Dashlane vs 1Password: Which Is Safer & Better Value in 2026?
- Written by Sayb Saad Former Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
You’ve probably noticed every password manager says it supports passkeys now — but none of them tell you how it actually works day to day. Can you unlock your vault with a passkey? What if your kid gets locked out of the family account?
The devil’s always in the details, and that’s exactly what we sought to find out. Dashlane feels faster to live with day-to-day , with its passwordless login and smart phishing alerts. But 1Password’s got pretty nifty features up its sleeves, like family recovery and Travel Mode.
After weeks of side-by-side use, we found Dashlane to be the better daily driver . It gives you simpler logins, stronger real-time protection, and extra perks like a built-in VPN on Premium plans. Unfortunately, it ditched its free plan, but you can still try it out risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
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No Time? Here’s a 1-Minute Summary of Category Winners
Both Dashlane and 1Password are industry-leading password managers, so I’m not surprised that they’re equally effective in most categories. However, Dashlane stands out in a few categories, like ease of use, pricing, and customer support.
| Security | Uses Argon2 encryption, passwordless login, and phishing-aware autofill | Uses a Secret Key, hardware-key 2FA, and a stronger login process |
| Password Storage | Provides encrypted export, simple vaults, and ongoing sharing updates | Provides detailed version history, flexible vaults, and secure one-off sharing |
| Privacy | Certified with SOC 2 and ISO standards, built on zero-knowledge | Publishes independent audits, offers regional data choice, and gives more transparency |
| Ease of Use | Quick browser-based setup, simpler for new users | Native desktop apps, offline access, and deeper customization |
| Customer Service | Live chat with multilingual support and ticket system | Email support, community forum, and chatbot, but no live chat |
| Plans & Pricing | More family seats, bundled VPN, and a 30-day refund policy | Useful extras, fair pricing, but fewer seats and no refund guarantee |
Jump to see a full comparison of features
What to Look for When Comparing Password Managers
- Security — You need strong encryption and reliable two-factor authentication to keep hackers out. We tested how each app protects vaults and blocks phishing attempts.
- Password Storage — A vault doesn’t just store logins but also organizes them for easy access. We compared storage structure, recovery tools, and family safety nets.
- Auto-Save and Fill — Smooth autofill saves you time and prevents errors. We checked if each manager recognized login fields quickly and warned about fake sites.
- Privacy — Zero-knowledge architecture is crucial, so even the provider can’t see your data. We dug into audits, policies, and how transparent each app is about your privacy.
- Ease of Use — If it’s clunky, you won’t use it. We looked at the everyday experience across desktop, web, and mobile, and how simple it felt to set up and manage accounts.
- Extra Features — Perks like VPNs, passkeys, Travel Mode, and passwordless accounts add real value. We tested which extras are useful in daily life versus marketing fluff.
- Customer Service — Good support matters the moment you’re locked out. We spoke with both teams to see who actually helps fast and who leaves you digging through forums.
- Plans and Pricing — Price only makes sense when tied to value. We compared trials, refund policies, and family or business options to see where your money goes further.
1. Security — Both Deliver Maximum Protection, but in Different Ways
We found that both apps lock down your data with strong encryption. 1Password’s added Secret Key and hardware-key 2FA are excellent, while Dashlane counters with Argon2 key-derivation and phishing-aware autofill that reduces real-world mistakes. In practice, both deliver top-tier protection.
Encryption — 1Password Has a Secret Key, Dashlane Leans on Argon2, and Passwordless Accounts
Both managers use end-to-end encryption , so your data is locked on your device before it syncs anywhere. Dashlane relies on AES-256 with Argon2, a modern, GPU-resistant KDF. 1Password also uses AES-GCM-256, paired with PBKDF2-SHA256 at 650,000 rounds.
The big difference is that 1Password adds a Secret Key , a 128-bit string unique to your account and stored only on your devices. Even if your account password leaks, attackers can’t unlock your vault without that second piece. Dashlane has gone in a different direction, offering passwordless accounts that use biometrics or a PIN instead of a master password.
When it comes to recovery, Dashlane provides an Account Recovery Key or admin-assisted recovery for business users. 1Password instead lets family or team organizers restore access if someone is locked out. Both options reduce lockout risk, and the net result is a draw — different designs, equally strong encryption in practice.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) —1Password Wins With Hardware Keys and Flexible Options
Two-factor authentication is where the apps start to diverge in daily use. Dashlane supports TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) apps and email codes, while 1Password lets you use TOTP and physical security keys (FIDO2/WebAuthn) . That hardware option is the strongest defense against phishing because it only works on the real site or app.
