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1Password vs Bitwarden comparison for 2025


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.

1PasswordBitwarden
⭐ Rating:
4.8
4.2
🥇 Overall rank:#2 out of #20#6 out of #20
🔥 Coupons:1Password coupon 50% OFFCybernews Password Manager Coupons
💵 Price:From $2.99/monthFrom $0.83/month
✂️ Free version:14-day trialYes
🔒 Encryption:AES-256AES 256-bit
🖥️ Platforms:Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOSWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
🌐 Browser extensions:Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, SafariChrome, 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.

Recent update
In the April 2025 update, I fact-checked and updated the article based on our latest findings. I also improved our testing methodology section to give you a clear understanding of our testing processes for password managers.

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?

Wrapping up
Both password managers employ AES-256 encryption and zero-knowledge architecture to ensure a highly secure environment for your passwords and other sensitive information. Bitwarden uses AES-CBC 256-bit encryption, while 1Password uses AES-256 in GCM mode. Overall security measures differ slightly between the two, with 1Password offering the additional security benefit of GCM (authenticated encryption features). You can add an extra layer of security with MFA via email, authenticator apps, and biometrics. While both employ standard security measures, 1Password takes it a step further by providing advanced security features like Secret Key and Travel Mode.
Security measures1PasswordBitwarden
Encryption protocolAES-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

Encryption

1Password and Bitwarden both use 256-bit AES encryption – one of the strongest encryption algorithms on the market. But it’s pretty standard for a password manager. They also both employ the PBKDF2 password hashing to protect your master password and are built on a zero-knowledge architecture, meaning that no one, not even the providers themselves, has access to the passwords and other data stored on the password managers.

Multi-factor security

1Password and Bitwarden have taken a security-first approach and offer multiple MFA options. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides an additional layer of security by requiring further identity verification beyond just username and password during logins. I always look for it when reviewing password managers.

1Password enables you to set up two-factor authentication (2FA) using email, authenticator apps (e.g., Authy or Google Authenticator), physical security keys (e.g., YubiKey or Titan), and by pushing notifications to your mobile phone using Duo Security.

Bitwarden Free users can set up a two-step login with email, authentication apps, and FIDO U2F security keys. Meanwhile, Bitwarden’s Premium users can use Duo Security and YubiKey,in addition to email, authenticators, and FIDO U2F security keys

Both providers also enable biometric authentication methods – facial and fingerprint recognition. 1Password takes it a step further and has the iris recognition option, which is another type of biometric recognition that uses cameras to perform a scan of your iris, which is unique in its high accuracy. The majority of devices don’t offer this capability, however.

Password importing

Regarding password import, both 1Password and Bitwarden offer easy bulk imports for your passwords. While 1Password’s process is more intuitive, Bitwarden provides more import options. However, while 1Password’s process is more seamless and user-friendly, Bitwarden provides more import options.

This is important because the password import process must be as easy and smooth as possible whenever you start using a password manager (or switch to a new one).

I really like the fact that you can import passwords to 1Password from browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and Safari), password managers (Dashlane, KeePass, KeePassX, Delinea Secret Server, LastPass, RoboForm, and others), and files (CSV, 1pux, or 1pif).

1Password desktop application interface
1Password password importing interface

You can also import passwords to Bitwarden from browsers, other password managers like 1Password, and CSV and JSON files.

One major downside of Bitwarden’s importing process is that file attachments can only be migrated manually because they aren’t included in Bitwarden’s bulk import operations. I think this could be improved to ease the process.

Bitwarden password import
Bitwarden password importing

Privacy policy

Although 1Password and Bitwarden support zero-knowledge architecture to maintain password privacy, both still collect some user data. 1Password records the account’s type, payment method, IP address, account holder’s name, and email address. Bitwarden records the same data as well as device information and other online identifiers.

Although both services might share data with the government and law enforcement for a valid reason, 1Password’s privacy policy is more favorable to users because the provider doesn’t easily share information with third parties.

Third-party security audits

Both 1Password and Bitwarden have been independently audited numerous times. Here’s more information about the latest 1Password February 2025security audits and the Bitwarden July 2024 security audits.

Independent third-party audits are crucial for any company that aims to protect users’ data, so I always check if they are routinely implemented.

Hence, the security operations of both password managers have been validated by SOC (Security Operation Center). Compliance with SOC 2 requirements is important because it proves a company prioritizes information security.

1Password is SOC 2 Type 2 certified, and Bitwarden is SOC 2 Type 2 and SOC 3 compliant. This certifies that both can ensure security, confidentiality, availability, privacy, and processing integrity.

Account and password recovery

Whether you use 1Password or Bitwarden, both require creating a master password to unlock your login details, payment card information, and other sensitive data. But what if you forget the master password? I noticed many users worry about this. Fortunately, both providers offer multiple password recovery options.

1Password’s Emergency Kit is a PDF document with your account details and password. I want to add that keeping digital and printed copies of the Emergency Kit stored safely is essential. I find the Emergency Kit especially handy, as you can recover your password and account details ASAP. Bitwarden has prepared a similar document that you can download, called the security readiness kit, which contains sensitive login credentials. The only downside is that you have to fill it in yourself.

