Bitwarden vs Dashlane: Which one should you choose?
Dashlane and Bitwarden are both strong password management suites which are developed to help you secure your passwords and protect sensitive information. They allow you to save passwords, autofill web forms, keep encrypted file attachments and so much more.
However, if you’re tackling the question which one’s better, let us assist you. In this Bitwarden vs Dashlane comparison, we will look over their security solutions, available features, and pricing to help you choose the best one for you.
Dashlane vs Bitwarden - an overview
| Dashlane | Bitwarden | |
| Rating: | ||
| Price: | from $2.50/month | from $0.83/month |
| Encryption: | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Browser extensions: | Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari | Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Brave |
| Trial: | Free version and a 30-day trial of Premium | Free version and a 30-day trial of Premium |
| Current deal: | Get Dashlane, save up to 25%! | Get Bitwarden for just $0.83/month! |
Winner:
Bitwarden or Dashlane: which one is more secure?
From the standpoint of security, both Dashlane and Bitwarden are highly secure password managers. They employ military-grade encryption, support two-factor authentication (2FA), and collect only minor pieces of information. Therefore, with either one, your data will be protected under multiple layers of security.
Winner: draw
Encryption
When it comes to password managers, one of the most important parts is the strong encryption solution that would protect your data at all times. Both Dashlane and Bitwarden use identical technology – the military-grade AES-256 cipher along with an individual key which is derived from your master password to encode your passwords.
Keep in mind that these password managers never store your private information in plaintext, so no one, not even the employees can access it. Additionally, this combination of encryption with a unique key can protect your information even in a rare case of data breach. It’s impossible to reverse-engineer the stored passwords on both vaults, so hackers don’t have a slightest chance of stealing your data.
Multi-factor security
Multi-factor security is an additional measure to ensure all-round protection of your information. In simple terms, this is a technology that requires you to prove your identity even once you provide your login credentials.
Bitwarden provides 2FA via multiple methods, such as the email and authentication app being the most popular ones. However, if you desire an even more advanced protection, it also supports YubiKey, FIDO2, and Duo security keys.
In terms of 2FA, Dashlane doesn’t fall behind as it also supports the same methods, such as the email, authentication apps, the YubiKey security key, as well as some extra ones. For example, you can even verify your identity with a PIN code or a fingerprint sensor.
While the basic multifactor security solutions are present in both password managers, Dashlane goes an extra mile to provide even more security options for its users.
Data storage
One of the perks that you get along with the password management services is the secure storage of your data. Bitwarden offers unlimited item storage within the vault in free and paid versions. Apart from that, users with premium versions get 1 GB to keep encrypted file attachments for personal usage, while the family plan gives an additional 1 GB for organizational usage as an extra.
Dashlane also provides great and secure data storage solutions. However, the free plan only allows you to save up to 50 passwords on the vault. If you want more storage, you can get the Dashlane premium or family subscriptions which have no limitations on vault items and 1 GB of free space for storing files.
It’s also important to note that Bitwarden stores your information in the 5 Eyes country which is not exactly privacy-friendly. Despite that, the company is very transparent about it and uses end-to-end encryption at all times to ensure the safety of your passwords.
Privacy policy
When reviewing the privacy policy of Bitwarden, we discovered that it collects the following information:
- Your name (if you provide it)
- Your email address
- Your IP address
- Device type
- Operating system model
- Information you enter via the Bitwarden’s forms
However, this company complies with GDPR, Privacy Shield, and CCPA regulations which means that your private information is handled as specified by the privacy laws.
Dashlane also collects small parts of information which are primarily focused on usage. The collected data includes the following:
- Usage and aggregated data
- Cookies
- Data received from third parties
- Registration details and billing information
- Master password
- Support and correspondence
- Feedback
- Device and browser-related data
It is evident that Bitwarden goes further with collecting data than Dashlane. However, both password managers only store information in a heavily encrypted form, so even if anyone tries to access it – the data would be useless to them.
