Dashlane vs. LastPass 2024: Which Password Manager Should You Trust?

Hey there!

As a cybersecurity professional with over a decade of experience in cloud data protection, people often ask me: should I use Dashlane or LastPass to manage my passwords?

This is a great question. Juggling dozens of unique, complex passwords is crucial for good security hygiene. But it’s a hassle for us regular folks. That’s where password managers come in handy.

After taking a deep look under the hood, I believe Dashlane is the safer choice for most users. LastPass offers reliable password features at a better price point. But recent breaches and lacking transparency around security audits give me pause.

In this post, let’s explore exactly how Dashlane and LastPass compare. I’ll walk through their key similarities and differences on:

• Overall security protections
• Specific security features
• Ease of use
• Customer service & support options
• Pricing and plans

By the end, you’ll have all the info you need to decide which solution is right for you. Let’s get started!

Why You Need a Password Manager

Before diving into the Dashlane vs. LastPass comparison, it’s helpful to understand why password managers are so valuable in the first place.

According to IBM, the average person has over 100 online accounts requiring passwords. At the same time, 67% of people admit to reusing passwords across many different sites.

This is a big problem. If your Netflix password gets exposed in a breach, hackers can then access all your other accounts using that same password.

Research shows that compromised logins are the root cause behind over 80% of breaches. Attackers love taking advantage of weak, reused credentials.

Source: IBM Security

A password manager solves these issues in a few ways:

• It securely stores all your passwords in one encrypted vault. You only need to remember one master password.

• Built-in generators create long, truly random passwords for each site. This prevents reuse.

• Browser extensions and apps automatically log you into sites using saved credentials. No more manually typing passwords!

Bottom line – a good password manager makes strong, unique passwords effortless. Your risk of account breaches drops dramatically.

Next, let‘s see how Dashlane and LastPass stack up at providing these core protections.

Dashlane vs. LastPass: An Overview

Dashlane and LastPass have many common password features, but key differences set them apart:

Dashlane launched in 2012 and has always been dedicated solely to password security for individuals and teams. They claim no account breaches so far.

However, Dashlane needs to provide more visibility into third-party security testing. Unlike LastPass, they share no detailed audit reports.

LastPass came onto the scene a year earlier in 2011. The company does provide transparency around its thorough security audits. But LastPass has also suffered multiple confirmed breaches over the years.

So in a nutshell:

• Dashlane has a clean security record so far but lacks auditing details.

• LastPass has been breached before yet offers more info on its security testing.

With the basics covered, let‘s take a deeper look at how both platforms protect your data.

Dashlane vs. LastPass: Detailed Security Comparison

As an experienced cloud security engineer, InfoSec teams need transparency to evaluate a product‘s protections. Online testing reports matter more than marketing claims.

Based on the available data, Dashlane appears to offer stronger safeguards:

• No confirmed breaches for Dashlane yet – LastPass has endured multiple breaches impacting user data.

• Unknown auditing details for Dashlane – They need to share more info. But more breaches would have likely surfaced given their popularity.

• In-depth auditing shown by LastPass – Reports from firms like Coalfire reassure, but breaches still occurred.

Now let‘s dig into the technical details…

Encryption & Hashing

Both Dashlane and LastPass use robust 256-bit AES encryption to secure stored passwords. This protection would take the world‘s best supercomputers thousands of years to crack.

However, encryption alone is inadequate. Hacking techniques like rainbow tables make bulk password cracking easier.

To counter this, password managers combine encryption with salted hashing. Hashes scramble passwords into a unique fingerprint. Salts further randomize this data per user.

LastPass shares specifics about using salted PBKDF2 SHA-256 hashes for added protection. Dashlane does not reveal its salting and hashing approach.

Without transparency on the precise hashing algorithm, we have to assume Dashlane‘s protections may fall short of LastPass. But in absence of breaches, they are likely still adequate.

Data Centers & Physical Security

To ensure max safety, both companies must physically secure the servers storing encrypted password vaults. This includes controls like:

• Man traps & multi-factor access for data center entry
• 24/7 staffed surveillance and alarm systems
• Backup power supplies in case of disruption
• Fire suppression systems to prevent destruction

LastPass shares decent details about its physical security. Dashlane provides no info on its data center protections and practices.

Again, we have to assume Dashlane takes reasonable precautions by industry standards. But full transparency on critical data center safeguards is needed.

Third-Party Auditing & Pen Testing

Audits help ensure a service stays compliant with all protections promised to users. Ethical hackers perform penetration testing to probe for vulnerabilities.

LastPass contracts audits from trusted cybersecurity firms like Coalfire and Deloitte. They also run an active bug bounty program paying researchers for discovered flaws.