Dashlane does let you unlock the web app with biometrics, PIN, or a security key , but this is different from 2FA. It’s more about replacing your master password at unlock, not adding an extra step when you sign in from a new device. 1Password is experimenting here too, with a passkey unlock beta already live.
One detail in Dashlane’s design is impressive: when 2FA is enabled, your vault is re-encrypted, so the OTP is required to decrypt the data. Still, 1Password’s combo of flexible 2FA, hardware keys, and the built-in Secret Key makes it the stronger choice if you want the safest login process.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Winner: 1Password
2. Password Storage — Dashlane Has a More Polished, All-in-One Experience
Both managers store your logins securely, but the way they handle vaults, exports, auditing, and sharing feels very different. 1Password gives you more ways to organize, recover, and share items, while Dashlane focuses on a simpler system that works best for everyday users . The difference comes down to how much control you want.
Password Vault — 1Password Offers Version History, Dashlane Adds Safer Encrypted Export
1Password organizes data in vaults that you can group into Collections or tag for quick sorting. You can also save logins, IDs, cards, and files, then reach them offline on any device. Dashlane also allows offline access on devices you’ve previously signed in on , but offline use is limited for SSO or passwordless accounts.
1Password lets you view prior versions of an item and restore them , with detailed password and item history for each entry. Dashlane supports attachments and shows generated password history, and while it lacks full item-version restore, it offers an encrypted DASH export for safer portability than an unencrypted 1PUX file.
Export is another key point. 1Password lets you export data to CSV or a 1PUX file (handle 1PUX with care, it’s unencrypted). Dashlane’s encrypted DASH export and its “live update” sharing reduce re-share churn for changing credentials. Overall, these trade-offs make the vault category a fair tie.
Password Vault Winner: Tie
Password Generator — Both Generate Secure, Flexible Passwords Reliably
No matter which one you use, you’ll get a solid password generator. Both apps can create long, random strings or passphrases made of words , and you can tweak the length and character sets. That means you’re free to generate a 20-character jumble for banking or a clean passphrase for sites that allow them.
Neither leaves you stuck if you forget to save what you just created. Each app has a generator history, so you can pull up past passwords or passphrases without starting over. It’s a small feature, but it can save you from a lot of stress when doing bulk resets.
Password Generator Winner: Tie
Password Auditing — 1Password’s Watchtower and Dashlane’s Dark Web Monitoring Both Keep You Safe
Here, it’s hard to pick a favorite. 1Password’s Watchtower flags weak or reused logins , checks if sites you use have been breached, and even tells you which accounts support two-factor authentication.
Dashlane’s Password Health gives you a live score and pairs it with dark web monitoring that alerts you if your details are found in leaks.
Both dashboards do more than just point out flaws — they guide you through fixing them. For business users, they also expand reporting across the whole organization, which helps IT teams keep track of company-wide password hygiene. In short, you get strong, actionable insights from both tools .
Password Auditing Winner: Tie
Password Sharing — Dashlane Excels for Teams, 1Password Excels for One-Off Links
With 1Password, you can create a secure link that works even if someone doesn’t use 1Password , set it to expire in an hour, a week, or up to 30 days, and even make it vanish after a single view. You can also lock links to certain emails or domains so random people can’t use them. But these links are snapshots. If you change the password, you’ll need to share it again.
Dashlane takes a different approach — you can only share with people who have a Dashlane account . Shares stay live, so if you update a password, the change passes through to everyone with access, which is handy for teams. You can grant full rights so they can view, copy, and edit, or limited rights so they can only use autofill without seeing the actual password.
If you share inside a family or team and the login changes often, Dashlane’s live shares are cleaner. If you share outside your circle and need expiring/one-time links, 1Password’s approach is better. That makes this category an honest tie.
Password Sharing Winner: Tie
3. Auto-Save and Fill — Dashlane Pulls Ahead With Phishing Alerts and Smarter Autofill
Both apps make saving and filling passwords simple. When you create a new login, a prompt appears right away asking to store it. Autofill then works smoothly across browsers, apps, and mobile devices thanks to iOS and Android integration. You won’t waste time typing details over and over.
Dashlane goes further with built-in phishing alerts. If you land on a suspicious site or a domain that doesn’t match, it warns you before filling. This safeguard helps you avoid fake sites that mimic real ones. Dashlane also autofills OTP codes and passkeys, making secure logins faster.
1Password takes a stricter approach. It never fills logins without a click or tap , so nothing slips in silently. You can lock a login to an exact host or allow it across a whole site. There’s also an optional auto-submit setting for faster access, plus support for OTP and passkey autofill.
