1Password vs Bitwarden: Which Password Manager Wins?

Choosing between 1Password and Bitwarden is one of the most common password manager decisions people face. Both are excellent options that have earned trust through years of reliable service and zero major breaches. But they take fundamentally different approaches to password management.

1Password is the polished, premium option with unique security features like the Secret Key and Travel Mode. Bitwarden is the open-source champion with a generous free tier and the flexibility to self-host. We spent two months testing both to help you decide which fits your needs.

Quick Verdict: Who Wins?

1Password wins for: Premium user experience, unique security features (Secret Key, Travel Mode, Watchtower), and users who want a polished, worry-free solution.

Bitwarden wins for: Budget-conscious users, open-source advocates, self-hosting requirements, and anyone who needs a capable free password manager.

Category	Winner	Why
Security Architecture	1Password	Secret Key adds 128-bit protection beyond master password
Transparency	Bitwarden	Fully open-source code anyone can audit
Features	1Password	Travel Mode, Watchtower, superior UI/UX
Free Tier	Bitwarden	Unlimited free plan vs no free option
Pricing (Paid)	Bitwarden	$10/year vs $36/year for premium features
Usability	1Password	More polished apps and autofill experience
Business Features	Tie	Both offer robust enterprise solutions
Self-Hosting	Bitwarden	Full self-host option available

Side-by-Side Comparison

Security Comparison

Both password managers take security seriously, but their approaches differ significantly.

1Password Security Architecture

1Password’s standout security feature is the Secret Key system. Every account uses two secrets to encrypt your data:

1. Master Password - The password you create and memorize (typically 40 bits of entropy)
2. 128-bit Secret Key - A 34-character key generated on your device during setup

Both are required to decrypt your vault. This dual-key approach means:

• Even if 1Password’s servers were breached, attackers cannot brute-force your vault
• The Secret Key adds 128 bits of entropy, making attacks computationally infeasible
• Your Secret Key never leaves your devices and is never transmitted to 1Password

Additional Security Features:

• AES-256-GCM encryption with PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256 (650,000 iterations)
• Zero-knowledge architecture (1Password cannot access your data)
• RAM-only servers for sensitive operations
• Over two dozen third-party security audits (Cure53, ISE, SOC 2 Type 2)
• No known breaches in company history

Bitwarden Security Architecture

Bitwarden takes a different approach, relying on complete transparency through open-source code:

• Fully open-source - All client and server code is publicly available on GitHub
• Anyone can audit the code for vulnerabilities or backdoors
• Security researchers worldwide continuously review the codebase
• Transparency builds trust through verifiability

Security Specifications:

• AES-256-bit encryption with PBKDF2-SHA-256 (600,000+ iterations)
• Zero-knowledge architecture
• Annual third-party security audits (Fracture Labs, Paragon Initiative Enterprises)
• SOC 2 Type 2, SOC 3, HIPAA, GDPR compliant
• HackerOne bug bounty program for ongoing vulnerability discovery

Security Audit Comparison

Audit Type	1Password	Bitwarden
Third-Party Pentests	25+ published	Annual (Fracture Labs, PIE)
SOC 2 Type 2	Yes	Yes
Open Source Auditing	No (proprietary)	Yes (continuous community review)
Bug Bounty Program	Bugcrowd	HackerOne
ISO Certifications	ISO 27001, 27017, 27018, 27701	In progress

Winner: 1Password (for Secret Key protection), Bitwarden (for transparency)

Both have strong security records with no major breaches. Choose 1Password if you value the additional protection against server-side attacks. Choose Bitwarden if you value the ability to verify security claims yourself.

Features Comparison

This is where the products diverge significantly.

1Password Exclusive Features

Watchtower Security Dashboard

• Integrates with Have I Been Pwned for breach detection
• Identifies weak, reused, and compromised passwords
• Shows sites where you can enable 2FA but have not
• Alerts when saved sites add passkey support
• Provides actionable security score

Travel Mode

• Removes sensitive vaults from devices when crossing borders
• Data is not just hidden but completely removed until you disable Travel Mode
• Valuable for journalists, business travelers, and anyone entering countries with device inspection policies
• Business accounts allow administrators to manage Travel Mode for team members

Additional 1Password Features:

• Passkey creation, storage, and sync across devices
• 1GB secure document storage per user
• Shared vaults for families and teams
• Item history with version restoration
• Masks email with fastmail integration (Premium)
• Privacy Cards integration for masked credit cards

