1Password vs Bitwarden (2026): Which Password Manager Is Better for Small Business?
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Prices last checked October 29, 2026. Prices below were checked against each company’s own pricing page on this date. We re-check the prices in every guide at least once a month.
1Password and Bitwarden are two of the most trusted password managers for small businesses. 1Password is known for its polished apps and easy setup. Bitwarden is known for open-source security at a lower price, including a free plan for two people.
Here’s how they compare, based on each company’s own pricing pages.
The short answer
- Choose 1Password if you want the easiest experience for non-technical staff and you have up to 10 people, where its flat-price Starter Pack is good value.
- Choose Bitwarden if you’re a two-person business that wants a free plan, or a team that wants the lowest per-user price with strong security.
1Password vs Bitwarden at a glance
| 1Password | Bitwarden | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Ease of use for any team | Free or low cost |
| Free plan | No (14-day trial) | Yes, 2 users |
| Small team price | $24.95/mo for up to 10 users (billed yearly) | Teams $5/user/mo (billed monthly) |
| Business plan | $8.99/user/mo billed yearly | Enterprise (adds SSO and policies) |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Trial | 14 days, no card | Free plan |
Prices checked against each company’s pricing page.
Pricing compared
1Password
The Teams Starter Pack is $24.95 a month billed yearly and covers up to 10 users, with room to add up to 10 more. Business is $8.99 per user per month billed yearly and adds more admin controls and reporting. Both have a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.
Bitwarden
A free organization covers 2 users with secure sharing. Teams is $5 per user per month billed monthly, with a lower rate on annual billing, and adds unlimited sharing, event logs and user groups. Enterprise adds single sign-on, enterprise policies and account recovery.
Where 1Password wins
- Polished, easy apps that staff adopt quickly
- A flat price for teams up to 10
- Simple admin tools for sharing and offboarding
Where Bitwarden wins
- Free for two people
- Lower per-user price for most team sizes
- Open-source code that security experts can review
Our verdict
For most small teams, 1Password is our top pick because people actually use it, and a password manager only helps if everyone does. Bitwarden is the better value for a two-person business, which can run on the free plan, or for cost-conscious teams that don’t mind a plainer interface. For a 3-person team, Bitwarden Teams costs about $15 a month billed monthly, while 1Password’s Starter Pack is $24.95 billed yearly.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bitwarden as secure as 1Password?
Both encrypt your vault so the provider can’t read your passwords, and both are widely trusted. Bitwarden’s code is open source, so outside experts can review it.
Can I switch from one to the other?
Yes. Both let you export and import passwords, so you can move your vault if you change your mind.
See all five options in our guide to the best password manager for small business.
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