Disclosure: PasswordManager.com earns a commission from referring visitors to some products and services using affiliate partnerships.

Dashlane: A Quick Overview

Bottom line: Dashlane has all the makings of a top-notch password manager. While its security features like 256-bit AES encryption and two-factor authentication are par for the course, Dashlane stands out with such premium features as VPN, password health checker, and live dark web monitoring. That said, with its limited customizability and lackluster free version, some users may find better value elsewhere.

Who should choose Dashlane? Any individual or business who needs a high-end password manager with a user-friendly platform will have no issues with Dashlane. Those who want a free password manager, though, can find better options out there.

Dashlane’s Editor Rating

Overall: (4.7)

After testing Dashlane’s features, I’ve given it 4.7/5 stars. For how I personally use password managers, Dashlane has everything I need. In addition to its top-notch security and myriad of premium features, I found Dashlane’s simplistic interface to be very appealing and user-friendly. On top of that, despite its higher-end price tag, Dashlane’s premium version offers tremendous value. What holds it back from a higher rating, though, is its lack of customizability and limited free version.

  • Plans and pricing: (5.0)
  • Platform: (5.0)
  • UX: (4.8)
  • Form filling: (4.8)
  • Security: (4.8)
  • 2FA: (4.3)

See how we rate password managers.

Dashlane is just one of your options among password managers for your personal and business needs. I’ve tested and reviewed several popular password managers, and Dashlane is among the best.

See the pros, cons, features, and pricing of Dashlane. And get answers to frequently asked questions about Dashlane.

Dashlane standout features
Support
  • Live chat support
Best forIndividuals or businesses who want top-of-the-line features.
Promotion30-day free trial for premium version

What Are the Pros and Cons of Dashlane?

Dashlane stands out among the competition by offering a long list of useful features across multiple subscription tiers. Personal users and businesses alike will find many benefits to Dashlane’s password manager; however, there are some drawbacks. Here are the details of its pros and cons.

Pros

  • Security: To date, Dashlane has not had a security breach that we know of. Even in the event of a security breach, though, your data would be safe due to no-knowledge architecture and local encryption.
  • Plan variety: Most password managers offer a free and premium tier to personal users; however, Dashlane ups the ante by including an “advanced” tier between the two.
  • Leading value: If you’re a VPN user, Dashlane’s premium plan is a no-brainer, offering one of the best value propositions in both the VPN and password manager market.
  • Free 30-day trial for the premium plan: While its premium subscription is one of the most expensive on the password manager market, you will have 30 days to test drive its features and determine if you want to keep it.

Cons

  • Limited free version: If you want a free password manager, other platforms such as Bitwarden offer much better value. Dahlane’s free version is limited to just one device.
  • Lack of customization: Dashlane’s vault and autofill are both quite rigid in their functionality. While most users will have no problem with this, other platforms such as 1Password offer more flexibility.

Who Should Choose Dashlane?

  1. Step 1.VPN users: Whether you already use a VPN or want to start, Dashlane’s premium tier offers unbeatable value.
  2. Step 2.Families: As with any password manager, tremendous value can be found in Dashlane’s friends and family subscription. Get up to 10 premium members for just $7.49 per month.
  3. Step 3.Small to large businesses: Dashlane offers a variety of business-oriented subscriptions that accommodate businesses of any size.

Dashlane Plans and Pricing

Overall: (5.0)

Dashlane’s pricing is varied. Personal users can decide between free, advanced, premium and friends & family plans. For businesses, Dashlane offers starter, team, and business tiers. The advanced tier is priced like most password managers’ premium tiers at $2.75 per month (billed annually). Dashlane’s premium tier, priced at $4.99 per month, includes a VPN.

Dashlane’s starter tier is geared towards businesses with up to 10 users, priced a total of just $20 per month. Both the team ($5 per month) and business ($8 per month) tiers accommodate unlimited users; however, the business tier offers more features. Due to total value, Dashlane’s cost is among the most competitive; however, there are cheaper options out there.

