Bitwarden vs 1Password 2026: Open-Source Value vs Polished Suite
Quick verdict: 1Password is our overall pick for Bitwarden vs 1Password.
1Password edges the score (4.4 vs 4.3) with the most polished cross-platform experience, while Bitwarden crushes the price — a genuinely free tier plus Premium at $19.80/yr against 1Password Individual at $35.88/yr.
| Tool | Rating | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitwarden Best free | 4.3/5 | Free $19.80/yr | Bitwarden is open-source password management across platforms that you can self-host, with… |
| 1Password Best overall Best for teams | 4.4/5 | $2.99/mo | 1Password manages team and personal passwords, with secrets vaulting and zero-trust integr… |
Bottom line: Bitwarden for value — a genuinely complete free tier (unlimited passwords and devices), open-source and self-hostable, Premium $19.80/yr, Families $47.88/yr. 1Password for the polished suite — Individual at $2.99/mo billed annually ($35.88/yr), no free plan, with the best-in-class app experience, Watchtower and travel mode. If you want the security baseline covered for near-zero cost, Bitwarden wins outright; if you want the most refined password UX and will pay for it, 1Password is the pick.
Pricing and details
Bitwarden · 4.3/5
Free plan available · $19.80/yr
Premium; $19.80/yr ($1.65/mo); Families $47.88/yr; free tier = unlimited passwords & devices (re-checked 2026-09-09: Teams $4/user/mo and Enterprise $6/user/mo published — the open-source ladder stays under half of LastPass/1Password at team level; self-hosting on Enterprise)
$19.80/yr
Bitwarden is open-source password management across platforms that you can self-host, with a complete free plan.
Score breakdown
Pros
- Best dimension: Core features at 5/5 — backed by verification against the official site & pricing.
- Second strong point: Stability at 5/5.
- Free tier available · paid from $19.80/yr — Premium; a genuinely usable free entry, not just a trial.
- Positioning: Bitwarden is open-source password management across platforms that you can self-host, with a complete free plan.
Cons
- Weakest dimension: Ease of use at 4/5.
- Weigh localization coverage outside core markets before committing.
Pricing verified 2026-09-09
1Password · 4.4/5
14-day free trial · $2.99/mo
Individual; $2.99/mo billed annually ($35.88/yr) is a first-year promo for new customers (regular annual price $3.99/mo); no free plan; 14-day trial (re-checked 2026-09-09: the increase landed in March 2026 — regular Individual now $3.99/mo = $47.88/yr, Families $5.99/mo for 5 users; independent 2026 trackers confirm the old $2.99/$4.49 pair is gone outside first-year promo)
$35.88/yr
1Password manages team and personal passwords, with secrets vaulting and zero-trust integrations.
Score breakdown
Pros
- Best dimension: Core features at 5/5 — backed by verification against the official site & pricing.
- Second strong point: Ease of use at 5/5.
- Pricing: paid-only, paid from $2.99/mo — Individual; $2.99/mo billed annually ($35.88/yr); no free plan
- Positioning: 1Password manages team and personal passwords, with secrets vaulting and zero-trust integrations.
Cons
- Weakest dimension: Collaboration at 4/5.
- Weigh the premium pricing for heavier usage before committing.
Pricing verified 2026-09-09
Frequently asked questions
Which is better overall, Bitwarden or 1Password?
1Password is our overall pick (4.4/5 vs 4.3/5). 1Password edges the score (4.4 vs 4.3) with the most polished cross-platform experience, while Bitwarden crushes the price — a genuinely free tier plus Premium at $19.80/yr against 1Password Individual at $35.88/yr.
Do Bitwarden and 1Password offer free plans?
Bitwarden has a free tier. Bitwarden paid plans start at $19.80/yr; 1Password paid plans start at $2.99/mo.
What does 1Password cost?
$2.99/mo — Individual; $2.99/mo billed annually ($35.88/yr) is a first-year promo for new customers (regular annual price $3.99/mo); no free plan; 14-day trial (re-checked 2026-09-09: the increase landed in March 2026 — regular Individual now $3.99/mo = $47.88/yr, Families $5.99/mo for 5 users; independent 2026 trackers confirm the old $2.99/$4.49 pair is gone outside first-year promo). Prices were last verified on 2026-09-09.