1Password Review

In This Guide:

• How Good is 1Password?
• 1Password Ease of Use
• 1Password Drawbacks
• 1Password Pricing
• How to set up 1Password
• 1Password Alternatives
• Verdict
• Frequently Asked Questions

How Good is 1Password?

1Password can generate safe and secure passwords for you, and store all manner of sensitive information in a secure format. Credit card numbers, documents, bank accounts, driver's licenses, passports, social security numbers – you name it, 1Password can store it in your encrypted vault.

In terms of day-to-day use, 1Password is very well designed. The software is easy to understand, and doesn't require you to learn the app's own peculiar logic. It's sensibly organized, and is smart enough to instantly provide your passwords when you need them via the 1Password browser extensions.

In the table below, we compare 1Password to its main competitors in the password manager space – including market leader, LastPass. As you can see, based on our thorough testing, we think 1Password has the edge.

If you'd like to check out all the password managers we've tested in one place, head to our handy comparison page

1Password Ease of Use

1Password is very easy to use, and its design is beautiful by the standards of such software. While rivals such as Dashlane and LastPass are far more utilitarian in layout, 1Password manages to perform its key tasks in an attractive and easily navigable package.

Simple desktop app

That goes for 1Password's desktop program, the mini app that comes with it, the mobile app, and the browser extension. All of them have a similar design, making it second nature to navigate each one.

If you want to see how 1Password stacks up against every other password manager we've tested, check out our comparison page.

Simple Login Process

When you want to use a stored password, all you have to do is visit that website, then click on the 1Password browser extension, or the 1Password icon that appears in the login entry box. You'll then see all the account logins in your vault that are available for that site.

To log in, you can either click on the entry you want and let 1Password log you in automatically, or you can right-click and copy the username and password to log in manually.

1Password browser extension

The browser extension is mostly for using your information as you need it, though it can also generate new passwords if you're signing up for a new online account or updating an old one. However, if you need to store further data, such as a credit card or important document, then you'll need the full desktop program or the mobile app.

1Password can generate new passwords if you're signing up for a new online account or updating an old one

Managing More Than Passwords

1Password lets you store more than just passwords. It can safely encrypt data such as your passport information, driver's license, reward program account numbers, social security number, wireless router passwords, software licenses, and more.

It's clear that AgileBits sees 1Password as more than just a repository of your logins and credit card numbers, letting you store your entire digital life under one roof. There's even an option for importing files and documents.

Multiple Vaults

1Password can also manage multiple identities and multiple vaults. If you want to keep your work and personal information separate, 1Password can do that with differing vaults. New vaults can’t be created in the app, however – you’ll have to do this on the 1Password website under the account management section.

Password Security

Creating a new password or changing an old one is pretty straightforward. If you land on a site where you need a password, simply click the browser extension, then click the key icon with a plus sign (it's towards the bottom). You'll then be led through the process.

Automatic password updates

If you want to update your password for most sites, you can follow the same process to generate a new password. 1Password will then detect the change and offer to update your vault.

Under the 1Password vault, there are three tabs: Categories, Tags, and Security. Click on Security and you'll see an option called Watchtower. This section reports on any websites in your vault affected by serious breaches and security vulnerabilities. It also highlights weak passwords, reused passwords, and items that have expired, or are about to. 

1Password highlights weak passwords, reused passwords, and items that have expired (or are about to)

Biometrics

1Password also supports biometric logins – across popular features such as Face ID and Touch ID on Apple devices, as well as Windows Hello and Fingerprint Unlock – to add an extra layer of convenience and security.

1Password: Confusing Apps?

1Password is the best password manager we've tested. While it has the odd drawback, these are minor complaints rather than serious issues.

Extension or App?

When we first reviewed 1Password, we found ourselves at a bit of a loss when it came to the apps. It seemed like there were too many of them, and each did something different. The browser app was good for password management, but didn't allow for a deeper dive into the settings. There was also not one, but two desktop apps – a fully fledged version, which did pretty much everything, and a smaller, mini app that served as a lighter version.

At the time, we bemoaned the fact that AgileBits hadn't just rolled everything into the browser app and been done with it. Turns out, sometimes, wishes do come true…

1Password X

1Password X is the package's browser based plugin that offers a full suite of options, outside of the standard password management options. With this, users will find themselves needing to go back to the desktop app less and less, which is great news considering it was one of our main pain points when we originally reviewed 1Password. With 1Password X, the package feels a lot more complete, and negates the need to juggle various different apps.

Using the 1Password X plugin, it's possible to auto-fill passwords, addresses, and bank details on websites with a couple of clicks. This was the case with the previous browser app, so there's not much new there. However, users can also now access content in their vault directly, such as passport details.

There are some nice quality of life changes, too. 1Password X will automatically lock when the browser is closed or not used for a period of time, and it also supports keyboard shortcuts.

The 1Password X plugin is available for most major browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari.

Apps

Aside from the 1Password X browser plugin, 1Password also offers apps for Android and iOS devices:

1Password iOS App

The 1Password iOS app is rated 4.4 on Apple's app store, and also comes with an Editor's Choice award. In terms of functionality, as you'd expect, it's fairly comprehensive, with the ability to add and remove passwords and support signing in with Apple's Face ID or Touch ID. It can also store other information, including credit card pins and other codes.

As well as being compatible with iPhone and iPad devices, the 1Password iOS app also works with the Apple Watch.

1Password Android App

In terms of functionality, as you might expect, the Android 1Password app is very similar to the iOS version. Android users will have to forego Face ID login, though fingerprint sign in is still an option.

