1Password is a cross-platform password manager with advanced sharing and team features, while Apple Keychain is a free, integrated solution limited to Apple devices. 1Password offers significantly more control and flexibility, whereas Keychain prioritizes simplicity and seamless ecosystem integration.
1Password vs Apple Keychain — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Enterprise-grade password manager with unlimited vaults, advanced sharing, and team collaboration
Free native password manager integrated into macOS, iOS, and iCloud
Platform Support. Cost (Annual). Team/Family Sharing. Vault Organization. Emergency Access Feature. Browser Extension Availability. Two-Factor Authentication Support
Choose 1Password if you use multiple operating systems, need advanced team/family sharing, require emergency access features, or want maximum flexibility and control over password management. Choose Apple Keychain if you exclusively use Apple devices, prioritize zero cost and seamless native integration, and have simple password management needs without advanced organizational requirements.
1Password: $35.88/year | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: 4.6/5.0 | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: 84 reviews | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Proprietary | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Unlimited | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Web | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Never breached | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Trial only (not full free) | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: 83 reviews | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: 1 primary + 5 additional (6 total) | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Yes, native support | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Included in all plans | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Advanced with custom rules | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Wider compatibility across versions | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Limited storage in free tier | Apple Keychain: N/A
Monthly Subscription Cost (Annual Billing)
1Password: $2.99/month | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: 4.7 stars | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: 14 days | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Not included | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Limited | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Native app | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Full DevOps integration | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: AES-256 | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: 5+ browsers | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: 6+ methods | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: $47.88/year (as of March 2026) | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Not clearly defined | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: 1 GB included | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Simple/Intuitive | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: $71.88/year | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Real-time across all platforms | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: $4.99/month (or $49.99/year) | Apple Keychain: Free (with iCloud+ at $0.99-9.99/month)
1Password: 6 major platforms (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, web) | Apple Keychain: Apple only (macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS)
1Password: 1 (Cure53 2022) | Apple Keychain: No published audits
1Password: Yes - temporarily remove vaults from device | Apple Keychain: No
1Password: ~500-800ms | Apple Keychain: ~200-300ms (native)
1Password: Yes - unlimited shared vaults for families/teams | Apple Keychain: Limited - iCloud Family Group sharing only
1Password: Yes - detailed breach reports included | Apple Keychain: Limited - basic breach alerts via iCloud
1Password: 7 platforms | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: 3 methods | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Watchtower (proprietary scope) | Apple Keychain: N/A
Password Generator Customization Parameters
1Password: 15+ options | Apple Keychain: N/A
User Satisfaction Rating (G2 Reviews 2025)
1Password: 4.7/5 stars | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: $19.99/month per user | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: 690M+ (Watchtower) | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: 4.7/5.0 | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Closed-source with audits | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Not available | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Included with vault sharing | Apple Keychain: No
1Password: 6+ platforms (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, web) | Apple Keychain: 4 platforms (macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS)
1Password: 6 browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Brave, Opera) | Apple Keychain: 1 browser (Safari only)
1Password: Unlimited | Apple Keychain: Single keychain (limited categorization)
1Password: Up to 5 users ($99.99/year) | Apple Keychain: Up to 6 users (iCloud Family, Apple-only)
1Password: Yes - designate trusted contacts | Apple Keychain: No
1Password: Advanced with granular permissions | Apple Keychain: Basic sharing only
1Password: AES-256 with zero-knowledge | Apple Keychain: AES-256, end-to-end with device keys
1Password: 5+ billion (Watchtower) | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Unlimited with granular permissions | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: $119.99 | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Unlimited vaults | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: AES-256 + PBKDF2 | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera (5 major) | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: Unlimited (Teams plan starts at $34.99/user/year) | Apple Keychain: N/A
Advanced Sharing Permissions (Field-Level)
1Password: Available (edit, view-only, hide fields) | Apple Keychain: N/A
1Password: N/A | Apple Keychain: 4 Apple platforms
1Password: N/A | Apple Keychain: Passive monitoring on sign-in
1Password: N/A | Apple Keychain: Limited iCloud family sharing
1Password: N/A | Apple Keychain: Free with iCloud+ subscription
How to choose between 1Password and Apple Keychain
1Password vs Apple Keychain — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for 1Password vs Apple Keychain. Contains 93 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
1Password vs Apple Keychain — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for 1Password vs Apple Keychain.
Can I use 1Password on Windows while having an iPhone?
Yes, 1Password supports both Windows and iOS, making it ideal for cross-platform users. Your passwords sync automatically across all devices when you use the same 1Password account. Apple Keychain cannot sync to Windows devices at all.
Is Apple Keychain secure enough for all my passwords?
Apple Keychain uses end-to-end encryption and is secure for personal use on Apple devices. However, it lacks advanced features like emergency access, advanced sharing controls, and activity audit logs. For business or team use, 1Password offers more comprehensive security controls and compliance features.
Can I share passwords with my family members securely?
1Password Families plan ($99.99/year) allows up to 5 family members to share specific vaults with granular permission controls. Apple Keychain can share through iCloud Family Sharing (up to 6 members) but only among Apple users and with limited control over individual item access. 1Password offers more flexibility for mixed-OS families.
What happens if I forget my master password?
1Password offers Emergency Access—you can designate trusted contacts who can access your account. Apple Keychain relies on your Apple ID recovery process. 1Password's approach is more secure and user-friendly for recovery scenarios.
Do I need to pay extra for two-factor authentication support?
1Password includes a built-in TOTP code generator at no extra cost. Apple Keychain stores 2FA codes in separate apps or Notes. Neither charges extra for 2FA support, but 1Password's integrated approach is more convenient for users generating multiple authentication codes.
How to Choose Between 1Password and Apple Keychain
Platform Support: 1Password has Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, web browsers, while Apple Keychain has macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS only.
Cost (Annual): 1Password has $36.99 USD (individual plan), while Apple Keychain has $0 (free with Apple ID).
Team/Family Sharing: 1Password has Built-in with 1Password Families ($99.99/year for up to 5 users), while Apple Keychain has Basic sharing through iCloud Family Sharing, limited to Apple users.
Vault Organization: 1Password has Unlimited vaults with granular permission controls, while Apple Keychain has Single shared keychain with limited categorization.
Emergency Access Feature: 1Password has Yes - designate trusted contacts for account recovery, while Apple Keychain has No emergency access delegation available.
Consider: Browser Extension Availability
Browser Extension Availability: 1Password has Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Brave, Opera (6+ browsers), while Apple Keychain has Safari only (macOS and iOS 17+).
Consider: Two-Factor Authentication Support
Two-Factor Authentication Support: 1Password has Built-in TOTP generator + integrated 2FA management, while Apple Keychain has Supports 2FA codes but no built-in TOTP manager.