LastPass and 1Password are two of the biggest names in password managers, and deservedly so, with both of them offering excellent packages and a host of features to make your online experience as stress-free as possible.
While you can’t go wrong with either of them, we think 1Password just has the edge over LastPass, thanks to a well designed and easy to use app, and its options for storing passwords locally. Better still, you can even try 1Password for free to see if you like it.
We know this because we’ve taken the time to test them both, as well as other password managers, to find out which one really is best for you. We know you haven’t got the time to compared several password managers side by side and meticulously curate spreadsheets and weightings to find the best one out there, so we’ve done the hard work for you. Don’t thank us, just enjoy a stress-free password manager, and never have to worry about forgetting another password ever again.
Read on to find out which password manager suits you best.
Try 1Password Free for 30 Days
LastPass vs 1Password – Head to Head
1Password pips LastPass in the battle of the password managers. There's may not be much in it, but 1Password has it where it counts, offering a more feature-rich experience, better performance, and unparalleled value for money. Compare them in the table below.
If you're rather see all the password managers we've tested side-by-side, then be our guest, and check out our comprehensive chart to find the best password manager for you.
Scroll horizontally to view full table on mobile devices
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | ||
| Full Review | 1Password review | LastPass review |
| Ease of Set Up | ||
| Features | ||
| Performance | ||
| Help and Support | ||
| Value for Money | ||
| Free version? | No | Yes |
| Annual Subscription | $36 | $36 |
| Support Options? | Email based | Email based |
| Best Deal | Get 1Password | Get LastPass |
LastPass or 1Password – Which Is Best?
LastPass and 1Password are both great password managers, and using either one would be a much smarter choice than trying to remember all of your passwords yourself. However, based on our independent tests, we believe 1Password has the edge over LastPass. Here are a few points to consider:
- 1Password offers more than one ‘vault,' allowing users to keep multiple groups of passwords separate from each other for an additional security check
- 1Password‘s interface is easier to navigate, a valuable benefit given that ease-of-use is the whole point of the product.
- LastPass offers a better free version, though it's limited to just one device.
- LastPass offers a more easily integrated web browser extension
1Password offers benefits that cut to the core of what the typical user needs a password manager for: It comes with a simple, intuitive user interface, and it offers multi-profile options that let users further personalize their security options. LastPass's benefits, by comparison, lie in its cheaper price and more limited free edition. Particularly in today's security-conscious age, a password manager is the last service that you should be trying to save a buck on: Lower security can cost a lot more in the long run than you'll save in the short run.
However, as mentioned earlier, both LastPass or Dashlane are strong contenders. If your limited online security has been bothering you lately, here's all you need to know about the benefits and disadvantages of each password management option.
1Password Password Manager Review
1Password removes the pain of remembering passwords and requesting endless reminder emails by looking after your passwords for you. It's refreshingly easy to set up and use, and the ability to create multiple profiles means that more than one person can use it.
It can also remember more than just passwords, thanks to a genuinely useful storage system which allows you to file away all sorts of digital documents safely and securely.
1Password also allows for multiple ‘vaults', a smart way to keep two sets of your information private. As an example, you could use one as a work persona, and the other for personal use, with no crossover.
Verdict: Simple to use and packed with features, 1Password is hands-down one of the best password managers out there.
Interested in finding out more? Read our full review of 1Password to understand what it offers.
- Local storage makes saving changed passwords more reliable
- Large number of secure note templates for storing sensitive information
- Very well-designed app
- No automated password changing feature
- Desktop app seems superfluous
- No camera integration on mobile
- Established: 2006
- Dedicated app
- PC/Mac compatible
- Individual and family plans
- Breach alert feature
- Generates passwords
LastPass Password Manager Review
LastPass is secure, simple, and reasonably priced, making it a very tempting choice when it comes to picking a password manager.
Its browser extension is a great tool, and makes your passwords available exactly where you need them – when you're on the web. The password tool not only remembers your passwords, but can also generate new ones for you with the click of a button.
As well as passwords, it can also remember other information, such as credit card details, and automatically fill these in for you when requested.
