Every time you set up a new account online, you‘re asked to create a unique password. Gone are the days when you could use simple passwords like "123456" or "password" with ease. Today, due to heightened security risks, many online accounts require complex passwords with specific formats.
These aren‘t always easy to remember, especially when you have dozens of accounts. This is where password managers come in handy – they can securely store all your unique passwords so you don‘t have to memorize them.
As a cybersecurity professional with over 15 years of experience, I often recommend password managers to both individuals and businesses. They are one of the best tools available today for maintaining strong password hygiene and security online.
In my opinion, two leading options on the market are Dashlane and 1Password. Both of these password managers offer robust features to keep your data secure. But which one provides the most protection and greatest value for your money?
I performed an in-depth, side-by-side comparison of Dashlane vs 1Password. I looked at key factors like pricing, features, security, ease of use, and customer support.
Below I‘ll walk you through my evaluation in each area. As a cybersecurity and cloud data expert, I‘ll also provide my insights and recommendations on which password manager ultimately comes out on top.
Contents
- At a Glance: Dashlane vs. 1Password
- Dashlane vs 1Password: Pricing and Plans Compared
- Feature Comparison: Dashlane vs. 1Password
- Dashlane vs. 1Password: Which Is More Secure?
- Dashlane vs. 1Password: Ease of Use and Compatibility
- Customer Support: Dashlane vs. 1Password
- Dashlane or 1Password: Which Should You Choose?
At a Glance: Dashlane vs. 1Password
Before we dive into the details, here‘s a high-level overview of how Dashlane and 1Password stack up:
Dashlane is great for individuals who want a free option to test drive the software. It also includes a VPN with paid subscriptions.
1Password excels when it comes to security and privacy. They undergo frequent independent audits and offer unique features like Travel Mode.
In the sections below, I‘ll dig deeper into how Dashlane and 1Password compare across:
- Pricing and plans
- Features and capabilities
- Security protections
- Ease of use and compatibility
- Customer service and support
By the end, you‘ll have the information you need to decide which platform is the best fit for your password management needs. Let‘s get started!
Dashlane vs 1Password: Pricing and Plans Compared
One of the first things to look at with any software is how much it costs. Here‘s an overview of Dashlane and 1Password‘s pricing and plan options:
Dashlane Pricing
Dashlane Free
- Up to 50 passwords on 1 device
- Password manager and vault only
Dashlane Premium – $4.99/month
- Unlimited passwords
- VPN with unlimited bandwidth
- Dark web monitoring
Dashlane Premium Plus – $7.49/month
- Adds credit monitoring and identity restoration tools
Dashlane Family – $7.49/month
- Covers up to 10 users
Dashlane deserves credit for offering a permanently free version of their software. Even though it‘s limited to 50 passwords on one device, it allows you to try Dashlane‘s core features at no cost.
Many competitors, including 1Password, don‘t offer any free plan. The free version makes Dashlane more accessible.
However, Dashlane‘s paid plans are slightly more expensive than 1Password‘s for individuals and families, as we‘ll see next.
1Password Pricing
1Password Individual – $2.99/month
- Unlimited passwords
- Advanced features like Travel Mode
1Password Families – $4.99/month
- Covers 5 family members
- Share passwords and vaults
1Password Business – $7.99 per user/month
- Admin console and management tools
- Advanced security and controls
1Password‘s individual plan starts at just $2.99 per month, compared to $4.99 for Dashlane‘s lowest tier. That‘s a $2 difference.
But Dashlane offers better value for larger families – $7.49 per month covers up to 10 members, while 1Password‘s family plan is the same price for just 5 users.
Overall, 1Password has an edge when it comes to individual plan pricing, while Dashlane is better value for bigger families.
Winner: Tie. Dashlane wins on price for families. But 1Password is more affordable for individuals.
Feature Comparison: Dashlane vs. 1Password
Next let‘s look at some of the core features included with Dashlane and 1Password:
| Dashlane | 1Password | |
|---|---|---|
| Password generator | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto password changing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Form filling & auto-login | ✅ | ✅ |
| Secure password sharing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cross-platform sync | ✅ | ✅ |
Both platforms provide important security fundamentals like auto-generating strong passwords, securely storing credentials, and auto-filling login forms.
However, each solution offers some unique extras beyond the basics:
Key Dashlane Features
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VPN – Dashlane‘s paid plans include a virtual private network for secure browsing on public Wi-Fi.
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Dashlane Rewards – Get free Dashlane Premium days through activities like referring friends.
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Emergency contact – Grant someone access to your vault if you‘re unavailable.
Key 1Password Features
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Travel Mode – Temporarily removes vaults from devices when traveling to be extra secure.
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Watchtower – Scans websites and passwords for breaches and vulnerabilities.
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Advanced 2FA – Supports U2F security keys as well as built-in authenticator.
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Item history – View changes made to logins, secure notes, and more.
For those who travel often, 1Password‘s Travel Mode is a handy security enhancement. And Dashlane‘s built-in VPN provides an extra layer of protection when on public Wi-Fi.
