Bitwarden quick insightsOur evaluation: 4.6 stars out of 5
|
Bitwarden is a password safeguarding tool that is publicly accessible and provides an ample complimentary variation, a remarkable level of privacy and security measures, and budget-friendly rates overall.
Its free version is among the most extensive offered by password keepers, making it a captivating selection for those with financial limitations. Despite its somewhat complex desktop application, its comprehensive package maintains its status as a leading password management utility today.
Is there a complimentary version of Bitwarden available?
Indeed, Bitwarden offers a dedicated free forever alternative. Bitwarden’s Free Plan stands out as one of the most remarkable free password keepers out there, granting unlimited passwords and access for an infinite number of gadgets. This is unlike certain password managers like Dashlane, whose no-cost variant only grants access on a single device and stores just 25 passwords.
Bitwarden’s Free Plan is inclusive of all the core password management functionalities, such as zero-knowledge encryption, username and password generator, and dual-step logins. Nevertheless, it does not include Bitwarden’s continuous email support, emergency access, and encrypted document attachments found in the premium subscriptions.
Bitwarden’s no-charge tier is among the most comprehensive free variations around. It is suitable for users adhering to a strict budget who desire a fully operational password safeguarding system.
SEE: Bitwarden Free vs Premium: Which Plan Is Best for You? (TechRepublic)
Bitwarden costs
Bitwarden extends pricing schemes for both individual and corporate usage.
Individual plan pricing
| Individual Plan | Free | Premium | Families |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | Around $0.83 per month ($10 billed annually) | $3.33 per month |
| Sharing vault items with other users | 2 users | 2 users | 6 premium accounts |
| Bitwarden Send (encrypted sharing) | Text only | Text and Files | Text and Files |
| Two-step Login | Email, Authentication App, Hardware Security Key | Yubico OTP, Duo, Hardware Security Key, Email, Authentication app | Yubico OTP, Duo, Hardware Security Key, Email, Authentication app |
| Emergency Access | No | Yes | Yes |
In addition to possessing a robust complimentary version, Bitwarden remains a fantastic bang for your buck with its budget-friendly rates for its individual plans. Upon consideration of premium subscriptions ranging from $1.66 (RoboForm) to $4.99 (Dashlane) per month, Bitwarden Premium presents an annual cost of merely $10 or approximately $0.83 per month. Consequently, Bitwarden stands as one of the most pocket-friendly password managers on the market.
Given the reduced cost, I would assert that Bitwarden Premium may not be the most feature-laden password manager. It lacks additional attributes, such as Dashlane’s integrated VPN or 1Password’s more refined user interface. Nevertheless, you are obtaining the essential features you require at a truly economical fee.
For novices, I recommend experimenting with Bitwarden’s no-charge version. It is simple to configure and provides you a respectable impression of their service. Furthermore, the upgrade to a premier version proves to be fairly inexpensive as well.
Business plan pricing
| Business Plan | Teams | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4 per user, per month | $6 per month/ per user |
| No. of users | Unlimited | Unlimited users |
| Self-host Option | No | Yes |
| Passwordless SSO Integration | No | Yes |
| Policies | No | Yes |
Bitwarden’s specialized Teams plan for businesses falls within the typical pricing spectrum compared to the competition. You receive 10 users,all Bitwarden’s fundamental and superior characteristics, occurrence and review records, user factions, and a directory link.
During 2023, Bitwarden’s Groups blueprint was indeed labeled Groups Starter and was valued at $20 each month for up to 10 users. By 2024, it is now referred to as Groups and is valued per user at $4 each month. It keeps up the same feature assortment, like all Bitwarden superior characteristics, occurrence and review logs, and user factions.
While I personally appreciate the shift in pricing model for Groups to a per-user basis, which can be beneficial for companies that don’t exactly need all 10 spots occupied, it’s unfortunate that it’s now also twice the cost. This indicates that the same 10 users would be priced at $40 per month. If you’re searching for a more economical subscription for your small crew, 1Password’s Groups Starter Pack is valued at $19.95 each month for up to 10 users.
Fortunately, Bitwarden’s cost-efficient Business subscription at $6 each month, per user was sustained from the prior year. When measured against other venture-to-corporate level plans, it continues to stand as one of the more budget-friendly choices. LastPass’ Commercial plan is valued at $7 each month; whereas 1Password’s Commercial subscription is at $8 per user, per month.
For capabilities, self-hosting and passwordless SSO integration are solely accessible on Bitwarden’s Commercial subscription. You attain infinite users, regulations, account retrieval administration, and complimentary Families Plan for users.
Comprehensively, Bitwarden’s inexpensive pricing on most of its subscriptions is one of its most robust features. If you desire an affordable password administrator that doesn’t skimp on principal features, Bitwarden is an excellent selection.
Is Bitwarden genuinely secure?
Absolutely, Bitwarden is a dependable password manager. It functions on a zero-knowledge composition, signifying that only the end-user has actual access to their data. It’s also distinct in that it is clear source software, enabling the general public to inspect their code and oversee it for any susceptibilities. This is an exceptional bit of clearness that privacy fanatics will find important.
