Dashlane vs Proton Pass: Best Password Manager in 2025?

Are you tired of juggling too many passwords?

It’s a real pain. 

Remembering different combinations for every website and app can feel impossible. 

That’s where password managers come in handy. 

Two popular options are Dashlane vs Proton Pass.

Let’s dive in and figure out which password manager might be the perfect fit for you.

Overview

We’ve put both Dashlane and Proton Pass through their paces, exploring their features and overall performance.

This hands-on testing allows us to provide you with a clear and direct comparison.

Helping you decide which password manager best suits your needs.

What is Proton Pass?

Now, let’s talk about Proton Pass.

You might know Proton for its secure email service.

Well, Proton Pass brings that same focus on privacy to password management.

It’s designed with strong security in mind.

A key feature is its use of end-to-end encryption. This means your passwords are super secure.

Also, explore our favorite Proton Pass alternatives…

What is Dashlane?

So, Dashlane, what’s the deal?

Well, it’s a pretty popular password manager.

Think of it as a secure place for all your passwords. It does more than store them, though.

It can also automatically fill in your login details. Pretty handy, right?

Also, explore our favorite Dashlane alternatives…

Feature Comparison

This comparison will delve into the features of Dashlane and Proton Pass, highlighting their strengths and helping you determine which is the best fit for your security needs.

1. Zero-Knowledge Architecture & End-to-End Encryption

• Dashlane: Employs a zero-knowledge architecture, meaning only you know your master password and can access your stored passwords. It uses industry standard encryption algorithm AES-256.
• Proton Pass: Protects your sensitive data with end-to-end encrypted and zero-knowledge architecture, ensuring that only you have access to your login credentials and other sensitive information. This is consistent with other Proton services like Proton Mail and Proton Calendar.

2. Free Password Manager Offering

• Dashlane: Offers a free password manager tier, but it has limitations, typically allowing storage of up to 50 passwords on one device.
• Proton Pass: Provides a more generous free password manager plan, allowing you to store unlimited passwords and use unlimited devices with your Proton Pass account. It’s truly “free forever” for basic password management.

3. Dark Web Monitoring

• Dashlane: Includes dark web monitoring as a premium feature, proactively alerting Dashlane users if their login credentials or other personal details are found on the dark web.
• Proton Pass: Also offers dark web monitoring to alert you if your accounts are involved in a data breach, helping you identify weak passwords or compromised existing passwords.

4. Hide My Email Aliases

• Dashlane: Offers a “hide-my-email aliases” feature, which helps protect your personal email address from spam and potential data breaches.
• Proton Pass: Features robust hide my email aliases as a core offering, allowing you to create unique email addresses for different online services, thus safeguarding your primary email.

5. Unlimited Logins & Stored Passwords

• Dashlane: The free version limits stored passwords, but the premium plan offers unlimited logins and unlimited passwords.
• Proton Pass: Allows users to store unlimited passwords and supports unlimited logins even with its Proton Pass free plan.

6. Integrated 2FA Authenticator

• Dashlane: Supports two factor authentication (2FA) for securing your Dashlane account and individual login credentials.
• Proton Pass: Features an integrated 2FA authenticator, making it easy to generate and autofill two factor authentication codes for your accounts online, enhancing password security.

7. Password Generation

• Dashlane: Comes with a built-in password generator to help you generate passwords that are strong and unique.
• Proton Pass: Includes a powerful password generator that creates strong passwords to protect your login credentials.

8. Browser Extension & Desktop Apps

• Dashlane: Offers comprehensive browser extensions for seamless autofill and desktop apps for various operating systems (Windows, macOS) and Android and iOS devices.
• Proton Pass: Provides browser extension for popular browsers and dedicated desktop apps (Windows, macOS, Linux) and mobile apps, ensuring Proton Pass works across all your unlimited devices.

9. Password Health

• Dashlane: Features a password health checker, often referred to as a password health page or score, to identify weak passwords, reused passwords, or compromised saved passwords.
• Proton Pass: Monitors for weak passwords and reused credentials, contributing to overall password health within your vault.

