Quick Facts about 1PasswordRating: 4.3 stars out of 5
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1Password has built a reputation as one of the top password managers available. It features a user-friendly and stylish interface, robust end-to-end encryption, and intriguing integrations in addition to its primary service.
SEE: 10 Fallacies about Cybersecurity You Shouldn’t Accept (TechRepublic Premium)
Even though it doesn’t offer a free version, its premium packages provide significant value that justifies the investment. For individuals seeking a comprehensive password management solution, 1Password should unquestionably be considered.
Is 1Password complimentary?
No, 1Password is not offered for free. If you require a no-cost password manager, choices like Bitwarden and NordPass have free versions allowing unrestricted password storage at zero additional expense.
Nevertheless, 1Password does provide a fairly generous 14-day trial that covers all its subscription levels and plans. I appreciate the fact that these complimentary trials do not necessitate credit card or payment details for access, enabling users to explore their functionalities without surrendering sensitive information.
| Individual | Families | Teams Starter Pack | Business | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $2.99 per month | $4.99 per month | $19.95 per month | $7.99 per month |
| Number of users | 1 | 5 | 10 | 1 |
| Number of entries and gadgets | Limitless | Limitless | Limitless | Limitless |
| Account visitors for sharing vaults | 0 | 5 | 5 | 20 |
| Detect threats with domain breach report | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Commencing at $2.99 per month for its Individual plan, the starting pricing of 1Password is rational and falls within the middle range as compared to competitors. For instance, Bitwarden presents one of the most economical initial plans at under $1 per month, while the equally popular choice Dashlane is available at a higher $3.33 per month. With $2.99 per month, you are still receiving exceptional value, which includes limitless device support and password storage.
I feel that 1Password’s Families plan at $4.99 per month could potentially be more economical. It initiates at $4.99 per month for five users. In contrast, while Dashlane offers the same price of $4.99, it allows for 10 family member accounts. On the other hand, RoboForm and Bitwarden offer Families subscriptions at lower prices of $3.98 for 5 users and $3.33 for 6 users, respectively.
Similar to its Individual plan, 1Password’s Teams Starter Pack is comparable to other password managers and serves as a suitable choice for small teams and businesses, furnishing accounts for up to 10 members.
Its Business plan, priced at $7.99, leans toward the pricey side as Bitwarden offers a similar scheme at just $6 — a $2 difference that accumulates over time. 1Password Business offers valuable extra features such as single sign-on support, a free Families plan for all users, and customized usage and breach reports for included users. However, if these features do not hold significance for you, Bitwarden’s more cost-effective plan appears to be the superior option.
Prior to buying a 1Password plan, I strongly suggest taking advantage of any of its 14-day complimentary trials. While having a free version would be the preferred scenario, 1Password’s 14-day free trials are applicable across all plans, enabling you to test the subscription that aligns best with your requirements.
Is 1Password secure?
Before transitioning any of your passwords into 1Password, engaging in assessments to determine if it can safeguard your sensitive data is crucial. Thankfully, 1Password offers top-tier security measures for your passwords and credentials.
1Password’s data is encrypted end-to-end and utilizes the widely praised AES 256-bit encryption to uphold the security of your data. It also adopts a zero-knowledge philosophy, ensuring that solely the user possesses access to their private information.
All users are equipped with a 34-character Secret Key that is produced locally on their device by 1Password. This Secret Key collaborates with the account password to access yourAccess codes and acts as an extra layer of defense for your information. Since it’s created locally, 1Password does not have entry to your Secret Key and prohibits user data from being gathered or traded to third parties.
1Password should additionally be recognized for its dedication to regular security assessments conducted by impartial third parties. Up to May 2023, 1Password has finished 19 security evaluations that consistently evaluate its security and functionalities.
In October 2023, 1Password revealed that it identified dubious actions on its Okta instance that it utilizes to manage employee-focused applications. 1Password communicated that it quickly halted the activity and emphasized that no user information or delicate systems were compromised. Although this is welcome news, occurrences like this emphasize the importance of maintaining awareness.
Overall, 1Password is a reliable password manager to use in 2024. Its advanced encryption, zero-knowledge framework, and routine security audits demonstrate that it can be a dependable and secure method to securely retain logins and access codes.
If you’re interested in discovering more about password managers generally, I highly recommend checking out our Password Managers 101 video feature now available on the official TechRepublic YouTube channel!
In that video, our team explores the importance of password managers, their safety, and the advantages they offer to businesses of various sizes and types.
Primary characteristics of 1Password
Along with typical functions like encryption and password distribution, 1Password includes distinctive features such as a Watchtower, Travel Mode, and specialized integrations with other platforms. Learn how to utilize 1Password here.
Watchtower security scoring
Watchtower is the security scoring system of 1Password that evaluates user passwords and examines for exposure to breaches or data breaches. It also evaluates passwords for overall resilience and notifies users to adjust vulnerable passwords that are weak or reused. This is a beneficial aspect, notably for users with older accounts that may require updated passwords.
Moreover, Watchtower also examines if any users have recently viewed websites with evident weaknesses. It also alerts users whenever they access any compromised or insecure websites during their session.
Watchtower is advantageous for users managing multiple passwords and accounts, enabling them to sustain good password health throughout.
Travel Mode
Travel Mode is a unique feature of 1Password and acts as a profile that can be activated and deactivated when traveling, allowing users to mark specific vaults as “safe for travel.” Vaults not marked as such will be hidden from your 1Password app until Travel Mode is turned off.
For 1Password Business, Travel Mode can also be activated and deactivated for team members.
Travel Mode is ideal for individuals and organizations who frequently embark on business trips and are concerned about customs or border authorities accessing their devices.