Both apps handle more than passwords. They fill in addresses, payment cards, and contact info for checkout or sign-ups. On mobile, enabling them in settings lets you use autofill in apps like Netflix or Spotify. Overall, though, Dashlane’s phishing alerts give it the edge for safer daily use .
Auto-Save and Fill Winner: Dashlane
4. Privacy — Both Are Excellent, but 1Password Has More Transparency and Control
Both Dashlane and 1Password are built on zero-knowledge architecture , meaning only you hold the keys to your vault. Dashlane relies on AES-256 encryption, while 1Password adds an extra Secret Key and SRP protocol to keep logins safe even if your Master Password leaks. This design ensures that not even company staff can read your data.
Dashlane has SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001:2022 certification, proving strong internal security standards. 1Password goes further with multiple ISO certifications , plus regular audits from firms like Cure53 and Trail of Bits that you can actually read. This transparency, paired with the option to choose your data region in the US, EU, or Canada, gives 1Password the edge.
Both run bug bounty programs, but 1Password also offers a $1M security challenge and clear telemetry controls so you can opt out of data collection. Dashlane’s long history on HackerOne shows it takes flaws seriously, too. Still, 1Password’s mix of public audits, region choice, and openness about data handling makes it the stronger choice .
Privacy Winner: 1Password
5. Ease of Use — Dashlane Is Faster and Simpler for Most Users
Getting started is simpler with Dashlane. You just add its browser extension and log in, and within minutes, you’re saving and filling passwords. Everything happens in the web app, so you don’t need to install a heavy desktop client. If you want a quick setup with minimal effort, Dashlane feels easier right from the start.
1Password takes a bit more time since you install native apps on Windows, macOS, or Linux. But once you’re set up, the workflow feels very smooth. The desktop apps give you offline access, while the extension keeps autofill handy in the browser.
Both apps have clean iOS and Android apps that hook into the system’s autofill. You can log into apps like Netflix or Spotify without switching back and forth. The difference comes in how you unlock. Dashlane leans on passwordless accounts, while 1Password supports passkey unlocks and can mirror your device’s lock screen.
Extra Features — Dashlane Packs Many Useful Extras
Dashlane includes real-time phishing alerts and dark web monitoring to check if your data appears in leaks. You also get a VPN powered by Hotspot Shield. The VPN is limited to the family manager on Friends & Family, but it’s great for solo users.
1Password has tools that suit frequent travelers and developers. Travel Mode hides chosen vaults when crossing borders, while Masked Email (via Fastmail) lets you create burner emails. Privacy Cards protect your real payment info with disposable cards. Developers also get a full CLI, an SSH agent, and Universal Autofill that works even in apps and terminals.
The two apps don’t overlap much here, which makes the comparison tricky. For most users, Dashlane’s bundle protects you day-to-day without extra services , while 1Password’s extras are great for niche cases, privacy die-hards, and dev teams. That’s why we give this one to Dashlane for mainstream value.
Extra Features Winner: Dashlane
Device Compatibility — 1Password Has Native Desktop and Mobile Apps
Dashlane works everywhere, but it’s browser-first. On desktop, you rely on extensions, and Safari support requires macOS 15 or newer. The mobile apps on iOS and Android are polished and reliable, with autofill working across apps and browsers. If you live mostly in Chrome or Edge, Dashlane gives you what you need.
1Password has native apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux in addition to its browser extensions. This means you get full offline access, better local integration, and a consistent experience across all devices. Pair that with excellent iOS and Android apps, and it’s the more complete choice for mixed-platform users.
Device Compatibility Winner: 1Password
6. Customer Service — Dashlane Gives You Faster Human Help
Good support matters when you’re locked out of your vault or unsure how to use a feature. Dashlane makes it easy to reach a real person through live chat , available Monday to Friday in English, French, German, and Spanish. I connected to an agent within minutes during tests, and they gave clear, useful answers every time.
Dashlane also offers ticket support and a detailed Help Center with setup and troubleshooting guides. If you manage a business plan, the Admin Console gives you priority access to agents, and Omnix admins even get direct phone support. These extra routes mean you’ll spend less time waiting when issues affect your team.
1Password has a 24/7 chatbot , a robust online community with staff input, and a contact form that connects you to a support expert by email. Response times are generally fast, and the community adds extra value, but the lack of live chat can make it slower to get real-time help compared to Dashlane.
