1Password vs LastPass (2026): features, security and which one to buy
1Password and LastPass 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 LastPass: 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 LastPass if
- Teams already on LastPass wanting familiar admin tooling.
- Small groups up to 50 users on the Teams tier.
What are 1Password and LastPass?
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.
LastPass
Long-established business password manager with Teams, Business and Business Max tiers, still carrying the reputational weight of its 2022 breach. Teams already familiar with its admin tooling can stay, with a free plan and Teams, Business and Business Max tiers. Before renewing, put the 2022 breach and the later UK ICO fine to your security reviewer. Business covers SSO for only three apps, so unlimited SSO means Business Max.
1Password vs LastPass: features compared
| 1Password | LastPass | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Password manager with a flat-price starter pack for small teams and per-user Business and Enterprise plans. | Long-established business password manager with Teams, Business and Business Max tiers, still carrying the reputational weight of its 2022 breach. |
| Best for | Small teams of up to 20 via the Starter Pack. | Teams already on LastPass wanting familiar admin tooling. |
| Company size | Small teams to enterprise. | SMB to mid-market. |
| Shared vaults and permissions | Shared vaults with group permissions (Business) | Not published |
| SSO and directory sync | Unlock with SSO via Okta, Entra ID, OneLogin, Duo on Business; user and group provisioning listed on Business page. | Business: SSO for 3 apps, directory integrations (Okta, Entra ID); Business Max: unlimited SSO. SCIM not named. |
| Admin console and reporting | Custom business reports on account activity; Events Reporting streams to SIEM. | Not published |
| Encryption and security record | SOC 2 Type 2 listed on pricing comparison. | 2022 breach exposed encrypted vault backups and metadata; ICO fined LastPass 1.2M GBP in December 2025. |
| Dark web and breach monitoring | Watchtower, reported as Business feature (one review) | Dark web monitoring features in Business Max (AI/Web monitoring) |
| 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) | $4 per user/month (Teams, billed annually) |
| G2 rating | 4.6 (1,808 reviews) | 4.4 (1,962 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.
LastPass
Pros
- Familiar interface and broad integrations.
- Low entry price.
Cons
- Trust damaged by 2022 breach.
- SSO capped at 3 apps on Business.
1Password vs LastPass pricing
For 20 users on the cheapest plan that fits, LastPass costs $960 a year and 1Password $2,158 at list price, a difference of $1,198.
| 1Password | LastPass | |
|---|---|---|
| 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) or $7 (Business), billed annually. |
| Billing | Annual only. | Annual only. |
| 20 users per year | $2,158 (Business) | $960 (Teams) |
| Add-ons | Not published | Advanced MFA and SSO add-on reported at $10 per user on Business (Capterra) |
Security, admin and contract: 1Password vs LastPass
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 | LastPass | |
|---|---|---|
| SAML SSO | Business (identity provider integrations) | Business (3 apps); Business Max (unlimited) |
| SCIM provisioning | Provisioning listed on Business page; plan unclear (third-party says Enterprise) | Not published |
| Audit logs | Business audit log (beta per help center); Events Reporting separate. | Not published |
| Contract | 14-day free trial; yearly billing. | 14-day trial; annual billing. |
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 LastPass
- Business SSO is limited to 3 apps; unlimited needs Business Max.
- Teams is capped at 50 users.
- UK ICO fined LastPass 1.2M GBP over the 2022 breach (theregister.com, Dec 2025)
- Vendr buyer data shows higher real quotes than list prices.
1Password vs LastPass: frequently asked questions
Which is better, 1Password or LastPass?
It depends on the team. 1Password is the stronger pick for small teams of up to 20 via the Starter Pack, while LastPass suits teams already on LastPass wanting familiar admin tooling. Compare the feature rows above against your must-haves before you look at price.
Do 1Password and LastPass support SAML single sign-on?
1Password: business (identity provider integrations). LastPass: business (3 apps); Business Max (unlimited). Confirm the plan in writing before you compare prices.
Is LastPass cheaper than 1Password?
At list price for 20 users on the cheapest plan that fits, LastPass 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 LastPass for free?
1Password: free trial. LastPass: 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 LastPass reviews.