1Password emergency kit2
1Password Emergency Kit

1Password’s Families, Teams, Business, or Enterprise plan users can request a family organizer or team administrator to restore their access, which is a nice addition. It's usually a quick process, depending on how prompt the organizer or administrator will be.

1Password password hint
Bitwarden password recovery

To recover your account access to Bitwarden, you will get a recovery code when you set up 2FA. Alternatively, you can get a Bitwarden master password hint emailed to your inbox – but that’s only if you have set up a hint. Both methods are quick and efficient, but rely on you having done your homework.

Password generator

Instead of easily guessable combinations, like password123, qwerty, or trustno1, you want to create passwords that are long and have both upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Fortunately, 1Password and Bitwarden provide user-friendly password generators. First off, the 1Password Strong Password Generator enables you to generate random passwords, passphrase passwords (memorable passwords), or PINs. Additionally, you can modify password length, capitalization, and types of characters.

1Password password generator
1Password password generator

Bitwarden’s password generator generates both passwords and passphrases. I found that you can customize it more than with the 1Password password generator – this doesn’t change the fact that 1Password generates unique and complex passwords. The default password length is 14 characters, but you can easily push it up to 128 characters. Unfortunately, I didn’t find an option to generate PINs.

password generator bitwarden
Bitwarden password generator

You can also try the Bitwarden Password Strength Testing Tool to see how long it would take to crack your password.

Password sharing

1Password and Bitwarden provide secure password-sharing methods, ensuring you don't risk your accounts or sensitive information by sharing passwords via unsafe methods like messengers or SMS.

With 1Password, you can share passwords and saved items with others using a single link. I tested it and found you can specify who to share the link with and when it expires. I also liked that users of Families, Teams Starter, and Business plans can share entire vaults – very useful when more information needs to be shared.

I found Bitwarden’s password-sharing feature a bit more clunky. For a long time, the free plan didn’t allow password sharing. Now, both free and Premium account users can share passwords with one other user. You’ll need to upgrade to Families to share passwords with up to 6 other users.

Nonetheless, I really like the Bitwarden Send tool, as it offers end-to-end encryption for top-notch confidentiality. The files you share have randomly generated and secure links that you can share via text, email, or another convenient communication channel.

Key takeaways:

Bitwarden vs 1Password: plans and pricing

Wrapping up
Bitwarden is significantly cheaper than 1Password and even provides a completely free plan for those who can’t afford it. While 1Password is more expensive, it includes more advanced features.
Plan1PasswordBitwarden
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 1PasswordTry 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

Wrapping up
1Password is the winner in terms of features because it seamlessly autofills your login credentials and includes advanced features like Travel Mode, automatic backups, and up to 5GB of cloud storage. Bitwarden’s autofill is a bit clunky; however, it’s one of the few password managers that enables self-hosting.
Features1PasswordBitwarden
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

Encrypted file storage

Both password managers offer encrypted file storage, but 1Password is the clear winner here. It provides up to 5GB of encrypted storage – one of the biggest I’ve seen among password managers. In comparison, Bitwarden only offers up to 2GB, which also comes in a combination of 1GB of personal storage and 1GB of organization storage. Bitwarden users can purchase more storage in 1GB increments.

Travel mode

Travel Mode is 1Password’s standout feature. It provides an added layer of security to protect your data while you're traveling. It’s the only password manager that offers such a feature.

Travel Mode allows you to store selected login credentials and other sensitive information in a separate vault, protected with an additional layer of security. Until you disable the Travel Mode, those protected vaults will be hidden from anyone who accesses your device.

Weak password monitoring

1Password and Bitwarden monitor weak passwords and other vulnerabilities. 1Password has a suite of security tools, called the Watchtower, that monitors your password health and urges you to change old, weak, or reused passwords. It also scans the web for compromised logins and provides security updates from websites where your credentials are stored.

Similarly, Bitwarden has a Vault Health feature, which is responsible for monitoring password health and reporting on reused, exposed, and weak passwords. It also notifies you about compromised websites, inactive two-step logins, and whether any of your data has been breached.

Automatic backups

Only 1Password offers automatic backups, which gives it extra points in this comparison. 1Password automatically backs up all of your login credentials and other sensitive information stored in your account daily. So, in case you lose your device or you accidentally delete anything, you’ll be able to access all the backed-up data via your 1Password account. Sadly, Bitwarden cannot compete in this section, as it simply does not offer automatic backups.

Self-hosting

Bitwarden is in the lead when it comes to self-hosting, as 1Password doesn’t offer such a tool. The self-hosting add-on is especially handy for organizations, as it gives more control over how data is managed. For instance, if you're a small business owner who wants to keep company passwords on your own servers for added security, self-hosting gives you full control over where your data is stored and who has access to it.

Autofill

Naturally, both 1Password and Bitwarden have autofill.It’s a core feature which allows you to login with a single click, simplifying login and payment processes.