Dashlane only mentions internal testing like server scans. They should contract unbiased third-parties to evaluate and publicize audit findings annually.

While audits aren‘t foolproof, they add an important layer of accountability. Both vendors have room for improvement here. But LastPass does outshine Dashlane in transparency.

Authentication & Account Access

Of course the master password securing your password manager account matters most. Both support two-factor authentication (2FA) via authenticator apps for enhanced account security.

LastPass also lets you require re-authentication before accessing your vault after 15 minutes of inactivity. Dashlane lacks this extra safeguard against unauthorized access if you leave devices unattended.

Additionally, LastPass supports security keys as an extra authentication factor. These physical dongles offer added protection against phishing attacks.

Overall, LastPass offers a slight edge in login and account controls. But Dashlane‘s core protections still suffice for most individuals. Enterprise IT teams may require the extra reassurance of LastPass‘s multi-factor flexibility though.

Dashlane vs. LastPass: Feature Comparison

Beyond core security, Dashlane and LastPass include other helpful password management features:

A few key advantages stick out for each product:

Dashlane Exclusive Features

• VPN – Encrypts all network traffic for anonymous browsing

• Credit monitoring – Alerts you about potential ID theft

LastPass Exclusive Features

• Mobile apps support fingerprint unlock

• Emergency access – Share passwords with trusted contacts

• Site icons – Quickly identify saved logins by favicon

Otherwise, they provide the same essential password capture, storage, and replay capabilities across all major platforms and browsers.

For personal use, Dashlane‘s VPN and credit tracking provide useful extras. But LastPass satisfies the core requirements for most with better mobile biometrics.

Dashlane vs. LastPass: User Experience Comparison

The most secure system falls flat if it‘s frustrating and confusing to use daily. Both vendors excel at making password management easy:

• Browser extensions and mobile apps have clean, intuitive interfaces.

• Automatic password capture, replay, and updates work flawlessly.

• Adding new credentials is quick and effortless.

• Importing passwords from other managers is simple during setup.

However, based on my testing, Dashlane does have a better onboarding experience. Their browser extension immediately launches an interactive tutorial on first use.

LastPass just prompts you to start adding passwords without guidance. The learning curve is slightly steeper.

Outside of setup, both platforms provide nearly identical, user-friendly experiences. But Dashlane‘s guided walkthrough offers a superior initial experience for new users.

Dashlane vs LastPass: Customer Support

Now, even well-designed software has hiccups. When users have questions or issues, they need help from real human beings!

Sadly, neither Dashlane nor LastPass offers phone or live chat support. You‘re limited to email and community forums for assistance.

During testing, I contacted both companies via email about account billing errors.

• Dashlane responded in 2 hours with an email thoroughly addressing my questions.

• LastPass took 2 full days to reply with only a generic message telling me to check their docs.

While email-only customer service is underwhelming, Dashlane clearly provides more helpful responses. LastPass community forums contain many complaints of long delays and copy/paste answers from their support team.

Before choosing any password manager, ensure you‘re comfortable without direct phone or chat access. For complex account issues, lackluster support can exacerbate frustration.

Dashlane vs. LastPass: Pricing

Finally, let‘s compare what it costs to gain access to all these password features:

A few things stand out:

• LastPass Families provides the best value at just $4/month for up to 6 users.
• But Dashlane Premium packs the most features like VPN and credit monitoring.
• Dashlane has a 30-day money back guarantee, while LastPass does not.

For an individual, LastPass provides sufficient functionality at a lower price point. But families or power users may benefit from Dashlane‘s extensive protections.

Which Should You Choose: Dashlane or LastPass?

So in this battle between security and affordability, which password manager reigns supreme?

For most mainstream users, LastPass checks all the boxes:

🛡️ Solid core password features

💰 Very budget-friendly pricing

🔒 Detailed third-party auditing visibility

👍🏻 Smooth and easy UX

Dashlane stands out if your top priority is airtight security:

🔐 Zero reported breaches to date

🌐 Built-in VPN and credit tracking

🛡️ Strong (albeit opaque) encryption standards

💸 30-day money back guarantee

My Top Recommendation:

If rock-solid security is critical, opt for Dashlane. Their track record inspires more confidence so far.

For everyone else, LastPass gives you what you need at a very wallet-friendly price. I suggest pairing it with a YubiKey for added protection.

At the end of the day, both providers blow standalone password management out of the water. Your accounts will be far safer with either option enabled.

Don‘t wait any longer to step up your password game. Give one of these tools a shot, friend – your online accounts will thank you! Let me know if any other questions come up.