1Password and LastPass are two heavyweight contenders that promise to secure your digital life, but their reputations couldn’t be further apart.
They both have bulletproof encryption, cross-device sync, and a lot of extras. And they’re both in our picks for the best password managers of 2025. However, 1Password builds confidence through precision and privacy whereas, LastPass banks on convenience and familiarity.
Now both are solid options, but they’re for different people. And we’re here to help you decide by comparing the both in terms of security, trust, pricing, usability and more. Let’s get started.
A Quick Overview
| 1Password | LastPass | |
| Security | AES-256 + PBKDF2 (650k) + Secret Key, no breaches | AES-256 + PBKDF2 (600k), past breaches |
| Transparency | SOC 2 Type II, strong public audits | SOC 2 certified, trust rebuilding |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, browsers | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, browsers |
| Free Plan | None (14-day trial only) | Yes, one device type only |
| Offline Access | Full access (read/write) | Read-only |
| Passkeys | Fully supported | Supported, rolling out |
| 2FA & Biometrics | Authenticator, hardware keys, Face ID/Touch ID | Authenticator, SMS/email, hardware keys |
| Best For | Security-focused users | Convenience seekers |
| Starting Price | $2.99/month | $3.00/month |
Pros and Cons
1Password
Pros
- Strong encryption with a unique Secret Key for extra protection
- Zero breaches since launch and regularly audited by independent firms
- Works on all major platforms, including a native Linux app
- Built-in authenticator, passkey support, and Watchtower alerts
- Clean, minimal interface with smooth syncing and fast autofill
- Transparent communication and responsive customer support
Cons
- No free plan, only a 14-day trial
- Closed-source, though thoroughly audited
- Imports from other managers can feel slightly manual
LastPass
Pros
- Easy to use with fast, automatic autofill for beginners
- Free plan with unlimited passwords (limited to one device type)
- Includes Dark Web Monitoring, Security Dashboard, and Emergency Access
- Family plan offers six accounts at an affordable price
- Widely supported across browsers and mobile devices
Cons
- History of breaches has damaged user trust
- Free plan restricted to one device type
- Closed-source, with slower adoption of passkeys and transparency
- Frequent upgrade prompts and upsell reminders
- Support response times can be inconsistent
Security & Privacy
Both 1Password and LastPass offer encrypted vaults with the same standards. It’s nearly identical except that cracking into 1Password is going to be slightly slower than LastPass. But they’re both so painstakingly slow to a point that they’re unbreakable, so the difference doesn’t really matter much in real life.
1Password is the Security Beast
1Password locks down your entire vault locally using super-secure AES-256, with 650,000 rounds of PBKDF2-SHA256 kicking in before a byte of it hits the cloud. Not only is it encrypted, but every single layer, from logins to notes and attachments, is safeguarded by your Master Password and a completely unique Secret Key that stays firmly on your device.
- Audited and certified: Regular security reviews by top experts and SOC 2 Type II certification for its infrastructure means you can trust the underlying systems.
- Zero record of breaches: 1Password has a spotless record, with no customer vaults or encryption keys ever leaked.
- The Secret Key Factor: That extra layer of protection basically makes brute-force attacks a pipe dream.
- Zero-knowledge policy: Everything is encrypted on your device, so even 1Password itself can’t access or reset your vault.
LastPass is Secure, But Still a Few Steps Behind
On paper, LastPass uses the same encryption as 1Password (AES-256 with 600,000 PBKDF2 iterations) and follows the zero-knowledge model just fine. Your data is encrypted locally, and your master password stays on your device where it belongs. But its problem lies not in the math, but in the management.
- Major breaches: In 2022-2023, hackers got into encrypted vault backups and internal data.
- Vaults still safe: Your login and other data was secure from the start, but the attack exposed weakness in LastPass’s internal systems.
- Closed codebase: You can’t actually check its codebase or encryption handling on your own.
- More secure now: LastPass has upped the PBKDF2 iterations, and its infrastructure is better protected. It’s still trying to win back user trust.
LastPass is certainly better now, but for a lot of users, the trust gap still feels pretty wide.
Verdict
- If you want to put your faith in a security system that actually delivers, 1Password is your winner. Its Secret Key and clean record make it transparent and reliable.
- If you want to stick with LastPass, for all its security is still secure but not transparent enough for some people, so you’ll get ease of use and familiarity.
