Bitwarden vs 1Password
1Password is Wirecutter’s top password manager and the more polished app. Bitwarden is Wirecutter’s budget pick: its free plan covers unlimited devices, and Premium is $19.80 a year, less than half of 1Password’s price.
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Quick answer
Choose Bitwarden if you want a free password manager, you want the lowest paid price or you prefer open-source software. Choose 1Password if you want the most polished apps, you’re setting up less technical family members or you travel and want Travel Mode.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Check Bitwarden pricing (opens in a new tab)Check 1Password pricing (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| Bitwarden | 1Password | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes: unlimited devices and passwords | No; 14-day free trial |
| Individual | $19.80/yr ($1.65/mo) | $3.99/mo billed yearly ($2.99 first-year promo) |
| Family | $47.88/yr for up to 6 users | $5.99/mo billed yearly for 5 ($4.49 promo) |
| Free sharing | With one other user | — |
| Wirecutter | Budget pick (best free) | Top pick |
For more options, see best password managers.
Get Bitwarden if you want a free password manager that syncs across all your devices, or the cheapest paid plan. Get 1Password if you’ll pay about $48 a year for the most polished apps, in-app guidance and Travel Mode.
Bitwarden vs 1Password: side-by-side
| Bitwarden | 1Password | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes: unlimited devices and passwords | No; 14-day free trial |
| Individual | $19.80/yr ($1.65/mo) | $3.99/mo billed yearly ($2.99 first-year promo) |
| Family | $47.88/yr for up to 6 users | $5.99/mo billed yearly for 5 ($4.49 promo) |
| Free sharing | With one other user | — |
| Wirecutter | Budget pick (best free) | Top pick |
| Premium extras | Integrated authenticator, file attachments, emergency access, security reports | Travel Mode, Watchtower alerts, Secret Key |
| Open source | Yes | No |
How much do they cost?
Bitwarden plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Unlimited devices; share with one other user |
| Premium | $19.80/yr | 1 account |
| Families | $47.88/yr | 6 premium accounts |
1Password plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $3.99/mo billed yearly | $2.99/mo first-year promo |
| Families | $5.99/mo billed yearly | 5 users; $4.49/mo promo |
What are the pros and cons?
Bitwarden: pros
- Best free plan
- Cheapest paid plan
- Six-person family plan
Bitwarden: cons
- Less polished than 1Password (Wirecutter)
- Premium price nearly doubled from $10 (PCMag)
1Password: pros
- Wirecutter’s top pick
- Polished apps with in-app guidance
- Travel Mode
1Password: cons
- No free plan
- About $48 a year after the promo
- PCMag notes a substantial price increase
Which should you choose: Bitwarden or 1Password?
Bitwarden gives you almost everything for free, and its paid plan costs less than half as much as 1Password. 1Password is easier for less technical people and families, which is why Wirecutter[3] recommends it first.
Choose Bitwarden if…
- You want a free password manager
- You want the lowest paid price
- You prefer open-source software
Choose 1Password if…
- You want the most polished apps
- You’re setting up less technical family members
- You travel and want Travel Mode
The free plan
Bitwarden’s free plan includes unlimited devices and passwords, a password generator and sharing with one other user. Wirecutter[3] says it does everything most people need. 1Password has no free plan.
Alternatives
PCMag’s[4][5] Editors’ Choices include NordPass; see NordPass vs 1Password. Pair a password manager with good antivirus from best antivirus.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bitwarden as good as 1Password?
How much does Bitwarden Premium cost?
Does 1Password have a free plan?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Bitwarden: Pricing (bitwarden.com)
- 1Password: Pricing (1password.com)
- Wirecutter: The best password managers (nytimes.com)
- PCMag: Bitwarden review (pcmag.com)
- PCMag: The best password managers (pcmag.com)
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