Bitwarden vs LastPass are two of the best password managers available; they’re both very secure, feature-rich, and provide fantastic free and low-cost premium plans for individuals and families. Both solutions share a lot of similarities, including all of the most important features of a premium password manager in 2022, such as:
- AES encryption (256 bits).
- options for advanced 2FA.
- Auditing the password vault
- Sharing passwords safely
But there are significant differences between LastPass and Bitwarden. For example, LastPass is easier to use and has more unique features, such as a password auto-changer and account recovery options. Bitwarden vs LastPass is also open-source, offers cloud and self-hosting data alternatives, and costs around a third of what most rivals do.
And, because LastPass’s free plan was recently updated, many of our readers have been asking us for the best LastPass alternatives. So I decided to pit LastPass against Bitwarden vs LastPass and see how they stack up in terms of security, functionality, plans and pricing, simplicity of use, and customer service.
I eventually decided on a winner for this comparison after weeks of testing, studying, and comparing LastPass and Bitwarden—but it was a tight race, so I recommend reading each part and selecting the best option for your needs.
You’re short on time? The ultimate decision is as follows:
LastPass took first place in the categories of Basic Features, Extra Features, Ease of Use, and Customer Support. LastPass is safe and simple to use, and it includes features such as password auditing, automated password changing, several recovery choices, emergency access, and encrypted storage.
Bitwarden—Security and Pricing Winner Bitwarden vs LastPass is open-source and offers cloud and local data hosting, password auditing, password sharing, and individual and family subscriptions at reasonable prices. However, it is only advised for expert users.
Bitwarden vs. LastPass: Security
- Both LastPass and Bitwardenvs LastPass are extremely safe password managers, with many of the same security features:
- Unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption is used by governments and banks to safeguard data.
- Because of the zero-knowledge design, LastPass and Bitwardenvs LastPass do not have access to users’ password vaults.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) confirms a user’s identity by requiring a second form of verification.
Security with LastPass
Bitwarden vs. LastPass: Security
Because LastPass is an online password manager, user information is saved on the company’s servers. All of a LastPass user’s information is encrypted and decrypted locally. The only encrypted information is sent to LastPass’s servers, and only the user knows the encryption keys (the email address used to sign up for a LastPass account and a master password that the user chooses when signing up).
Because of the end-to-end encryption, LastPass doesn’t have access to a user’s password vault, so if you forget your master password, you won’t be able to recover your data. On the other hand, LastPass has several ways to recover your account, so you can still get into your vault even if you forget your master password.
LastPass supports a variety of two-factor authentication alternatives, including TOTP applications (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Toofer, Duo Security), USB tokens (YubiKey), and biometric scanners and card readers. A TOTP generator is also available in LastPass. The free version of LastPass works with TOTP apps and has a TOTP generator. Premium plans add support for USB tokens and biometric authentication.
Unfortunately, LastPass has had significant security flaws in the past—not only did the programme have a big security problem a few years ago, but its servers were actually accessed, and there have been a few high-profile breaches linked to LastPass in recent years. Other high-profile startups, such as 1Password and Dashlane, have never been hacked publicly, so these security breaches are a blemish on LastPass’s record. Even though LastPass’s computers were hacked, the company’s safe encryption has never been breached—the hack simply revealed a string of nonsensical, encrypted digits, and the company has never lost a single password.
Bitwarden: protection
Bitwarden vs. LastPass: Security
Since it is an open-source password manager, Bitwarden vs LastPass is regarded as exceptionally safe; hundreds of security professionals from across the world have independently analysed every piece of its source code.
Before user data reaches Bitwarden’s servers, Bitwarden vs LastPass encrypts it with 256-bit AES encryption. Bitwarden does, however, allow customers to self-host their data, which means they may keep their encrypted data on a private server rather than on Bitwarden’s servers. This implies that even if Bitwarden’s servers are hacked, your data will not be compromised. However, keep in mind that self-hosting necessitates substantial technical knowledge. It is only appropriate if you have access to your own extremely secure private server.1Password is one of the few other password managers that supports local data storage (and its UI is far more user-friendly than Bitwarden’s).
Bitwarden also has a zero-knowledge policy, but unlike LastPass, it doesn’t offer account recovery. If you forget your master password, you can only reset your Bitwarden account, which will delete all of your data.
Bitwarden’s 2FA choices are comparable to LastPass’s, including TOTP authenticators (Google Authenticator, Authy), USB tokens (Duo, YubiKey), biometric logins, email verification, and a built-in TOTP generator. TOTP authenticators, biometric logins, and email verification are all supported by Bitwarden Free, although USB token compatibility and the TOTP generator are only available to premium customers. While both LastPass and Bitwarden’s two-factor authentication methods are simple to use, I prefer LastPass’s TOTP generator, which auto-fills one-time passwords with a single click (Bitwarden’s TOTP generator requires you to copy/paste the one-time password from your vault to the login box).
