Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
Password managers are more popular than ever and for good reason. These services make it easy to store and manage unique passwords for all of your digital accounts across all your devices. Lastpass and 1Password are popular choices in this space due to their affordable pricing, robust security features, and intuitive user interfaces. Check out our comprehensive 1Password vs LastPass comparison to learn which of these two password managers is better for your needs and budget.
LastPass vs. 1Password: At a Glance
Both 1Password and LastPass offer similar features with their paid versions, but only LastPass offers a totally free version. The limitations on LastPass’s free version might prompt you to upgrade to a paid plan. Both services are competitive in terms of cost, features, and usability.
Here we will look at the key features users care about most—pricing, usability, security, device compatibility and scope of services.
LastPass
Pricing
Free version available
(paid plans starting at $3 per month)
Pricing
Free version available
(paid plans starting at $3 per month)
Pros & Cons
- Cost-effective Families plan
- 30-day trial period for paid plans
- Free option available, with advanced features in its Premium package for $36 per year
- Multifactor authentication
- Strong security functions with AES 256-bit encryption
- Free version is only available on one device—desktop or mobile—but not both
- Busier user interface due to the number of features available
- More complicated for beginners
1Password
Pricing
As low as $2.99 per month
($7.99 for business plans)
Pricing
As low as $2.99 per month
($7.99 for business plans)
Pros & Cons
- Allows users to add tags to passwords
- Stronger security established at setup
- Convenient QR code setup option
- No free version
- Family plan is more expensive than LastPass
How LastPass and 1Password Stack Up
If you’re willing to pay for a password manager, LastPass and 1Password are neck and neck. When it comes to the core functionality of LastPass and 1Password, they are pretty comparable. While 1Password doesn’t offer a free version, the starting prices of their paid plans are nearly identical at $35.88 per year for 1Password and $36 per year for LastPass.
The biggest differences between the two platforms come not in their core functionality but in their extra features. For example, Lastpass comes with a secure notes module that lets you safely store digital versions of documents like identification cards, driver’s licenses and more. On the other hand, 1Password comes with features, such as the ability to authenticate your login with a quick response (QR) code. Both services offer unique functionality that is perfect depending on how you intend to use your manager.
Bottom Line
All told, both services are solid choices that will help you stay more secure when you use all of the different services in your life. While LastPass’s free option might be better for those who want to try out a password manager for the first time, both systems offer a solid set of features and affordable pricing. The best choice for you will depend on what unique features you like better, such as QR code authentication or digital document storage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What happens if I forget my master password?
With a “zero knowledge” policy, some password managers will find it difficult or impossible to recover your account if you forget your master login credentials. Be sure to understand any necessary steps you would have to take before signing up.
Are there any free password managers?
There are free password managers available, such as LastPass, though we recommend choosing a paid solution due to the limitations of the free plans. For example, the free version of LastPass is only available on one device.
