1Password offers superior UX, advanced security features like Watchtower threat monitoring, and dedicated support at $36/year, while Bitwarden provides open-source transparency, lower cost at $10/year, and cross-platform flexibility with community support.
1Password vs Bitwarden — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose 1Password if you prioritize polished UX, advanced threat monitoring, and professional support for password management. Choose Bitwarden if you value open-source transparency, lower cost, self-hosting options, and community-driven development.
Security-focused password manager with complete end-to-end encryption and travel mode
Open-source, self-hostable password manager with transparent security and low cost.
1Password vs Bitwarden — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for 1Password vs Bitwarden with 170 attributes.
Monthly Subscription Cost (Annual Billing)
Password Generator Customization Parameters
User Satisfaction Rating (G2 Reviews 2025)
Advanced Sharing Permissions (Field-Level)
Two-Factor Authentication Methods Supported
Independent Security Audits (Last 5 Years)
Password Generator Customization Options
Independent Security Audits (Past 3 Years)
1Password vs Bitwarden — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for 1Password vs Bitwarden.
Yes — Bitwarden's free tier is genuinely unlimited with no device limit and no password limit. You get cross-device sync, browser extensions, mobile apps, and basic password management at no cost. Unlike LastPass (which limits free users to one device type) and Dashlane (which caps free at 25 passwords), Bitwarden's free tier is the most generous of any major password manager. Bitwarden Premium adds TOTP authenticator codes, encrypted attachments, and emergency access for just $10/year.
Is 1Password worth paying for over Bitwarden?
1Password's UX polish, Watchtower security monitoring, and Travel Mode are genuinely valuable for many users. The $2.99/month Personal plan is reasonable for a solo user. However, for a family of 5, Bitwarden Families ($40/year) vs 1Password Families ($4.99/month = $59.88/year) shows Bitwarden is 33% cheaper with very comparable security. Bitwarden is the better value; 1Password is worth it if UX is your top priority.
Yes — Bitwarden is fully open-source and can be self-hosted using Docker. The standard self-hosted deployment (Bitwarden Unified) runs on any server with Docker and requires approximately 1GB RAM. Self-hosting gives you complete control over your password data and is popular with businesses handling sensitive data and privacy-focused individuals. 1Password does not offer self-hosting; your data is stored on their servers.
Both use zero-knowledge architecture (the company cannot decrypt your vault) with AES-256 encryption, and both undergo annual independent security audits. Neither has suffered a known vault breach. 1Password adds an additional layer — the Secret Key (a 34-character device-specific key required alongside your master password) that makes remote brute-force attacks computationally impractical. Both are extremely safe choices; the difference is marginal for most threat models.