(Security) Bitwarden is the winner.
Both LastPass and Bitwarden are quite secure. Bitwarden, on the other hand, has a tiny edge because it is open-source, provides local data storage, and has never been hacked. LastPass’s last security incident, however, did not reveal any user data (owing to the company’s stringent zero-knowledge policy). Also, LastPass works with more TOTP authenticator apps than Bitwarden, and its built-in authenticator is much more convenient.
Basic Differences Between Bitwarden vs LastPass
The basic password management capabilities of LastPass and Bitwarden are both quite good. Both work with the most popular operating systems and web browsers, and they have important features like:
- Password storage is unlimited.
- Many devices are being synced.
- Save and fill it automatically.
- password generator
- electronic wallet (for storing credit cards and bank accounts).
- Identity management (personal information for filling out web forms).
- Safeguard your notes.
The Basic Features of LastPass
The Basic Differences Between Bitwarden vs LastPass
LastPass provides a Windows and Mac desktop programme, an iOS and Android mobile app, an online vault, and browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Safari.
Users may import passwords from a variety of password managers and browsers into LastPass. Passwords are easily imported into the LastPass vault, and there are even on-screen tutorials to walk users through the process.
LastPass offers limitless passwords and other sensitive data storage, but free users may only access their vaults via mobile or desktop computers. You’ll need to upgrade to LastPass’s premium account if you have a PC and a smartphone (or deal with the extreme inconvenience of having your password vault inaccessible on one of your devices). Bitwarden’s free plan includes synchronisation across many devices.
LastPass’ auto-save and auto-fill features performed admirably in my tests. When I established a new account, LastPass asked if I wanted to save it right away. Every time I went to a login box, LastPass automatically filled in my login information. Users can choose to stop auto-fill for certain sites (for extra security), though.
The password generator in LastPass is excellent. The default password length is 12, which isn’t particularly long, but users may generate passwords of up to 99 characters. Uppercase and lowercase characters, digits, and symbols can all be used in passwords. However, users can create passwords that are “simple to pronounce” or “easy to read.”
Users may keep payment cards, bank accounts, identities, and notes in addition to passwords. LastPass’ identity template is functional, allowing you to enter your name, address, company, email address, phone number, and notes. Identity templates can also have files attached to them.
The Basic Features of Bitwarden
Bitwardenvs LastPass is a web vault, a Windows, iOS, and Linux programme, an iOS and Android mobile app, and a browser plugin for Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Vivaldi, Edge, Brave, and Tor.
Bitwarden vs LastPass also allows you to import passwords from a variety of password managers and browsers, although I had to read through Bitwarden’s knowledge base to figure out how to do so. It was quite simple to load an a.csv file with my passwords into Bitwarden once I understood how importing worked. However, I’d like to see Bitwarden simplify password import.
In both its free and paid versions, Bitwarden is one of the few password managers that offers unlimited password storage and synchronisation across many devices. The password manager from Avira can be bought separately or as part of the excellent Avira Prime antivirus package. It can store passwords for free on multiple devices.
Bitwarden’s auto-save and auto-fill functions didn’t operate as well as I’d hoped throughout my testing. My new logins were automatically stored by the auto-save option, but I couldn’t find them in the password vault. And the auto-fill feature is overly difficult – to input your password, you must first open your Bitwarden browser extension and pick your login (instead of simply clicking an icon in the login field like with most premium password managers). Although these are minor annoyances, I prefer LastPass’s smooth auto-save and auto-fill features. While there are better password managers for iOS and Android, Bitwarden’s mobile app made auto-filling logins considerably easier for me. While there are better password managers for iOS and Android, Bitwarden’s mobile software is very excellent for basic password management.
Bitwarden’s password generator, on the other hand, is fantastic, allowing users to construct passwords ranging from 5 to 128 characters (the default password length is 14). Users may construct passwords using a combination of numbers, characters, and symbols, as well as generate passwords.
Users may save passwords, credit cards, IDs, and notes in Bitwarden’s password vault. The identity template in Bitwarden is quite similar to LastPass’s, but it also allows users to add custom data.
LastPass is the winner (basic features).
LastPass and Bitwarden vs LastPass both provide similar basic password management features. Bitwarden has a better free plan, more browser extensions, and can make passwords that are a little longer, but LastPass is better at all the important things, like importing passwords, saving them automatically, and filling them in automatically.
Extra Features in LastPass
LastPass and Bitwarden both include a number of extra security features. They share the following traits:
- Sharing passwords
- Auditing of passwords
- Storage with encryption.