Third-party security audits
Another great way to evaluate how secure a password manager is – check whether it has been examined by independent auditors. In this case, Bitwarden truly shows its commitment to security as it has been audited by two firms, the Cure53 and the Insight Risk Consulting.
This password manager has been audited in terms of its source code, penetration testing, and even the cryptographic analysis. No major security flaws were found, so it’s definitely safe to use.
Unfortunately, Dashlane has not yet been audited by any independent firms. Likewise, there’s no information available to make any legitimate conclusions.
Bitwarden vs Dashlane: features overview
There are two ways of how you can compare the features of the two password managers: either by simply looking at the number of them or evaluating their overall performance. In this comparison, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of not only how many perks you would get, but also how functional they actually are.
Even though Bitwarden and Dashlane both provide efficient basic password management services, the former one performs just better than the latter one. In simple terms, Dashlane has a strong base as well as introduces useful extras to reach all-round security of private data.
Winner:
Password importing
Nobody wants to enter each of their saved passwords to the manager one by one. Luckily, Dashlane and Bitwarden have excellent import options that allow you to quickly set up the application and upload all of your passwords in bulk.
Bitwarden supports imports from multiple sources, such as other password managers, most popular browsers or just simple .CSV files. For example, you can quickly switch from LastPass, Keeper, or Remembear to Bitwarden without manually importing the saved information.
Similarly, Dashlane also supports uploads from other tools, like 1Password, RoboForm or Zoho Vault. Additionally, you can extract your data from Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Opera without any issues. Likewise, I would definitely say that both of these password managers give a lot of flexibility in terms of importing passwords.
Account and password recovery
Keep in mind that the master password is your main way to access the stored passwords. Then, what would happen if you lose it? Luckily, great password managers offer secure and effective methods to help with account recovery.
Dashlane has a unique recovery method, as it allows you to set up an emergency contact. The dedicated person would be provided with access to your account in case you forget your master password. Alternatively, you can reset it with the biometric data on iOS and Android devices, if you’ve enabled it.
Unfortunately, Bitwarden is not so forgiving and has only one way to recover your account. Once you register, you’ll receive a unique code which should be kept in a safe place and used to regain access to your account. If you lose it, your data will be lost along with it.
Password generator
The number one security measure you should take when trying to protect your data is to use strong passwords and most importantly – never reuse them on multiple accounts. For this reason, Dashlane and Bitwarden offer password generators which can automatically create unique passwords for you.
Dashlane allows you to customize the generated password length and which symbols or characters to include. You can opt for capital letters, digits, and symbols to strengthen the password. Even though it’s preset to generate 12-characters, you can make it shorter or longer depending on your needs.
Bitwarden also has a useful password generator. You can also customize it in terms of the length and included symbols, letters or digits. However, the only difference is that it’s preset to create 14-character long passwords, but you can easily alter that as well.
Password sharing
Everyone knows the golden rule to protect your accounts which states that you should never share your passwords through unprotected networks. One of the greatest features that password managers offer is the secure sharing.
With Dashlane you can send your sensitive information to up to 5 other users in the Free version. If you need more sharing capabilities, you can remove all limitations by getting a Premium version.
Bitwarden on the other hand is far more restrictive with password sharing. This feature is only available for premium users and even then, you’ll be able to share passwords with one other user. The only way to increase the limit is to go for the Family package which provides secure sharing among 6 users.
The password sharing feature is an extremely important aspect when choosing a password manager. Likewise, Dashlane definitely outperforms Bitwarden in this case.
Autofill
What is so great about the autofill feature is that it significantly reduces the time needed to access your social media accounts or completing online payments. In simple terms, it fills all the necessary credentials whenever it detects a relevant web form.
Dashlane operates in a very smooth manner, as it can fill your name, email, credit card details, phone number or the company name almost instantly. It’s great at identifying web forms and doesn’t require any additional actions to complete the login or payment process.
