Choosing a password manager can be daunting, but two leading contenders consistently stand out: Dashlane and Bitwarden. This comparison explores their features, pricing, and security to help you determine the perfect fit for your needs.
A side-by-side comparison of pricing for Dashlane and Bitwarden. MaagX
Pricing and Plans: Free vs. Premium
Bitwarden shines with its robust free offering, providing full functionality without limitations. Dashlane’s free version, capped at 25 logins, feels more like an extended trial.
Regarding premium plans, both require annual subscriptions. Bitwarden’s individual plan starts at a budget-friendly $10 per year, while Dashlane’s equivalent comes in at $60.
Dashlane’s premium plan commands a higher price for its broader feature set, which we’ll delve into shortly. For families, Dashlane’s $90 Friends and Family plan covers up to 10 users, while Bitwarden’s $40 Families plan supports up to six. This translates to roughly $9 per person annually for Dashlane versus $6.66 for Bitwarden. Dashlane becomes slightly more cost-effective for larger families, while Bitwarden remains the more economical choice for smaller groups.
Feature Comparison: Customization vs. All-in-One
Bitwarden offers more autofill and security options than competitors. MaagX
While Dashlane boasts more premium features, Bitwarden offers greater customization. Before committing to a subscription, consider your essential needs. Dashlane includes dark web monitoring and a VPN (normally $8/month).
The Hotspot Shield VPN included with Dashlane is quite fast. MaagX
Tests reveal Dashlane’s integrated Hotspot Shield VPN delivers impressive speeds, reaching nearly 500 Mbps even on a gigabit connection. This makes Dashlane’s bundled offering appealing if you require both a password manager and VPN. However, many antivirus suites already include these features.
Bitwarden, being open-source, allows extensive customization. Unlike Dashlane’s fixed 1GB storage, Bitwarden lets you expand encrypted storage. It even supports self-hosting for ultimate data control. Dashlane offers more flexible sharing, allowing secure login sharing with anyone. Bitwarden’s free and premium plans restrict sharing to one person, with the Families plan extending this to five.
Support: Email and Resources
Bitwarden MaagX
Both services provide email support for paid subscribers. Dashlane advertises live chat, but in practice, it’s an AI chatbot with limited effectiveness. Requests for human assistance are redirected to email.
While response times vary, Bitwarden responded within three hours, while Dashlane took over a day. Both generally receive positive customer service reviews.
Security and Privacy: Industry-Standard Protection
Both Dashlane and Bitwarden utilize AES 256 encryption, ensuring robust security. Decryption is computationally infeasible with current technology, even if server access is compromised. Neither company has experienced a data breach.
Both prioritize user privacy. While legal requests are honored, personal data isn’t sold or shared with third parties.
The Verdict: Which Password Manager Reigns Supreme?
Bitwarden’s open-source nature and self-hosting option appeal to security-conscious users, particularly IT professionals. Its free version, with cross-platform support and unlimited logins, might suffice for many. The $10 annual plan is a compelling value for individual users.
Dashlane, however, offers a more comprehensive package with unlimited sharing and additional features. If you lack a VPN, Dashlane’s $60 Premium plan presents a strong value proposition. It also caters well to larger families.
For most users, Dashlane’s extra features justify the higher cost. If neither solution fits perfectly, explore our list of the best password managers for alternative options.
