1Password vs. KeePass: Compare Password Managers

1Password and KeePass are two of the top password managers on the market. These services are comparable in security, but depending on what features you want in a password manager, you’ll likely find one the clear choice.

KeePass is always free and provides most of the basic functionality you could want alongside top-notch security. However, 1Password’s user experience (UX), platform compatibility, form filling, and two-factor authentication (2FA) are nearly unparalleled when comparing features.

Which password manager should you get? Let this 1Password vs. KeePass face-off help you decide.

1Password, on the other hand, is one of the few password managers with no free option beyond a 14-day trial of all its paid plans. This could turn some people off, but I encourage you to still give 1Password ample consideration because it’s got one of the best returns on investment I’ve seen.

1Password plans start at $2.99 per month for a single user or $4.99 per month for the Family plan. Teams and businesses will want to look into either the Team plan ($19.95 per person per month for up to 10 users) or the Business plan ($7.99 per person per month).

The Enterprise plan can be customized to your needs and price range. All of these plans offer essentially the same features with the exception of single sign-on (SSO) and reporting, which are only available with the higher-priced plans.

The Mac version offers the same fields viewed above but in a drop-down menu that installs directly into the Mac menu bar — another convenience I greatly appreciated.

KeePass, on the other hand, looks like it was designed to run on Windows XP and never got updated. While it is far from appealing to the eye, it does get the job done. The downside is that it may not be intuitive and offers little to no support in helping you navigate it. Once I got the hang of it, though, I found it as understandable as many other cheap password managers.

If you want to try KeePass, be prepared to spend time perusing the support section of the website since the program itself won’t walk you through how to use it.

KeePass technically doesn’t even provide form-filling capabilities. However, there is an Auto Type tool that can do essentially the same thing and is arguably even more powerful.

While most password managers will prompt you when detecting a text field on a webpage, KeePass uses a preset keystroke you can type to trigger Auto Type when certain conditions are met. You can modify these keystrokes to whatever you choose and even trigger it to perform functions outside of web browsing.

The downside to this extra functionality is usability, however. You have to set up each site you want to use it on so it is triggered to log in automatically. It’s a tedious process, especially if you are non-techy, and requires some time watching tutorials. For this reason, I had to dock points on KeePass’s form filling.

1Password also uses a 34-character long Secret Key alongside 256-bit AES encryption to protect your data. Once you log in with this Secret Key, it’s stored on all the applications and browsers on your device. To me, this calls the security of this key into question, as now it’s only as secure as the apps and browsers you’re using.

KeePass’s 2FA feature is clunky but functional. It calls this feature an OTP generator and sends you a text or email with a confirmation code you enter to continue logging in.

The process to set this up with KeePass is far from intuitive, but I have to give it points for including it as part of its free software.

KeePass’s main benefits are that it’s free and has some of the best security on the market. Since you’re likely looking for a password manager primarily to improve your cybersecurity, this may be all you need to hear to decide KeePass is your password manager.

If you want more bells and whistles and aren’t interested in climbing a steep learning curve full of tutorials and little to no IT support, then 1Password is a better choice. You get enough features to make it worth the minimal price, and won’t be disappointed in its appealing and easy-to-use interface.

I also appreciate how easy it is to sync between devices so that you can seamlessly manage passwords across your phone, browser, and laptop. It also enables easy password sharing across teams, a feature many enterprises and teams will appreciate. You can create multiple “vaults” or folders to manage passwords easily accessed without compromising security.

There’s a reason 1Password routinely tops best password manager rankings despite not offering an always-free plan: It’s a perfect example of getting what you pay for.

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 MFA, 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.