On this page
- The short verdict
- Price snapshot
- What changed in 2026
- Free plan
- Design and everyday use
- Security
- Features
- Family plans
- Who should pick which
- How to test them
- What it costs over three years
- Three example users
- Passkeys and the future
- Setup tips for either one
- Platforms, extensions and support
- When to revisit your choice
- Final take
These two are the most popular choices among people who take password managers seriously. 1Password has a reputation for design and polish, and Bitwarden for value and openness. In 2026 their prices moved in opposite directions: 1Password raised its prices in March, and Bitwarden raised its Premium price in January but remains much cheaper. This comparison looks at what you pay and what you get.
The short verdict
Choose Bitwarden if you want the best value, a free plan or open-source code. Choose 1Password if you want the smoothest, most polished experience and you are willing to pay about $28 more per year. See also LastPass vs Bitwarden.
Price snapshot
Prices on this page are rounded list prices from published sources in 2026, including the price changes made earlier this year. Plans, trial lengths and family limits change often, so confirm the current price on each provider’s own site before you subscribe.
| 1Password | Bitwarden | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No, 14-day trial | Yes, unlimited passwords and devices |
| Individual | $47.88/year | $19.80/year |
| Family | $71.88/year, 5 members | $47.88/year, 6 users |
| Open source | No | Yes |
What changed in 2026
1Password raised its subscription prices from March 27, 2026, taking the individual plan from about $35.88 to $47.88 a year and the family plan from about $59.88 to $71.88, by as much as 33% at renewal. Bitwarden raised Premium from $10 to $19.80 a year in January, but that is still the cheapest premium tier among the big managers. The gap for one person is about $28 a year, and for a family it is about $24.
Free plan
This is Bitwarden’s biggest advantage. Its free plan covers unlimited passwords on unlimited devices. 1Password has no permanent free tier, only a trial, so its true entry price is the annual subscription.
Design and everyday use
1Password is widely seen as the best-designed manager. The apps look clean across phones, computers and browsers, autofill is smooth, and setting up a new device is quick. Bitwarden is functional and improving, but its interface is plainer and autofill can occasionally miss a field. If you set up the manager for less technical relatives, 1Password’s ease may be worth paying for.
Security
Both encrypt your vault so the company cannot read it. 1Password adds a secret key on top of your master password, which gives extra protection if your master password is guessed. Bitwarden publishes its source code and has independent audits, so outside experts can inspect it, and you can self-host it if you want full control. Neither is risk-free; use a long master password and two-factor authentication.
Features
- 1Password: security alerts for weak or exposed passwords, passkey support and sharing for families.
- Bitwarden: authenticator codes in Premium, vault health reports, passkey support and self-hosting.
Family plans
Bitwarden’s family plan costs less and covers one more person. 1Password’s family plan is more polished and has features such as shared vaults and emergency recovery that families find easy to manage. If cost is your main concern, Bitwarden wins. If you want the easiest setup for non-technical relatives, 1Password is easier.
Who should pick which
- Pick Bitwarden if you want a free plan, the lowest price, open source or self-hosting.
- Pick 1Password if you value design, smooth autofill and a simple setup for family.
- Consider both against other options such as Proton Pass if privacy features matter.
How to test them
- Start Bitwarden’s free plan and import your current passwords.
- Use it for a week on your phone and computer.
- If autofill or design frustrates you, start 1Password’s 14-day trial.
- Keep whichever you stopped thinking about.
- Delete any import file you used.
What it costs over three years
One person on 1Password pays about $143.64 over three years at $47.88 a year. On Bitwarden Premium it is about $59.40, and on the free plan it is $0. A family of five or six pays about $215.64 on 1Password’s family plan and about $143.64 on Bitwarden’s. These figures assume prices stay where they are, which they may not, so check before you commit.
Three example users
Lena wants a manager for herself and nothing fancy. Bitwarden’s free plan works, and she may never pay. The Patel family has teenagers and grandparents. 1Password’s polish may reduce support calls, which can justify the price. Marcus likes tinkering. Bitwarden’s self-hosting and open code suit him.
Passkeys and the future
Both managers support passkeys, which let you sign in without typing a password on supported sites. This will matter more over time, and it is a reason to pick a manager that keeps adding features. Check each company’s current passkey support before you decide, because it has been expanding.
Setup tips for either one
- Pick a master password of several unrelated words.
- Save your recovery kit or code offline.
- Turn on two-factor authentication for the vault.
- Start with your most important accounts and fix the rest over a few weeks.
Platforms, extensions and support
Both managers have apps for phones and computers and browser extensions for the main browsers. 1Password is known for strong support and polished onboarding, which helps if you are setting it up for others. Bitwarden has a large community, thorough documentation and a straightforward support process, with extra help for paid users. Neither locks you in, so if you start with one and change your mind, you can export your data and import it into the other.
When to revisit your choice
Prices and features change, as the 2026 increases showed. Check your renewal date each year and look at the alternatives before you pay again. If a price rises beyond what the extra features are worth to you, switching is simple: export, import, check, delete the export file.
Final take
If you want the most value, Bitwarden is the better choice, and its free plan may be all you ever need. If you want a more polished experience and do not mind paying about $28 more a year, 1Password delivers it. Both are secure when you use a strong master password and two-factor authentication.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1Password worth the extra cost?
It can be if you value its design, smooth autofill and extras. If you mainly want a secure vault at the lowest price, Bitwarden is the better value.
Does 1Password have a free plan?
No. It offers a 14-day trial, but no permanent free tier. Bitwarden has a free plan with unlimited devices.
Which is better for families?
Bitwarden’s family plan is cheaper and covers six users. 1Password’s family plan covers five members and is more polished.
Which one is more secure?
Both encrypt your vault and have strong reputations. Bitwarden is open source, and 1Password adds a secret key on top of your master password. Your master password and two-factor settings matter most.
Official sources and references
Use these first-party pages to verify current plans, prices, features and eligibility. Offers and terms can change by country, billing period and date; confirm the details that apply to you before buying. Links below are provider documentation, not independent endorsements.