Dashlane Plans and Pricing

Free PlanAdvanced PlanPremium PlanFriends & Family PlanStarter PlanTeam PlanBusiness Plan
PriceFree$2.75 per month$4.99 per month7.49 per month$20 per month (for 10 users)$5 per user per month$8 per user per month
Best forNew users or those who need just one device.Personal users who need a high-end password manager.VPN users.Friends and families of up to 10.Businesses of up to 10.Businesses of any size.Businesses of any size that need more features.
Free trialN/AN/A30-dayN/AN/A30-day30-day
Platform compatibilityWindows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, OS, iOS, AndroidWindows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, OS, iOS, AndroidWindows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, OS, iOS, AndroidWindows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, OS, iOS, AndroidWindows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, OS, iOS, AndroidWindows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, OS, iOS, AndroidWindows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox OS, iOS, Android
Autofill capabilityYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Number of passwordsUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
Available storage1GB1GB1GB1GB1GB per user1GB per user1GB per user
Password sharingYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
2FAYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Account recoveryYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Support typesLive chat supportLive chat supportLive chat supportLive chat supportLive chat supportLive chat supportLive chat support
EncryptionAES 256-bitAES 256-bitAES 256-bitAES 256-bitAES 256-bitAES 256-bitAES 256-bit
Single sign-on (SSO)NoNoNoNoNoNoYes

Dashlane Platform Compatibility

Overall: (5.0)

Dashlane is compatible with:

  1. Step 1.Android (Oreo or later)
  2. Step 2.iOS (15 or later)
  3. Step 3.Linux (any of the latest distributions)
  4. Step 4.Mac (Monterey 12.0 or later)
  5. Step 5.Windows
  6. Step 6.Browsers (Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari)

Dashlane is available on a wide range of platforms and browsers. It’s even available in the Google Play store, meaning it can be added to devices like Kindles and Nooks. Also, compared to some other password managers, Dashlane works with older versions of Android and iOS, which can be useful to some.

Dashlane UX

Overall: (4.8)

Similar to most other password managers, Dashlane has a simplistic, easy-to-navigate platform. In fact, I personally found its desktop app to offer the cleanest, most visually appealing interface I’ve encountered in a password manager. Overall, no user will be left wondering how to use Dashlane.

#

On the other hand, I found its browser extension to be quite congested. Dashlane essentially packed its desktop interface into the extension. While some may find this useful, I only use the extension to quickly add or retrieve passwords. Other password managers like 1Password recognize this and offer a far more streamlined extension.

#

I’ll also note here that switching to Dashlane from another password manager is very easy. By simply importing a CSV file from your last password manager, Dashlane will instantly store all of your information.

Dashlane Form Filling

Overall: (4.8)

Any password manager worth its salt should offer seamless autofill capabilities for logins. Dashlane accomplishes this, as I found no difficulty with password or username autofill. Where password managers tend to fall off, though, is autofilling more comprehensive fields, such as payment and shipping information.

During my test, I found that Dashlane’s form filling capabilities were adequate. There were times where it didn’t recognize certain fields in a given form. However, that’s usually the form’s fault. Where Dashlane can improve, though, is offering custom fields––something that 1Password and Enpass already do.

That said, most users should find Dashlane’s built-in sections to be more than adequate. Logins, payment information, addresses, and IDs can all easily be inputted and autofilled.

Dashlane Security

Overall: (4.8)

Similar to just about every password manager out there, Dashlane utilizes 256-bit AES encryption. NordPass stands out by offering XChaCha20 encryption, which is even more bulletproof than 256-bit AES. However, 256-bit AES is widely regarded as unbreachable. Most users should feel perfectly secure with Dashlane’s chosen encryption.

No knowledge architecture, two-factor authentication, local encryption, and password health are further industry-standard security measures that Dashlane offers across all of its subscription tiers.

Dashlane’s security stands out, though, with two unique offerings:

  • Live dark web monitoring
  • VPN

While many password managers offer dark web monitoring, few offer Dashlane’s live version of it. When Dashlane detects your information on the dark web, it notifies you in real time. This is a very useful feature because such matters can be timely.

Where Dashlane truly stands above the rest, though, is the VPN it includes in its premium tier. Dashlane uses a licensed version of Hotspot Shield, which on its own costs $12.99 per month. You get it with Dashlane for just $4.99 per month. While the version you get with Dashlane is more limited, it still offers tremendous value for those who are new to VPNs.

