Bitwarden vs Dashlane 2026: Open-Source Value vs All-in-One Security
Quick verdict: Bitwarden is our overall pick for Bitwarden vs Dashlane.
Bitwarden dominates the value fight — a truly complete free tier (unlimited passwords and devices) and Premium at $19.80/yr; Dashlane counters with VPN and dark-web monitoring bundled in, but its free tier was discontinued in Sep 2025 and Premium costs $4.99/mo ($59.88/yr).
| Tool | Rating | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitwarden Best overall Best free | 4.3/5 | Free $19.80/yr | Bitwarden is open-source password management across platforms that you can self-host, with… |
| Dashlane Best for teams | 3.9/5 | $4.99/mo | Dashlane bundles a VPN and dark web monitoring with smooth password management, at a highe… |
Bottom line: Bitwarden for value — genuinely free (unlimited passwords and devices), open-source and self-hostable, Premium $19.80/yr, Families $47.88/yr. Dashlane for the security bundle — VPN and dark-web monitoring included, but no free tier since Sep 2025, only a 30-day trial, Premium $4.99/mo billed annually ($59.88/yr). If the job is password management at near-zero cost, Bitwarden wins outright; if you want an all-in-one security suite and will pay, Dashlane.
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
Dashlane · 3.9/5
30-day trial · $4.99/mo
Premium; annual billing only; free tier discontinued Sep 2025
$59.88/yr
Dashlane bundles a VPN and dark web monitoring with smooth password management, at a higher price.
Score breakdown
Pros
- Best dimension: Ease of use at 5/5 — backed by verification against the official site & pricing.
- Second strong point: Core features at 4/5.
- Pricing: paid-only, paid from $4.99/mo — Premium; annual billing only; free tier discontinued Sep 2025
- Positioning: Dashlane bundles a VPN and dark web monitoring with smooth password management, at a higher price.
Cons
- Weakest dimension: Collaboration at 3/5.
- No free tier — budget teams must plan around the paid entry.
- Weigh setup effort before the first meaningful workflow before committing.
Pricing verified 2026-08-31
Frequently asked questions
Which is better overall, Bitwarden or Dashlane?
Bitwarden is our overall pick (4.3/5 vs 3.9/5). Bitwarden dominates the value fight — a truly complete free tier (unlimited passwords and devices) and Premium at $19.80/yr; Dashlane counters with VPN and dark-web monitoring bundled in, but its free tier was discontinued in Sep 2025 and Premium costs $4.99/mo ($59.88/yr).
Do Bitwarden and Dashlane offer free plans?
Bitwarden has a free tier. Bitwarden paid plans start at $19.80/yr; Dashlane paid plans start at $4.99/mo.
What does Bitwarden cost?
$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). Prices were last verified on 2026-09-09.