While Bitwarden is also great at filling out forms, it does require you to manually click on a dedicated icon and select which details you want to enter. Likewise, I would say that Dashlane just makes the process much more efficient.
Bitwarden vs Dashlane: which offers better value for money?
Another important aspect when comparing the two password managers is the value you get for the price paid. Firstly, both products have multiple subscription options which are priced according to the included features and the number of accounts you get.
Here is the table with relevant pricing information based on subscription packages for both Bitwarden and Dashlane:
| Version | Bitwarden | Dashlane |
| Free | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Premium | $10.00/year | $59.99/year |
| Family | $40.00/year | $89.99/year |
| Check pricing | Check pricing |
It is evident that out of the two password managers, Bitwarden offers significantly lower overall prices than Dashlane. Both of its subscriptions, including the Premium and Family plans are cheaper by almost $30 and $20 respectively if you pay annually.
The biggest difference is between the Premium subscription plans where you can get Bitwarden for $0.83 per month in comparison to the monthly $2.50 price of Dashlane. It’s important to mention that the Bitwarden Family package costs exactly the same as Dashlane Premium, but you get 6 accounts for unique users instead of one.
However, the reason behind such price differences might be the extra security features that Dashlane offers. For example, it includes a VPN in both subscriptions which is often offered as a separate paid product by other password managers. So, the price reflects the additional useful features it provides.
Although Dashlane is very feature-rich, users who purely seek for password management services should definitely choose Bitwarden to get the best value for their money.
Winner:
Bitwarden or Dashlane: Free vs Premium plans
Since Dashlane and Bitwarden both have free versions as well as premium subscription plans, we can have a look at what specific features they offer. Here is a detailed table comparing the free and premium versions of these password managers:
| Bitwarden | Dashlane | |
| Free |
|
|
| Premium | Everything as in the Free version, plus:
|
|
The Bitwarden free version is a truly great option if you don’t want to pay for the product at all. It saves an unlimited number of passwords and you can use it on as many devices as you want. Dashlane in this case is not so generous – you get space for 50 passwords to store on 1 device only. Thus, when comparing the free packages, I would definitely choose Bitwarden.
However, if it comes to the Premium plans, Dashlane offers a wider range of features than the latter one. You not only get everything almost any password manager would offer, but also a VPN to secure your browsing activities and the dark web monitoring feature to protect your data in case it’s been leaked.
Therefore, when comparing the two possible subscription options, it really depends on what you’re looking for. Bitwarden has a great free version which gives a lot of freedom without even opening your wallet. Yet, if you decide to pay – Dashlane can provide you with features that not many password managers would.
Platforms, interface and ease of use
If you wonder which password manager would be compatible with your operating system, you shouldn’t as Dashlane and Bitwarden both support all of the most widely used platforms. They not only have desktop and mobile apps, but also dedicated browser extensions that help you autofill forms while browsing online.
Here is the detailed information about the compatibility of Bitwarden and Dashlane:
| Bitwarden | Dashlane | |
| Supported OS | Windows, macOS, Linux Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Browser extensions | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, Brave | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari |
| Number of devices | 1, 2 or 6 users | 1 or 6 users |
What’s even better is that the download and installation process of these password managers is very simple. You can easily navigate to the official website and download the application. The installation wizard will guide you through the further steps and you’ll set up the program within a few minutes.
It’s evident that the respective developers of Dashlane and Bitwarden definitely aimed to make these products as easy to use for their customers as possible. I couldn’t choose which one’s better since they’re both extremely intuitive in terms of their usage.
Winner: draw
Desktop apps
You can easily download and install Bitwarden on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. The visual interface of their desktop apps are almost identical. So, if you think about using it on multiple devices running with different OS, you won’t need to adjust to a new interface.
The Bitwarden desktop app has a useful left-side pane which allows you to quickly access All items, Favorites, and the Bin. Additionally, it categorizes vault items into Login, Card, Secure notes, and Identity to help you find your sensitive information easier. Apart from that, you can also create your own folders to store your passwords which gives a lot of flexibility.