Both items, however, have distinct features that the others do not. Bitwarden, for example, offers a self-hosting option (more on that in the Security part of our comparison), but LastPass does not. LastPass, on the other hand, has an automatic password changer, several account recovery methods, and emergency access, which Bitwarden vs LastPass doesn’t have.
LastPass’s Additional Features
Extra Features in LastPass vs. Bitwarden
LastPass has a lot of useful supplementary features. It’s simple to share passwords with a single user: simply click the “Share” button next to each login and enter the email address of the person you wish to share the password with. The receiver will then get an email with instructions on how to create a LastPass account in order to gain access to the shared login. I appreciate that LastPass gives you the option of allowing other users to use your password without seeing it. You may share passwords with up to 30 people using LastPass.
Passwords exchanged in this manner, however, do not sync between users. LastPass Families, which includes an intuitive Sharing Center function, is required for users who want to create shared folders with friends or family members. You may share and sync multiple logins with up to five other LastPass users using the Sharing Center. You may also change the permissions for shared users, enabling them to modify or merely view and auto-fill shared logins.
The LastPass Security Dashboard is also rather impressive. LastPass displays a “Security Score”—an overall evaluation of all of your passwords (you must have at least 50 passwords in the vault to receive a Security Score). On the Security Dashboard, you can see whether any of your passwords are outdated, weak, or duplicate.
LastPass also provides dark web monitoring, which is an automated service that monitors public data breach registries and notifies you if your information is compromised. I like this feature, but it’s nothing compared to Dashlane’s dark web monitoring service. Live agents watch dark web forums and let you know right away if your data has been compromised.
LastPass also has an automated password changer that allows you to change passwords for over 70 supported websites with a single click. Dashlane is the only other password manager that provides this capability.
LastPass also includes numerous account recovery methods and emergency access methods, which I enjoy. Mobile account recovery with Face or Touch ID, a recovery one-time password, SMS recovery, and a master password reminder are among the account recovery alternatives. You can also restore a previous master password, but you can only do this if the master password hasn’t been changed in the last 30 days.
LastPass allows you to nominate a person who will be able to acquire emergency access to your account after a pre-determined waiting time (up to 30 days). It’s quite simple to set up—it took me about 5 minutes to add my brother as an emergency contact.
- LastPass comes with 1 GB of secure storage.
- In our entire review of LastPass, you can learn more about its features.
- Bitwarden: Bonus Content
Extra Features in LastPass vs. Bitwarden
LastPass has a lot of additional features, while Bitwardenvs LastPass doesn’t. Aside from the option to self-host, Bitwarden’s only other features are safe password sharing, password auditing, and secure storage.
Bitwarden’s password auditing is rather good; it allows you to search your vault for compromised logins, reused passwords, weak passwords, insecure HTTP sites, and 2FA-compatible sites.
However, you must choose each of these choices separately, and Bitwarden does not offer real-time data breach monitoring as LastPass does.
The password sharing functions of Bitwarden are comparable to those of LastPass. Bitwarden’s new Send function is included with all of its plans, allowing users to send a single text message or a file (up to 100 MB) to an infinite number of people. Simply type the text or attach a file, choose the number of users who may access your send, and set the send’s deactivation date, and Bitwarden will generate a safe link that can be shared with anybody. Users do not need to register a Bitwarden account to use your Send link.
Things get a little more tricky when it comes to password vault syncing. For starters, Bitwarden Premium customers can only exchange passwords with one other user, but LastPass’s free plan allows for one-to-one sharing! Premium customers have the ability to create two folders, each of which may be shared and synchronised with a single user. Upgrade to the Bitwarden Families plans to share passwords with up to 6 people and make sure that their vaults are always in sync.
Second, in order to share a password with another person, you must first form an “organisation” and then ask that user to join it. You may set permissions for each shared user, much like LastPass.
In addition, Bitwarden provides 1 GB of secured storage.
More information about Bitwarden’s features may be found in our entire review.
Extra Features: Winner: LastPass
While both LastPass and Bitwarden vs LastPass provide excellent password auditing features and 1 GB of secured storage, Bitwarden’s new password sharing option is a little more user-friendly. LastPass, on the other hand, includes numerous more features that Bitwarden lacks, including a large range of account recovery options, emergency access with a 30-day waiting period, and an automated password changer.
Plans and pricing for LastPass vs. Bitwarden
LastPass and Bitwarden vs LastPass both provide more free features than many other password management options. Their paid programmes are both reasonably priced, but Bitwarden has the price advantage.
- Pricing and Plans for LastPass
- For personal usage, LastPass provides three options: free, premium, and family.
- LastPass Free is adequate but not exceptional. It has the following features:
- Password storage is unlimited.
- Multiple device synchronisation (either desktop or mobile).
- Password sharing one-on-one
- Compatibility with TOTP 2FA
- A TOTP generator is a programme that generates a TOTP.
