1Password vs. LastPass: Which password manager wins?

Discover what makes 1Password and LastPass great contenders and their differences so you can decide which best suits your needs today.

In this digital era, keeping your passwords safe is a top priority. When it comes to top-notch solutions, 1Password and LastPass shine bright. 

But which one fits your style better?

Stick around to uncover the winner and check out the top alternative recommended by SMB Guide. 

You can also get into the nitty-gritty of our reviews for 1Password and LastPass to get a fuller picture of our criteria.

No time to waste, let’s dive right in!

1Password vs. LastPass: At a Glance

Uncover the performance of 1Password and LastPass across various criteria through our thorough analysis.

Criteria	1Password	LastPass	Winner
SMB Guide’s Rating	8.5/10	8.8/10	LastPass
Multi-factor Security and Authentication	✅	✅	Tie
One-time Passwords	✅	✅	Tie
Password Capture and Generation	✅	✅	Tie
Password Sharing	✅	✅	LastPass
Emergency Access	❌	✅	LastPass
Security Dashboard	✅	✅	Tie
Account Recovery	✅	✅	LastPass
Browser Extensions	✅	✅	Tie
Data Privacy and Compliance	✅	✅	1Password
User Experience and User Interface	Feature-rich interface	Very intuitive	LastPass
Integrations and Compatibility	✅	✅	Tie
Customer Support	Offers a forum, X (Twitter), and email	Phone; Chatbot; DIY	LastPass
Pricing	$2.99/mo – $7.99/mo	Free – $7/mo	LastPass
Scalability	✅	✅	LastPass

1Password: Key Features, Pros, Cons, & Pricing

1Password stands out as a top-tier password management solution, catering to both personal and professional needs. Its compatibility spans effortlessly across web, desktop, and mobile platforms.

Combining security, simplicity, and intuitive design, it offers a seamless user experience at a reasonable price point.

The software boasts a comprehensive array of essential security features, robust passkey support, and vigilant security monitoring through features like Watchtower and Travel Mode.

Pros & Cons

Pricing

1Password pricing model offers four scalable plans but without a free package. The plans have a two-week free trial period and a month-long money-back guarantee.

The billing cycle is annual, and here are the plans:

• Individuals: $35.88 annually
• Families: $59.88 yearly
• Team Starter Pack: $239.40 annually
• Business: $95.88 yearly

LastPass: Key Features, Pros, Cons, & Pricing

LastPass stands as a prominent solution for managing and securing login credentials through encrypted personal vaults, requiring users to recall only their master password.

Its intuitive features, such as the web vault and browser extension, streamline password management. Additional functionalities include diverse two-factor authentication methods, account recovery options, secure password sharing, security audits, and emergency access.

Pros & Cons

Pricing

LastPass offers personal and business plans.

For personal use, it provides Free, Premium, and Family plans, while for businesses, it offers Teams and Business plans.

Here’s a pricing breakdown:

• Free: $0
• Premium: $3 per month (billed annually)
• Family: $4 per month (billed annually)
• Teams: $4 per month (billed annually) 
• Business: $7 per month (billed annually)

Multi-Factor Security and Authentication

1Password enhances security with two-factor authentication, allowing users to secure their vaults beyond login and password. Trusted devices can be managed, ensuring access control.

With 256-bit AES encryption, 1Password employs top-tier security akin to government and bank standards. Users can create strong, memorable master passwords for added protection.

1Password’s zero-knowledge policy guarantees data privacy, utilizing Secure Remote Password (SRP) protocol to safeguard sensitive information against interception.

A 34-character Secret Key adds an extra layer of security during login. An Emergency Kit provides essential account details for management.

Copied passwords are automatically removed from the clipboard after 90 seconds to prevent accidental sharing. Desktop users can also utilize TouchID or Windows Hello biometrics for access.

An auto-lock feature enhances security by locking the app after a set period.

LastPass offers multi-factor authentication (MFA) and two-factor authentication (2FA) for heightened security.

Its adaptive verification system adapts authentication based on user behavior and risk.

