At a glance
Both managers encrypt your vault on your device before it is synced, both support passkeys, two-factor authentication and all major platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and browsers), and both have a long record of independent security assessments. The real differences are price, the free plan, openness and a few unique features.
The short version: choose Bitwarden if you want to pay little or nothing, value open-source code or want to self-host; choose 1Password if you want the smoothest apps, the extra Secret Key protection and Travel Mode, and do not mind paying about twice as much.
Quick picks
- Bitwarden – free use, low price and open source
- 1Password – polish, extra protection and families who want it simple
- ToolLaunchpad Password Generator – creating a strong master passphrase
Comparison table
| Product | Free plan | Individual | Family | Open source | Stand-out features | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitwarden | Yes, unlimited passwords and devices | $1.65/mo ($19.80/yr) | $3.99/mo, up to 6 people | Yes, can be self-hosted | Self-hosting, Send, CLI | official site |
| 1Password | No, 14-day trial | $3.99/mo regular ($2.99 first-year offer) | $5.99/mo regular, 5 people | No | Secret Key, Travel Mode, Watchtower | official site |
| ToolLaunchpad Password Generator | Free | Free | – | – | Passwords and passphrases | open |
Bitwarden
Best for: free use, low price and open sourcePrice: the free plan already covers unlimited passwords on unlimited devices, passkeys and sharing with one other person. Premium costs $1.65 per month ($19.80 per year) and adds built-in two-factor codes (TOTP), encrypted file attachments, emergency access and vault health reports. Families costs $3.99 per month for up to six people.
Security: all client and server code is public, and Bitwarden lists many third-party audits, including several by Cure53 in 2025, plus reviews by ETH Zurich and Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42. In April 2026 a malicious build of its command-line tool was published on npm for under two hours; Bitwarden says vault data was not affected. A 2026 ETH Zurich study described attacks that require a malicious server, which Bitwarden says it is fixing.
Everyday use: the apps are functional rather than beautiful, but autofill, passkeys and sync work reliably. Technical users get a command-line tool, an API and the option to run their own server.
Pros
- Generous free plan with no device limit
- About half the price of 1Password
- Open source, many public audits, self-hosting possible
Cons
- Interface less polished
- Fewer convenience features such as Travel Mode
- CLI supply-chain incident in April 2026
1Password
Best for: polish, extra protection and families who want it simplePrice: there is no free plan, only a 14-day trial without credit card. On the check date Individual cost $3.99 per month billed yearly (an introductory $2.99 in the first year for new customers) and Families $5.99 per month for five people ($4.49 introductory).
Security: besides your master password, 1Password uses a 128-bit Secret Key stored only on your devices. Even if someone stole 1Password's servers and guessed your master password, they would still need that key. The code is not open source, but 1Password publishes its security assessments, holds SOC 2 Type 2 and several ISO certifications and runs about a dozen external penetration tests per year. In 2023 an Okta support incident touched 1Password's systems; it says no user data was affected.
Everyday use: the apps are the most polished in the market. Travel Mode hides chosen vaults when you cross a border, Watchtower warns about weak and leaked passwords, and sharing within a family is simple.
Pros
- Best-designed apps and autofill
- Secret Key adds protection beyond the master password
- Travel Mode and easy family sharing
Cons
- No free plan
- About twice the price of Bitwarden
- Introductory price only for the first year, not open source
ToolLaunchpad Password Generator
Best for: creating a strong master passphraseWhichever manager you choose, its safety depends on the master password. Our free password generator creates long random passphrases in your browser with the Web Crypto API; nothing is sent or stored.
Pros
- Free, runs locally in your browser
Cons
- Not a password manager
Price over three years
At the regular prices on the check date, one person pays about $59 for three years of Bitwarden Premium and about $144 for 1Password Individual (a little less with the first-year offer). A family pays about $144 for Bitwarden Families and about $216 for 1Password Families. With Bitwarden's free plan, the cost is zero.
Which one should you choose?
- Tight budget or first password manager: Bitwarden Free. You can upgrade later without moving your data.
- Family with non-technical members: 1Password is easier to set up and explain; Bitwarden Families is much cheaper and works well too.
- Privacy and transparency: Bitwarden, because the code is open and can be self-hosted.
- Frequent travellers: 1Password's Travel Mode is unique.
Switching between them
Both can import and export vaults. 1Password imports Bitwarden exports, and Bitwarden imports 1Password's 1PUX and CSV files. After moving, delete the exported file, because it contains your passwords unencrypted.
For a wider comparison including Proton Pass, Dashlane, NordPass and KeePassXC, see our best password managers comparison.
How we compared
We did not run our own lab benchmarks and we do not publish made-up test scores. This comparison is based on the vendors' official pricing and feature pages, their documentation and published independent audits, all read on the date above. Prices change often and can differ by country, tax and promotion: always check the final price on the vendor's site.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bitwarden as secure as 1Password?
Both use strong end-to-end encryption and have been audited repeatedly. 1Password adds a Secret Key on top of the master password; Bitwarden offers open-source code that anyone can inspect. For most people both are very safe with a strong master password and two-factor authentication.
Is Bitwarden really free?
Yes. The free plan has unlimited passwords and devices and supports passkeys. Premium features such as built-in two-factor codes and file attachments cost $1.65 per month.
Does 1Password have a free version?
No. It offers a 14-day free trial; after that a paid plan is required.
Which is better for families?
1Password Families is the most polished for up to five people. Bitwarden Families covers six people for less money.
Can I move from 1Password to Bitwarden?
Yes. Export from 1Password and import the file in Bitwarden's web vault, then delete the export file.
How current are the prices?
We read them on Bitwarden's and 1Password's official pricing pages on the date shown at the top.