Bitwarden Exclusive Features

Self-Hosting Option

• Deploy Bitwarden on your own infrastructure
• Complete control over your data location
• Popular with privacy advocates and organizations with compliance requirements
• Docker-based deployment simplifies setup

Generous Free Tier

• Unlimited passwords and devices
• Core password management at no cost
• Password generator and secure notes included
• Bitwarden Send for secure file/text sharing (up to 500MB in Premium)

Vault Health Reports (Premium)

• Exposed passwords report (Have I Been Pwned integration)
• Reused passwords identification
• Weak passwords flagging
• Unsecured websites (HTTP) detection
• Inactive 2FA opportunities
• New: Real-time vault health alerts and password coaching (December 2025)

Additional Bitwarden Features:

• Command-line interface (CLI) for power users
• More browser extension options than 1Password
• Emergency access for account recovery
• Organizations with unlimited collections (Premium)

Feature Comparison Table

Feature	1Password	Bitwarden Free	Bitwarden Premium
Unlimited Passwords	Yes	Yes	Yes
Unlimited Devices	Yes	Yes	Yes
Password Generator	Yes	Yes	Yes
Secure Notes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Credit Card Storage	Yes	Yes	Yes
Autofill	Yes	Yes	Yes
Breach Monitoring	Watchtower	No	Yes
2FA Code Storage (TOTP)	Yes	No	Yes
File Attachments	1GB	No	1GB
Emergency Access	No	No	Yes
Self-Hosting	No	No	Yes
Travel Mode	Yes	No	No
Secret Key	Yes	No	No

Winner: 1Password (for Watchtower and Travel Mode), Bitwarden (for self-hosting and free tier)

Usability and Apps

Day-to-day experience matters as much as security specifications.

1Password User Experience

1Password prioritizes a polished, intuitive experience:

Desktop Apps (Windows, macOS, Linux)

• Native apps with consistent design across platforms
• Desktop and browser extension share lock state
• System-wide autofill on macOS and Windows
• Quick Access overlay for keyboard-driven use
• Dark mode support

Mobile Apps (iOS, Android)

• Biometric unlock (Face ID, Touch ID, fingerprint)
• System autofill integration
• In-app browser for sites with problematic autofill
• Apple Watch companion app

Browser Extensions

• Available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Brave
• Reliable form detection and autofill
• Password generator integrated into signup flows
• Keyboard shortcuts for power users

Weaknesses:

• Interface can feel cluttered with many features
• Some settings buried in submenus
• Safari extension historically less reliable (improving)

Bitwarden User Experience

Bitwarden emphasizes functionality and accessibility:

Desktop Apps

• Available for Windows, macOS, Linux
• Clean, straightforward interface
• Command-line interface for scripting and automation
• Web vault accessible from any browser

Mobile Apps

• Biometric unlock on iOS and Android
• System autofill integration
• Decent but less polished than 1Password

Browser Extensions

• Available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Brave, Vivaldi, and more
• Wider browser support than 1Password
• Reliable basic autofill
• Occasional issues with complex login forms

Weaknesses:

• Less polished UI compared to 1Password
• Autofill can be inconsistent on some sites
• Mobile apps feel more utilitarian than refined
• Setup requires more technical comfort

Usability Ratings

Aspect	1Password	Bitwarden
Initial Setup	4/5 (Secret Key adds steps)	5/5 (Simple)
Daily Use	5/5	4/5
Autofill Reliability	4.5/5	4/5
Mobile Experience	5/5	4/5
Browser Extensions	4.5/5	4/5
Power User Features	4/5	5/5 (CLI)

Winner: 1Password for overall polish; Bitwarden for simplicity and power user tools

Pricing Breakdown

This is where Bitwarden has a clear advantage.

1Password Pricing (December 2025)

Plan	Price	Includes
Individual	$2.99/mo ($35.88/year)	1 user, unlimited passwords, 1GB storage
Families	$4.99/mo ($59.88/year)	Up to 5 users, shared vaults, recovery
Teams Starter	$19.95/mo flat	Up to 10 users, admin controls
Business	$7.99/user/mo	SSO, advanced reporting, family accounts for staff
Enterprise	Custom	Dedicated support, custom onboarding

All plans include a 14-day free trial. No credit card required.

Bitwarden Pricing (December 2025)

Plan	Price	Includes
Free	$0	Unlimited passwords, unlimited devices
Premium	$10/year ($0.83/mo)	TOTP, 1GB storage, health reports
Families	$40/year ($3.33/mo)	Up to 6 users, all premium features
Teams	$4/user/mo	Business features, shared collections
Enterprise	$6/user/mo	SSO, policies, self-hosting, API

7-day free trial for paid plans.

