1Password vs. True Key: Compare Password Managers

1Password and True Key are two great password managers which ranked highly on our list of the best password managers. Both services are comparable in price, features, and compatibility, especially with 1Password’s recent launch of a full-fledged Linux version.

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

You would assume that having a free version would give True Key a real edge in this category. However, the free version isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, throttling practical usage so hard that it’s little more than a glorified demo version. If saving money is your goal, there are plenty of cheap (or even free) password managers we’d recommend before True Key.

In the end, even though 1Password is more expensive, it still wins this category by offering more choices and better options than True Key.

While True Key’s app compatibility will placate most people, the platform won’t fit everyone well. True Key does not support Linux-based operating systems, Windows Phone, or BlackBerry.

True Key is a basic and rather bare-bones password manager, but it has an upside: it’s extremely simple to use. The layout is clean and easy to read and navigate, allowing even newcomers to the world of password management programs to quickly get acquainted with the functionality.

However, 1Password is more robust and usable when push comes to shove.

True Key automatically fills in your information when you visit a familiar page. This feature works flawlessly and creates a hassle-free login experience. Some password managers require the click of a button or two to kickstart this feature. This can be a good thing when using a login you don’t want to be stored; however, True Key makes it easy to quickly undo an auto-capture.

Where True Key loses points, though, is its inability to autofill information besides logins. Payment information and addresses, for example, can be stored in your True Key vault but cannot be auto-filled. I think payment and address autofill is one of the most useful features in a password manager, so I consider it a must-have.

Similarly, each True Key account is protected by a master password that must be at least eight characters using uppercase and lowercase letters, digits and special characters, and spaces if desired.

That said, it’s also the industry standard. While your information is perfectly safe with True Key, the service can do more. Security features I generally like to see in a premium password manager include breach reports and dark web monitoring.

1Password’s options are a bit more limited, perhaps because this layer of security wasn’t initially built in. Its 2FA function is compatible with Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, and physical U2F security keys like YubiKey and Google’s Titan key. But they work consistently well, and having fewer good options than many bad ones is better.

True Key still has a slight price advantage over 1Password with its free tier, though that option’s limitations make True Key’s value proposition a bit less attractive.

1Password is a better value than True Key because it offers more features and security options than True Key. 1Password is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. It also offers data encryption, cross-device synchronization, email verification, MFA, and more. It is designed for small, medium, and enterprise businesses.

It works better on every level and proves to be the more robust and reliable password manager between the two.

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.