Bitwarden vs Proton Pass
Choosing between Bitwarden and Proton Pass 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 Proton Pass for most users. It scores 9.2/10 vs 8.8/10 and generous free tier. Choose Proton Pass if you need strong swiss privacy laws protection.
Bitwarden
WinnerOpen-source password manager with generous free tier
Starting from
$0.83/mo
Proton Pass
Privacy-first password manager from Proton Mail creators
Starting from
$1.99/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| Starting Price | $0.83/mo | $1.99/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)
Proton Pass
- Strong Swiss privacy laws protection
- Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption
- Open-source and audited
- Hide-my-email aliases (10 free, unlimited paid)
- Proton Sentinel AI threat detection
- Integrates with Proton ecosystem
- Generous free plan
- No emergency access feature
- No live chat support
- Newer product, fewer features than established competitors
Key Difference
The core difference lies in approach: Bitwarden focuses on generous free tier, while Proton Pass emphasizes strong swiss privacy laws protection. 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.
Proton Pass
Choose Proton Pass if you prioritize strong swiss privacy laws protection, want to start with a free tier, need unlimited usage, or value zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, Bitwarden is our winner with a rating of 9.2/10 compared to Proton Pass's 8.8/10. Bitwarden stands out for its generous free tier and open-source and audited. While Proton Pass is more affordable, Bitwarden's advantages justify the price difference for most users. However, Proton Pass remains an excellent choice if strong swiss privacy laws protection 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 Proton Pass 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 Proton Pass?
Bitwarden scores higher in our testing (9.2/10 vs 8.8/10). Bitwarden excels at generous free tier, while Proton Pass is better for strong swiss privacy laws protection.
Which is cheaper, Bitwarden or Proton Pass?
Proton Pass is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. Proton Pass offers NaN% savings.
Bitwarden vs Proton Pass: which should I choose?
Choose Bitwarden if you prioritize generous free tier. Choose Proton Pass if you need strong swiss privacy laws protection. Both are solid password managers options.
What's the main difference between Bitwarden and Proton Pass?
The main difference is Bitwarden offers open-source password manager with generous free tier, while Proton Pass focuses on privacy-first password manager from proton mail creators.