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Head to head
1Password vs Bitwarden: Which should you choose?
In 1Password vs Bitwarden, Bitwarden wins for most people, thanks to a free plan with unlimited passwords on unlimited devices, cheaper paid plans with no renewal rise, and a 30-day refund window. 1Password suits people and families who are happy to pay for Watchtower breach alerts, a Secret Key on top of their password and apps on every major platform.
Published . Last updated .
1Password
Best for Families and small teams who want a polished paid password manager
Choose 1Password if you want:
- 14-day free trial on personal and business plans, with no credit card needed
- Families plan covers five people, with guest accounts and unlimited shared vaults
- Watchtower flags weak, reused and breached passwords
Starts at $2.99/mo, renews at $3.99/mo
Bitwarden
Best for Anyone who wants a capable free or low-cost password manager
Choose Bitwarden if you want:
- Free plan with unlimited passwords on unlimited devices
- Open-source code, zero-knowledge encryption and a self-hosting option
- Premium adds Duo and YubiKey OTP login, vault health reports and emergency access
Starts at $0/mo, renews at $0/mo
Every number
Side by side
Prices checked on . The better value in a row is marked.
| 1Password | What we compared | Bitwarden |
|---|---|---|
| $2.99/mo | Starts at | $0/moBetter |
| $3.99/mo | Renews at | $0/moBetter |
| None | Refund period | 30 daysBetter |
| 14 days | Free trial | 14 days |
| 1 | Users | 1 |
| Unlimited | Devices | Unlimited |
| Two-factor authentication, biometrics, passkeys | Two-factor options | Up to 10 hardware security keys, Yubico OTP, Duo, email, authenticator app |
| Yes | Breach alerts | Yes |
| Yes | Sharing | Yes |
| Not tested yet | Our score, out of 5 | Not tested yet |
The verdict, in parts
Round by round
Price
Bitwarden costs less at every personal tier: it has a free plan, and Premium is billed yearly at well below 1Password Individual. 1Password's first-year discount is for new customers on yearly billing only, and its personal plans then renew 33% higher, while Bitwarden lists no renewal rise. Neither prices in pounds or rupees: Bitwarden shows US dollars only, and 1Password bills in US dollars, Canadian dollars or euros.
Winner Bitwarden
Free plan
Bitwarden's free plan covers unlimited passwords on unlimited devices, with sharing and two-step login by authenticator app, email or FIDO2 security key. It lacks breach alerts, vault health reports and the built-in authenticator. 1Password has no free plan once its trial ends.
Winner Bitwarden
Family plans
Bitwarden Families gives six premium accounts with unlimited sharing and costs less than 1Password Families. 1Password Families covers five people and adds guest accounts and unlimited shared vaults, which some households will value.
Winner Bitwarden
Security and sign-in
1Password adds a Secret Key to your account password, supports two-factor authentication, biometrics and passkeys, and its Watchtower flags weak, reused and breached passwords. Bitwarden is open source with zero-knowledge encryption and a self-hosting option, and Premium supports up to 10 hardware security keys, Yubico OTP and Duo. Both take security seriously in different ways, so this one is even.
Winner A draw
Business plans
Bitwarden Teams costs less per user than 1Password Business, and both Bitwarden business plans allow unlimited users. 1Password's Teams Starter Pack charges one flat price for up to 10 users, which can work out cheaper for small teams, and 1Password Business suits firms that need single sign-on and identity-provider integrations.
Winner A draw
Trials and refunds
1Password offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card needed, but gives no refunds for past charges or unused time after you cancel. Bitwarden lists a 14-day free trial (though not on Premium) and refunds paid subscriptions less than 30 days old, so a wrong choice costs you less.
Winner Bitwarden
Questions people ask
Is Bitwarden better than 1Password?
For most people on a budget, yes: Bitwarden has a free plan, cheaper paid plans and a 30-day refund window. 1Password is the better fit if you want Watchtower, a Secret Key and family extras such as guest accounts, and you are happy to pay.
Is Bitwarden really free?
Yes. The free plan covers one user with unlimited passwords on unlimited devices, plus sharing. It does not include breach alerts, vault health reports or the built-in authenticator, which come with Premium.
Does 1Password have a free plan?
No. 1Password offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card needed, but there is no free plan once the trial ends.
Which has better autofill, 1Password or Bitwarden?
We have not tested either. In independent tests by Tech Insider (April 2026), using the same 50 test sites for both, 1Password filled 47 correctly (94%) and Bitwarden filled 44 (88%). Other testers may use different methods, so treat this as a rough guide.
Can I pay for 1Password or Bitwarden in pounds or rupees?
No. Bitwarden shows prices in US dollars only, and 1Password bills in US dollars, Canadian dollars or euros. Readers in the UK and India should expect a currency conversion on their card statement.
Can I get a refund from 1Password or Bitwarden?
Bitwarden refunds paid subscriptions less than 30 days old. 1Password does not refund past charges or unused time after you cancel, so use its 14-day free trial to decide first.
Our verdict
Choose 1Password if you want a paid-only manager with Watchtower alerts, a Secret Key, apps for macOS, iOS, Windows, Android and Linux, and family extras such as guest accounts. Choose Bitwarden if you want a free plan, open-source code, a self-hosting option, or the lowest price for yourself, a family of up to six or a team. Readers in the UK and India should note that neither bills in pounds or rupees, and Bitwarden stores cloud data only in the US or EU. If you are unsure, Bitwarden's 30-day refund window makes it the safer paid trial.