1Password vs. Kaspersky: Compare Password Managers

While 1Password has a solid reputation in password management, Kaspersky may have a slight edge in terms of name recognition thanks to its well-known older cousin in the virus protection space. After a history of winning converts from other free antivirus solutions such as Avast or AVG, Kaspersky is throwing its hat into the password management space.

However, our testing has shown that Kaspersky’s experience in internet security may not have necessarily translated into password management. While it’s no slouch, 1Password has a lot to teach it before it can truly become a competitor in the field. This match ends in a total knockout.

And while Kaspersky also offers a free version (which 1Password doesn’t), it might as well be a demo rather than a full product. You can only store 15 items total in the vault. It’s helpful if you want to get a taste of what Kaspersky offers, though the free version isn’t functional for long-term use.

Also, there are no group plans, and even that $14.99 a year introductory rate can add up quickly if you’re a household of more than one. For this reason, 1Password wins this bout — you have a lot more flexibility and know exactly what you’re getting into in terms of a yearly rate.

The Kaspersky desktop app is available for both macOS and Windows. While there isn’t a dedicated application for Linux, those users can access Kaspersky Password Manager through one of its extensions, available on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Chromium-based Microsoft Edge.

You can also install apps for Kaspersky Password Manager on an iOS or Android mobile device. Even if you’re a free user, there are no limits on devices, so you can authorize as many devices as you own or regularly use.

Kaspersky claims to autofill this information and can typically autofill credit card info with little to no error. But it rarely works with addresses. With each test, Kaspersky would either input nothing or put information in the wrong field. This is a major shortcoming, especially considering its claims of accuracy.

Kaspersky does provides leak detection — however, this is unavailable for Mac users.

This competition was a shutout from beginning to end, with 1Password taking every category. That’s not surprising, given that 1Password took the top spot this year as our favorite password manager of 2023. It also made the cut as one of the best cheap password managers. You’re getting a lot of bang for your buck with 1Password.

The biggest edge that Kaspersky might have over 1Password is its free version. But I don’t feel this is a usable product since it limits saved vault entries to only 15. If you’re looking for a free password manager, there are plenty of better options. And if you’re looking for a password manager that does well at a fair price, look no further than 1Password.

On the surface, all password managers essentially generate and store passwords. As I evaluated providers, I dug deeper, comparing software on what matters most, including price, platform compatibility, security, and other factors.

I signed up for a plan with each provider to test:

• Plan value: Most password managers offer various subscription plans from free to around $20 per month. While free plans may be sufficient for some, those that need more functionality may prefer paid plans. We included a wide array of free and paid password managers to find the one that works best for you.
• Platform compatibility: You likely access your online accounts from multiple devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, phones, as well as through different web browsers. Your password manager should be compatible with various devices, operating systems and browsers, and sync seamlessly between them all.
• UX: This is how you interface with all the features and functions of your new password manager — if it’s bad, you’ll be less likely to use the service. While this is a highly subjective category and some will disagree, it’s important to provide an overview based on my experience.
• Form filling: A password manager doesn’t have to include form-filling, but it’s somewhat standard and the ease with which it performs that function can be the deciding factor in which password manager you ultimately choose.
• Security: Since a password manager is first and foremost a security tool, it should come with all of the most up-to-date standard security features. This includes the highest level of available encryption (256-bit AES with PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA512); 2FA, such as biometric logins or multi-factor authentication, and a password generator.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA): Used all over the internet to protect your accounts, this is quickly becoming a standard security practice. 2FA is a great way to secure more sensitive accounts to ensure they’re not breached.

Learn more about our review methodology.