Dashlane Review
Verdict: Dashlane is a polished, beginner-friendly password manager with strong breach monitoring and carefully guided onboarding. It costs more than Bitwarden or NordPass, its free plan is limited, and there is no native Linux app.
At a Glance
| Price | From $2.75/mo |
| Free plan | Limited free plan |
| Platforms | Win / Mac / iOS / Android / Browser |
| Encryption | AES-256, end-to-end |
| 2FA | Yes — authenticator apps, hardware keys, passkeys |
| Zero-knowledge | Yes |
Pros
- Guided, beginner-friendly setup
- Strong dark-web and breach monitoring
- Clear password health score
Cons
- Limited free plan
- No native Linux app
- More expensive than budget rivals
Security & Encryption
Dashlane encrypts vault data with AES-256 on your device under a zero-knowledge model, so the company can’t read your passwords. It commissions independent security audits and has no publicly disclosed vault breaches.
Accounts can be secured with an authenticator app or a hardware security key, and Dashlane supports passkeys both for signing in to websites and for accessing your own account.
Features
Dashlane’s password health score gives you a single number for the state of your vault and links straight to the accounts that need attention. Dark-web monitoring alerts you when your email addresses appear in new breach data, often before you’d hear about it elsewhere.
You can store passwords, passkeys, secure notes, payment cards and IDs, and share items with other Dashlane users. On desktop, Dashlane works through its browser extension and web app rather than separate Windows or macOS programs.
Pricing
Paid plans start from $2.75 a month, with family plans for households and business plans priced per user. Dashlane’s free option has been cut back over time and is best treated as a trial rather than a long-term plan — check what is currently offered. Dashlane is worth the money if you value its onboarding and monitoring; if price is the priority, Bitwarden and NordPass cost less.
Ease of Use
Dashlane puts a lot of effort into onboarding, with prompts that walk new users through importing passwords, installing the extension and turning on autofill. The extension shows which saved account it is about to use before it fills a form, which helps if you have several logins for the same site.
Because there is no desktop app, you need a supported browser on every computer — Chrome, Firefox, Edge and other Chromium browsers all work.
Customer Support
Paid users can reach support by chat and email, and the help centre includes detailed migration guides for moving from other password managers and from browser-saved passwords.
Who Dashlane is best for
Dashlane suits people who want a friendly, guided password manager and value breach alerts, such as first-time users and less technical family members. Its clear password health score makes it easy to see what to fix next.
It’s a weaker fit for Linux users, for anyone who wants a long-term free plan, and for budget-focused buyers — Bitwarden and NordPass cost less for similar core features.
How we evaluated Dashlane
This review is based on Dashlane’s own security documentation, its published independent audit and penetration-test reports, the plans and prices listed on its website, its official list of supported platforms and browsers, and its public security record, including any disclosed incidents. Every manager is scored with the same weighted criteria described in our methodology. Prices are list prices at the time of our last update — plans and introductory offers change often, so always check the vendor’s site before you buy.
Alternatives to consider
- 1Password — equally polished, with a native Linux app and stronger business tools.
- LastPass — similar price range; see LastPass vs Dashlane.
- Bitwarden — if a free plan matters more than extras.
Published August 4, 2026 · Updated November 6, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dashlane free?+
There is a limited free plan, but it is best treated as a trial. For long-term free use, Bitwarden is a better choice.
Does Dashlane work on Linux?+
There is no native Linux app, but the browser extension works on Linux in supported browsers.
How does Dashlane’s dark-web monitoring work?+
It checks known breach data for the email addresses you register and alerts you when your details appear in a new leak, so you can change affected passwords quickly.
Can I import passwords into Dashlane?+
Yes. Dashlane imports from browsers and from most password managers using their export files.