Specialized integrations with Fastmail and Privacy
Fastmail and Privacy are among the services that can be integrated into 1Password. Utilizing 1Password, Fastmail users have the ability to generate “masked emails,” safeguarding their actual email addresses when registering for new accounts. This offers users added privacy by avoiding the use of their real email address for less crucial accounts.
Through a partnership with Privacy.com, 1Password enables users to establish Privacy Cards from within its application. By using Privacy, users can produce distinct payment details for each service they subscribe to. This extra layer of security means you don’t have to disclose your personal card information for various apps or services.
These collaborations are particularly beneficial for individuals who are already subscribed to Fastmail and Privacy services. While having a combined plan for these services would be optimal, the ability to utilize them within 1Password is a valuable enhancement.
1Password authentication and security options
Authentication stands as a pivotal aspect of a password management system. It heightens security by necessitating additional information beyond just a username or password to access your account.
Within 1Password, vaults can be safeguarded via two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA mandates the use of an authenticator app such as Microsoft Authenticator or Authy. Fortunately, setting this up is relatively straightforward thanks to the detailed guide provided by 1Password on its official support page.
1Password also maintains a list of trusted devices, granting users the authority to specify which phones or computers require authentication and which ones should be deauthorized.
Regarding security options, 1Password incorporates practical features that collectively enhance the security of the platform. For desktop users, the option to enable either Windows Hello or TouchID fingerprint biometrics to unlock their vaults is available. Additionally, users can activate an auto-lock feature that automatically secures the app after a designated duration, guarding against unauthorized access in case of inactivity.
An intriguing feature is the clipboard erase capability within 1Password. Enabling this function will erase any copied information and authentication codes after 90 seconds automatically. This proactive measure prevents the inadvertent exposure or duplication of copied data from your clipboard.
1Password interface and performance
Aside from robust security measures, a password manager should boast an intuitive and aesthetically pleasing interface to ensure the best user experience. Fortunately, this is an area where 1Password excels.
The desktop application of 1Password features a user-friendly interface that most users can navigate effortlessly. I particularly appreciate the abundance of tutorials provided by 1Password to assist users in utilizing the application.
Regarding appearance, 1Password also receives positive feedback. Its user interface has a contemporary and rejuvenated look, offering users the opportunity to modify font density and switch to dark mode.
When it comes to performance, 1Password was satisfactory but not flawless. Password capture and replay functioned as anticipated, with no bugs encountered while using the desktop application.
Nonetheless, there were instances where the automatic completion feature of 1Password’s browser extension faltered. Sometimes it successfully filled in my details for logins, while at other times, it failed to do so.
Consequently, I had to manually utilize the copy feature and paste my login information from the extension rather than depending on automatic completion. It’s not a critical issue, but it does highlight an area for enhancement in the case of 1Password.
Mobile App for 1Password
Accessible on both Android and iOS, the mobile app of 1Password replicates the high-quality user interface of its desktop counterparts. During my evaluation, I had the mobile version of 1Password installed on my Google Pixel 6.
Based on my usage, 1Password on Android operated swiftly and reliably. It also incorporates most of the functionalities present in the Windows and Mac editions.
I particularly appreciated how 1Password Mobile automatically obscures any screenshots taken within the app. This setting is enabled by default and can only be altered through the Advanced Settings of the app. It’s a subtle yet significant feature as it safeguards vaults stored on your phone from unauthorized screenshots and potential theft.
Overall, the mobile app of 1Password delivers an excellent user experience and serves as a valuable complement to its desktop counterpart.
Advantages of 1Password
- Outstanding security measures.
- Distinctive travel mode functionality.
- Integration with Fastmail and Privacy services.
- User-friendly and contemporary user interface.
- High-quality mobile application.
- 14-day trial available without the need for payment information.
Disadvantages of 1Password
- More competitive pricing would be beneficial.
- Lack of a free version.
- Hit-or-miss performance of the autofill feature.
Alternatives to 1Password
Although 1Password is a reliable password manager, it might not offer the ideal features for your requirements. Here are a few alternative options that may better suit your needs.
NordPass
NordPass is a password management solution offered by the renowned software provider Nord Security. It is particularly suitable for organizations seeking various subscription options across different time periods. The service provides one- and two-year plans for both individual and business users, and it includes a complete free version allowing for unlimited password storage.
Bitwarden
For individuals looking to save money, Bitwarden stands out. It offers a generous free version that allows for limitless passwords and usage on an unlimited number of devices. Additionally, it functions on an open-source platform, making it an excellent choice for users who appreciate transparency and collaborative software.
Keeper
For larger enterprises, Keeper can be an excellent choice. Its enterprise subscription includes event logging, reporting, advanced two-factor authentication, and automated team management. Depending on your organization’s priorities, Keeper also provides tailor-made packages and customized pricing.
Is 1Password a valuable investment?
1Password is a premium password management tool that offers top-notch encryption, reasonable pricing for its individual plan, and a seamless desktop and mobile app experience. Its Travel Mode feature is exceptional and provides a significant advantage for frequent travelers seeking to secure their stored logins while on the move.
Although a fully free version of 1Password would be ideal, its 14-day trial across all plans serves as a reasonable compromise for individuals on a tight budget. Furthermore, the autofill function could benefit from some enhancements. Despite these minor drawbacks, 1Password is a robust password management solution that I highly recommend for most users to consider.
Evaluation process
My assessment of 1Password involved a comprehensive evaluation of its security features, pricing, and real-world performance. I thoroughly tested 1Password by utilizing its web application and browser extension on my Windows laptop, as well as its mobile app on my Google Pixel 6.
I assessed 1Password based on various criteria, from its password management capabilities to its pricing, using an internal algorithm to provide a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. The scoring considered 1Password both independently and in comparison to other password management software available in the market.
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