Pricing & Plans
| Plan Type | 1Password | LastPass |
| Free Plan | 14-day free trial only | Unlimited passwords but only on one device type |
| Premium | $35.88/year – Unlimited devices, 1GB encrypted storage, Watchtower alerts, and passkey support | $36/yearMulti-device sync, dark web monitoring, 1GB storage, and priority support |
| Family Plan | $59.88/yearUp to 5 users, shared vaults, and recovery access | $48/year6 users, shared dashboard, and full Premium access for each |
| Enterprise | $95.88 per user/yearwith SSO, admin control, and directory sync | $84 per user/yearwith SSO, admin policies, and detailed audit reports |
1Passwords Pricing Plan is really Unbeatable
1Password doesn’t do the whole “free forever” plan. But when you’re on the paid plan, you get everything that comes with it. The $35.88 per year plan unlocks all the features: unlimited syncing, 1GB of encrypted storage, a built in authenticator and Watchtower alerts – all the good stuff.
They also have the Family plan that covers up to five users under one account , you get shared vaults and recovery options. It’s perfect if you’re a household or have a small team. Then there are the Business tiers which add on the extra admin controls, single sign on and more. They do all the add on’s right out in the open so you know what your getting.
LastPass on the Other Hand
LastPass still thinks its cool to market a free plan but its not really free. You can only use it on one device type, either a mobile or desktop. But if you want to use it across all devices then you need to go Premium for $36 a year.
Once you have done that then you get all the good features: unlimited syncing, dark web alerts and password sharing. Families can get up to six users and even a shared dashboard and emergency access. Its a good setup but the pricing seems a bit steep when you compare it to what 1Password offers for nearly the same cash.
They do have all the core features , but the free tier does have its limits and theres a history of trying to sell you more which makes LastPass seem a bit less generous.
So which one should you choose?
Both are priced the same, but LastPass wins here as you get a free tier. But the limitations make it a bit difficult to use free for long. With 1Password you get a more smooth and clear experience from the very beginning with the trial. And then you can choose whether you want to use it on not.
Reputation & Transparency
1Password builds trust through consistency
1Password has earned its reputation the old fashioned way, by being clean, open and professional. It’s been around since 2006 and has zero breaches to its name. The company communicates clearly, backs up its claims with independent audits and has SOC 2 Type II certification for its security practices.
It’s not performative transparency. 1Password publishes security updates, discloses findings from independent audits and explains how its encryption works in plain English. When researchers find issues, the fixes are fast and fully documented. That’s why 1Password is a favorite among cybersecurity experts, journalists and IT teams.
Even its customer communication reflects that maturity. There’s no “we take your privacy seriously” fluff. Just clear, factual updates that show control and accountability.
LastPass is still trying to rebuild what it lost
LastPass used to be the name everyone recognized. It dominated password management for years and was the default choice for beginners. But the 2022–23 breaches changed that. The company was criticized not only for the attacks themselves but also for how slow it was to share key details afterwards.
To its credit, LastPass has tightened security, increased encryption iterations and opened itself up to fresh third-party audits. The service is stronger than ever on paper but the public trust takes longer to heal. Many users and experts are still cautious, seeing the brand as still “proving itself” after those events.
LastPass communicates more actively through its Trust Center, blog updates and incident reports. But it’s playing catch-up with transparency standards 1Password has had for years.
Verdict
- 1Password has built a reputation through clarity and consistency. You can verify its claims and check its history.
- LastPass has improved its internal practices but its credibility is still in recovery mode. It’s secure today but trusted by habit more than proof.
Features
1Password’s got the polish, power, & a whole lot of features
1Password is designed with people who rely on password managers every single day in mind. It’s got a very ‘together’ feel – everything is neatly organised, super responsive, and just makes security easy as can be without dumbing it down.
You can make the most of storing, generating, and autofilling passwords on just about every platform and browser out there – and it all syncs right away. The app comes with Watchtower to give you a rundown on your password health, passkey support for ditching passwords altogether, and built-in 2FA codes, so you won’t need to grab a separate authenticator app.
As well as that, it’s got all the practical bits and bobs you’d want:
- Secure file storage (1GB per user) for keeping documents and recovery codes safe
- Shared vaults for families and teams that need to share stuff
- Secure links for sharing with 1Password Send
- Email alias integration with SimpleLogin and Fastmail
- Travel Mode, which helps you out by temporarily hiding selected vaults when you’re crossing borders
Every feature just seems to be seamlessly integrated rather than tacked on like an afterthought. There are no annoying pop-ups or upgrade ‘nag’ messages – just quiet, reliable functionality that just works like it’s meant to.
LastPass is more convenient
LastPass focuses on making things easy and convenient – and it does a pretty good job of it. Once you’ve got it set up, it automatically detects login forms, pops in your password, and asks you to save new ones on the fly. The whole thing’s pretty fast and super beginner-friendly.
