1Password vs Proton Pass: Best Password Manager in 2025?

Are you tired of juggling passwords?

It’s a real pain, right? 

So, you’re looking for a password manager, and 1Password vs Proton Pass has caught your eye. 

But which one is actually the best for you in 2025?

This article dives deep, comparing their key features, security, and ease of use.

We’ll break down 1Password vs Proton Pass simply so you can make the smart choice and finally ditch those sticky notes!

Overview

To bring you this clear comparison, we’ve spent time exploring both 1Password and Proton Pass.

We examined their ease of use every day, examined their security features, and compared what you get for your money.

This hands-on experience helps us highlight the real differences.

What is 1Password?

So, what’s the deal with 1Password?

It’s like a super secure digital vault for all your logins and sensitive info.

Think of it as your internet bodyguard.

Also, explore our favorite 1Password alternatives…

What is Proton Pass?

Now, let’s talk about Proton Pass.

It comes from the folks behind ProtonMail, known for their focus on privacy.

It aims to be a secure and private way to manage your passwords.

Also, explore our favorite Proton Pass alternatives…

Feature Comparison

In the crowded password manager market, choosing the right tool for managing passwords is crucial for security online.

This comparison examines 1Password vs Proton Pass, two top password managers, highlighting their strengths to help you secure your accounts online.

1. Pricing and Free Version

• 1Password: Does not offer a free version but provides a 14 day free trial to experience all the features including Travel Mode and Watchtower feature.
• Proton Pass: Offers a generous free version that allows you to store unlimited passwords and unlimited logins across unlimited devices, making it an appealing free password manager for many personal users.

2. Security Architecture and Encryption

• 1Password: Utilizes a unique Secret Key in addition to your master password for encryption, ensuring sensitive information is protected by AES 256 bit encryption, and that only you have access.
• Proton Pass: Built with a zero knowledge architecture and end to end encryption for all login credentials and stored passwords, ensuring sensitive data is stored securely and only you can access it. Proton Pass works on the principle of maximum privacy from Proton AG.

3. Platform Compatibility and Desktop Apps

• 1Password: Provides robust desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux, along with mobile apps for iOS and Android, and browser extensions for major web browsers, ensuring broad operating systems coverage and seamless syncing across multiple devices.
• Proton Pass: Offers dedicated desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux, in addition to its mobile apps and browser extensions, ensuring you can easily access your login details from various devices.

4. Biometric Authentication and Two-Factor Authentication

• 1Password: Supports biometric logins for quick access and allows users to enable two factor authentication with various methods, including security key integration.
• Proton Pass: Features an integrated 2FA authenticator directly within the app, allowing you to generate and autofill verification codes, significantly enhancing security online. It also supports biometric logins.

5. Privacy-Focused Features

• 1Password: While highly secure, it doesn’t offer the same level of integrated privacy features as Proton Pass. Its Travel Mode allows temporarily hiding sensitive information on devices.
• Proton Pass: A standout feature is hide my email aliases, which protects your personal email address from spam and tracking. This focus on privacy is central to how Proton Pass works and why many recommend Proton Pass.

6. Password Auditing and Generation

• 1Password: Its Watchtower feature actively monitors for weak passwords, reused passwords, and compromised passwords, helping users create and manage passwords effectively and generate strong passwords with its password generator.
• Proton Pass: Includes dark web monitoring and identifies weak passwords and reused passwords to improve your password security online. It also has a built-in password generator for creating unique passwords.

7. Sharing Capabilities

• 1Password: Offers excellent sharing functionalities through shared vaults and guest accounts for family members and company resources, making it a comprehensive solution for collaboration.
• Proton Pass: Supports password sharing for individual items and vaults, though it lacks live chat support compared to some other password managers. This makes it Proton Pass safe for sharing.

8. Unique Features

• 1Password: Distinguishing features include the Secret Key, Travel Mode, and robust vault organization. The 1Password review 2025 often highlights these advanced security features.
• Proton Pass: Benefits from being part of the broader Proton ecosystem, including Proton Mail and Proton VPN, providing an integrated suite of secure applications. Proton Pass launched recently but has rapidly added features like passkey support.

9. Ecosystem and Integration

• 1Password: Provides a highly refined user experience across its desktop app, desktop version, mobile apps, and browser extensions, offering a seamless experience for online shopping and managing your netflix login.
• Proton Pass: Benefits from being part of the broader Proton ecosystem, including Proton Mail and Proton VPN, providing an integrated suite of secure applications. Proton Pass launched recently but has rapidly added features like passkey support.

What to Look for When Choosing a Password Manager?

• Security Architecture: Prioritize password managers with a robust security model, ideally zero knowledge and end to end encrypted, ensuring only you can access your passwords safe. Look for those using AES 256 or same encryption standards, and those that undergo regular security audits.
• Features for Personal Use: Consider if it helps you save passwords efficiently, offers strong password generation, and has reliable automatically filled capabilities for online shopping and netflix login.
• Privacy Focus: Evaluate if the service offers privacy features like hide my email aliases (as seen in Proton Pass review) to protect your personal email address. Look for providers like Proton AG that emphasize secure communication and user privacy.
• Account Recovery and Emergency Access: Understand the account recovery process and if it offers an emergency kit or designated contacts for access in unforeseen circumstances.
• Platform Compatibility: Ensure the password manager works across all your operating systems and various devices, including desktop apps and mobile apps, providing a consistent experience.
• Password Auditing and Alerts: A good password manager should have features like Watchtower feature to identify weak passwords, reused passwords, and alert you to potential data breach incidents.
• Sharing Capabilities: For households or teams, consider the ability to share passwords securely, set up multiple vaults, and manage access for family members or guest accounts.
• Business and Family Plans: If needed, check for comprehensive family plan options or robust business plan features designed for company resources, including ways to manage access and share passwords effectively.
• User Experience: While subjective, a user-friendly interface that makes the entire app easy to navigate, with an intuitive way to save passwords and avoid manually entering them, will likely become your favorite password manager.
• Additional Functionality: Some password managers offer extra features like an authenticator app for 2FA, secure notes, or the ability to store files. Consider if these “certain features” add value for you.
• Trial Periods: Many services, like 1Password with its 14 day free trial, allow you to test all the features before committing to paid plans. Look for a free forever option or a generous free version like Proton Pass free.
• Open Source: For those prioritizing transparency and community oversight, an open source password manager might be a preference.
• Import/Export: The ability to import existing passwords, perhaps via a csv file, and export them if you switch providers is a practical consideration.
• Support: Check for reliable email support or other customer service options if you anticipate needing assistance.
• Integrated Ecosystem: Some, like Proton Pass apps, integrate with other services (e.g., Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, Proton VPN) for a more holistic privacy-focused solution, including features like Proton Sentinel.
• New Features: Keep an eye out for any new feature releases, such as passkey support, which can enhance security and convenience.

Final Verdict

We think 1Password is better overall. It has more useful features.

Autofill works very well, and it works great on Android, too.

Proton Pass is a decent choice; it’s also good if you value privacy.

It works with Proton VPN, but 1Password now has more features.

But for the best password managers, 1Password is the winner. 

It makes password management easy and safe.

We know these tools well.

1Password is consistently great.

1Password Compared

Proton Pass Compared

Frequently Asked Questions