10. Security Features & Advanced Security

• Dashlane: Offers various security features including real time phishing alerts, and a password vault secured with industry standard encryption algorithm. Premium plans can also include Hotspot Shield VPN.
• Proton Pass: Emphasizes advanced security features with its zero knowledge encryption and open source password manager approach, allowing for public audits. It also offers Proton Sentinel for enhanced threat detection.

11. Ecosystem Integration

• Dashlane: Primarily focused on password management, with some added security features like a VPN.
• Proton Pass: Is part of the broader Proton AG ecosystem of secure communication tools, including Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, and ProtonVPN, allowing for a unified privacy experience across other Proton services.

12. User Interface and Experience

• Dashlane: Known for its intuitive user interface and smooth autofill capabilities, making it easy for Dashlane users to manage their login credentials.
• Proton Pass: While a newer entrant, a Proton Pass review often highlights its clean design and focus on privacy. It aims to be user-friendly for managing passwords.

13. Data Control and Ownership

• Dashlane: Stores your data stored on their servers with robust encryption, but the company owns Proton Pass.
• Proton Pass: Emphasizes that because of its zero-knowledge and end to end encrypted design, only you can access your sensitive data. Your stored securely passwords and just your passwords are truly under your control. Many users recommend Proton Pass for its strong privacy stance.

What to Look for When a Password Manager?

Here are key insights to consider when selecting a password manager:

• Security Architecture: Look for a safe password manager with strong encryption and zero knowledge architecture. This ensures that only you can access your sensitive data stored on Proton’s servers or other providers.
• Feature Set: Beyond just storing unique passwords, consider features like password sharing, secure notes, and an authenticator app for two factor authentication. Both Dashlane password manager and Proton Pass offer many of these.
• Availability and Compatibility: Ensure the manager has dedicated Proton Pass apps or Dashlane’s mobile app and web app versions that work across your devices, allowing you to securely log in from anywhere.
• Cost and Plans: Evaluate the free tiers (e.g., Proton Pass free vs. Dashlane’s more limited free offering) and paid subscriptions like Dashlane Premium, Pass Professional, or Pass Essentials. Consider what you get for the Dashlane cost or a Proton account subscription.
• Security Monitoring: Dark web monitoring (e.g., Dashlane’s dark web monitoring) and a password health score are crucial for identifying weak passwords and potential security breach risks.
• User Experience: An intuitive user interface and seamless autofill feature are important for daily use. Read a Proton Pass review or Dashlane review to gauge user satisfaction.
• Support and Community: While some most popular password managers like Dashlane offer live chat support, some, like Proton Pass, lacks live chat support but might have robust community forums or email support.
• Ecosystem: For those already invested in a privacy ecosystem, a solution like Proton Pass, which was Proton Pass launched as part of a suite of Proton services, might be more appealing.
• Advanced Features: Look for advanced options like passwordless login, sso integration, credential risk detection, and specialized features for paying users or group login.
• Import/Export: The ability to import existing passwords from a csv file or other most password managers is essential for a smooth transition.
• Transparency: An open source password manager like Proton Pass allows for public audits, increasing trust in its security claims.
• Updates and Evolution: Consider how frequently the product is updated and how it evolves with new security trends. Proton Pass, for instance, is continuously developing its features.
• Noteworthy Mentions: There are few password managers that offer a free tier as generous as Proton Pass free. Dashlane’s “free premium friends” program is a unique way to share premium features.

Final Verdict (Our Pick)

Okay, so we’ve looked closely at both Dashlane and Proton Pass.

It’s a tough call because both are pretty good at keeping your passwords safe.

If you want lots of extra features, like a built-in VPN, Dashlane might be for you. 

Plus, it’s free plan gives you a lot. 

For folks who want the whole privacy package, the Proton Unlimited plan.

Which includes Proton Drive and other cool features, is a solid deal. 

We’ve spent the time testing these.

So, trust us when we say thinking about what password manager features matter most to you will help you pick the right one. 

Dashlane Compared

Proton Pass Compared

Frequently Asked Questions