1Password offers superior user experience with native apps and advanced security features like Travel Mode, but costs $36/year for individuals. Bitwarden is open-source, more affordable at $10/year, and transparent in security audits, making it ideal for privacy-conscious users willing to accept a simpler interface.
1Password vs Bitwarden — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Zero-knowledge password manager with end-to-end encryption and strong focus on security architecture.
Open-source, affordable password manager with transparent security and generous free tier.
Annual Cost (Individual Plan). Source Code Transparency. Travel Mode (Hide passwords at border). Native App Quality. Independent Security Audits. Free Plan Features. Business Plan (Per User/Month)
Choose 1Password if you prioritize premium user experience, advanced security features like Travel Mode, and need seamless integration across devices—the investment justifies the polish for professionals. Choose Bitwarden if you value transparency, affordability, open-source security, and don't mind a steeper learning curve; it's ideal for privacy-conscious users and those on tight budgets.
1Password: 84 reviews | Bitwarden: 70 reviews
1Password: Proprietary | Bitwarden: Open-source
1Password: Unlimited | Bitwarden: Unlimited
1Password: Never breached | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: 1 primary + 5 additional (6 total) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Yes, native support | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Included in all plans | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Advanced with custom rules | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Wider compatibility across versions | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Limited storage in free tier | Bitwarden: N/A
Monthly Subscription Cost (Annual Billing)
1Password: Not included | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Full DevOps integration | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: $47.88/year (as of March 2026) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Not clearly defined | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: 1 GB included | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Simple/Intuitive | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Real-time across all platforms | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: $4.99/month (or $49.99/year) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: 6 major platforms (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, web) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: 1 (Cure53 2022) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Yes - temporarily remove vaults from device | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Yes - unlimited shared vaults for families/teams | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Yes - detailed breach reports included | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Watchtower (proprietary scope) | Bitwarden: N/A
Password Generator Customization Parameters
User Satisfaction Rating (G2 Reviews 2025)
1Password: $19.99/month per user | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: 690M+ (Watchtower) | Bitwarden: 50M+ (basic check)
1Password: Closed-source with audits | Bitwarden: Open-source on GitHub
1Password: No | Bitwarden: Yes (via Vaultwarden)
1Password: Yes—designate trusted contacts | Bitwarden: Not available
1Password: 6+ platforms (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, web) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: 6 browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Brave, Opera) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Up to 5 users ($99.99/year) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Yes - designate trusted contacts | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Advanced with granular permissions | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: 5+ billion (Watchtower) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Unlimited with granular permissions | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Unlimited vaults | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: AES-256 + PBKDF2 | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera (5 major) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Unlimited (Teams plan starts at $34.99/user/year) | Bitwarden: N/A
Advanced Sharing Permissions (Field-Level)
1Password: Available (edit, view-only, hide fields) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Unlimited (paid plan) | Bitwarden: N/A
Two-Factor Authentication Methods Supported
1Password: 12 (TOTP, WebAuthn, SMS, email, etc.) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Yes, full local option available | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: 8 (length, numbers, symbols, etc.) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: $36/year | Bitwarden: $10/year
1Password: $59.99/year | Bitwarden: $40/year (5x individual plans)
1Password: Limited vault | Bitwarden: Unlimited
1Password: No (proprietary) | Bitwarden: Yes (GitHub)
1Password: 2022 (4 years) | Bitwarden: 2024 (annual audits)
1Password: $3.99/user/month | Bitwarden: $3/user/month
1Password: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Web | Bitwarden: 6 (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, Web)
1Password: 84+ billion known compromises | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: View, Edit, Manage permissions per item | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: 20+ options (length, symbols, diceware, words, etc.) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: App-based, works across ecosystems | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: No—paid plans only | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: AES-256 with 256-bit PBKDF2 | Bitwarden: AES-256, PBKDF2
1Password: All data (passwords, documents, notes) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Add-on only ($4.99/month) | Bitwarden: N/A
1Password: Teams/Business plans only | Bitwarden: No
1Password: Not available | Bitwarden: N/A
Password Generator Customization Options
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: Not available
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: 100% open-source
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: Community-based
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: Yes, unlimited features
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: $10/year premium (free tier available)
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: Official native apps (iOS/Android)
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: Official extensions for 4 major browsers
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: Partial (cached data only)
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: Automatic cloud sync
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: Yes, publicly audited
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: 8+ methods (premium)
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: Yes, fully supported
Independent Security Audits (Past 3 Years)
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: Community forum + email
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: Fully supported with official guidance
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: No (separate service required)
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: Open-source (GitHub)
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: 2023 (Cure53)
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: 40+ languages
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: Yes (audited)
1Password: N/A | Bitwarden: 3 third-party audits (2024)
How to choose between 1Password and Bitwarden
1Password vs Bitwarden — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for 1Password vs Bitwarden. Contains 154 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
1Password vs Bitwarden — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for 1Password vs Bitwarden.
