| Manager | Encryption | Open Source | 2FA | Sharing | Audit | Free plan | Price/year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitwarden | AES-256 + Argon2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 0 / 10 USD |
| 1Password | AES-256 + PBKDF2 / Argon2 | × | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | × | 36 USD |
| Dashlane | AES-256 + Argon2 | × | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 0 / 60 USD |
| NordPass | XChaCha20 | × | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 0 / 24 USD |
| Proton Pass | AES-256 + bcrypt | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 0 / 48 USD |
| KeePass | AES-256 / ChaCha20 | ✓ | × | × | × | ✓ | 0 |
Evaluation criteria
Encryption and security
We evaluate the encryption algorithm used, the zero-knowledge model, the existence of independent security audits and whether the source code is published for review.
Cross-platform usability
We assess the availability of native apps, browser extensions, cross-device sync and the overall quality of the user experience.
Extra features
Secure credential sharing, built-in password generator, breach monitoring, passkey support and mobile autofill.
Value for money
We compare free options against paid plans, the limitations of each tier and the added value of premium subscriptions.
Our recommendation
There is no perfect manager for everyone. If you prioritise open source and price, Bitwarden is the most balanced option. If you want a flawless UX and don’t mind paying, 1Password stands out for its design and exclusive features. For those who need total privacy integrated with email and VPN, Proton Pass fits within the Proton ecosystem.
In all cases, combine the manager with a strong master password generated with our tool and always enable multi-factor authentication.