Are you tired of forgetting passwords?
It’s a pain, right?
You probably have tons of accounts, and remembering each password feels impossible.
Sounds good?
That’s what password managers like Dashlane vs Bitwarden offer.
But which one is actually the best for you?
Overview
We’ve put both Dashlane and Bitwarden through their paces.
Exploring their features, ease of use, security measures, and pricing.
Our hands-on testing and analysis enable us to provide a clear comparison.
Helping you choose the right password manager for your needs.
Bitwarden lets you use it on unlimited devices and keep secure notes. Discover the power of open-source transparency for your security.
Pricing: It has a free trial. Paid plan starts at $1/month
Key Features:
- Unlimited Devices.
- Secure Notes.
- Open Source Transparency.
Join the 15 million+ users who trust Dashlane for online security. You get a built-in VPN and a strong password generator.
Pricing: It has a free plan. Premium plan starts at $8/month.
Key Features:
- Built-in VPN.
- Dark web monitoring.
- Strong auto-fill capabilities.
What is Bitwarden?
Now, let’s talk about Bitwarden.
It’s a password manager that’s a bit different.
It’s open source, which is pretty cool. This means anyone can check its code for security.
It also lets you store unlimited passwords, even on the free plan.
That’s a big plus!
Also, explore our favorite Bitwarden alternatives…
Key Benefits
- Provides unlimited password storage.
- Supports two-factor authentication.
- It offers a free forever plan.
- Allows secure note storage.
- Has a self-hosting option.
Pricing
- Free: $0/month
- Premium: $1/month
- Families: $3.33/month
Pros
Cons
What is Dashlane?
So, Dashlane, huh? It’s a pretty slick password manager.
Think of it as a secure digital vault for all your logins.
It helps you create strong passwords and keeps them safe.
You only need to remember one master password. Easy peasy!
Also, explore our favorite Dashlane alternatives…
Our Take
Enhance your digital security! Join the millions who rely on Dashlane. Experience superior password management!
Key Benefits
- Includes a built-in VPN for secure browsing.
- The password health score identifies weak passwords.
- The automatic password changer simplifies updates.
- Secure notes and file storage.
- Emergency access feature.
Pricing
All the plans will be billed annually.
- Premium: $4.99/month.
- Friend & Family: $7.49/month.
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
When choosing a password manager, features matter! Here’s a detailed look at how these two popular password managers stack up across various important aspects, helping you decide if Dashlane password manager or Bitwarden password manager is right for you.
1. Free and Paid Plans
- Dashlane: The Dashlane free plan is quite limited, offering storage for only 25 saved passwords on a single device. To get the most out of it, users typically need a premium subscription. Dashlane Premium unlocks unlimited password storage and many other premium features.
- Bitwarden: Bitwarden stands out as an excellent free password manager. Its free account offers unlimited password storage across unlimited devices. The premium version adds more advanced security features at a very competitive cost.
2. User Interface and Experience
- Dashlane: Dashlane offers a very intuitive user interface. It’s designed to be visually appealing and easy to navigate for Dashlane users, often praised in a Dashlane review for its smooth experience.
- Bitwarden: While functional, Bitwarden’s interface is often described as less polished compared to Dashlane. However, it’s still user friendly and efficient for managing login credentials.
3. Password Generation
- Dashlane: Dashlane includes a built in password generator that helps you generate passwords that are strong and unique passwords. It’s easy to access from the Dashlane web app, desktop app, and Dashlane’s mobile app.
- Bitwarden: Bitwarden also has a robust password generator to create unique passwords. Like most password managers, it’s integrated across its browser extension, desktop apps, and mobile apps.
4. Browser Extensions and Apps
- Dashlane: Dashlane provides excellent browser extensions for all major web browsers, along with dedicated desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and mobile apps for Android and iOS devices.
- Bitwarden: Bitwarden offers comprehensive browser extensions and desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It also has robust mobile apps for Android and iOS devices, ensuring access everywhere.
5. Zero-Knowledge Architecture
- Dashlane: Dashlane operates on a zero knowledge architecture. This means that only you have access to your encryption key, ensuring that Dashlane security cannot access your saved passwords or personal details.