Customer Service Winner: Dashlane
7. Plans and Pricing — Dashlane Gives You More Value per Seat
Price — Dashlane Packs More for Less
When you compare what you actually get for your money, Dashlane is the better option . Its basic subscription is cheaper (just $2.00/month) and the Friends & Family plan supports up to 10 people, while 1Password Families includes only 5 seats by default. Dashlane also bundles a Hotspot Shield VPN, though only the family manager gets it. This makes Dashlane the better deal if you want to cover more people under one plan.
1Password’s pricing is fair and includes its unique extras like Travel Mode, Masked Emails, and Privacy Cards. These features are handy for privacy-conscious users, but the value feels lower if you need to share your subscription with a bigger household. Without a bundled VPN or higher seat count, the cost per person ends up being less competitive than Dashlane.
Price Winner: Dashlane
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Free Version — Neither Offers a True Free Plan
Until recently, Dashlane gave you a basic free tier. Free accounts are now export-only, which means you can’t add or edit passwords without upgrading. 1Password has never offered a free plan, though it does give you a 14-day trial of its full features. Today, neither app is a long-term free option, so both push you toward paid plans if you want real use.
Free Version Winner: Tie
Money-Back Guarantee — Dashlane Lets You Test Risk-Free for Longer
Dashlane offers a month-long free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee on personal and family plans bought directly from its website. That’s more than enough time to test out all its features thoroughly and get a sense of whether it’s right for you. And if you don’t like it, you can cancel within a month and get a refund with no hassle.
In contrast, 1Password offers a 14-day free trial before paying but no money-back guarantee. That means if you change your mind after paying, you usually won’t get your money back, though it may consider a refund on a case-by-case basis. That makes Dashlane the safer pick if you want more time to test before committing.
Money-Back Guarantee Winner: Dashlane
And the Winner Is… Dashlane
Dashlane edges ahead for everyday users thanks to its simplicity and bundled features, but 1Password still sets the bar for anyone who wants maximum security and privacy. Here’s how each contender matched up in our tests.
| Encryption | Relies on Argon2, passwordless accounts, and recovery options | Relies on a Secret Key, PBKDF2, and family or team recovery |
| Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) | Supports TOTP codes and re-encrypts the vault when enabled | Supports TOTP and hardware security keys for the strongest login protection |
| Password Storage | Provides encrypted export and straightforward sharing | Provides version history and more advanced organization |
| Auto-Save and Fill | Offers phishing alerts and smoother autofill across devices | Uses stricter filling rules with exact-host control |
| Password Generator | Creates strong random strings and passphrases with history | Creates strong random strings and passphrases with history |
| Privacy | Holds SOC 2 and ISO certifications with a bug bounty program | Publishes public audits, allows regional data choice, and offers telemetry controls |
| Password Auditing | Gives live health scores and dark web monitoring | Provides Watchtower with breach alerts and 2FA recommendations |
| Password Sharing | Enables live, ongoing sharing within teams | Enables one-off, time-limited secure links |
| Ease of Use | Faster to set up and simpler to manage in a browser | Requires installation but offers deeper offline features |
| Extra Features | Includes a VPN, phishing alerts, and dark web monitoring | Includes Travel Mode, Masked Emails, Privacy Cards, and developer tools |
| Device Compatibility | Works mainly through browser extensions and mobile apps | Provides full native apps for desktop and mobile with offline access |
| Customer Service | Provides live chat and ticket support with fast responses | Provides email support, chatbot, and forums, but lacks real-time chat |
| Price | Offers more family seats and a bundled VPN at a lower cost per user | Offers unique extras but fewer seats and no bundled VPN |
| Free Version | Free plan discontinued | Never had a free plan |
| Money-Back Guarantee | Provides a 30-day trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee | Provides only a 14-day trial with no formal refund policy |
Dashlane is the best choice for most users because it is easier to set up , includes phishing alerts and dark web monitoring, provides more family seats, and bundles a VPN. It also comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, which makes it safe to test before committing. Dashlane is ideal for families, small teams, and everyday users who want an all-in-one tool.
1Password is better for privacy-focused individuals, frequent travelers, and developers. Its Secret Key, hardware-key 2FA, and public audits make it one of the most secure password managers available. Features like Travel Mode, Masked Emails, and Privacy Cards are great for advanced users. That said, it only has a 14-day free trial and no money-back guarantee.
Overall Winner: Dashlane
How to Install Dashlane on Windows
- Choose a plan. Navigate to Dashlane’s plans and pick the one that suits you.
- Install Dashlane’s extension. Add the Dashlane extension to your browser.
- Create an account. Enter your email to start creating a Dashlane account.
- Set a master password. Set a strong master password for your vault.
- Use Dashlane. Protect your passwords and other sensitive data with Dashlane.
