1Password is an easy-to-use password manager that has various options available for private users, families, small teams and larger companies. With 1Password you can easily create and manage passwords, as well as secure notes and credit card information.
1Password makes it possible to manage multiple password vaults, so you can easily share specific data with friends, family, or colleagues. We tested 1Password in detail to determine how good it is. Here’s our detailed 1Password review.
1Password Review: In a Nutshell
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great for families, teams, and companies | Less features for Windows than for macOS |
| Very user-friendly | Headquarters are located in Canada |
| Strong security | |
| Has a function that monitors whether a website has leaked data and whether you may need to change your password | |
| Indicates which of your passwords could be changed to be more secure | |
| Handy keyboard shortcuts to quickly load passwords | |
| Excellent customer service | |
| Users can also securely save other types of data and files |
In essence, 1Password is an excellent password manager that does what it’s supposed to do. Saving, updating, and generating passwords securely is a piece of cake with 1Password.
Moreover, 1Password has a lot of handy extra features that some users find indispensable once they’re used to them. 1Password also has excellent customer service.
One very useful feature of this password manager is the ability to manage multiple private or shared password vaults. This makes 1Password one of the best password managers for teams, companies, and families who share accounts (or the same password for Netflix). Synchronizing across different devices is also very easy.
In addition, 1Password has a very secure “Watchtower” tool. This tool monitors whether websites have leaked login details and notifies you when your account information may have been compromised.
This means that your login details will never leak without your knowing. Due to 1Password’s initial focus on macOS, Windows users unfortunately have less features at their disposal than mac users.
For this 1Password review, we give 1Password an overall score of 8.5/10.
1Password Specifications
| Specification | 1Password |
|---|---|
| Download link | 1Password |
| Price of premium version | $2,99 a month |
| Free version | ✔(trial version only) |
| Zero-knowledge policy | ✔ |
| Password generator | ✔ |
| Password auto filling | ✔(via the keyboard or when using 1Password in browser) |
| Synchronization across devices | ✔ |
| Unlimited passwords space | ✔ |
| Data breach notification | ✔ |
| Password sharing | ✔(with some subscriptions) |
| Secure storage | ✔ |
| Business version | ✔ |
Safety: Is 1Password safe to use?
Safety is key in a good password manager. Overall, we can give 1Password a score of 9/10 on this front. Here are our main findings for this 1Password review:
- 1Password has a zero-knowledge policy. All information is encrypted and even 1Password can’t access it.
- Uses a Master Password and a Secret Key for additional security.
- It uses AES-256 bit encryption for maximum security.
- 1Password uses PBKDF2 encryption to protect your account against brute force attacks.
- Fingerprint login available for macOS, Android, and iOS.
Encryption and security techniques
Like many password managers, 1Password uses the strongest data encryption (AES 256-bit) and end-to-end encryption to keep your data private.
To log into 1Password for the first time, you need a New Device Key (NDK). This is a series of letters and numbers specific to your account. This secret key is saved in an Emergency Kit and is made available for download.
You also need to create a Master Password. You use it to open your 1Password account and access all your data. This password, too, is saved in the Emergency Kit.
Security features
On top of all this, 1Password has additional security features. Your 1Password accounts are protected by two-factor authentication at all times. But you can also use biometric data (i.e., fingerprints) to open 1Password on various operating systems. This makes 1Password a safer option than, say, in-browser password managers.
With 1Password it is also possible to share passwords and notes with others, or you can also share entire vaults if you want.
Another excellent feature is the “Travel Mode.” It allows you to indicate vaults that are safe for travel. Once this mode is activated, all vaults that have not been selected will be removed from your device.
This means your private data and most important passwords are protected, even if your devices fall into the wrong hands. This feature is available on all 1Password subscriptions.
Privacy: How Does 1Password Handle Data?
When it comes to privacy, 1Password does exceptionally well. We give this password manager a score of 7.5/10. In our assessment for this 1Password review, we noted the following:
- 1Password has a zero-knowledge policy.
- The privacy policy is straightforward and clear.
- 1Password is frequently and independently audited.
- Despite the strong privacy policy, some data is unnecessarily stored.
- The 1Password headquarters are located in Canada.
Privacy policy
The official privacy policy claims that, “At 1Password, we believe that the less information we know about you, the better. After all, it is impossible to lose, misuse, or abuse information we don’t have.”
1Password emphasizes that they only collect data that is essential for the functioning of their services, as well as for troubleshooting purposes. This includes:
- Your 1Password account: that is, the type of account you have, who owns the account, and how the account was paid for.