Dashlane also has dedicated apps for the same platforms, except for Linux. The applications have a clean design and categorizes items into Vault, Security, and Contacts sections for easy access. However, the only drawback is that you cannot create folders to manage your items on the vault.
Browser extensions
Both Dashlane and Bitwarden have browser extensions for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. Yet, the former one also supports a less popular browser – Brave – which is heavily focused on online privacy.
Essentially, these extensions perform the basic functions of a password manager, such as the autofilling web forms and saving credentials to help you improve your browsing experience while shopping or accessing social media websites.
However, you should keep in mind that all browser extensions are inextricably linked to the web or desktop apps. So, if you would like to access your vault items, you wouldn’t be able to do that through the extension.
Additionally, the interface of Bitwarden extensions are all different depending on the browser you are using. Likewise, you shouldn’t expect that it will look or feel the same if you switch between two browsers.
Mobile apps
With Bitwarden and Dashlane you can access your sensitive information wherever you go, as they both have mobile apps for iOS and Android. You can easily download either of them on the Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store and complete the installation process within a minute.
Even though it’s quite common that mobile apps have quite a few limitations compared to the desktop versions, this is not the case with these password managers. In fact, iOS and Android versions are just as feature-rich as those for Windows or macOS.
For example, Dashlane provides all of the same features, like the VPN, a password generator, and secure notes on mobile devices as well as desktop apps. Bitwarden on the other hand even allows you to customize the user interface with amazing mobile themes. So, I am definitely impressed by both mobile solutions coming from these developers.
Customer support
Great customer support is essential as it would be the first place you would go to in case you have any issues with the product. Both password managers have multiple help options for its users that are quite useful.
For example, Bitwarden offers the following support methods:
- FAQ
- Weekly live Q&A sessions
- Community forum
- Email support
- How-to guides
While there are the basic help options, such as the FAQ or how-to guides, Bitwarden doesn’t offer real-time support. It’s quite upsetting, as it’s one of the greatest options when you need a quick response.
Luckily, Dashlane has 24/7 live support among other options, like the following ones:
- Knowledge base
- FAQ
- Email support
- How-to guides
With Dashlane, it’s easy to find answers to your questions by yourself, as well as to get professional help from the agents. Likewise, this password manager definitely offers better customer support solutions for its users.
Winner:
Bitwarden vs Dashlane – which one wins?
If you ask me, both Bitwarden and Dashlane are truly great password managers. Yet, Dashlane just goes an extra mile with it’s additional features and definitely wins this battle. Afterall, it’s categorized among the best password managers for a reason – one of the most feature-rich tools that you can currently get.
However, the pricing is quite steep, so evidently it’s suitable for people who want to get it all and are not reluctant to pay for high-quality services.
| Category | Bitwarden | Dashlane |
| Features | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Pricing & Plans | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Security | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| User-friendliness | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Compatibility | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Winner:
If your goal is to save up money but still enjoy the basic password management services, you should definitely consider Bitwarden. It’s still a great tool, but when it comes to the comparison – with Dashlane you get so much more.
FAQ
Is Bitwarden better than Dashlane?
No, Dashlane is a better password manager than Bitwarden. The reason behind that is its additional features that come within the premium packages – a VPN, an automatic password changer and the dark web monitoring. These are the unique features that make it a better option than Bitwarden.
Which is better for Mac: Bitwarden or Dashlane?
Dashlane is better for macOS users, as it offers more security-related features in addition to the basic password management services. For example, you get a VPN to protect your online anonymity and a password changer to secure all of your sensitive data at once.
Can Bitwarden import from Dashlane?
Yes, you can import your passwords to Bitwarden from Dashlane and other password management tools. These include 1Password, LastPass, RoboForm and others. Additionally, you can even get your sensitive data from the most popular browsers, like Chrome or Firefox.
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