Users can choose from various second-factor options, including the LastPass Authenticator app, mobile apps, software-based services, and hardware tokens. Premium users have access to additional methods like hardware keys or biometrics.

LastPass enables users to designate trusted devices for 30 days, simplifying authentication while retaining access control.

✅ Winner: Tie

One-Time Passwords

Creating one-time passwords with 1Password provides a backup solution in case of device loss, theft, or damage.

These passwords, accessible and stored within 1Password, are generated for websites supporting two-step verification. After entering credentials, 1Password swiftly copies the one-time password to the clipboard for 30 seconds.

1Password supports autofill for time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs) across various applications with multi-factor authentication. These passwords can be stored in the 1Password browser extension, apps, or on 1Password.com.

However, it’s not recommended to manage your 1Password login with these one-time passwords.

LastPass provides a one-time password feature to reduce risks when accessing your web vault from unknown devices, guarding against potential keyloggers.

These passwords expire after use and cannot be recycled, enhancing security. They can also be used for emergency recovery, with choices for printing or secure storage.

✅ Winner: Tie

Password Capture and Generation

1Password simplifies importing and exporting data from other password managers via CSV files. Just log in, visit the import page, and select the source for data transfer securely and swiftly.

When logging into sites, 1Password displays recommended credentials in entry fields. Users can click to autofill appropriate logins and easily navigate to login pages with a single click from the browser extension.

The password generator creates unique, complex passwords with a single click, eliminating the need to remember combinations of characters. Users can customize password length and complexity for enhanced security.

Generated passwords are automatically updated on websites and saved in the 1Password vault. There’s no limit to password generation, allowing for an infinite number of secure passwords for each account.

LastPass simplifies password management by securely storing login details and offering flexible import options from browsers and other password managers such as 1Password, Bitwarden, and KeePass.

Users can organize logins into folders and customize settings for each entry. The password generator feature in LastPass provides versatility through three methods: browser extension, Security Dashboard in the online app, or the in-field icon.

Users can create passwords up to 99 characters long, with default settings typically set at 16 characters. This generator enables the creation of passwords with lowercase, uppercase, numeric, and symbol characters.

✅ Winner: Tie

Password Sharing

1Password facilitates password sharing with others, even those without 1Password accounts. Simply click the Share button in the options menu to send login credentials or other items from your vault.

You can create links that expire after a chosen duration, ranging from one view to thirty days, and restrict access to specific individuals or anyone with the link.

However, 1Password lacks a password inheritance feature. Nonetheless, with the Families plan, you can designate family members to recover the account.

Free LastPass users can engage in one-to-one sharing, whereas Premium and Family members have the capability to share items with multiple users. Family account holders can share an unlimited number of folders.

Sharing a password via LastPass is simple. The password’s sharer regulates the recipient’s access through the Sharing Center in the web vault.

Users can designate whether recipients can view the password and manage access to shared credentials.

✅ Winner: LastPass

Emergency Access

1Password does not offer an emergency access feature. Instead, it relies on a traditional method using Emergency Kits. Your Emergency Kit is a PDF document containing your account details and a space to write your 1Password account password.

Completing and securely storing your Emergency Kit ensures access to your account if you can’t sign in.

They then provide recommendations for managing your Emergency Kit:

• Print a copy and keep it in a safe deposit box or with important documents like your passport or birth certificate.
• Write your 1Password account password on at least one printed copy.
• Save it to your personal cloud storage for easy access to a digital copy.
• Give a copy to a trusted person, such as a spouse or someone included in your will.

LastPass’s Emergency Access premium feature allows you to designate up to five contacts, with a customizable wait time before access is granted. This wait time gives you the opportunity to deny the request if necessary.

For instance, in the event of any accident, if your spouse requests emergency access, you can choose to approve or deny it based on your condition. If no response is given within the set wait time, access is automatically granted, presuming the request is valid.

This feature can be utilized to:

• Grant your spouse access to health information stored in Secure Notes during medical emergencies.
• Ensure you can access aging parents’ account information and digital will if needed.
• Provide vault access to your children if your health is severely compromised.

