Bitwarden vs LastPass
Choosing between Bitwarden and LastPass for your passwords is a significant decision - this is where you'll store the keys to your digital life. I've migrated my full password vault to both and used each as my daily driver. Bitwarden scores higher at 9.2/10, but both are excellent options.
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Quick Answer
Bitwarden beats LastPass for most users. It scores 9.2/10 vs 7.8/10 and generous free tier. Choose LastPass if you need wide platform support.
Bitwarden
WinnerOpen-source password manager with generous free tier
Starting from
$0.83/mo
LastPass
Popular password manager with wide adoption
Starting from
$3/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| Starting Price | $0.83/mo | $3/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)
LastPass
- Wide platform support
- Password sharing
- Emergency access
- Security dashboard
- Dark web monitoring
- Authenticator app included
- Recent security breaches
- Free tier now very limited
- Customer support issues
Key Difference
The core difference lies in approach: Bitwarden focuses on generous free tier, while LastPass emphasizes wide platform support. Both philosophies have merit depending on your priorities.
Which Should You Choose?
Bitwarden
Choose Bitwarden if you prioritize generous free tier, want to start with a free tier, need unlimited usage, or value open-source and audited.
LastPass
Choose LastPass if you prioritize wide platform support, want to start with a free tier, need unlimited usage, or value password sharing.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, Bitwarden is our winner with a rating of 9.2/10 compared to LastPass's 7.8/10. Bitwarden stands out for its generous free tier and open-source and audited. While LastPass is more affordable, Bitwarden's advantages justify the price difference for most users. However, LastPass remains an excellent choice if wide platform support is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Both Bitwarden and LastPass support standard export/import formats. Export your vault as a CSV, import to the new manager, then securely delete the CSV file. Test thoroughly before deleting your old account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bitwarden better than LastPass?
Bitwarden scores higher in our testing (9.2/10 vs 7.8/10). Bitwarden excels at generous free tier, while LastPass is better for wide platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bitwarden or LastPass?
LastPass is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. LastPass offers NaN% savings.
Bitwarden vs LastPass: which should I choose?
Choose Bitwarden if you prioritize generous free tier. Choose LastPass if you need wide platform support. Both are solid password managers options.
What's the main difference between Bitwarden and LastPass?
The main difference is Bitwarden offers open-source password manager with generous free tier, while LastPass focuses on popular password manager with wide adoption.