Dashlane Two-Factor Authentication

Overall: (4.3)

Optional two-factor authentication (2FA) is an important security feature that every password manager should offer. Simply put, it guarantees that only you can log into your account. Dashlane offers 2FA by way of authenticator app. This is perfectly adequate. However, I would like to see them introduce more options.

Personally, authenticator app is not my preferred method of 2FA. I tend to opt for Biometric or SMS authentication––options which many competitors offer. In fact, I find it quite surprising that Dashlane’s 2FA is limited to just authenticator apps. Introducing biometric or SMS authentication would make it an even more competitive option.

Recent Improvements to Dashlane

  1. Step 1.You can now set up Dashlane's account recovery key. With the key, you can regain access to your Dashlane account without losing any of your data if you forget your Master Password.
  2. Step 2.You can turn off Dashlane auto-login for all websites, and Dashlane won’t automatically log you into any websites in your vault until you turn it back on
  3. Step 3.You can create collections and add them to your logins to help organize and filter your vault
  4. Step 4.A new role is available for Starter, Team, and Business plans called Group Manager. Groups Managers can only access and make changes to the Groups tab of the Admin Console

Compare Dashlane Alternatives

1Password is a strong contender for password management, but competitors including Keeper, Roboform, LastPass, and NordPass could be a better fit. We looked closely at each password manager, spent time using the services, and researched each one for hours. Our research provides objective information about each company so you can find the one that will be best for you.

See how Dashlane compares to other top-tier password managers that the PasswordManager.com team recommends:

Password managerPricingBasic plan features
Dashlane

Overall rating: (4.7)

Starting price: Free

Platform compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, iOS, Android

Security: AES 256-bit encryption, 2FA

  • Unlimited passwords and devices
  • SSO integration for Business plan
  • 2FA with all plans
  • Live Dark Web Monitoring With Advanced Plan
  • VPN offered with premium plan
1Password

Overall rating: (4.8)

Read our full 1Password review.

Consider 1Password if: You’re seeking unlimited password management at a fair price.

Starting price: $2.99 per month

Platform compatibility: Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web (Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), Windows

Security: AES 256-bit encryption, 2FA

  • Unlimited passwords
  • Password sharing with all plans
  • 2FA with all plans
Keeper

Overall rating: (4.6)

Read our full Keeper review.

Consider Keeper if: You want to enjoy the feature of secure biometric logins.

Starting price: $3.75 per user

Platform compatibility: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iPhone, and iPad. Browser extensions for Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Edge, Chrome

Security: AES 256-bit encryption, PBKDF2

  • Unlimited passwords
  • User-friendly interface with secure biometric logins
  • Secure password saving and sharing with zero-knowledge security
Roboform

Overall rating: (4.5)

Read our full Roboform review.

Consider RoboForm If: You want to sync your passwords through multiple platforms and won’t mind its compatibility with fewer platforms than 1Password.

Starting price: $24 per year

Platform compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android support for their respective major browsers, including Microsoft Edge

Security: AES 256-bit encryption, 2FA

  • One-click logins
  • Capture passwords while you browse
  • Anytime, anywhere access
  • Supported on multiple platforms
  • Keep your passwords in sync
LastPass

Overall rating: (4.4)

Read our full LastPass review.

Consider LastPass If: You want to get additional features and are willing to pay a high price for it.

Starting price: $3 per month

Platform compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile platform

Security: Zero-knowledge security model

  • Access on all devices
  • One-to-many sharing
  • Password manager and generator
  • Dark web monitoring
NordPass

Overall rating: (4.3)

Read our full NordPass review.

Consider NordPass if: You don’t want different packages for your family and business.

Starting price: $2.49 per month

Platform compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and popular browsers, such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Opera, and Safari

Security: XChaCha20 encryption algorithm and a zero-knowledge policy

  • Secure data sharing solution
  • Safe sharing of login details
  • Real-time breach monitoring
  • Data breach scanner

Frequently Asked Questions About Dashlane

  • What are the cons of Dashlane?