✅ Winner: LastPass

Security Dashboard

1Password’s Security Dashboard, known as Watchtower, monitors websites for security issues to keep your accounts safe. It provides a summary of breaches and vulnerabilities, with alerts for immediate concerns.

Watchtower integrates with Have I Been Pwned to check if your passwords have been compromised. It flags weak or duplicate passwords and suggests enabling two-factor authentication where possible.

All checks are done locally on your device to maintain privacy.

1Password generates, saves, and fills in strong, unique passwords for each account, protecting against common threats like password reuse.

The LastPass Security Dashboard acts as your digital security hub, providing a comprehensive overview of weak and reused passwords, and alerting you to compromised accounts requiring immediate attention.

The dashboard highlights your security score, evaluating the strength of your passwords and the implementation of two-factor authentication. It also lists weak and reused passwords, prompting you to update them for better security.

From the dashboard, you can:

• Update weak and reused passwords
• Assess and enhance your overall security score
• Monitor your email addresses for data breaches and receive alerts if your information is compromised.

✅ Winner: Tie

Account Recovery

1Password’ account recovery is limited and complex. For recovery, a trusted family or team member must have specific details.

Your account password:

• Is never transmitted online
• Is never logged locally
• Is never known to 1Password
• Is only known to you
• Is the only way to decrypt your data

This security means no one can reset your password, but you can try:

• Using Another Device: If your password works on other devices, send a diagnostics report from the problematic one. 
• Using Your Family or Team Account: A family organizer or team admin can help you recover your account, letting you set a new password and receive a new Secret Key.

Effective recovery is only possible if you have shared your account with family or team members.

LastPass offers multiple ways to recover your account if you forget your master password:

• Email Recovery: Go to the recovery page, enter your associated email, and follow the instructions to reset your account.
• Computer Recovery: Use a “recovery one-time password” stored in the browser extension. When you log in, the extension creates and saves this one-time password. Click “Forgot password” on the login window to initiate recovery. You’ll receive an email with a link that lets LastPass find the local recovery password, allowing you to create a new master password. If SMS recovery is set up, you’ll get a code via text instead.
• Mobile Recovery: The preferred method. If you’ve set up biometrics and mobile account recovery in the LastPass app, you can use FaceID, TouchID, or a fingerprint to reset your master password. Tap “Forgot password” in the app and follow the prompts to enter your biometric data and set a new master password. This requires prior setup of mobile account recovery.

✅ Winner: LastPass

Browser Extensions

1Password’s browser extension works seamlessly with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, and Brave, while its mobile app is compatible with both Android and iOS, featuring a user-friendly interface akin to the desktop version, granting full access to saved data and credentials.

The LastPass browser extension features AutoFill, which securely stores your passwords, addresses, and payment cards, enabling automatic form filling.

This simplifies activities like creating new accounts or making purchases. Compatible with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, and Opera, LastPass AutoFill offers enhanced functionality and security over built-in browser options.

✅ Winner: Tie

Data Privacy and Compliance

1Password ensures data security through encryption at rest and in transit while maintaining audit logs for accountability. Access control policies are customizable to manage user permissions effectively. 

Additionally, 1Password is SOC2 Type 2 compliant and adheres to GDPR and CCPA regulations, safeguarding user privacy rights. For added security, it offers mechanisms for secure account recovery. 

1Password also implements unique encryption methods and ensures that passwords and sensitive information are inaccessible to anyone, including 1Password itself.

Furthermore, regular third-party audits and a comprehensive bug bounty program verify its security measures, allowing threats to be addressed promptly.

LastPass has established a thorough data privacy program that complies with key global privacy regulations, such as:

• Australia’s Privacy Act (1988)
• Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD)
• US State and Federal Privacy Regulations (CCPA, CPRA, VCDPA, etc.)
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA)
• United Kingdom’s Data Protection Act (2018)

LastPass commits to handling all data with top-tier security measures, employing various encryption techniques similar to those used by 1Password. However, it’s important to acknowledge that previous data breaches have affected consumer trust in LastPass.

✅ Winner: 1Password

User Interface and User Experience

1Password is easy to set up and navigate, featuring a simple layout.

During installation, there’s no need for special characters or digits when setting your master password.