- Bitwarden: Bitwarden is built with a strong zero knowledge encryption model. This commitment to zero knowledge architecture means that only you can decrypt your sensitive information stored in your password vault.
6. Password Health and Security Audits
- Dashlane: Dashlane includes a password health page and a password health checker that provides a password health score. It also offers credential risk detection to alert you about weak or reused passwords.
- Bitwarden: Bitwarden offers similar features, including a password health report that helps identify weak or reused unique passwords. Regular security audits are performed on its open-source code.
7. Dark Web Monitoring and VPN
- Dashlane: A key differentiating feature is Dashlane’s dark web monitoring, which alerts you if your login credentials or personal details appear on the dark web. It also includes Hotspot Shield VPN with its premium plans.
- Bitwarden: Bitwarden does not offer built-in dark web monitoring or a VPN. While it focuses on core password security, most users would need a separate service for these features.
8. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- Dashlane: Dashlane supports various two factor authentication methods to secure your Dashlane account, including authenticator apps.
- Bitwarden: Bitwarden offers strong two factor authentication support, including popular options like Google Authenticator, FIDO2 security keys, and even YubiKey, making it a very safe password manager.
9. Autofill Feature
- Dashlane: Dashlane’s autofill feature is generally robust, making it easy to input login details and form information across websites.
- Bitwarden: Bitwarden also offers an effective autofill feature for usernames and passwords across major web browsers and mobile apps.
10. Data Storage and Import/Export
- Dashlane: Your data stored by Dashlane is encrypted on their servers. You can export your saved passwords as a CSV file.
- Bitwarden: Bitwarden allows users to export their data in various formats, including CSV file. For greater control, Bitwarden also offers the ability to self-host your server, a unique feature not found in many password managers.
11. Customer Support
- Dashlane: Dashlane provides live chat support for its premium users, along with email support.
- Bitwarden: Bitwarden support is primarily through a knowledge base and community forums, with email support available for premium users.
12. Advanced Security Features (Beyond Core)
- Dashlane: Dashlane offers real time phishing alerts, and is exploring features like passwordless login and SSO integration for business accounts.
- Bitwarden: Bitwarden excels in its commitment to open source security audits. While it doesn’t have features like real time phishing alerts directly, its focus is on fundamental password security and user control.
13. Unique Offerings
- Dashlane: Dashlane’s features include the Hotspot Shield VPN, which is a significant addition for online privacy.
- Bitwarden: Bitwarden Send is a unique feature allowing you to securely manage and share files and data with others, even if they don’t have a Bitwarden account. This goes beyond just login credentials.
What to Look For When Choosing a Password Manager?
Here’s a quick rundown of important factors:
- Security: Ensure it uses an industry standard encryption algorithm like 256 bit AES 256 encryption. Look for a zero-knowledge architecture where only you can access your data.
- Ease of Use: An intuitive user interface is crucial, especially across web app, desktop app, and mobile app.
- Cross-Platform Support: Make sure it works on all your devices, including Android and iOS devices, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Free vs. Paid: Evaluate if the free version meets your needs, or if the premium features are worth the Dashlane cost or Bitwarden’s affordable premium.
- Key Features: Consider if it has a built in password generator, password health checker (to detect weak passwords), and strong two factor authentication.
- Extra Security: Do you need Dashlane’s dark web monitoring or its included Hotspot Shield VPN? Are there other password managers with unique security features?
- Data Management: Can you easily import/export data (e.g., via CSV file)? How are your personal accounts and personally identifiable information protected?
- Business/Group Use: If needed, check for group login features and SSO integration for business accounts.
- Support & Transparency: Look for good customer support and evidence of third party security audits.
- Breach Response: How does the password manager handle a security breach? Can you find instructions easily to protect your log-in details?
- Future-Proofing: Consider features like biometric authentication and passwordless login.
Final Verdict
Okay, so we’ve looked at Bitwarden vs Dashlane.
Both are good password managers.
They help keep your online stuff safe.
But if we had to choose which password manager is best overall, we’d lean towards Bitwarden.
Its free plan is super useful, and the paid plan doesn’t cost much.
Even though Dashlane wins in some areas, thanks to its extra features, like a VPN.
Bitwarden is also really secure and easy to use.
Plus, knowing it’s open-source gives me some peace of mind.