- Use of 1Password: when you’ve created your account, how many vaults you have, how many items are in those vaults, and how much storage space you’re using.
- Personal information: this includes IP address, devices connected to your account, as well as the name, email and profile photos you have selected for your 1Password account.
The privacy policy claims that this information is never shared with third parties. However, 1Password is located in Canada, which is part of the 5 eyes, 9 eyes, 14 eyes coalition. Taking this into account, 1Password may be forced into a position where they have to share user data.
While that may be, it’s important to mention that all information is end-to-end encrypted, so even 1Password can’t really access or decrypt sensitive information.
Another thing to note is that 1Password collects your IP address. This is because in case of an unrecognized login, 1Password will ask for further verification.
Logging and audits
Because of end-to-end encryption, no one but you can access your login details. Everything is encrypted from the moment you create an entry to the moment it’s saved on 1Password’s servers. You can only access your passwords with your NDK (secret key) and your Master Password.
Furthermore, 1Password is audited regularly by independent security firms. The company is very transparent about this. If you visit their website, you can read previous security audit reports. This trustworthiness certainly is a plus in our books.
The most recent security audit was executed by cybersecurity expert Cure53 in March 2022, for both the mobile versions of 1Password, as well as the Mac, Windows, and Linux versions.
Additionally, in April 2022, the Web Based Components were reviewed by Recurity Labs.
Watchtower feature
1Passwords offers a very useful privacy feature called Watchtower. This feature informs you in the event your password is leaked due to a breach on another site. You will be informed of password breaches, as well as any other security issues with your 1Password account.
Watchtower works locally on your own device; your websites or passwords will never be sent to 1Password or third parties. It regularly monitors dark web databases for password dumps and immediately notifies users.
Ease of Use: How User-Friendly is 1Password?
Besides security features, it’s of course important that password management software is easy to use. Overall, we give them a score of 9/10 for usability.
These are our main findings when assessing usability for this 1Password review:
- 1Password is easy to install and use.
- 1Password is ideal for groups, thanks to 1Password for Family and 1Password Business.
- You can store passwords, credit card details, secure notes, secure files, and personal identity information.
- 1Password offers a free trial (30 days for business users, 14 days for individuals and families), but does not have a free version.
- After the trial period, you can simply delete your account (you don’t have to pay to get access).
- 1Password does not offer a money-back guarantee.
- 1Password’s customer service is easy to reach and responds quickly.
Compared to other password managers, 1Password is very user-friendly. This is the case for individual users of the software, as well as groups. Furthermore, managing shared vaults is easy and straightforward.
1Password works best when you combine the desktop software with the browser extension. In 2021, 1Password launched 1Password X, one of the best browser extensions for privacy and security.
You can use both keyboard shortcuts to enter passwords, or you can enter the password by just tapping or clicking on the icon in the password dialog box. It’s very convenient, especially since passwords sync seamlessly throughout.
On a smartphone, you can use 1Password in other apps simply by tapping on the login input field. If you have previously entered data for that particular app, 1Password will provide suggestions.
In March 2023, 1Password announced that users can now log into their accounts using Okta instead of their account passwords. The company plans to add support for other single sign-on (SSO) providers.
Website and installation
1Password’s website is well-organized and easy to navigate. You can even manage your account within the web app on the website.
Installing the 1Password software is quite simple:
- Go to 1Password’s website and click on “Try 1Password Free.” Next, you’ll see different subscription options.
- Select your preferred subscription.
- Create an account by entering your details and clicking on “Create Account.”
- You will receive an email to confirm your account. Enter the code they sent you.
- Log in using your account details, Secret Key, and Master Password.
- Download the 1Password software (this can be done through the 1Password website or within your account).
- Install the software.
- Log in with your account details and Master Password.
1Password browser extensions
The 1Password browser extension (1Password X) works entirely in the browser. There’s no need to download the desktop software when you use 1Password X. Moreover, you can integrate your existing passwords into 1Password X.
With the 1Password X browser extension, you can autofill forms by clicking an icon in a password field. This is very user-friendly, and you don’t need to learn keyboard combinations for the 1Password X browser extension.
The 1Password browser extension has recently been updated. Besides regular two-factor authentication, the extension now offers support for biometric authentication via Touch ID, Windows Hello and the biometric verification for Linux.
Software and options
1Password supports macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, Chrome OS, and Linux. In addition, browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Brave. You can easily synchronize all your passwords across different devices.
1Password’s software is very easy to use. The apps are quite straightforward (whether you use the desktop version, or any of the mobile apps for tablet or smartphone) and there is no limit to the number of passwords or other sensitive data that you can store.