Autofill works seamlessly with 1Password’s browser extension, with the prompt popping up when you’re trying to log in. When testing 1Password’s desktop app, I found the autofill feature requires you to first click on the 1Password icon and then choose the login item before you can sign in. If it suggests more than one item, you also need to scroll down and search through the saved credentials, which can be a bit of a hassle.

When I was using Bitwarden’s autofill feature via a browser extension, I had to right-click the box, click on Bitwarden’s icon, search for the right login entries, and then click Autofill.

Key takeaways:

Platforms, interface, and ease of use

Wrapping up
1Password and Bitwarden have easy to use apps across major operating systems. While both are intuitive, I found 1Password to offer a better user experience. Bitwarden’s apps lack some of the advanced features which can only be found on the web app.
1PasswordBitwarden
Supported OSWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOSWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Browser extensionsChrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Brave
Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, Edge, Brave, Vivaldi, Tor
Number of usersUp to 10Up to 6

Desktop apps

Both password managers offer user-friendly desktop apps that are compatible with operating systems.

1Password’s desktop app works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. I liked its minimalistic and straightforward interface, which, despite the abundance of features, doesn’t overwhelm the user. All of the core features are easily accessible without you having to delve deep. The desktop app also allows you to customize the vault into categories to fit your storage needs.

1password x dashboard
1Password user interface

The 1Password menu was easy to navigate. On the left, you have the All Items, Favorites, and Watchtower menus. You can also easily access Logins, Secure Notes, and Identities from the same menu.

1Password multiple vaults in the Win app
1Password user interface

Bitwarden’s desktop app is also compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. It’s designed with ease of use in mind from setup to management. Installation was quick and simple for me, taking only a few minutes. The interface was also clean and user-friendly, with all features neatly organized and easily accessible.

Bitwarden dashboard
Bitwarden user interface

However, I noticed that the web app has more features than the desktop app. For instance, you can’t set up multi-factor authentication on the desktop app, and the app itself is quite bare.

import data window 2
Bitwarden user interface

In the menu on the left, I could navigate to All Items, Favorites, Bin, Login, Card, Identity, and Secure Note folders.

Browser extensions

When it comes to browser extension compatibility, 1Password and Bitwarden offer extensive support across various browsers. Both provide extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Brave. However, I found Bitwarden even more versatile, as it also supports Opera, Vivaldi, DuckDuckGo, and Tor – though only the latest versions.

1Password’s extension impressed me with its comprehensive set of features, rivaling its standalone apps in functionality. I could perform nearly all tasks available in the desktop app, including password imports, using Travel Mode, and locking the extension for added security. This made the 1Password extension exceptionally powerful and convenient, and I appreciated not having to switch between the extension and the desktop app for most tasks.

In terms of functionality, Bitwarden’s extension includes features such as autofill, password generator, and basic vault management. While these features are sufficient for everyday use, I needed to access the web or desktop app for more advanced tasks, which was a bit of a hassle.

Mobile apps

Both 1Password and Bitwarden excel in mobile device compatibility, offering robust apps for Android and iOS devices. Bitwarden’s mobile apps, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, impressed me with their intuitive and fully functional design, mirroring the core features of its browser and desktop apps.

IOS-bitwarden-generator-updated
Bitwarden's password generator on mobile app

1Password's mobile apps also stood out with their sleek, user-friendly interface. The apps are highly customizable – I could add or remove preferred sections from the home page andpin desired items to the app's home page for quick but secure access.

1password-mobile-1
1Password mobile app

I especially liked that the mobile app has nearly all of the same functionalities of the desktop version, including advanced features like Watchtower and secure sharing. This makes the 1Password mobile app a powerful tool for managing passwords on the go, and I found it incredibly convenient.

Key takeaways:

1Password vs Bitwarden: customer support

Wrapping up – it's a draw
1Password and Bitwarden mainly provide customer support via email. Neither one of them has a live chat (not counting chatbot) or a phone line for immediate assistance, which can be a big hassle.
1PasswordBitwarden
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

Both 1Password and Bitwarden offer a comprehensive knowledge base with step-by-step guides and FAQs.

If you can’t find your answer there, or need personalized assistance, you can contact 1Password and Bitwarden support agents via email, social media, or community forums. I tested both providers’ customer support, and the difference was obvious. I messaged 1Password via X and received a reply stating, “We provide short-form assistance over social media, with email being our primary support platform for anything more complex or investigative”. They replied to me within 15 minutes, but 1Password clearly wants you to use email support for more serious issues. When I tried contacting Bitwarden on X, there was no option to send a message.

No support on X Bitwarden
New message to Bitwarden

Then, I contacted 1Password’s support by email. On the first time it took only 8 minutes to get a response, but on another occasion I had to wait for about 6 hours to get a reply for a similar question. Bitwarden’s email support was also not that fast – I only received a reply after more than one hour.

1password email ticket
1Password support reply

Although I didn’t get immediate replies while contacting both 1Password and Bitwarden, the support agents were friendly and efficiently resolved my problems.

Overall, there’s no winner when it comes to 1Password vs Bitwarden support, as neither offer live chat, with the exception of 1Password’s chatbot, or phone support for immediate action.

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.

Category1PasswordBitwarden
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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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