    Dashlane’s primary drawbacks are its limited storage capacity, lack of 2FA options, and inability to be customized. Most personal users will not be affected by these, though.

  • Can Dashlane be trusted?

    Thanks to its no-knowledge architecture and local encryption, Dashlane has yet to experience a breach and can certainly be trusted.

  • Is it worth paying for Dashlane?

    Dashlane’s “Advanced” tier is about the same price as any other premium password manager, and includes the features to justify it. If you can make use of the VPN, though, the “Premium” tier is one of the best values on the market.

  • Is Dashlane Better than 1Password?

    I found that Dashlane has a better overall user experience than 1Password, making it a better option for most personal users. That said, 1Password offers more storage and customizability, making it a better option for those who need such features.

  • Is Dashlane Free?

    Dashlane offers a free version; however, it’s limited to just one device. If you are looking for a free password manager, there are better options out there.

  • What Is Dashlane the Company?

    Dashlane was founded in 2009, eventually launching its first product in 2012. Since then, Dashlane has become one of the most popular password managers on the market, stating, “We believe companies like us, with people like you, can start to take steps to reclaim our digital independence without sacrificing convenience.”

How I Rated Dashlane

My review process involved a thorough study of what Dashlane offers Vis-à-vis the competition. In addition to this deep dive, I created a personal account to give Dashlane’s features and functionality a comprehensive test drive.

Throughout my test, I gave more weight to the features most useful to the typical user or business. Security, user experience, and technical functionality were the most paramount parameters during my explorations.

Overall, Dashlane turned out to be one of the most impressive password managers I’ve encountered. On top of an excellent user experience, I found its performance to be top-notch. One of its biggest draws is the VPN included in the premium tier––a value that’s unmatched in the password manager market.

There are some drawbacks that can be a dealbreaker for some, though. If you need more than 1GB of storage or a customizable vault, competitors like 1Password may be a better option. That said, Dashlane is among the best I’ve experienced.

author-img

About The Password Manager, Gunnar Kallstrom:

Gunnar Kallstrom, The Password Manager, is a Cyber Team Lead for a DOD contracting company in Huntsville, AL, and has also worked as a CND Cyber Analyst. An author and content creator for a cybersecurity academy, Gunnar spent nearly 15 years in the Army as a musician before entering the cybersecurity field.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Thomas Edison State University and a master’s in organizational development and leadership from the University of the Incarnate Word.

Kallstrom has completed several CompTIA courses, including Secruity+, Network+, A+ Core 1, and A+ Core 2. He earned a CompTIA Security+ Certification. Additionally, he has completed the Cyber Warrior Academy program with more than 800 hours of hands-on, intensive, and lab-driven technical training in cybersecurity methods and procedures.

Passionate about all things cyber, Kallstrom was a speaker on a panel at the 2022 InfoSec World conference, giving a talk entitled “Hacking into a Cyber Career – True Stories.” Kallstrom is also a mentor to entry-level cybersecurity candidates seeking to break into the field. When he’s not working, he still enjoys playing guitar and fishing (not phishing).

Related Posts

Twilio Authy Authenticator Review 2023: Expert Rated 4.6/5

Twilio Authy is Google Authenticator’s more secure competitor, with functionality across multiple devices and even while working offline. Read More

Panda Dome Passwords Review 2023: Expert Rated 3.8/5

We put Panda Dome Passwords password manager to the test for plan value, compatibility, features, and security. See why The… Read More

Enpass Password Manager Review 2023: Expert Rated 3.8/5

We put True Key password manager to the test for plan value, compatibility, features, and security. See why The Password… Read More

Password Safe Password Manager Review 2023: Expert Rated 4.6/5

We put Password Safe password manager to the test for plan value, compatibility, features, and security. See why The Password… Read More

oneSafe Review 2023: Expert Rated 3.5/5

oneSafe is a unique addition to the password manager market. How does it stand against the competition? Read More

Table of Contents

dashlane

Dashlane

Pros
  1. Best for Personal, Fams or SMBs
  2. Excellent Security
  3. Oustanding Value
Cons
  1. Limited Free Version
  2. Customization
Start your 30 Day Free trial today!
Dashlane