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Password Managers review
Bitwarden logo

Bitwarden review

Best overall

Open-source, end-to-end encrypted password manager with a free plan that covers every device. Most people who want a capable free password manager, and anyone who values open-source code and published audits. We rank it #1 of 7 in our password managers comparison, with an editorial score of 9.4 out of 10.

Updated By the ChoosyOwl editorial teamHow we rank
9.4/10
Our editorial score

Bitwarden leads on Security model & transparency because its apps are open source, its vault is end-to-end encrypted and it publishes the results of third-party security audits. It also scores at the top on Free plan & value transparency with an always-free personal plan, and on Platforms & everyday use with apps for every major system and browser. It loses a little on everyday polish compared with 1Password.

How we score password managers

Visit site (Bitwarden, opens in a new tab)

Quick facts

Our rank#1 of 7
Best forBest overall
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, browser extensions, web, CLI
Free planYes, always-free personal plan
Security model (as stated)End-to-end encrypted vault; open source; publishes third-party audits
Facts checkedNovember 14, 2026

Details are general and can change. Check current plans, prices and terms on the Bitwarden site. See the Bitwarden company profile in our brand directory.

Overview

Bitwarden is an open-source password manager whose codebase is publicly available for anyone to inspect. Its site describes an end-to-end encrypted vault and says it publishes the results of its third-party security audits.

The free personal plan is described as always free and syncs across devices. Paid personal tiers add extras such as file attachments and emergency access, and the Families plan covers up to six users with a shared vault. Teams and Enterprise plans add admin controls, event logs, directory sync, SCIM provisioning and SSO, and businesses can self-host on premises or in a private cloud.

Bitwarden apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, as browser extensions for all major browsers, as a web vault and as a command-line tool. Passkey management is included. Check the current plan comparison on Bitwarden's site for what each tier includes.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Useful free plan that syncs across devices
  • Open source, so the code can be inspected
  • Apps for every major platform, including Linux
  • Strong business and self-hosting options

Cons

  • Interface is more functional than polished
  • Some extras, like file attachments and emergency access, need a paid plan
  • Self-hosting takes technical know-how

Key features

  • Always-free personal plan with sync across devices
  • Open-source code and published third-party audits
  • Passkey management and an integrated authenticator
  • Families plan for up to six users
  • Self-hosting option for businesses

Who Bitwarden is for

A good fit if

Most people who want a capable free password manager, and anyone who values open-source code and published audits.

Look elsewhere if

People who want the most polished, design-led apps and are happy to pay for them.

How we scored Bitwarden

Bitwarden leads on Security model & transparency because its apps are open source, its vault is end-to-end encrypted and it publishes the results of third-party security audits. It also scores at the top on Free plan & value transparency with an always-free personal plan, and on Platforms & everyday use with apps for every major system and browser. It loses a little on everyday polish compared with 1Password.

Our password managers score weighs security model & transparency (30%), platforms & everyday use (20%), passkeys & account protection (15%), sharing, family & business plans (15%), free plan & value transparency (20%). See the methodology.

Bitwarden alternatives

  1. #2
    1Password logo

    1Password

    Best for families

    Polished, security-focused password manager with strong family and business plans.

    • Account password plus device-generated Secret Key
    • Watchtower alerts for weak, reused or exposed passwords
    • Passkey support
    • Families plan for five users
    9.3/10
    Editorial score
    Visit site (1Password, opens in a new tab) Read review
  2. #3
    Proton Pass logo

    Proton Pass

    Best for privacy

    Privacy-first password manager from Proton with email aliases and a generous free plan.

    • Free plan with unlimited logins, devices and passkeys
    • Hide-my-email aliases built in
    • Zero-knowledge, end-to-end encryption (as stated)
    • Open source and independently audited (as stated)
    9.0/10
    Editorial score
    Visit site (Proton Pass, opens in a new tab) Read review
  3. #4
    Keeper logo

    Keeper

    Best for business compliance

    Zero-knowledge password manager with a long list of stated certifications for business.

    • Zero-knowledge, zero-trust architecture (as stated)
    • Lists SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP High and FIPS 140-3 validation
    • Passkey storage and autofill
    • Family plan for five users with private vaults
    8.8/10
    Editorial score
    Visit site (Keeper, opens in a new tab) Read review

Head-to-head

See all 7 password managers compared

Bitwarden FAQ

Is Bitwarden really free?

Yes. Bitwarden offers a personal plan it describes as always free, with passwords synced across your devices. Paid tiers add extras such as file attachments and emergency access; check the current plan comparison on Bitwarden's site.

Is Bitwarden safe?

Bitwarden says its vault is end-to-end encrypted, its code is open source, and it publishes the results of third-party security audits. As with any password manager, protect the account with a strong master password and two-factor authentication.

Does Bitwarden support passkeys?

Yes. Bitwarden lists passkey management among its personal features, so you can store and use passkeys from your vault on supported sites.

Sources and fact check

We checked the facts on this page against Bitwarden's own website on .