So, if you’re trying to decide between Bitwarden or Dashlane, and you want a solid
Bitwarden Compared
We’ve also compared Bitwarden to other password management options out there. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Bitwarden vs Passpack: Passpack is a simpler, more basic option with a focus on group sharing. Bitwarden offers a more modern interface and often more features.
- Bitwarden vs 1Password: 1Password costs money. Bitwarden has a free option that does more. Bitwarden’s code is open for anyone to see.
- Bitwarden vs NordPass: NordPass boasts a sleek design and strong encryption, making it a solid competitor. However, Bitwarden’s open-source nature gives it an edge in transparency for some users.
- Bitwarden vs Keeper Security: Keeper Security provides a user-friendly experience and strong security, but Bitwarden often comes in at a more budget-friendly price point, especially for individuals.
- Bitwarden vs LastPass: LastPass has been a long-standing option, but past security concerns have led many to consider alternatives like Bitwarden, which also offers a more generous free version.
- Bitwarden vs TotalPassword: TotalPassword focuses on ease of use and sometimes bundles with other security software. Bitwarden, however, typically offers a more feature-rich free plan and greater platform compatibility.
- Bitwarden vs Dashlane: Dashlane includes extra features like a VPN, but its pricing can be higher. Bitwarden focuses on core password management with strong security and affordability.
- Bitwarden vs RoboForm: RoboForm is known for its strong form-filling capabilities and lower cost. Bitwarden provides a more modern interface and the benefit of being open source.
- Bitwarden vs Proton Pass: Bitwarden is a free, open-source, and customizable solution, while Proton Pass emphasizes privacy with email aliases and an authenticator.
- Bitwarden vs Sticky Password: Bitwarden is a free and open-source password manager, whereas Sticky Password offers a lifetime license and strong local data encryption.
Dashlane Compared
Let’s see how Dashlane does next to others:
- Dashlane vs Passpack: Dashlane provides a user-friendly interface and integrated VPN, whereas Passpack focuses on simple and secure team password sharing.
- Dashlane vs 1Password: 1Password is mostly about keeping passwords safe. Dashlane has extra stuff like a safe internet connection.
- Dashlane vs NordPass: Dashlane integrates a VPN and boasts excellent automatic form-filling, while NordPass offers modern XChaCha20 encryption and email masking.
- Dashlane vs Keeper Security: Dashlane offers a VPN and seamless autofill; Keeper Security provides robust security features, file storage, and strong compliance tools.
- Dashlane vs Lastpass: Dashlane features a built-in VPN and superior form-filling, while LastPass offers broad platform integration and flexible free tier features.
- Dashlane vs TotalPassword: Dashlane integrates a VPN and excels in user-friendly autofill, while TotalPassword includes antivirus and data breach alerts.
- Dashlane vs Roboform: Dashlane offers a modern interface with a VPN and strong autofill, whereas RoboForm is known for highly accurate and customizable form-filling.
- Dashlane vs Bitwarden: Dashlane provides a VPN and easy-to-use autofill, while Bitwarden is an open-source solution with extensive features and customization.
- Dashlane vs Proton Pass: Dashlane integrates a VPN and user-friendly interface, while Proton Pass emphasizes privacy with email aliases and an integrated authenticator.
- Dashlane vs Sticky Password: Dashlane offers a built-in VPN and strong password management, whereas Sticky Password provides a lifetime license option and local data encryption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the free and paid versions of Dashlane and Bitwarden?
Both password managers offer free and premium plans. Paid versions usually include more features, such as advanced security options and support for more devices.
Why might I choose Bitwarden over Dashlane?
You might choose Bitwarden for its generous free plan, which supports unlimited devices and passwords, its open-source nature, and its very affordable premium options.
What do password managers offer besides storing passwords?
Password managers offer features such as secure password generation, autofilling logins and forms, secure notes, and sometimes password health checks and sharing.
Which password manager is considered among the best for security?
Both Dashlane and Bitwarden are considered among the best for security, as they use strong encryption. Bitwarden’s open-source nature adds an extra layer of scrutiny.
What kind of customer support do Bitwarden and Dashlane provide?
Dashlane offers more direct customer support channels, especially for paid users. Bitwarden support is primarily community-based, with paid plans often including direct support.