Upon initial login, 1Password provides a 34-digit Secret Key stored in the Emergency Kit PDF.

The software boasts a clean, modern user interface, allowing customization of font density and dark mode. Plenty of tutorials are available to maximize user experience.

LastPass provides an intuitive interface, making password management tasks such as importing and exporting from various managers and browsers hassle-free. Bulk transferring of passwords is seamless.

Setting up LastPass is simple; users only need an email address and a master password, with guidance on creating a robust, random password.

✅ Winner: LastPass

Integrations and Compatibility

1Password offers a range of integrations for various purposes such as user provisioning, events reporting, alerts and notifications, two-factor authentication, virtual cards, masked emails, and services like Privacy and Fastmail. 

1Password also collaborates with Privacy.com to generate unique payment details for added security when paying for services.

On the other hand, LastPass provides extensive integrations, including Directories and Federated Login services such as Microsoft Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) and Google Workspace.

These integrations streamline user onboarding and access management, offering Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities and facilitating seamless user experience across more than 1,200 pre-connected apps.

LastPass’s mobile apps for iOS and Android replicate the browser experience, offering security features, password management, and autofill functionality.

Autofill on mobile devices is particularly smooth, especially with biometric authentication, ensuring secure account access while on the move.

✅ Winner: Tie

Customer Support

1Password provides direct support via email, Twitter, and forums. Email support ensures rapid responses within an hour. Additionally, they offer a support forum and FAQ section.

The 1Password support forum is ideal for urgent queries, with contributions from both staff and users. For frequently asked questions, the comprehensive FAQ and user forum offer extensive troubleshooting and expert guidance.

On the other hand, LastPass’s support choices are a bit more broad. Phone support and 24/7 web support are exclusive to Personal and Business plan subscribers.

A chatbot aids with initial inquiries, while users can open support tickets if necessary. Knowledge libraries and forums offer further resources for troubleshooting.

✅ Winner: LastPass

Pricing

1Password provides four distinct plans tailored to meet your individual requirements, emphasizing business users in particular.

Kindly note that the prices listed below indicate the monthly rates under the annual billing plan.

Plans	Pricing
Individual	$2.99/mo
Families	$4.99/mo
Teams	$19.95/mo
Business	$7.99/mo (per user)

LastPass’s plans are billed annually and are outlined as follows:

Plans	Pricing
Free	$0
Premium	$3/mo
Families	$4/mo
Teams	$4/mo
Business	$7/mo
Custom	Contact for quote

As LastPass offers a free plan and is more budget-friendly for both the personal and professional plans, it wins this category.

✅ Winner: LastPass

Scalability

Both 1Password and LastPass provide scalable solutions suitable for various organizational sizes. 

They offer similar tiers of pricing, including teams and business plans tailored to accommodate growing needs. 

However, LastPass edges ahead in scalability with its wider range of plans, including a free option.

✅ Winner: LastPass

Standout Features of 1Password

1Password offers unique features like Masked Email and Travel Mode. 

• Masked Email lets users create anonymous email addresses to avoid spam and enhance privacy. Integrated with FastMail, this feature generates distinct email addresses for online logins, reducing the risk of compromising real email addresses.
• Travel Mode, available with every 1Password account, safeguards data while traveling. Admins can manage Travel Mode for team members, ensuring sensitive information remains protected when crossing borders. By designating specific vaults as “Safe for Travel,” users can conceal critical data, such as social network logins, until Travel Mode is disabled.

Standout Features of LastPass

A standout feature of LastPass is the cloud storage it offers, which allows users to store data not fitting into other categories as secure notes. 

This online storage is exclusively accessible to Premium LastPass subscribers, capped at 1GB with no option for expansion. 

To utilize this storage, attachments must be linked to items within LastPass.

1Password vs. LastPass: SMB Guide’s Verdict

While both 1Password and LastPass offer robust password management solutions, LastPass emerges as the winner from a feature perspective. 

Despite security concerns associated with LastPass, its extensive range of features gives it the edge in this comparison. 

However, 1Password remains a solid choice for individuals willing to compromise on account recovery and prefer simpler features.