RoboForm vs. 1Password: Compare Password Managers

RoboForm and 1Password are among the best password managers. These services are comparable in price, features, and compatibility, especially with 1Password’s recent launch of a full-fledged Linux version.

RoboForm has a leg up with its free tier, which has most of the basic functionality you could want. However, it limits syncing across all device types (computers, smartphones, and tablets) to its premium plan. While 1Password doesn’t offer a free plan, the user experience (UX) across all devices is second to none. There are cheaper options, but it’s hard to beat 1Password’s level of service.

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

But it’s worth noting that RoboForm’s free tier is limited to syncing data only among computers or mobile devices. This is a huge restriction in a world where most people use at least two main devices simultaneously — a phone and a computer. In many ways, the free tier acts like a glorified demo.

If this was the only factor separating them, this category might still have gone to 1Password. Yet even the premium and family tiers are more than $10 cheaper per year — a significant savings.

1Password also offers a scripting tool where you can build your integration of it on Mac, Windows, or Linux. This is a welcome offering, yet it’s unlikely to be helpful to most users. In the end, despite 1Password having a slight edge, I’m calling this match-up a draw.

The Mac version installs a dropdown menu directly into the Mac menu bar, a third way to access your 1Password vault, the desktop app, and the browser extensions. A more modern design, similar to the look of the new Linux desktop app, has now arrived on Windows and Mac.

RoboForm’s browser extension is also minimal, without many options. The current app has four main sections in the left toolbar to help you manage your account: All, Logins, Safenotes, and Create Identity.

The stand-alone app, however, felt a bit messier and harder to navigate. While there are useful additions such as “Contacts” and “Bookmarks,” the folder structure feels outdated, clunky, and potentially confusing. With the availability of the browser extension and its better UX, it’s hard to recommend the stand-alone app.

You won’t have to worry about typing incorrect login information or dealing with CAPTCHA. Moreover, it saves you from the hassle of typing the wrong details for your shipping address, leading to confusion later. Both are excellent options.

Nothing stands out about 1Password’s security features. The highlights include 256-bit AES encryption, no-knowledge architecture, and 2FA — great, but typically the industry standard. It offers biometric login on some devices and password breach alerts, but nothing that sets it apart from RoboForm.

1Password allows you to add this layer of protection to avoid the risk of data breaches and information compromise. The feature lets you auto-fill saved passwords with 1Password and use them whenever needed. Activating 2FA for your 1Password account is simple and works well. It even supports third-party USB authentication keys such as Titan or Yubikey.

While RoboForm is an excellent password manager (and one of our favorite free ones), we have to award this victory to 1Password. It was a close competition, but at the end of the day, I preferred 1Password’s ease of form filling, extra 2FA options, and stellar UX design.

This isn’t to say that RoboForm isn’t still a great option. You may prefer RoboForm’s more affordable plans if you’re concerned about the bottom line price. RoboForm’s free plan may be more than enough if you’re only looking for a password management service on one device. But if you seek additional security options like physical security keys, 1Password is the better bet.

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.
• 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.