Bitwarden vs Dashlane
Bitwarden vs Dashlane represents the open-source budget option against the premium all-in-one suite. Bitwarden's free tier is genuinely useful; Dashlane has no free option but includes VPN. The price difference is substantial.
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Quick Answer
Bitwarden beats Dashlane for most users. It scores 9.2/10 vs 8.9/10 and generous free tier. Choose Dashlane if you need built-in vpn included.
Bitwarden
WinnerOpen-source password manager with generous free tier
Starting from
$0.83/mo
Dashlane
Feature-rich password manager with built-in VPN
Starting from
$4.99/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 |
| Starting Price | $0.83/mo | $4.99/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Password Limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Devices | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Security | ||
| Two-Factor Auth | ||
| Security Audit | ||
| Breach Monitoring | ||
| Features | ||
| Password Sharing | ||
| Password Generator | ||
| Autofill | ||
| Browser Extension | ||
| Mobile App | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
Bitwarden
- Generous free tier
- Open-source and audited
- Self-hosting option
- Excellent cross-platform support
- Very affordable premium
- Send secure notes and files
- Interface less polished
- Autofill can be inconsistent
- No dedicated desktop app (web vault)
Dashlane
- Built-in VPN included
- Dark web monitoring
- Automatic password changer
- Excellent security dashboard
- Intuitive interface
- Secure notes and storage
- Most expensive option
- Free plan limited to 50 passwords
- VPN is basic
Key Difference
Bitwarden costs $0-10/year; Dashlane costs $60-90/year. Bitwarden is open-source; Dashlane is proprietary. Dashlane includes VPN; Bitwarden doesn't. The price difference is 6-9x for roughly equivalent password management.
Which Should You Choose?
Bitwarden
Choose Bitwarden if you want the best free password manager, value open-source transparency, prefer to choose your own VPN separately, or want to self-host your vault.
Dashlane
Choose Dashlane if you want VPN included without managing another subscription, prefer a more polished interface, want comprehensive dark web monitoring, or don't mind the premium pricing.
Our Verdict
Bitwarden wins overwhelmingly on value - it's free for individuals and $10/year for premium. Dashlane wins if you specifically want bundled VPN and identity monitoring and don't mind paying ~$5-6/month for the convenience.
Thinking of Switching?
Both support standard export formats. If switching from Dashlane to Bitwarden to save money, you'll need a separate VPN solution. Bitwarden's free tier lets you test thoroughly before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bitwarden better than Dashlane?
Bitwarden scores higher in our testing (9.2/10 vs 8.9/10). Bitwarden excels at generous free tier, while Dashlane is better for built-in vpn included.
Which is cheaper, Bitwarden or Dashlane?
Dashlane is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. Dashlane offers NaN% savings.
Bitwarden vs Dashlane: which should I choose?
Choose Bitwarden if you prioritize generous free tier. Choose Dashlane if you need built-in vpn included. Both are solid password managers options.
What's the main difference between Bitwarden and Dashlane?
The main difference is Bitwarden offers open-source password manager with generous free tier, while Dashlane focuses on feature-rich password manager with built-in vpn.