LastPass Premium and Families both provide a lot of security features for a reasonable fee—they’re pricier than Bitwarden’s premium packages, but they’re also a lot easier to use.
LastPass Premium costs $3.00 a month and includes all of the features of the free plan, plus:
Sharing one-to-many (up to 30 users).
Auditing passwords and monitoring the dark web
Monitoring of credit reports
Two-factor authentication is done using USB tokens and biometric scanners.
emergency exit.
1 GB of encrypted storage space
LastPass Families has all of the features of LastPass Premium, plus coverage for up to 6 people, unlimited vault sharing between users, and a useful sharing dashboard to help you keep track of who has access to whose passwords — all for only $4.00 per month.
LastPass Premium and Families are both reasonably priced, even when compared to premium competitors like Dashlane and Keeper. However, LastPass is nearly four times the price of Bitwarden.
LastPass Premium comes with a 30-day free trial, and all premium subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Plans and Pricing for Bitwarden
Bitwarden vs LastPass also offers three different plans: free, premium, and family.
In 2022, Bitwarden’s free personal plan is one of the greatest deals on the market. Among Bitwarden’s free features are:
- Password storage is unlimited.
- Multiple device synchronisation.
- Password sharing one-on-one
- TOTP authenticators are compatible with 2FA.
- Biometric authentication.
- Local or cloud data storage.
- Bitwarden vs LastPass Free contains a lot of useful features, but Bitwarden Premium is a wonderful deal: for only $10.00 per year, you get a lot more. Here’s what Bitwarden Premium includes:
- Auditing the password vault
- reports of password breaches.
- Two-factor authentication is built-in.
- 2FA support for USB tokens like the YubiKey and Duo.
- 1 GB of encrypted storage space
Bitwarden Families is the same as Bitwaden Premium, but it includes password sharing for up to 6 people and an extra 1 GB of storage for shared stuff, all for $39.96 per year.
Bitwarden (Plans & Pricing) was the winner.
The free plans from LastPass and Bitwarden are two of the finest on the market, with unlimited password storage, multi-device synchronisation, and even one-to-one password sharing. However, Bitwarden is the obvious victor in terms of cost, charging less than a fourth of what LastPass costs for equivalent security. Bitwarden’s free plan has additional features.
- Ease of Use: LastPass vs. Bitwarden
- LastPass makes creating, saving, filling, and sharing passwords a breeze. Bitwarden vs LastPass isn’t quite as user-friendly as LastPass, and some of its capabilities are rather technical.
Ease of Use with LastPass
Ease of Use: LastPass vs. Bitwarden
LastPass’s applications and browser extensions are extremely user-friendly. After you’ve created your account, LastPass offers a brief vault tutorial that walks you through all of the features. Even if you miss the training, all of LastPass’s features are simple to locate and comprehend — the UI is user-friendly for both novice and experienced users. LastPass is also a great password manager for families since even children and elderly individuals will be able to find and use all of the features.
Users may generate and save passwords for new accounts with a single click. Auto-filling stored passwords is just as simple: simply click on the LastPass logo on the right side of any online account’s login fields. Sharing a password is just as easy. Users just need to type in the email address of the person they want to share the login with.
It’s also quite simple to use all of LastPass’s complex features. Setting up advanced 2FA and selecting an emergency contact was a breeze for me.
Overall, LastPass is an excellent password manager for all users, and even those with no prior experience with password managers will find it simple to use.
Bitwarden: usability
Ease of Use: LastPass vs Bitwarden
LastPass is easier to use than Bitwarden. During my tests, I had trouble finding certain features and understanding how certain functionalities worked. I had to look at Bitwarden’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) pages over and over again to figure out how to import passwords and trade passwords with other Bitwarden users.
Bitwarden’s auto-save and auto-fill features are also lacking — you have to scroll around the screen much too much simply to fill in a login, and Bitwarden’s new auto-fill on page load option didn’t work for a number of sites in my tests.
Bitwarden, unlike LastPass, which provides helpful in-app lessons, does not have any tutorials for any of its capabilities. I only suggest Bitwardenvs LastPass to individuals who are tech-savvy and willing to spend some time learning how to use all of its capabilities. Beginners and non-technical users should avoid this site (Windows users can look here and Mac users can look here).
LastPass is the winner (ease of use).
LastPass is both good and user-friendly, with helpful in-app training, simple functionality, and a generally straightforward layout. LastPass is clearly the superior option for anyone searching for a password manager that is simple to set up and use.
Customer Support: LastPass vs. Bitwarden
LastPass and Bitwarden vs LastPass both feature similar customer service choices and email response times. LastPass’ knowledge base, on the other hand, is far easier to comprehend than Bitwarden’s.
