![Bitwarden vs. 1Password: Which is best? [2025] TechTricks365](https://i2.wp.com/images.ctfassets.net/lzny33ho1g45/2rdupThEhzsQL0yOfCyiiY/0ac5554ca9f3200edbc94f5013b95150/1password-vs-bitwarden.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,960&ssl=1 "Bitwarden vs. 1Password: Which is best? [2025] TechTricks365")
Password managers do more than help us remember long, complicated logins. They take the hassle out of managing our online security, from informing us when our credentials are exposed in a breach to keeping our most sensitive files private. For years, Bitwarden and 1Password have set the gold standard for reliable password managers.
These password apps adapt to the internet, whether that’s automatically navigating complex multi-step sign-in pages, saving you the trouble of filling out personal forms, or allowing you to go password-free across devices. Bitwarden and 1Password have consistently kept up and ticked all the password manager boxes, like top-tier security and third-party audits.
I’ve been a 1Password user for as long as I can remember, but though the experience has been near-perfect, Bitwarden offers a compelling alternative, since it goes toe-to-toe in features for a fraction of the cost. So I decided to dive into these two to see which one you should pick.
Table of contents:
Bitwarden vs. 1Password at a glance
At first glance, there’s not much to set apart 1Password and Bitwarden. Both operate on a zero-knowledge model so not even their internal teams can access your passwords. Their layouts also appear similar and are available across all major platforms. But dig deeper, and there’s a series of stark differences between their approach to managing your credentials and their abilities.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how they compare, but keep reading to learn more about my experiences with the apps.
|
Bitwarden |
1Password |
|
|---|---|---|
|
User interface |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Simple but outdated interface |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ User-friendly and modern interface |
|
Security |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 256-bit encryption, open source transparency, regular audits |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 256-bit encryption, regular audits |
|
Password generator |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Generates usernames, passwords, and passphrases |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Only generates passwords |
|
Login experience |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dropdown, manual selection |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Automatically navigates login pages |
|
Security reports |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Generates manual reports |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Actively monitors exposure to breaches |
|
Pricing |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Free plan; from $1/month |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ No free plan; from $3/month |
1Password is more user friendly
Password managers can be intimidating, especially for first-time users, but 1Password’s clean design makes quick work of figuring it out. Its neatly laid-out interface cleverly takes advantage of rich colors and icons to ease you into the experience.
Bitwarden, on the other hand, lives up to its open source roots. It features a far more functional look that seems a little generic and outdated. Its boxy menus and sharp lines don’t handle a dense cluster of information as well as 1Password and take longer to get used to.
More importantly, 1Password organizes your passwords thoughtfully. On its mobile app’s home page, for example, you’ll find your credentials listed under sections like Recently Created and Frequently Used so you don’t have to search or go through the entire list.
You can also personalize this dashboard and pick what kind of logins you want at the top. The Nearby category, for instance, detects where you are and suggests logins to access automatically, like a locker code when you’re at the gym.
1Password makes logging in less of a headache
The best password manager is almost invisible, and out of the two, only 1Password checks that box.
It’s much more optimized for how login screens work. On multi-step sign-ins, for example, where the fields to enter the username and password are on different pages, 1Password will not only auto-fill the credentials but also hit the button to go to the next screen.
Similarly, 1Password can remember logins linked to your Google or Meta accounts and sign you in without you manually telling it to skip the standard username and password option. With Bitwarden, in comparison, you have to punch in the email address and password separately. Plus, it often confuses multi-page logins, and in my testing, it wouldn’t save or recall both items.
Another feature I use frequently is 1Password’s desktop app’s universal shortcut, which pulls up a Spotlight-like search bar and allows me to instantly look up a login. And I also appreciated 1Password’s ability to spot when I update a password. It would immediately pull up a pop-up to instantly change the saved login.
While both Bitwarden and 1Password support the password-less system—passkeys—across platforms, 1Password is more consistent in real-world use. Bitwarden, at times, failed to recognize URLs from saved logins and didn’t authenticate me with a passkey.
The one aspect where Bitwarden one-ups 1Password is its ability to generate random usernames. Though you can ask 1Password to create a new, strong password for you, it can’t generate unique usernames. Bitwarden can produce a mixed-character alias, a plus-addressed email, and even a passphrase. 1Password offers a free tool to do this, but it’s not yet available inside its apps or autofill menu.
Bitwarden’s open source tech is more accountable and transparent
Both Bitwarden and 1Password leverage the strong 256-bit encryption to secure your data and routinely commission third-party audits to test their defenses. Plus, neither of them has ever been involved in a major security breach.
But Bitwarden’s open source tech does have an edge over 1Password in transparency. Because its backend is publicly available, it allows not just established security firms but also independent programmers to analyze and attempt to penetrate its protections at any time, as opposed to 1Password’s scheduled audits.
Another upside Bitwarden has is its built-in private file-sharing tool. It lets you safely share access to any kind of file (up to 500MB) or a piece of text. You can passcode-protect it, set it to auto-delete after a period, and even choose how often the recipient can open it. You can accomplish this on 1Password, too, but you’ll first have to add the file to your vault, and only then forward a link to it.
While Bitwarden has a technical leg-up, 1Password offers a series of exclusive quality-of-life privacy perks. Its Travel Mode, for example, lets you remove certain folders of passwords from your devices on the go, so that, say, if you’re held for inspection while traveling, authorities will have access only to a limited set of logins.
In addition, 1Password maintains a complete update history for your logins, in case you need an older password. 1Password’s comprehensive Watchtower tool also actively monitors your vault for exposure to breaches, while on Bitwarden, you have to manually check for it.
Most of Bitwarden’s features are free
The biggest highlight of Bitwarden is that most of its core functions are free. The premium plan unlocks a handful of additional perks, like the ability to attach files to logins, but at $1/month, it’s still far more affordable than 1Password’s $3/month individual plan.
That said, if you’re looking to subscribe for your family, 1Password’s Families plan is a no-brainer—it brings the monthly fee down to $1/person/month when paid annually.
1Password s. Bitwarden: Which password manager is best for you?
Bitwarden and 1Password are two of the most secure and reliable password managers—either one is a great pick. If you want an app that takes the headache out of logging in and you’re willing to pay a premium for the experience, 1Password is the way to go. But if you simply need an air-tight platform to generate and store your credentials, Bitwarden won’t let you down.
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