On 1Password you can store secure passwords, credit card information, secure notes and personal identities. You can also store encrypted documents. However, there is a data limit on for documents in the encrypted file storage, which differs per subscription.
For individual account storage limits for encrypted file storage:
- 1 GB per person for 1Password Families
- 1 GB per person for 1Password Teams
- 1 GB per person for 1Password Business
1Password for Windows-based devices has less features than the macOS version (1Password seems to focus on Apple devices). However, as a Windows user you won’t really notice this unless you make a detailed and thorough comparison of both versions.
The experience for Windows users is very good, though we thought the difference between Windows and Apple was worth mentioning.
1Password’s extra features
Some password managers have additional features such as a built-in VPN or a secure browser. 1Password focuses entirely on their password management and associated extensions.
In that regard, 1Password doesn’t have as many extra features certain others. Yet we consider this an advantage rather than a disadvantage.
We’d rather see the password manager work properly than having an extra feature that’s most likely inferior to one you would get from another, specialized service.
Prices, subscriptions, and payment options
1Password has different subscription options tailored to the number of users. 1Password’s plans for individual users and families are as follows:
- 1Password for individual users: $2.99 a month
- 1Password for families: $4.99 a month (for up to 5 people)
- 1Password for Teams: $3.99 a month per user
For teams and companies, the subscriptions look like this:
- 1Password for Business: $7.99 per user per month (includes more features, support, and guest accounts)
- 1Password for enterprises: these quotes are tailored to specific enterprises (mostly for very big organizations)
The password manager offers the following payment options:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Discover
- Diners Club
- UnionPay
Free version: 14-day trial
You can try 1Password for free for a short period of time. You don’t have to provide your payment details for this free version, and only need to enter your email and a password to create an account. Once the trial period is over, you can simply delete your account, or keep it and subscribe.
1Password’s customer service
If you have a question about 1Password, you can consult the support page on the website. This page is very comprehensive and includes the answers to frequently asked questions as well as a community forum.
Here, you can find a lot of very specific questions and answers. There is also a subreddit where employees respond to questions from users. We recommend you check your Reddit privacy settings before you regularly start posting on there.
If you can’t find a solution to your answer on the website, you can contact 1Password via email or Twitter. Luckily, we could find the answers to our own questions on the forum and the support page.
For this 1Password review, we wanted to fully assess 1Password’s customer service.
To see how 1Password responds to specific questions via email, we filled out the contact form on the website. Within a couple of hours, we received a polite, expert, and comprehensive reply to our concerns.
Summing Up Our 1Password Review
As we has seen in this 1Password review, this is an excellent password manager. 1Password provides very useful features such as two-factor authentication, the option to share passwords, a browser extension, and a special Travel Mode. With the Watchtower feature, you’ll be notified of any security and data breaches to your account.
If you’d like to share your secure passwords easily with your team, company or family, 1Password is an excellent option for a password manager. You can use 1Password on your tablet or smartphone by downloading one of the mobile apps.
In terms of privacy, 1Password has some room for improvement. Competitor password manager apps Keeper and RememBear both collect less sensitive data.
Below, an overview of our assessment for this 1Password review:
- Safety: 9
- Privacy: 7.5
- Usability: 9
- Total: 8.5
Want to try out 1Password for yourself? Click the button below to give it a shot.
If you have a question about 1Password, check out the Q&A below. Click on a question to read the answer.
1Password is a password manager. With 1Password you can easily generate passwords and store and manage account information from one central location. You can also securely store other information, such as credit card details. Read more in our 1Password review.
No, 1Password is not free. However, each subscription has a trial period of at least 14 days. When signing up for a trial subscription, you do not need to enter any payment details, so you’re in no way tied to an automatic renewal.
Yes, 1Password is a very secure password manager. In addition to their high 256-bit AES encryption, 1Password also features PBKDF2 encryption to protect your account against “Brute Force” attacks.
In addition, 1Password’s software has a security feature called Watchtower. This feature monitors whether a website has leaked accounts or whether your passwords could be more secure. Everything is stored locally. 1Password has no access to your data or passwords.
Unfortunately, 1Password collects some unnecessary information, such as your IP address. Moreover, 1Password is located in Canada, which is part of the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes alliance. This means that the company could be forced to share user data upon order.
The easiest way to use 1Password is by using the browser extension. When you install it, you can directly import all your saved passwords from your browser, which means you no longer have to remember them. The only thing you have to remember is your Master Password to access 1Password.
