1Password vs Bitwarden: Complete 2026 Comparison
The choice between 1Password and Bitwarden often comes down to: Do you want the best user experience, or the best value? Both are excellent, secure password managers—but they have different philosophies.
This comprehensive guide compares security, features, pricing, and helps you decide which is right for your personal or business needs.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | 1Password | Bitwarden |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | UX, Business | Value, Open-source |
| Free Plan | No (14-day trial) | Yes (unlimited) |
| Personal Price | $2.99/month | $0 (Free) / $10/year |
| Family Price | $4.99/month (5 users) | $40/year (6 users) |
| Business Price | $7.99/user/month | $4/user/month |
| Open Source | No | Yes |
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| Zero Knowledge | Yes | Yes |
Security Comparison
Both Are Highly Secure
Both 1Password and Bitwarden use:
- AES-256 encryption (military-grade)
- Zero-knowledge architecture (they can't see your passwords)
- Secure random password generation
- 2FA/MFA support
1Password Security Extras:
- Secret Key: Additional layer beyond master password
- Watchtower: Monitors for breaches and weak passwords
- Travel Mode: Hide sensitive vaults when crossing borders
- Independent audits: Regular third-party security audits
Bitwarden Security Extras:
- Open-source code: Anyone can inspect the codebase
- Self-hosting option: Host on your own server
- Independent audits: Also regularly audited
- Transparent security: Smaller attack surface
Winner: Tie for personal use; 1Password for business (Secret Key adds protection against phishing)
Features Comparison
Password Management Basics
Both offer excellent core features:
- Auto-fill on all platforms
- Password generator
- Secure notes and documents
- Credit card storage
- Identity information
1Password Exclusive Features:
- Watchtower Dashboard: Visual security scorecard
- Travel Mode: Hide vaults at border crossings
- Collections: Organize vaults for different contexts
- Item Categories: Credit cards, passports, licenses, more
- Tags: Flexible organization system
- Masked Email Integration: With Fastmail
- Developer Tools: SSH keys, API credentials, secrets management
Bitwarden Exclusive Features:
- Free Forever Tier: Unlimited passwords, free
- Self-Hosting: Full control over your data
- Bitwarden Send: Secure text/file sharing
- Emergency Access: Grant access if you're incapacitated
- Password Breach Reports: Check all passwords (Premium)
- Open API: Build your own integrations
User Experience
1Password UX:
- Beautiful, polished interface across all platforms
- Quick Access: Keyboard shortcut for fast search
- Browser extension feels native and intuitive
- Onboarding is smooth and guided
- Less technical: Better for non-tech users
Bitwarden UX:
- Clean, functional interface (less polished)
- Browser extension works well but less refined
- More options can feel overwhelming
- Manual setup may be needed for some features
- Great for tech-savvy users who want control
Winner: 1Password – significantly better UX, especially for families
Pricing Comparison
Personal Use
| Plan | 1Password | Bitwarden |
|---|---|---|
| Free | No | Yes (unlimited passwords) |
| Premium | $2.99/month ($36/year) | $10/year |
| Family | $4.99/month ($60/year) | $40/year |
Bitwarden saves you $20-50/year for equivalent features.
Business Use
| Team Size | 1Password Teams | Bitwarden Teams |
|---|---|---|
| 5 users | $40/month | $20/month |
| 10 users | $80/month | $40/month |
| 25 users | $200/month | $100/month |
| 50 users | $400/month | $200/month |
Bitwarden costs 50% less for business teams.
Platform Support
1Password:
- ✅ Windows, Mac, Linux
- ✅ iOS, Android
- ✅ Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Brave
- ✅ Apple Watch
- ✅ CLI for developers
Bitwarden:
- ✅ Windows, Mac, Linux
- ✅ iOS, Android
- ✅ Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, Tor
- ✅ Web vault (browser-based)
- ✅ CLI and self-hosted
Winner: Tie – both support all major platforms
Business Features
1Password Business:
- Custom groups and vaults
- Activity logs and reports
- Integration with Okta, Azure AD, OneLogin
- Automated provisioning (SCIM)
- Travel Mode for entire company
- Priority support
- Custom security policies
Bitwarden Business:
- User groups and collections
- Event logs
- SSO support (Enterprise)
- Directory sync (Azure AD, Google, etc.)
- Self-hosting option
- API access
- Compliance reports
Winner: 1Password for enterprise features; Bitwarden for value
Which Should You Choose?
Choose 1Password If:
- You want the best user experience
- You're setting up a family (especially with less tech-savvy members)
- You need business features like Travel Mode
- You value polished apps and easy onboarding
- Budget isn't the primary concern
Choose Bitwarden If:
- You want the best value (including free)
- You prefer open-source software
- You want to self-host for maximum control
- You're tech-savvy and want flexibility
- You're on a tight budget
Migration Between Platforms
Moving from 1Password to Bitwarden:
- Export from 1Password (1PIF or CSV format)
- Import into Bitwarden via web vault
- Verify all items transferred correctly
- Update master password if desired
Moving from Bitwarden to 1Password:
- Export from Bitwarden (CSV format)
- Import into 1Password
- Organize into vaults as needed
- Set up family sharing if applicable
The Verdict
1Password is the premium choice with excellent UX, better family features, and strong business capabilities. It's worth the extra cost for a seamless experience.
Bitwarden is the value champion with an excellent free tier, open-source transparency, and self-hosting option. At $10/year, Premium is an incredible deal.
Both are highly secure. You can't go wrong with either—just pick based on your priorities.
Data sources: Official 1Password and Bitwarden pricing pages. Last verified: January 2026.