The core features are:
- Autofill and password generation across browsers and mobile apps
- Security Dashboard to keep you on top of weak or reused passwords
- Built-in Authenticator for TOTP codes
- Emergency Access, so trusted contacts can request access to your vault if needed
- Dark Web Monitoring, which checks if any of your credentials pop up in known breaches
Passkey support is coming along, but it’s still a bit hit and miss depending on your browser. The app interface is sharp, but at times it does get cluttered up with banners for upgrades or extra add-ons.
So which one should you pick?
1Password is the winner when it comes to overall experience and design. It’s cleaner, faster, and just integrates all the heavy-hitting tools like passkeys and Travel Mode without making a fuss. LastPass, on the other hand, has some strong points like automation and family sharing. But it’s also very easy to use which we will get into, in the next section.
Usability
1Password is clean, consistent & pretty intuitive
1password’s interface feels like it was pinched from a design brief that said “make it easy for both newbies and pros”. It’s really stripped back, doesn’t change much between desktop, web, and mobile – and that’s a good thing. The vault layout is a real winner, categories in the side bar, items in the middle, & all the details on the right. Not a single bit of clutter in sight.
Getting set up takes a few minutes at most. You create your account, save your Emergency Kit & log in with your Secret Key. After that you’re syncing your passwords across all devices in the blink of an eye. The autofil is nice and smooth too.
The whole experience feels rock solid. It just runs quietly in the background, unlocks in a nanosecond with Face ID or Touch ID, and syncs your changes in seconds. Heck, even on Linux the app feels as slick as the Windows or macOS one.
There’s no learning curve whatsoever. You don’t get a bunch of pop-up tutorials telling you what to do. Just a system that gets out of your way & works like clockwork every time.
LastPass is fast, but slightly annoying at times
LastPass really wants you to be fast. It saves new passwords without you even asking, fills them in for you (without asking you first), and gives you suggestions right in your login fields. It’s perfect for new users who just want everything sorted.
The browser extensions & mobile apps are snappy, and using biometrics to unlock is seamless. However, the free version has a device-type limit that kinda breaks the “use it anywhere” promise. Meaning you have to choose between mobile or desktop unless you cough up for the upgrade.
The interface is a bit brighter & more familiar-looking, but it can feel a bit cluttered at times. People offering to upgrade you or scan your security pop up with alarming regularity, and the Security Dashboard is always gently nudging you towards the premium features. Not enough to be a deal-breaker, but noticeable.
Overall it’s dead easy to use & reliable. But it’s not very minimal.
Which one is easiest to use
LastPass feels like the easier one among to two. It’s idiot-proof, fast and accessible. 1Password feels more consistent & polished.
If you want control over things & a super-simple experience then go with 1Password. If you like a bit of automation, LastPass gives you the solid everyday experience.
Customer Support
1Password keeps it personal and reliable
1Password’s support is super straightforward. No bots, no phone trees. Just real people who answer. You can reach them through email or the in-app contact form, and Premium or Business users get priority responses.
Their support articles are detailed, easy to follow and cover everything from setup to advanced recovery. The community forum is active too, with developers and moderators chiming in to help.
Because the app is so solid, you rarely need support. But when you do, responses are fast, professional and actually helpful. It feels like a small team even as the company grows.
LastPass is structured but inconsistent
LastPass has a much larger user base and it shows in how support is handled. You’ll find a ticket system, an FAQ library and tiered support depending on your plan. Free users mostly rely on the knowledge base, while Premium and Business users get email or live chat support.
Response times vary. Some users get quick fixes, others wait days for a reply. The company’s communication after the breaches was also criticized for being slow and vague which hurt its credibility with paying users.
The resources are there but it feels corporate and distant, useful when things work, frustrating when they don’t.
Which one offers better customer support?
1Password has a more personal and human support experience with clear documentation and an active community behind it. LastPass has the structure of a big company but not the same warmth and reliability.
If you want help that feels personal and fast, 1Password is the safer bet. If you’re okay digging through articles or waiting in a queue, LastPass will get you there eventually.
Final Verdict
1Password and LastPass both do the job when it comes to safe , reliable password management. But what sets them apart is that their approach is as different as night and day . 1Password stands out for its commitment to openness, polish, and a rock-solid security record. LastPass on the other hand is still trying to regain the trust it squandered
1Passwords good name and quick syncing, as well as that little extra bit of protection through its Secret Key, mean you can rely on it to get the job done without any worries. It’s straightforward, consistent, and doesn’t try to hide behind a bunch of marketing spin to make a good impression.
LastPass gets the job done and is still pretty straightforward to use – especially if you’re a family or someone who likes things to run smoothly with automation. But its free plan limitations , the fact it has history with breaches , and the corporate vibe it’s got going on makes it feel a lot more like a service you’re renting rather than a place to stash all your sensitive stuff
If you’re after something fundamentally private, genuinely secure, and built to be around for the long haul, then 1Password is your winner. Its a password manager that earns your trust.