Bitwarden vs 1Password
pricing comparison · 2026
Bitwarden pricing ranges from $0–$47.88/user/month, while 1Password ranges from $0–$19.95/user/month. Bitwarden is typically 43% more affordable, though your actual cost depends on tier and team size.
Bitwarden and 1Password are two of the most trusted password managers, but they differ significantly in price and philosophy. Bitwarden is open-source, with a free tier and premium plans starting at $1.65/month — roughly half the cost of most competitors. 1Password is a closed-source commercial product known for its polished UX, Travel Mode, and Watchtower breach alerts, starting at $3.99/month.
Both use end-to-end encryption and have strong security records. The decision comes down to: do you value open-source transparency and lower cost (Bitwarden), or a more refined product experience and features like Travel Mode (1Password)?
Plan-by-Plan Pricing
| Plan | Bitwarden | 1Password |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free / | Free /user/month |
| Premium | $1.65 / | $3.99 /user/month |
| Families | $3.99 / | $5.99 /family/month |
| Teams | $4 / | $19.95 /month |
| Enterprise | $6 / | $7.99 /user/month |
Cost at Scale
Total cost of ownership — licenses, implementation, and hidden costs included.
Bitwarden
8 scenarios1Password
5 scenariosMarket Intelligence
Bitwarden
- Median annual cost
- $432
- Based on
- 14 deals
1Password
- Median annual cost
- $16,779
- Average negotiated discount
- 17%
- Based on
- 981 deals
Contract Terms
| Term | Bitwarden | 1Password |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-renewal | — | Yes |
| Cancellation | — | — |
| Minimum commitment | Annual billing only | — |
| Price escalation | — | Individual plan increased from $2.99/mo (2016 launch price, held through ~2025) to $3.99/mo in 2026 — a ~33% increase. Price held stable for ~9 years before this increase. |
Our Verdict
Bitwarden wins on price and transparency — it is the best value password manager available, especially for individuals and families. 1Password wins on user experience and features like Travel Mode and Watchtower, making it the premium choice for users who want a more refined product and don't mind paying more. Both are highly secure; the decision is about price vs. polish.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Is Bitwarden free forever?
Bitwarden's free plan stores unlimited passwords and syncs across unlimited devices of one type (mobile or desktop). The Premium plan at $1.65/month adds advanced 2FA, Bitwarden Authenticator, and 1GB encrypted file storage.
02 Has 1Password ever been hacked?
1Password has no publicly disclosed security breaches. Its architecture uses a two-key derivation system — even if their servers were compromised, attackers couldn't decrypt your vault without your master password.
03 Can I import from 1Password to Bitwarden?
Yes. You can export a 1Password 1PUX or CSV file and import it directly into Bitwarden. The process takes about 5-10 minutes and preserves passwords, notes, and most metadata.
04 Which has better browser extension support?
Both have extensions for all major browsers. 1Password's extension is generally considered more polished with better autofill reliability. Bitwarden's extension works well but occasionally has autofill quirks on complex login forms.