If you’re ready to stop storing your passwords in your browser and upgrade to a premium security product, look no further than 1Password or Dashlane. At PCMag, we like to recommend cheap or free tech whenever possible, but neither company offers a sufficient free version. Despite this, both password managers performed well in testing and received high scores for functionality and features.So, which premium password manager should you use? We’ve thoroughly tested both apps, so let’s judge them in a head-to-head competition across five categories to help you determine which one will work best for you.
Price1Password starts the competition strong, as it’s objectively less expensive than Dashlane, which is one of the priciest password managers we’ve tested. For 1Password’s personal plan, you pay $35.88 a year. Paid password management starts at $59.88 per year for Dashlane subscribers. That’s the same price as 1Password’s Families plan, which includes five user licenses. Dashlane’s family tier of service is $89.88 annually for up to 10 users. Winner: 1PasswordAuthentication OptionsWe always recommend that you enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your accounts, and for good reason. If a hacker gets into your accounts, they’ll have the proverbial keys to your castle. Recovering from identity theft can take a long time, so we recommend taking a few minutes to enable MFA for every account.
What Is Two-Factor Authentication?
Luckily, both password management apps allow users to attach a form of MFA to accounts via an authenticator app or a hardware security key. Both apps support logins using passkeys, too.Winner: TieSecurity FeaturesWe like 1Password’s Watchtower feature, which identifies reused, weak, or breached passwords in your vault. It also lets you know if each account supports multi-factor authentication, which is helpful. In addition, we’re impressed with the Masked Email feature, which lets you create temporary email addresses for your logins around the web.
(Credit: Dashlane/PCMag)
Dashlane’s security features are even more impressive. In addition to the typical password manager perks like sharing, storage, and password hygiene tools, Dashlane’s paid plans include robust features found in many security suites, such as an app activity log, anti-phishing alerts, VPN access, and dark web monitoring. Winner: DashlaneApp Appearance and FunctionalityDashlane’s apps all look slick and uniform. In testing, the apps easily captured and replayed logins. We like that the apps show your old generated passwords via Dashlane’s Password History feature.
(Credit: 1Password/Dashlane/PCMag)
When it comes to common password management features, both password managers offer the basics, like unlimited credential syncing and storage. That said, neither password manager includes an easy password inheritance tool. 1Password doesn’t offer options for passing on your credentials to trusted family or friends, which is disappointing. Dashlane’s somewhat complicated, multi-step process is better than nothing, so that’s why it wins this round.Winner: DashlaneBusiness OptionsDashlane Business is $96 per year per seat, or you can purchase a Starter plan subscription, which is $240 annually for up to 20 users. 1Password’s equivalent business tiers are $95.88 per year per user for a Business account, or you can buy a Teams Starter Pack, which is $239.88 annually for up to 10 users. In other words, the prices are the same, but Dashlane’s group plan covers twice as many users as 1Password’s.1Password offers customizable sharing options and single sign-on (SSO) integrations, but no VPN access. Dashlane’s business offerings are just pennies more than 1Password per month, but provide a better value. Dashlane offers business users SSO integrations, activity and audit log access for administrators, VPN access, and a free Friends and Family vault (linked to the corporate account) for each employee.Winner: Dashlane
And The Winner Is…
Dashlane comes out on top thanks to its high-quality security features and excellent value for business-minded customers. 1Password is still an excellent choice, though. We like that the company keeps its prices reasonable while also offering extras in the way of helpful features and a comprehensive tutorial for new users.
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