1Password vs Bitwarden vs Dashlane: Password Manager Showdown

A password manager is one of the few tools where the stakes are genuinely high. The tool you choose holds the keys to your entire digital life — email accounts, banking, medical records, business systems. Getting this choice right matters. 1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane represent three different approaches: 1Password focuses on usability and business features, Bitwarden leads with open source and affordability, and Dashlane bundles additional security tools into the package.

All three use zero-knowledge encryption, meaning the provider cannot access your data. The differences lie in user experience, feature depth, pricing, and how each tool handles the balance between security and convenience.

Feature Comparison

Pricing

Bitwarden is dramatically cheaper at every tier. The free plan includes unlimited passwords on unlimited devices — something neither 1Password nor Dashlane offers. Bitwarden Premium at $1/month is less than half the cost of 1Password and a fifth of Dashlane. For cost-sensitive users and organizations, Bitwarden's pricing is compelling.

1Password's pricing is mid-range and reflects its polished experience and business features. The lack of a free tier is a barrier for individuals exploring options, though the 14-day trial is sufficient for evaluation.

Dashlane is the most expensive option. The inclusion of a VPN partially justifies the premium, but only if you need a VPN and would otherwise pay for one separately. For password management alone, Dashlane is overpriced relative to the competition.

Security Architecture

All three tools use AES-256 encryption and zero-knowledge architecture. Your master password never leaves your device, and the encrypted vault is unreadable without it. The security fundamentals are solid across the board.

1Password adds a unique Secret Key — a 128-bit key generated on your device during setup. This key is required alongside your master password to access your vault from a new device. Even if an attacker obtains your master password, they cannot access your vault without the Secret Key. This additional layer is 1Password's strongest security differentiator.

Bitwarden's open-source codebase means the security implementation is publicly auditable. Independent security firms have audited Bitwarden, and the community continuously reviews the code. For security-conscious users and organizations that require transparency, open source is a meaningful advantage.

Dashlane uses a patented zero-knowledge architecture and has undergone independent security audits. The dark web monitoring feature alerts you when your credentials appear in known breaches. The security is solid, though it does not offer the Secret Key model of 1Password or the open-source transparency of Bitwarden.

User Experience

1Password has the most polished user experience. The desktop and mobile apps are well-designed, responsive, and consistent across platforms. The browser extension (1Password in the browser) detects login forms and offers to fill credentials with minimal friction. Quick Access (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Space) provides a system-wide search for any item in your vault. The onboarding experience for new users is smooth, with clear guidance on importing from other tools.

Bitwarden's interface is functional but less refined. The desktop app, browser extension, and mobile apps all work correctly, but the design feels utilitarian compared to 1Password. Auto-fill works reliably in most cases but occasionally requires manual intervention on complex login forms. The trade-off for the lower price is a less polished experience. The web vault is fully functional and works on any device with a browser.

Dashlane's redesigned interface (post-web-first migration) is clean and modern. The browser extension handles auto-fill well. The password health dashboard provides a clear overview of weak, reused, and compromised passwords. The experience is good overall, though not quite as refined as 1Password's native apps.

Business and Team Features

1Password Business is the most enterprise-ready option. SSO integration, SCIM provisioning, custom groups and vaults, detailed activity logs, and admin controls make it suitable for organizations of any size. The developer tools — SSH key management, CLI secrets automation, and CI/CD integration — are unique features that appeal to engineering teams. 1Password's business features have made it the default choice for many tech companies.

Bitwarden's business features are solid and significantly cheaper. Organizations, collections, groups, and event logs cover the core requirements. Directory sync, SSO, and policies are available on higher tiers. For businesses where cost is a primary factor, Bitwarden delivers adequate enterprise features at roughly half the price of 1Password.

Dashlane Business offers admin console, group management, SSO integration, and activity reporting. The features are competitive but do not stand out against 1Password or Bitwarden. The included VPN is a unique addition for businesses that want to bundle VPN access with password management.

Migration and Import

All three tools support importing from major competitors and browsers. 1Password's import tools are the most polished, handling CSV imports from LastPass, Dashlane, Bitwarden, Chrome, Firefox, and others with good field mapping. Bitwarden and Dashlane offer similar import capabilities through their web vaults.

Exporting from each tool is straightforward — encrypted or unencrypted CSV/JSON exports are available. The data portability between password managers is generally good, making switching less risky than with many other software categories.