less intuitive interface with limited functionality on certain platforms. It also lacks advanced security features like automated daily backups and Security Key.
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