mSecure vs. 1Password: Compare Password Managers

While 1Password is slightly more expensive per year across all plans, you gain more value because of better UX, form filling, and platform compatibility. And that compatibility piece is huge, especially if you use Windows.

If you don’t use a Mac, mSecure does not function to its full capacity, so you’re not getting all the benefits the password manager offers. Pricing is more than the numbers, in my opinion. What you get for your money is a big part of the cost equation.

1Password charges about $36 for its Premium plan for an individual user, which includes unlimited passwords and sharing across devices. mSecure costs $2.99 per month for Premium. And if you pay annually the provider reduces the price by 16% for a total of $2.49 per month ($29.88 per year). While this is a lot less expensive than 1Password, I feel the features and functionality 1 Password provides are worth the price difference.

A limiting factor of mSecure is its platform compatibility. Initially thought it was comprehensive since it is available on major operating systems like Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows, and Apple Watch — a notable advantage.

After digging in, I realized that mSecure only supports browsers if you’re using a Mac. This is a real down-side if you use Windows and want to access mSecure on a computer. I could download the Windows app, but it only stores information.

1Password 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 SSO with its Business and Enterprise plans, though mSecure gets a leg up in this security feature by offering SSO for all plans.

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

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

With the 1Password Mac version, the dropdown menu installs directly into the Mac menu bar so it’s one more way to access your 1Password vault without going on the desktop app.

mSecure has an interface that at first seems user-friendly and has a clean design. But once I started navigating it, I realized it doesn’t function like other password managers.

Working through the steps of importing passwords was not as easy as it should be using an exported CSV file — a pretty standard process for password managers. The import feature is way down in the Backups section, and when I did import the CVS, I had to recategorize entries.

Also, I didn’t like that mSecure only stores login info and passwords on Windows. Since I work on a PC, I could not autofill on a webpage. Instead, I had to find the entry I wanted and copy and paste the information.

Without this form-filling feature on Windows, I second guess whether mSecure is worth it as a password manager. If I was using a Mac, the overall UX is more complete.

mSecure is more of a login and password storage tool if you use Windows. Form filling only works on Chrome or Firefox on a Mac computer. mSecure also supports the Chrome-based browsers Brave and Edge.

1Password provides the robust form filling I expect from a password manager. It has a vault template for addresses and a convenient icon displayed in unfilled fields. I’m a fan of the visual cue.

1Password automatically completes data, including names, addresses, phone numbers, credit card details, and banking information. Because the 1Password vault syncs across devices, I don’t have to re-enter my information when using a mobile or desktop, like when using a browser’s built-in form filler.

1Password allows you to turn on autofill for mobile browsers and apps in iOS or Android settings. Full support for autofill requires the latest version of iOS and Android 8.0 or later.

Most password managers, including mSecure and 1Password, use powerful 256-bit AES encryption, and both these providers’ vaults are unlocked on your device only after you’ve entered your master password. 1Password offers a 34-character Secret Key that works alongside your master password.

mSecure stands out for its security because of a feature I haven’t found in other password managers: control over how data is synched. The Choose Sync Method menu allows you to select the mSecure Cloud, Dropbox, Wi-Fi, or Don’t Sync (only store on device).

I like how you can change the sync method at any time in settings. Basically, you decide whether you like the convenience of passwords syncing across all of your devices, or the information you input never leaving the local device.

Another notable feature is the SSO for all plans, while other password managers only offer SSO for premium or business plans. And mSecure also includes biometric unlocking for all plans, which also isn’t the case with even the best password managers of 2023.

In my opinion, you can’t go wrong in the security department with mSecure or 1Password, but the synching option gives mSecure a leg up.

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

1Password is compatible with Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, and Okta Verify, and you can access SSO with business plans. 2FA is simple to set up with a QR code, and you can also activate biometric unlock capabilities, which I find convenient as opposed to typing in a password or PIN.

mSecure offers 2FA by supporting email, authenticator apps, and text. I like that I can select multiple options and decide whether to receive the code at sign-in. mSecure asks you which method you want to select every time I login.

Biometric authentication is possible with all mSecure plans. But mSecure loses a little credit for not supporting security keys directly. And text 2FA has been questioned as a security measure that could be compromised. For the record, mSecure says on its message board that, to the company’s knowledge, it has never been breached.