Additionally, Bitwarden utilizes leading-edge AES 256 encryption and submits to regular security reviews that verify its security affirmations. I also respect how Bitwarden stresses that user master passcodes are never stocked either locally or in memory. This is significant, considering that your master passcode is your main key to unlocking all your other passcodes.
At the moment of writing, Bitwarden had no reported hacks or data breaches. Altogether, Bitwarden is one of the safest password managers to use in 2024.
Key facets of Bitwarden
On top of the indispensable passcode manager components like passcode creation and encrypted safes, Bitwarden offers a few features that aid it to stand out from the competition.
Infinite passcodes and devices for free
Bitwarden is most famous for its handsome free edition. Especially, the reality that Bitwarden grants an infinite number of passcodes and devices to be used on for free makes it an excellent initial passcode manager, particularly for those on a tight budget.
Theoretically, individual users do not have to pay for a superior subscription to obtain a practical and secure passcode manager. Other passcode managers, like Dashlane, merely allow for 25 stored passcodes, while 1Password doesn’t present a free stage of their service at all.
Bitwarden Dispatch
Bitwarden Dispatch permits users to dispatch encrypted files and text for secure file-sharing. It can send out text of up to 1000 encrypted characters or files of up to 500 MB. The neat element about Bitwarden Dispatch is the adjustable longevity, permittingusers have the ability to determine the duration for which a text or file may be accessed or viewed before it is removed from the system.
This function will be particularly beneficial for individuals who frequently transmit sensitive or confidential materials such as contracts, agreements, and similar items.
Emergency Entry
Although many password managers provide emergency entry, Bitwarden’s approach is distinctive for its ease of use. Bitwarden permits users to authorize emergency entrance to trusted connections via email, allowing them to solicit vault entry when required. This procedure is significantly more streamlined compared to 1Password’s Emergency Kit system, which employs a tucked-away PDF, or Dashlane’s use of a proprietary DASH file for emergency access.
I appreciate the option to set a Waiting Period for vault entry, giving the account holder time to acknowledge or decline emergency entry appeals if necessary. It is worth noting that emergency access is exclusively accessible to premium Bitwarden subscribers and is unavailable on their complimentary tier.
Bitwarden verification and security choices
Bitwarden offers two-step authentication for users to open their Bitwarden vaults. It provides numerous 2FA techniques, such as an authenticator app, email, via FIDO2 WebAuthn credentials, YubiKey, through Duo Security, and more. Keep in mind, though, that only the initial three 2FA approaches discussed are provided in Bitwarden’s complimentary version.
Concerning security alternatives, Bitwarden enables users to unlock vaults using biometric technology like fingerprint or facial recognition. During my testing, I managed to manually set a vault timeout procedure to necessitate re-confirmation or a master password to unlock my vault after a specified duration.
For password creation, Bitwarden enabled me to establish a random password with a maximum of 128 characters. I also had the ability to devise a username using Bitwarden’s password generator — a practical feature to prevent reusing the same username for different accounts.
Bitwarden interface and effectiveness
Bitwarden’s desktop user interface features a very uncomplicated and basic design. While it appears neat, I believe it could be more user-friendly in terms of menu arrangement.
I would prefer key menus such as the Password Generator and Settings not to be concealed in drop-down menus at the application’s top.
The browser extension of Bitwarden is more straightforward to utilize, with essential menus like the vault and settings being readily accessible.
In 2023, I faced a bit of difficulty with Bitwarden’s auto-fill functionality. Unlike other password managers that automatically displayed pop-up icons in username or password fields for effortless auto completion, Bitwarden necessitated me to first open their browser extension and then select the suggested credential for the login details to be filled in. You can observe a sample of this in the image below.
Observing the email section of Amazon, there are no traces of the Bitwarden emblem or symbol to tap for effortless password input. Although not catastrophic, it introduced an extra login step and was somewhat inconvenient — particularly since this is the norm with other password supervisors.
Presently in the year 2024, I’m delighted to announce that Bitwarden has tackled this matter and now showcases its autofill menu when you select form fields by default.
From my perspective, this adjustment delivers a notable enhancement to the daily user journey, as it simplifies form completion and contributes to a seamless Bitwarden experience. Below is a snapshot of the Bitwarden emblem for autofill within a username field, following the latest applied modifications.
Similar to the previous year, Bitwarden’s automatic form completion upon page load function remains disabled as the default setting. To provide context, the behavior of auto-filling on page load involves automatically populating your login details into a form field when Bitwarden detects a login form upon page load, all without user interaction. Bitwarden has deactivated this feature due to the potential misuse by untrustworthy or malicious websites to pilfer user credentials.
Personally, I value Bitwarden’s commitment to ensuring the security of its functionalities and protecting user credentials from potential theft. It’s commendable that Bitwarden offers users the choice to take on such risks.
For authenticationseize and replay, I encountered no problems with Bitwarden. It managed to reliably seize new logins and credentials and replay them upon my return to the relevant sites.
