Password Managers Compared: Bitwarden vs 1Password vs Proton Pass

If you're still reusing passwords or relying on your browser's autofill, you're one data breach away from a bad time. A dedicated password manager is essential.

Bitwarden - Best Free Option

Price: Free (Premium: $10/year) | Open source: Yes

Bitwarden's free tier is remarkably complete — unlimited passwords, unlimited devices, password generator, and secure sharing. The premium tier adds TOTP authenticator codes for just $10/year. Being open-source means the code is publicly audited.

1Password - Best User Experience

Price: $2.99/month | Open source: No

1Password has the most polished UI of any password manager. Watchtower proactively flags weak, reused, or breached passwords. Travel Mode lets you hide sensitive vaults when crossing borders. Family plan ($4.99/mo for 5 users) is excellent value.

Proton Pass - Best for Privacy

Price: Free (Plus: $1.99/month) | Open source: Yes

End-to-end encrypted password storage with email aliases built in. The "hide my email" feature generates unique aliases for every service, reducing spam and tracking.

Our Recommendation

Start with Bitwarden for best value. Choose 1Password for polish and family sharing. Pick Proton Pass if privacy is your top priority. Any of these is infinitely better than no password manager.