Compare
Head-to-head breakdowns of the password managers people ask about most, scored on the same criteria as the full rating.
How our comparisons work
Each comparison puts two password managers side by side on the things that usually decide the choice: security design and track record, price and free plans, features, everyday use and platform support. The table at the top of every comparison is built from the same data as our reviews, so scores, prices and platform lists stay consistent across the site. Below it, we explain who should pick which manager and why, with real-world scenarios such as a student on a budget, a family sharing logins or a small business.
The comparisons people ask about most
- 1Password vs Bitwarden — polish against value. Both are well audited; the choice is mainly about price, design and whether open-source code matters to you.
- NordPass vs 1Password — a simple, low-cost manager against a more capable premium one.
- LastPass vs Dashlane — two familiar names with similar prices, separated mostly by their security records.
What usually decides it
Your devices. If you use Linux, Dashlane and LastPass have no native app. If you want a free plan on both your phone and computer, Bitwarden is the only option here without a device limit.
Your budget. Bitwarden and NordPass are the cheapest paid options; 1Password and Dashlane cost more but put more effort into guided setup and polish.
Your household or team. Families should compare shared vaults and account recovery; businesses should compare admin consoles, SSO and activity logs.
Trust. Every manager here encrypts your vault on your device, but LastPass’s 2022 breach is a real difference in track record that we take into account.
Switching after you decide
All five managers can import passwords exported from the others or from your browser. Export, import, check a few important logins, and delete the export file afterwards, because it contains your passwords in plain text. Want to see every manager at once instead of two at a time? Use our filterable rating.
Comparison FAQ
Is there one best password manager? No single manager is best for everyone. Bitwarden is our top overall pick, but 1Password, NordPass and Dashlane each win for specific needs, which is why we compare them in pairs.
Do two managers with similar scores really differ? Often a lot. Two managers can score within a few tenths of each other overall but differ sharply on price, free-plan limits or Linux support. The comparison tables show those differences directly.
Can I use two password managers at once? You can, but it usually causes confusion, with two extensions trying to fill the same forms. It is better to pick one and import everything into it.
How to test two managers yourself
A comparison can narrow the choice to two, but the final decision is easiest after a few days of real use. Install both on the computer and phone you use most, using the free plan or trial. Import the same browser export into each, then spend a week logging in to your usual sites and apps — your email, bank, shopping and work tools. Note which one fills forms without extra clicks, which one you find easier to search, and whether sharing a login with a family member or colleague is straightforward.
When you have decided, delete the vault in the manager you are not keeping and remove its browser extension, so your passwords live in one place only.