An insignificant detail I would like to mention is that Bitwarden does not offer the ability to produce new passwords directly within the form field itself. By selecting a password field, you receive the option to include a new login instead of receiving a Bitwarden password generator pop-up.
Upon clicking “+ New login,” you are presented with Bitwarden’s Add item page, enabling you to input all the login details in a single panel, including the site name, username, and password. Subsequently, you have the option to utilize Bitwarden’s password generator and customize it to your preference.
While some may appreciate this more structured method, I personally prefer the password generator to pop up within the form field itself. This, in my opinion, would lead to a swifter and more seamless process when saving a new login. Nevertheless, this is more of a personal preference since Bitwarden’s password capture functioned perfectly fine.
Bitwarden mobile application
To Bitwarden’s merit, its mobile app imitates the user-friendly nature of its intuitive browser extension. I trialed the Bitwarden mobile app on my Android device.
It features a user-friendly layout and is quite easy to navigate. I observed that the animations within the app felt somewhat rigid, yet the overall experience remained stable.
I also appreciated the fact that the Bitwarden mobile app does not permit screenshots or screen captures by default. This serves as a subtle yet crucial security measure that can aid in safeguarding your credentials from potential theft by malicious entities.
SEE: How to Create an Effective Cybersecurity Awareness Program (TechRepublic Premium)
Bitwarden advantages
- Complimentary version offering limitless password storage.
- Highly reasonable pricing options.
- Straightforward emergency access functionality.
- Secure file-sharing system.
- Transparent security track record.
- Enhanced auto fill capabilities.
Bitwarden drawbacks
- Desktop user interface could be more user-friendly.
- Lacks an abundance of additional features.
Is Bitwarden worthwhile?
Bitwarden’s generous free option, zero-knowledge encryption, and reasonable pricing render it an excellent option for individuals seeking an efficient password manager that offers excellent value. The unrestricted password storage and multi-device accessibility, alongside its open source platform, make Bitwarden a deserving choice.
a competitive player in the password management sector.
Although the user-friendly aspect of its desktop application could be improved, Bitwarden offers significant value for its pricing across all its subscription plans, positioning it as potentially the top economical password manager in the market.
Alternatives to Bitwarden
If you discover Bitwarden lacking in features, below are some alternatives that might align better with your requirements and workflow.
Dashlane
Dashlane stands as a reputable password management solution that delivers top-level security, a multitude of features, and a modern user interface. It boasts an impressive feature for monitoring the dark web, which alerts users if any stored passwords or credentials are linked to a data breach. Additionally, it enables secure password-sharing without limitations.
To discover more, explore our complete Dashlane review.
1Password
For individuals prioritizing security above all, 1Password proves to be a solid option. Alongside standard password management functionality, it offers alerts for vulnerabilities and protection against phishing attacks to guard against malicious actors. Furthermore, it automatically locks the password vault when inactive, providing an extra layer of security for your logins.
To explore further, read our comprehensive 1Password review.
Keeper
For larger organizations, Keeper presents itself as an ideal choice. It offers a more structured approach to password management with the inclusion of folders, subfolders, and team-shared folders. In terms of security, Keeper incorporates dark web monitoring that scans employee data and notifies them of any concerns regarding their credentials.
To delve deeper, check out our extensive review of Keeper.
Frequently asked queries regarding Bitwarden
Has Bitwarden ever experienced a breach?
No, there has been no breach of Bitwarden. As of October 2024, there have been no instances reported of any compromises to Bitwarden’s services or infrastructure.
Where can I find tutorials on utilizing Bitwarden?
You can refer to our Guide on Utilizing Bitwarden, which provides a step-by-step walkthrough on selecting a Bitwarden subscription, configuring the Bitwarden browser extension, and saving your initial password, among other actions.
We also offer recommendations on how to optimize Bitwarden for your business and maximize its feature set.
Is Bitwarden compatible with multiple devices?
Absolutely, Bitwarden can be utilized on an unlimited number of devices, whether you are subscribed to Bitwarden Premium or using the Bitwarden Free Plan.
Which platforms does Bitwarden support?
For desktop usage, Bitwarden offers applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Additionally, it provides mobile apps for iOS, Android, as well as F-Droid.
Regarding web browser extensions, Bitwarden is compatible with Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Brave, Vivaldi, Tor, and DuckDuckGo.
Review methodology
My evaluation of Bitwarden entailed an in-depth examination of its security features, pricing, and practical performance capabilities. I engaged with Bitwarden firsthand through its free version and supplemented my observations with user feedback and credible reviews.
In order to evaluate Bitwarden, I installed its desktop application on my Windows laptop, its mobile app on my Google Pixel 6, and tested Bitwarden’s Chrome extension on my browser.
I assessed Bitwarden on various aspects, including its password management functionalities and pricing, utilizing an internal algorithm, resulting in a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. The evaluation was conducted based on Bitwarden’s standalone performance as well as in relation to other password managers in the market.
About Author
