Dashlane vs Bitwarden
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.
Dashlane
Feature-rich password manager with built-in VPN
Starting from
$4.99/mo
Bitwarden
WinnerOpen-source password manager with generous free tier
Starting from
$0.83/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.9/10 | 9.2/10 |
| Starting Price | $4.99/mo | $0.83/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
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
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)
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?
Dashlane
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.
Bitwarden
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 Dashlane better than Bitwarden?
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, Dashlane or Bitwarden?
Bitwarden is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. Bitwarden offers NaN% savings.
Dashlane vs Bitwarden: which should I choose?
Choose Dashlane if you prioritize built-in vpn included. Choose Bitwarden if you need generous free tier. Both are solid password managers options.
What's the main difference between Dashlane and Bitwarden?
The main difference is Dashlane offers feature-rich password manager with built-in vpn, while Bitwarden focuses on open-source password manager with generous free tier.