1Password vs. Bitwarden: Compare Password Managers

1Password and Bitwarden each offer cost-effective password manager plans, with Bitwarden stepping ahead thanks to its Free Forever plan and only $19.80/year Premium ($1.65/mo) plan — about one-third the cost of 1Password’s Premium individual plan. Even if you add five other people, getting Bitwarden for $8 less per year is still less expensive and equally feature-rich.

With the addition of 1Password’s full support for Linux on desktop, the two password managers are comparable in compatibility with major platforms, though Bitwarden also names Unix, Homebrew, Docker, CLI managers for Windows, and Snap. Because 1Password supports the latest versions of Linux, I think these two services are comparable, and you can use either with any modern platform.

Bitwarden’s free version is compatible with nearly every platform, which is a huge selling point. Often, the free plans are limited in platforms. As an added bonus, Bitwarden is accessible in more than 50 languages, making it usable by more people worldwide.

1Password also earns accolades for its compatibility across operating systems and browsers. This is convenient and important if you use various platforms and browsers like I do. I also like that 1Password includes single sign-on (SSO) with its Business and Enterprise plans, while Bitwarden offers it only with Enterprise subscriptions.

While both password managers offer full functionality via their websites and browser extensions (especially with the updated 1Password X), you’ll also need to download the desktop app, which I found was the best way to get started with both password managers.

1Password’s desktop is minimal but concise, so I was not overwhelmed when finding my way around the dashboard and features. Bitwarden’s desktop app is also clean and user-friendly. Again, both are minimal — and this is a good thing.

On 1Password’s current desktop dashboard, the left navigation acts as a main menu, with categories organized in the next column, such as Google, Dropbox, and Netflix. When I click on a category — say Evernote — the third column on the screen displays all the details and allows me to easily edit.

With the 1Password Mac version, the dropdown menu installs directly into the Mac menu bar, giving you easy access to your 1Password vault without going on the desktop app.

Moving my way around the Bitwarden desktop app was also a cinch. It feels like navigating my email inbox, making it highly intuitive. You don’t need to be a technophile to work with either of these password managers. Adding to and editing the vault was simple.

Bitwarden’s browser extension made it easy to add vault items, which is a feature many free password managers don’t offer. With Bitwarden, you can do this with the Free Forever plan, which goes back to why this password manager won for plans and pricing.

Both 1Password and Bitwarden mobile apps were equally easy to navigate, with main sections in the left toolbar so I could easily manage my account.

1Password and Bitwarden offer comparable form-filling, but 1Password gains an edge because Bitwarden lacks a vault template for addresses. While you can store them in a custom vault entry, they do not work with autofill. This is a pain when dealing with shipping and billing information, but it’s not a deal-breaker since Bitwarden is a mint password manager in almost every other category.

Another point: Bitwarden’s autofill must be triggered by its browser extension. On the other hand, 1Password (and many others) display an icon in unfilled fields. You may do a little more clicking with Bitwarden, but don’t let this dissuade you from selecting one of the best password managers.

Most password managers, including Bitwarden and 1Password, use powerful 256-bit AES encryption, and both password managers’ vaults are unlocked on your device only after you’ve entered your master password.

1Password adds an extra layer of security with a 34-character Secret Key that works alongside your master password. 1Password Watchtower sifts through information to see if information has been compromised, that way I am alerted directly if there is a red flag so I can change the affected password before a cybercriminal lays hands on it.

Bitwarden provides vault health reports. If I reuse a password or create a password that Bitwarden thinks is weak, I get a report of these items before Bitwarden even accesses encrypted versions. Basically, this puts up a stop sign that says, “Wait a minute. This password is vulnerable.”

Both 1Password and Bitwarden have built-in password generators, offer 1GB of secure online storage, and operate on a zero-knowledge model to protect your personal information. I appreciate knowing that not even the password manager can access my data.

Both 1Password and Bitwarden support 2FA via authenticator apps (which use time-based one-time passwords, or TOTPs) and physical security keys.

Let’s hash out 1Password’s 2FA skills. It is compatible with Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, and Okta Verify, and you can access single sign-on (SSO) with business plans. Like Bitwarden, there’s a simple QR code setup, and both provide biometric unlock capabilities.

I like how Bitwarden offers 2FA via YubiKey and FIDO, which are highly secure. You can choose a free authenticator app, including Authy and Google Authenticator. Email is another 2FA option.

Other features are only available to Premium subscribers. As a Premium subscriber, Bitwarden allows you to enable 2FA with Duo Security with Duo Push, SMS, phone call, and security. The FIDO WebAuthn Authenticator is also a Premium privilege only.