Family Plan Value Comparison

Plan	Annual Cost	Users	Cost Per Person
1Password Families	$59.88	5	$11.98/year
Bitwarden Families	$40.00	6	$6.67/year

Winner: Bitwarden by a significant margin

Business and Enterprise Features

Both offer robust solutions for organizations, though with different strengths.

1Password Business

• SSO integration (Okta, Azure AD, OneLogin)
• SCIM provisioning for user management
• Activity logs and audit trails
• Custom security policies
• Free family accounts for all employees
• Travel Mode management for teams
• Dedicated account management (Enterprise)

Bitwarden Business

• SSO authentication (SAML 2.0)
• SCIM directory integration
• Event logs and reporting
• Enterprise policies
• Self-hosting option for complete data control
• API access for automation
• More affordable per-seat pricing

Winner: Tie - 1Password offers more polish; Bitwarden offers self-hosting and lower cost

Who Should Choose 1Password?

Choose 1Password if you:

• Want the strongest protection against potential server breaches (Secret Key)
• Value polished apps with smooth autofill experience
• Need Travel Mode for international border crossings
• Prefer Watchtower’s proactive security monitoring
• Do not mind paying more for premium experience
• Want free family accounts for employees (Business plan)

Who Should Choose Bitwarden?

Choose Bitwarden if you:

• Want a capable password manager without paying anything
• Value open-source software and code transparency
• Need to self-host for compliance or privacy requirements
• Are budget-conscious but still want premium features ($10/year)
• Prefer CLI access for automation and scripting
• Have a large family (6 users for $40/year vs 5 for $60)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bitwarden as secure as 1Password?

Both use AES-256-bit encryption and zero-knowledge architecture. 1Password’s Secret Key provides additional protection against server breaches that Bitwarden lacks. However, Bitwarden’s open-source code allows anyone to verify security claims, while 1Password’s code is proprietary. Neither has experienced a breach that compromised user passwords.

Can I use Bitwarden for free forever?

Yes. Bitwarden’s free tier includes unlimited passwords and devices with no time limit. The free version lacks some features like TOTP code storage, file attachments, and health reports, but covers core password management needs indefinitely.

Is 1Password worth the extra cost over Bitwarden?

It depends on your priorities. 1Password costs roughly $26 more per year than Bitwarden Premium. You are paying for the Secret Key protection, Travel Mode, superior Watchtower dashboard, and more polished apps. If those features matter to you, 1Password justifies its premium. If you prioritize value or need self-hosting, Bitwarden is the better choice.

Which is better for families?

Bitwarden Families offers better value: 6 users for $40/year vs 1Password’s 5 users for $60/year. However, 1Password’s family sharing features and account recovery options are more polished. Choose based on whether you prioritize cost or user experience.

Can I migrate from one to the other?

Yes. Both support importing and exporting password vaults. You can export from 1Password in CSV or 1PIF format and import to Bitwarden, or vice versa. The process takes about 10 minutes for most vaults.

Which is better for business use?

Both offer robust business features including SSO, SCIM provisioning, and audit logs. 1Password Business includes free family accounts for employees, which adds significant value. Bitwarden offers lower per-seat pricing and self-hosting for organizations with strict data sovereignty requirements.

Do both support passkeys?

Yes. Both 1Password and Bitwarden support creating, storing, and using passkeys across devices. This positions both well as the industry transitions away from traditional passwords.

What happens if the company goes out of business?

With Bitwarden, you can export your data and self-host if the company disappears. With 1Password, you would need to export before losing access. This is a key advantage of Bitwarden’s open-source approach and self-hosting option.

Final Verdict

This comparison does not have a universal winner because 1Password and Bitwarden serve different priorities.

Choose 1Password if security features and user experience are paramount. The Secret Key system provides mathematical protection against server breaches that no competitor matches. Travel Mode is genuinely useful for international travelers. Watchtower’s security dashboard is more actionable than Bitwarden’s health reports. The apps are more polished and autofill is more reliable. You pay a premium for these advantages, but many users find the extra $26/year worthwhile.

Choose Bitwarden if value and transparency matter most. The free tier is genuinely useful for core password management. Premium at $10/year is remarkable value. Open-source code means you do not have to trust company claims. Self-hosting gives complete control over your data. The apps are less polished but entirely functional. For budget-conscious users or organizations with data sovereignty requirements, Bitwarden is the clear winner.

Both are excellent choices. Neither has suffered breaches that compromised user data. Both use strong encryption and zero-knowledge architecture. You cannot go wrong with either one.