Bitwarden and 1Password are two of the best password managers in 2025. And we’re not saying that lightly. Throughout this article or the reviews that we did of them, you will see very few drawbacks. But that said, don’t think they’re the same in every way. Because they couldn’t be more different. Bitwarden follows a very open-source, DIY, free-to-use philosophy. Whereas, 1Password charges you for its premium interface and the conveniences that come with it.
So if you’re trying to pick one, we’re here to help. But keep an open mind, as it depends more on you as a user what you want. Now let’s get started with our in-depth comparison between the two.
A Quick Overview
| Bitwarden | 1Password | |
| Security | AES-256, open-source, zero breaches | AES-256, Secret Key, zero breaches |
| Transparency | Fully open-source, public audits | Closed-source, regular third-party audits |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, browsers | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, browsers |
| Free Plan | Yes (unlimited devices) | No (14-day trial only) |
| Offline Access | Full access (read/write) | Full access (read/write) |
| Passkeys | Supported | Supported |
| 2FA & Biometrics | TOTP, FIDO2, biometrics | Authenticator, hardware keys, biometrics |
| Best For | Privacy-focused users | Beginners and families |
| Starting Price | $10/year | $35.88/year |
Pros and Cons
Bitwarden
Pros
- Free plan with unlimited devices
- Fully open-source and regularly audited
- Affordable Premium plan with strong extras
- Excellent security and 2FA support
- Option to self-host for full control
Cons
- Interface is plain and less polished
- No master password reset (for security reasons)
- Some features still need the web vault
1Password
Pros
- Sleek, beginner-friendly interface
- Secret Key adds an extra security layer
- Family and business sharing features are top-notch
- Smooth autofill and cross-device sync
- Excellent customer support
Cons
- No permanent free plan
- Pricier than most competitors
- Closed-source codebase
Security & Privacy
Both Bitwarden and 1Password have their vaults locked up tight with world-class encryption.
Bitwarden is rock solid and virtually bulletproof
Bitwarden scrambles everything on your device using AES-256 before it even makes it to the cloud. Your master password never leaves that device, and because the code is fully open source, a constant stream of security pros & everyday users get to scrutinize it. Cure53 and other 3rd parties have given its design a good once over – and as it stands, they’ve found no chinks in the armor and, amazingly, not a single breach on record.
You can even host Bitwarden yourself if you really want total control over your data, which is a rare find in the world of mainstream password managers. Premium users receive a few extra perks, such as hardware key support & FIDO2 login, but honestly, the free version already operates a super-safe zero-knowledge model.
1Password’s security adds a bit more… Proprietary tech
1Password takes a different approach, with equally tight security but a more proprietary system. They’re using AES-256, and making it happen with a seriously robust 650,000 rounds of PBKDF2 – and then topping it off with a uniquely long 34-character “Secret Key” that never leaves your devices. It’s an extra layer of protection that means even if someone got their hands on your encrypted vault, they’d still need the Secret Key & your master password to gain access.
To back up this design, the company has 3rd party audits coming out the wazoo – SOC 2 certification, & an unblemished record since their launch in 2006 – zero breaches in 18 years.
To sum it up…
Bitwarden has the edge on transparency & giving you control, while 1Password is top-notch on the engineering front, with layers of protection & polish. Both are rock-solid safe. For business needs, we would recommend 1Password. But for day-to-day use, Bitwarden is great.
Pricing & Plans
| Plan Type | Bitwarden | 1Password |
| Free Plan | Unlimited passwords & devices | 14-day free trial only |
| Premium | $10/yearadvanced 2FA, TOTP, file storage | $35.88/yearWatchtower, 1GB storage, passkeys |
| Family Plan | $40/year6 users, shared vaults | $59.88/year5 users, shared & recovery access |
| Enterprise | From ~$4/user/monthSSO, account recovery, self-hosting available | From ~$7.99/user/monthSSO, audit logs, admin tools |
Bitwarden keeps it simple and affordable
Bitwarden’s free plan is generous: unlimited passwords, syncing across all your devices, and basic 2FA support. That’s most users covered.
If you upgrade to the Premium plan, it is $10/year and adds file attachments, built-in authenticator codes, advanced 2FA options, and Emergency Access. The Family plan is $40/year for six users, each with their own vaults and sharing options.
No upsells, no hidden limits. You pay once, you get everything.
1Password charges more, but offers more polish
1Password doesn’t have a permanent free tier, only a 14-day trial. After that, the Individual plan is $35.88/year and gets you unlimited syncing, 1GB encrypted storage, Watchtower alerts, and built-in passkey support.
For households, the Family plan is $59.88/year and covers up to 5 people, each with private and shared vaults and account recovery.
So… which one offers
Bitwarden is the best value, especially with the free and low-cost options. 1Password’s plans are more expensive, but you’re paying for a more premium experience that many users are willing to pay for.
Reputation & Transparency
Trust is everything in password management. And both Bitwarden and 1Password are some of the most trustworthy ones.
Bitwarden builds trust through openness
Bitwarden’s entire codebase is open-source, so you can see how it encrypts, stores and transmits data. Independent auditors like Cure53 review their systems and every report so far has been clean. The company has a no-breach record and publishes updates and audits publicly. The community helps spot and fix potential issues, and you can even see their GitHub commits in real time.
1Password earns trust through consistency
1Password isn’t open-source but has a spotless record. Since 2006, they’ve never had a security breach. They hold SOC 2 Type II certification and undergo frequent audits to ensure their infrastructure and encryption standards remain robust.
They also communicate well. When researchers or users find issues, 1Password responds quickly and openly. Their professional approach has earned them a reputation among businesses and IT pros who value reliability and reputation over ideology.
So which one’s more transparent and trustworthy?