As with the iOS version, the 1Password app is strongly rated by users on the Google Play store, with a score of 4.2. It requires Android version 5 and up, and has a 26MB download size.

1Password Pricing

There's no free version of 1Password (beyond the initial 30-day trial). Then again, we feel this is a tool that's well worth paying for. Take a look at the personal use and business specific plans below to get a better idea of what you need when it comes to password managers.

1Password Pricing for Personal Use

1Password has two different plans when it comes to personal use: Standard and Families.

1Password Standard – $2.99 per month

This is the most affordable 1Password plan, and it's aimed primarily at single users that just want a bit more protection when it comes to passwords. You still get a bit of storage and the primary password managing features.

1Password Families – $4.99 per month

This plan, as you might have guessed from the name, is aimed at families, offering up to six total accounts, so everyone in the house can be prioritize security online. Other than that though, it's pretty similar to the Standard plan

1Password for Business Pricing

1Password has three different plans when it comes to personal use: Teams, Business, and Enterprise.

1Password Teams – $3.99 per month

For business users, there are three tiers available. The Teams product is priced at $3.99 per month per user, and entitles users to unlimited shared vaults and item storage, administration controls, 1GB document storage per user, and five guest accounts for limited sharing.

This tier is aimed at smaller businesses.

1Password Business – $7.99 per month

The next step up is 1Password Business, which costs $7.99 per user per month. You get the same administration controls and unlimited shared vaults and item storage, but you also get 5GB of document storage per person, 20 guest accounts, activity logs, usage reports, and a variety of enhanced administration controls, including Active Directory provisioning. This tier also includes admin controls to view and manager permissions.

Business is aimed more at bigger businesses than Teams with more demands, as reflected in the price and feature set.

1Password Enterprise – Pricing on request

Finally, there's the Enterprise plan, which adds a dedicated account manager to the business tier, set-up training, and an onboard engineer. 1Password offers custom quotes for Enterprise instead of preset prices.

Enterprise is the top tier package, and is aimed at large businesses.

How to Set Up 1Password

1Password's sign-up process is a little more involved than with other password managers. Usually, you sign-up with an email address, pick a master password, and you're off to the races.

Not so with 1Password.

While you still need to come up with a master password (the only one you’ll need to remember) and supply an email address, 1Password adds a few more steps. These all happen on the service’s website. First, you sign-up for the 30-day free trial and supply your email address. Then you click an email verification link and continue creating your account.

Next up, it’s time to add your name and an optional credit card number. Unlike its competitors, 1Password does not offer a free tier – if you want to use 1Password, you have to pay for it. Adding a credit card when getting started allows your service to continue seamlessly after the free trial is over.

Setting the Master Password

Next we get to the master password stage. This is probably the most important step for any password manager.

The master password is the key that unlocks your password vault, so you want to use something strong and memorable.

1Password doesn't offer any tips for creating a master password. What it does have, however, is a generator that creates a master password for you. 1Password uses the current best-practice recommendations of creating passwords using a collection of memorable (yet random) words. The master password generator lets you create a passphrase with a minimum of three words, and you can also choose whether to separate those words with a variety of special characters – hyphens, commas, periods, underscores, and so on.

If you use the password generator, 1Password gives you an opportunity to type in your new password several times in order to remember it.

Secret Key for Extra Security

1Password gives you something that many other password managers don't: a secret key. This is a secondary code that you'll need whenever you sign in on a new device. This, along with the master password, forms the two bits of information used to safely encrypt your data.

Emergency Kit

There’s a further backup, too, in case you forget your secret key. 1Password supplies you with an “emergency kit” PDF with most the information you need to sign in – you’ll need to write in the master password yourself. The only thing you'll need to do is put that PDF somewhere secure like an encrypted USB drive, or a safe spot in paper format.

The emergency kit also doubles as a method for a trusted family member to get access to your logins should you become incapacitated by illness. Make sure someone you trust also knows where this emergency kit is stored, and how to use it.

As the final step towards creating your 1Password account, you land on a web page where you have to enter your email, key, and master password. Luckily, 1Password autofills the first two items for you.

1Password Alternatives

There are plenty of competitors out there ready to swipe 1Password's crown. We know, because we've tested a bunch of them. Password managers such as LastPass, Dashlane, and StickyPassword come close, but don't quite match up to the complete package that 1Password can offer.

LastPass

Lastpass is one of our highest rated password managers, and offers many of the same features as 1Password, including multi device compatibility, a storage vault, and a really strong web browser plugin.

Unlike 1Password, it also has a free tier, although it is somewhat limited as it only allows you to store passwords for one device. We know what you're thinking – that's plenty! – bu trust us, it isn't. And while it's a good way to get a taste of what LastPass can offer, you'll be left wanting the first time you try to access a site on your phone, away from your laptop.

Read our LastPass review

Dashlane

Dashlane is a fantastic password manager, thanks to a great user interface and strong security options. In fact, it's so good that only one measly 0.1 point separates it from our top choice, 1Password.

So what makes it so good? It stores your passwords of course, but it's the suite of other features that really elevate it above others, such as the built-in VPN, and another that allows you to share select passwords with others. If you don't like the look of 1Password for any reason, then Dashlane should be your next choice.

Read our detailed Dashlane review

Sticky Password

Sticky Password has all the makings of a great password manager, and you could certainly do worse. However, there are a few quality life of issues that hold it back from the top spot that 1Password resides at – the dedicated app seems rather outdated, for example, and we found it unresponsive in our testing.

Similarly, some of its extra features are remarkably bare bones. The Notes feature seems no more sophisticated than a Word document.

Sticky Password is still a good password manager overall, but shouldn't be your first choice.

Read our Sticky Password review

1Password FAQs