Power users may appreciate advanced features like 1Password‘s Watchtower and item history. But overall, most individuals will find the core features sufficient on either platform.
Winner: Tie. Dashlane and 1Password are evenly matched when it comes to essential password manager features. Their advanced capabilities cater to different user needs.
Dashlane vs. 1Password: Which Is More Secure?
For any password manager, security is critical. As a cloud data security expert, evaluating the following factors is key:
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Encryption standards – AES 256-bit or higher is recommended.
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Vulnerability testing – External audits by third parties provide validation.
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Breach history – Past breaches can indicate flaws in security protections.
Both Dashlane and 1Password use industry-standard AES 256 encryption or better to secure user data. This level of encryption provides robust protection that would take an extremely long time for cybercriminals to crack.
However, 1Password goes further when it comes to independent testing and auditing:
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1Password undergoes scheduled penetration testing and security audits by firms like Trail of Bits.
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Detailed reports validate that auditors were unable to compromise 1Password‘s protections.
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The latest round of external auditing was completed in December 2022.
Comparatively, Dashlane appears to conduct internal security reviews. But they do not provide public reports from third-party auditing firms.
Independent external audits offer a higher level of validation. The fact that 1Password schedules routine third-party testing reinforces their security commitment.
Finally, neither service has ever been successfully breached according to records. No password vaults have been compromised to date. This further demonstrates the strength of their security measures.
Winner: 1Password. While both utilize AES 256-bit encryption, 1Password‘s robust third-party auditing gives it the security edge.
Dashlane vs. 1Password: Ease of Use and Compatibility
A password manager needs to work seamlessly across the devices and platforms you use. Here is how Dashlane and 1Password compare when it comes to compatibility and usability:
| Platform | Dashlane | 1Password |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mac | ✅ | ✅ |
| iOS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Android | ✅ | ✅ |
| Linux | ✅ | ✅ |
| Chrome extension | ✅ | ✅ |
| Brave extension | ❌ | ✅ |
Both offer desktop apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux along with mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Their browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and most other popular browsers. One exception is that Dashlane currently does not offer support for the Brave browser, while 1Password does.
In my testing, both password managers were quick and easy to set up. Within minutes I could import passwords from my browser and start utilizing the auto form fill features.
1Password does have an edge when it comes to biometric login options. You can unlock the iOS and Android apps using Face ID or fingerprint scan. Dashlane only supports this through third-party authenticator apps.
Overall though, both deliver excellent cross-platform compatibility and usability making it easy to integrate password management into your daily routine.
Winner: Slight edge to 1Password for broader biometric login support across mobile apps. But both are user-friendly and compatible with most major platforms.
Customer Support: Dashlane vs. 1Password
Having responsive customer support is important for any security tool or software service. Here‘s how Dashlane and 1Password compare when it comes to supporting users:
| Dashlane | 1Password | |
|---|---|---|
| Phone support | ❌ | ❌ |
| 24/7 live chat | ❌ | ❌ |
| Ticketing system | ✅ | ✅ |
| Knowledgebase | ✅ | ✅ |
| Support forums | ✅ | ✅ |
Unfortunately, neither vendor provides phone or live chat support around the clock. For software that secures sensitive data, more comprehensive support options would be preferable.
However, 1Password does have a small advantage – their email support team is available 24/7 for paying customers. Dashlane only offers live chat during business hours.
Both companies have searchable knowledge bases and community forums available as self-service support channels.
Winner: Slight win for 1Password thanks to 24/7 email support, surpassing Dashlane‘s more limited live chat availability.
Dashlane or 1Password: Which Should You Choose?
So which password manager comes out on top in this head-to-head comparison? Let‘s recap the key findings:
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For pricing, it‘s mostly a draw – Dashlane has better family pricing but 1Password is more affordable for individuals.
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In features, both services provide robust password management capabilities overall. Dashlane offers a VPN while 1Password has unique offerings like Travel Mode.
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For security, 1Password stands out with rigorous independent audits demonstrating their commitment.
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In ease of use, 1Password holds a slight edge thanks to broader biometric login options.
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Customer support is relatively limited on both, but 1Password does provide 24/7 email.
Looking at the big picture, if top-notch security is your priority, 1Password emerges as the winner in my expert opinion. The fact that they actively utilize third-party audits to validate their protections gives 1Password an edge.
However, Dashlane remains an excellent choice as well – especially if you want a free option for basic password management. The free plan allows sampling Dashlane‘s offering at no cost.
Here are my top recommendations based on your needs:
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Seeking a forever free version? Choose Dashlane.
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Want maximum security validated by audits? Go with 1Password.
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Need a VPN along with password management? Pick Dashlane.
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Looking for unique features like Travel Mode? 1Password is your best bet.
Whichever you select, using a dedicated password manager is a smart choice to strengthen your online security. Try out the free trials available to see which solution best fits your requirements.
As threats continue growing, proactively managing your passwords is one of the best investments you can make to protect your data and privacy in 2024 and beyond.