Both use AES-256 encryption and zero-knowledge architecture. The key difference is transparency: Bitwarden's open-source code allows independent verification, with annual public security audits. 1Password has fewer recent audits (last full audit in 2022) but employs security experts. For most users, Bitwarden's open-source nature and frequent audits provide stronger security assurance. However, 1Password's closed-source model doesn't necessarily mean less secure—it's a trade-off between auditability and 1Password's internal security practices.
Can I use Bitwarden's free version forever?
Yes. Bitwarden's free tier is genuinely unlimited—you can store unlimited passwords, use two-factor authentication, and sync across all devices indefinitely at no cost. The $10/year premium plan adds features like TOTP (one-time password) generation, encrypted file attachments, and priority support. 1Password requires a paid subscription from day one; there's no free tier option.
What is 1Password's Travel Mode and why does it matter?
Travel Mode allows you to temporarily hide selected passwords, items, and vaults from your 1Password account while traveling internationally. This protects sensitive data if your device is seized at a border crossing—authorities see an empty vault. Bitwarden lacks this feature entirely. It's valuable for journalists, activists, and business travelers in high-risk regions, but unnecessary for most users.
Can I self-host Bitwarden but not 1Password?
Yes. Bitwarden is open-source and can be self-hosted using Vaultwarden (community implementation) or the official Bitwarden server on your own infrastructure. This appeals to enterprises requiring complete data control. 1Password is cloud-only with no self-hosting option, though it offers 'accounts' stored on 1Password's servers with end-to-end encryption. For privacy-first organizations, Bitwarden's self-hosting flexibility is a major advantage.
Which has better apps for iPhone and Android?
1Password's native apps are more polished with superior UX, faster performance, and better integration with device features like biometric unlock. Bitwarden's apps are functional but slower on older devices and have a less intuitive interface. If app experience is your priority, 1Password wins decisively. However, Bitwarden's apps work well enough for most users and are improving regularly.
How to Choose Between 1Password and Bitwarden
Annual Cost (Individual Plan): 1Password has $36/year, while Bitwarden has $10/year.
Source Code Transparency: 1Password has Proprietary closed-source, while Bitwarden has Open-source (GitHub).
Consider: Travel Mode (Hide passwords at border)
Travel Mode (Hide passwords at border): 1Password has Yes, included, while Bitwarden has No feature.
Native App Quality: 1Password has Highly optimized, polished UX, while Bitwarden has Functional but less refined.
Independent Security Audits: 1Password has 3rd-party audits (last: 2022), while Bitwarden has Multiple annual audits published.
Free Plan Features: 1Password has Limited to 1 vault, basic features, while Bitwarden has Full-featured free tier with unlimited passwords.
Consider: Business Plan (Per User/Month)
Business Plan (Per User/Month): 1Password has $3.99/user/month, while Bitwarden has $3/user/month.