1Password vs Bitwarden (2026): features, security and which one to buy
1Password and Bitwarden compared on what they do, who they suit, their key features, pros and cons, and what each vendor publishes on security, admin and contract terms, with every fact checked on October 24, 2026.
1Password or Bitwarden: the short answer
Choose 1Password if
- Small teams of up to 20 via the Starter Pack.
- Companies wanting SSO unlock with Okta, Entra ID, OneLogin or Duo.
- Teams that value polished apps.
Choose Bitwarden if
- Budget-conscious teams: $4 per user per month for Teams.
- Companies wanting self-hosting (Enterprise)
- Open-source preference.
What are 1Password and Bitwarden?
1Password
Password manager with a flat-price starter pack for small teams and per-user Business and Enterprise plans. Teams of up to 20 get a flat-price Starter Pack, and larger groups move to per-user Business or Enterprise plans. Reviewers like the apps and easy sharing, while the Secret Key can irritate some staff. Expect to pay about twice Bitwarden Teams, and note there is no self-hosting.
Bitwarden
Open-source password manager with low per-user Teams and Enterprise prices, a free organization tier and self-hosting. Cost-conscious or open-source-minded teams can begin with the free organization tier, then pay $4 per user monthly for Teams. SSO and self-hosting require Enterprise at $6. It works across platforms, though reviewers find the interface less polished than competitors and some admin features need Enterprise.
1Password vs Bitwarden: features compared
| 1Password | Bitwarden | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Password manager with a flat-price starter pack for small teams and per-user Business and Enterprise plans. | Open-source password manager with low per-user Teams and Enterprise prices, a free organization tier and self-hosting. |
| Best for | Small teams of up to 20 via the Starter Pack. | Budget-conscious teams: $4 per user per month for Teams. |
| Company size | Small teams to enterprise. | SMB to enterprise. |
| Shared vaults and permissions | Shared vaults with group permissions (Business) | Collections and unlimited sharing in organization (Teams) |
| SSO and directory sync | Unlock with SSO via Okta, Entra ID, OneLogin, Duo on Business; user and group provisioning listed on Business page. | SAML 2.0/OIDC SSO for Enterprise organizations; SCIM listed on Teams page. |
| Admin console and reporting | Custom business reports on account activity; Events Reporting streams to SIEM. | Event logs and API (Teams) |
| Encryption and security record | SOC 2 Type 2 listed on pricing comparison. | Open source, end-to-end encrypted; certifications not confirmed by the vendor. |
| Dark web and breach monitoring | Watchtower, reported as Business feature (one review) | Not published |
| Free plan or trial | Free trial | Free plan, Free trial |
| Starting price | $24.95 per month for up to 10 members (Teams Starter Pack, $299.40/yr) | Free organization plan; Teams $4 per user per month |
| G2 rating | 4.6 (1,808 reviews) | 4.6 (1,342 reviews) |
Pros and cons
1Password
Pros
- Polished apps and UX.
- Strong security model.
- Easy sharing.
Cons
- Higher price than alternatives.
- Secret Key setup friction for some users.
Bitwarden
Pros
- Ease of use and cross-platform support.
- Security and open source transparency.
- Low price.
Cons
- Interface less polished than rivals.
- Some advanced admin features need Enterprise.
1Password vs Bitwarden pricing
For 20 users on the cheapest plan that fits, Bitwarden costs $960 a year and 1Password $2,158 at list price, a difference of $1,198.
| 1Password | Bitwarden | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | per user | per user |
| Per seat per month | $8.99 (Business, billed yearly); Starter Pack about $2.49 to $5 per user. | $4 (Teams, billed annually) |
| Billing | Annual only. | Annual only. |
| 20 users per year | $2,158 (Business) | $960 (Teams) |
Security, admin and contract: 1Password vs Bitwarden
What each vendor states publicly about single sign-on, provisioning, audit logs, data location and the contract. A blank is a question for the sales call, not a no.
| 1Password | Bitwarden | |
|---|---|---|
| SAML SSO | Business (identity provider integrations) | Enterprise only. |
| SCIM provisioning | Provisioning listed on Business page; plan unclear (third-party says Enterprise) | Teams and up (per pricing page) |
| Audit logs | Business audit log (beta per help center); Events Reporting separate. | Event logs on Teams and up. |
| Contract | 14-day free trial; yearly billing. | Annual billing; free trial available. |
Differences most comparisons miss
Worth knowing about 1Password
- Starter Pack caps at 20 total members (10 included plus up to 10 extra)
- Starter Pack extra seats cost $4.99, so a 20-person team pays less than on Business.
- SSO unlock is a Business feature; the Starter Pack does not list it.
- Business plan reportedly includes Watchtower breach monitoring, absent in the Starter Pack.
Worth knowing about Bitwarden
- SSO is on Enterprise ($6) only, so SSO costs 50% more than Teams.
- Self-hosting is an Enterprise capability.
- Free organization plan exists.
- Teams plan includes SCIM and event logs per the pricing page.
1Password vs Bitwarden: frequently asked questions
Which is better, 1Password or Bitwarden?
It depends on the team. 1Password is the stronger pick for small teams of up to 20 via the Starter Pack, while Bitwarden suits budget-conscious teams: $4 per user per month for Teams. Compare the feature rows above against your must-haves before you look at price.
Do 1Password and Bitwarden support SAML single sign-on?
1Password: business (identity provider integrations). Bitwarden: enterprise only. Confirm the plan in writing before you compare prices.
Is Bitwarden cheaper than 1Password?
At list price for 20 users on the cheapest plan that fits, Bitwarden costs $960 a year and 1Password $2,158. Add-ons, higher tiers and annual versus monthly billing can change that order.
Can I try 1Password and Bitwarden for free?
1Password: free trial. Bitwarden: free plan, free trial.
Sources
Both columns use the same sources: vendor pricing and product pages, documentation, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Full source lists are on the 1Password and Bitwarden reviews.