Verdict: A safe and straightforward password manager with plenty of tricks up its sleeve.
Want to find out more? Read our full review of LastPass to find out how we rated its features.
- Makes your passwords available where you want them: in your browser.
- Detects when you’re using the same password on multiple sites.
- Available on all major browsers and on multiple sites.
- Connection issues, though rare, can make password changes maddening.
- Password changing feature is very manual the first time round.
- Established: 2008
- Dedicated app
- PC/Mac compatible
- Individual and family plans
- Emergency Access feature
- Free version available
Best for Features – 1Password
Compare the features of LastPass and 1Password in the table below. We think 1Password has the advantage on Lastpass.
 |  | |
| Password Manager | LastPass | 1Password |
| Can store data locally | X | ✓ |
| Two-factor authentication | ✓ | ✓ |
| Failsafe function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Generates strong passwords | ✓ | ✓ |
| Change multiple passwords at once | ✓ | X |
| Store data that isn't passwords | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gauges strength of your passwords | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alerts when sites breached | X | ✓ |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Live chat | X | X |
Best Value for Money – 1Password
You might think you can't put a price on never having to remember a password ever again, but as it turns out you can, and it's quite a bargain. For just a few bucks a month you can have full access to both 1Password or Lastpass.
In terms of the cheapest option, Lastpass is $2 a month compared to 1Password's $2.99, although we think the latter's offering is worth paying an extra 99 cents for.
So what do you get for your money? 1Password has a few more features than LastPass, such as mutiple vaults for storing data on the same account whilst keeping them seperate. This is useful for example, if you want to separate your work and personal passwords. 1Password can also alert you if the sites you used have their security breached, enabling you to change your password as soon as possible and mitigate the chances of having your data stolen.
1Password is also the easier of the two to use, with a fantastic interface that won't cause any headaches. There's a certain science to making a technical product like a password manager easily for all to understand, and 1Password has it cracked.
For these reasons, it offers the best value.
Best for Browser Plug In – LastPass
For all the excellent things that 1Password does, it can be slightly confusing knowing when to use the app and when to use the browser extension. While the latter handles most daily tasks, if you want to create secure notes or encrypt data, you'll need to open up the app.
LastPass handles this much more smoothly, and everything is where you want it – in the browser extension, with the whole suite of options visible and with no need to open anything else.
It's a small detail on paper, but in the long run, having to constantly switch between browser and app to create notes and information can be a frustration, so we much prefer the LastPass method.
Best for Free version – LastPass
Password managers can be an absolute godsend when you're online, removing the need to worry about remembering dozens of passwords. Because of this, we think that they're worth paying for, especially as you can subscribe for a few dollars a month.
However, if you're after a free version, then LastPass is the one to go for. Why? While 1Password offers a 30 day trial to its service, including all features, after that, you'll have to pay. The company doesn't offer a free version per se, just a time limited demo.
LastPass on the other hand does provide a free version, and while it's limited to just one device, it is feature rich and will get the job done, for nothing. Again though, a decent password manager is worth paying for, especially if you have more than one device.
Best For User Interface – 1Password
While neither 1Password or LastPass are tricky to use, we found that 1Password's layout and user interface was for more friendly and clearer labelled than LastPass, so you shouldn't find yourself running into a dead end too often or coming unstuck.
While the design of LastPass is a little utilitarian, 1Password feels more natural to use, with options and features sensibly placed and available when you'd expect them to be. Put simply, it just flows a lot better, making surfing the web and using your passwords on a daily basis a more natural action.
This is true not just of the browser extension but of the app too, and even those unfamiliar with password managers should find themselves soon at home with 1Password.
Summary
Passwords are a pain, especially when you're juggling dozens across multiple sites. While both 1Password and LastPass will ease this burden for you, it's 1Password that is the cream of the crop in our tests, thanks to superb ease of use, rich features, and a fantastic interface that means you're never lost.
Start a 30 day free trial of our top rated password manager 1Password today
Tech.co is reader-supported. If you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Tech.co to provide free advice and reviews for our readers. It has no additional cost to you, and never affects the editorial independence of our reviews.