Bitwarden offers transparency you can verify, and 1Password provides trust proven over time. Bitwarden lets you read the code; 1Password has earned trust over years of perfect performance. Either way, both have earned their reputation the hard way.
Features
Bitwarden is functional, flexible, and transparent
Bitwarden feels like it’s built by people who actually use password managers every day. Everything is organized, responsive, and practical.
You can save, generate, and autofill passwords across all platforms, and everything syncs instantly. The free plan already gives you full device syncing and even passkey support, which most services charge for.
If you upgrade, Premium unlocks handy extras like:
- Built-in authenticator (TOTP) for 2FA codes
- 1 GB encrypted file storage for attachments
- Vault Health Reports for weak or breached passwords
- Emergency Access in case you’re locked out
You can also share logins through Bitwarden Send, or integrate email alias services like SimpleLogin and Firefox Relay to mask your real address. And if you want full control, Bitwarden even lets you self-host your own vault server.
1Password is polished, guided, and feature-heavy
1Password takes a more refined approach. It packs in everything you could want, with tight integration and a clean interface that hides the complexity underneath.
The core features are just as strong: password storage, autofill, passkeys, and secure notes. But it’s the extras that make it stand out:
- Watchtower to monitor password health and breaches
- Travel Mode to hide selected vaults while crossing borders
- 1 GB encrypted file storage per user
- Built-in authenticator for 2FA codes
- Account recovery for families and business plans
You also get thoughtful touches like Fastmail integration for masked emails and developer tools for managing secrets or API keys. Everything feels cohesive, consistent, and designed to “just work.”
Which one should you pick?
- Bitwarden is for users who want control and simplicity. It’s open, functional, and reliable.
- 1Password is for those who want polish and automation. It offers a smoother experience with all the right extras built in.
Usability
Bitwarden is pretty direct but also kinda gruff
Bitwarden’s interface is spotlessly clean and to the point, no frills. There’s no attempt to wow you with fancy layouts – just lists, folders, and icons that all make sense in a really straightforward way, without getting overly complicated.
Setting up Bitwarden is a breeze: just download it, sign in, create a master password, and you’re all set. Autofill works like a charm across all your browsers, and syncing between devices is fast and reliable. It’s especially seamless on mobile, where it integrates with your keyboard to make autofill a snap. Even when you’re offline, Bitwarden still works like a charm.
That said, there’s still a bit of a learning curve if you start digging into its more advanced features – for instance, sharing items requires getting a handle on this “organisation” and “collections” business, and you still need to head over to the web vault for some things like messing around with settings or checking reports – though it’s not super confusing, it’s just not exactly the friendliest either.
If you’re the kind of person who values getting the job done over making an impression, Bitwarden will likely feel pretty solid, pretty logical, and easy to get used to in the long run.
1Password is super smooth, modern, and a real breeze for beginners
1Password is what “easy” feels like, hands down. The layout is really polished and consistent across every platform, with menus that are dead easy to use, a bunch of colourful icons, and nicely organised vaults that make it a total doddle to get around.
Autofill is also super natural – no matter whether you’re on the desktop or mobile, it picks up login fields in no time and just lays your credentials out there without needing you to click a single more button. And as for stuff like Watchtower and Travel Mode – they’re all just readily to hand, same with account recovery or family sharing: the explanations are written in plain English, so you don’t need to get out the dictionary.
The app also feels generally more integrated – you can get everything done, from sorting out your vaults to checking on security alerts, all from within the app itself, no need to go wandering over to the web portal like some other stuff.
It’s built for the people who just want everything to work, with a minimum of fuss or hassle.
To sum it up…
Bitwarden delivers on function and reliability with a no-nonsense interface. 1Password feels seamless and intuitive from the word go, with a design that makes it super easy for new users to get on board.
- If you like having control and keeping things simple, Bitwarden is the way to go.
- If you prefer a smooth ride that’s hassle-free, 1Password is the better choice.
Customer Support
Bitwarden
Bitwarden’s support is straightforward and reliable. You’ve got access to loads of detailed help articles and guides to cover pretty much every scenario, and email support is basically a given, though Premium and Business plans get treated like top priority.
You’ll also find an extremely active community forum where you can get answers from both the Bitwarden team and other users pretty darn quickly. The fact that it’s an open-source project also means that changes and tips often come directly from developers and other contributors on GitHub.
Now, Bitwarden doesn’t have live chat or phone support, but most users don’t need it. The platform is pretty stable after all, and when you do hit a snag, the help articles usually have you sorted in no time.
It’s a community-driven model, and it’s nice to see they’ve stuck to it – open-source and collaborative is exactly what the project is all about.
1Password
1Passwords support feels like just what you’d expect from a paid product. It genuinely feels like you’re getting your money’s worth. You get 24/7 email support, a detailed knowledge base, and a community forum run by officially trained staff. Replies are lightning fast, usually within a few hours, and they take the time to get back to you with clear, thoughtful answers.
For Business and Enterprise customers, 1Password throws in dedicated account managers and even some priority phone support on top of that. And individual users still get to tap into a super active community on Reddit and the official 1Password forums, where staff regularly chip in and lend a hand with new updates or troubleshoot problems.
The support system is pretty well laid out, not much digging around required.
Final Verdict
Both Bitwarden and 1Password are great. It just depends on what kind of user you are.
Bitwarden is the way to go if you want secure, cheap and transparent. The free plan covers everything you need and Premium is very cheap for what you get. It’s simple, reliable and you have full control of your data.
1Password is for users who want a smooth and polished experience. It’s easy to use, packed with smart features and great for families or anyone who wants their passwords managed with minimal setup.
In short:
- Go with Bitwarden if you want value.
- Go with 1Password if you want polish.
Both are safe, modern, and trustworthy. You can’t go wrong with either.