Bitwarden vs Proton Pass
Choose Bitwarden if you want the most mature free password manager with strong business and self-hosting options. Choose Proton Pass if privacy matters most and you want hide-my-email aliases built in. Both are open source, have free plans and support passkeys.
Bitwarden
Best overall
Proton Pass
Best for privacyBitwarden vs Proton Pass at a glance
| Bitwarden | Proton Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, browsers, web, CLI | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, browsers, web, CLI |
| Free plan | Yes, always free | Yes, unlimited logins and devices |
| Open source | Yes | Yes (as stated) |
| Email aliases | Not a headline feature | Built in; unlimited on Pass Plus |
| Family plan | Up to six users | Pass Family, up to six users |
| Self-hosting | Available for businesses | Not offered |
| Our editorial score | 9.4 / 10 | 9.0 / 10 |
Which should you choose?
Pick Bitwarden if you want a mature free plan and strong business or self-hosting options.
Pick Proton Pass if you want privacy-first design and built-in email aliases.
How they differ
Bitwarden and Proton Pass are the two best free password managers we reviewed, and they share a lot: both are open source, both have free plans that sync across devices, both support passkeys and both run on every major platform. The differences are in focus.
Privacy and aliases
Proton Pass comes from Proton, the Swiss company behind Proton Mail and Proton VPN. Its standout feature is hide-my-email aliases: extra addresses that forward to your real inbox, so you can sign up for sites without handing over your real email. The free plan includes a limited number of aliases, and Pass Plus makes them unlimited. Proton says Pass uses zero-knowledge, end-to-end encryption and has been independently audited.
Bitwarden focuses on password management itself. Its site describes an end-to-end encrypted vault, and it publishes the results of third-party security audits.
Free plans
Both free plans are generous. Proton Pass Free includes unlimited logins, notes and cards on unlimited devices, plus passkeys. Bitwarden's free plan offers unlimited passwords synced across devices. Extras like file attachments and emergency access on Bitwarden, or unlimited aliases and dark web monitoring on Proton Pass, need a paid tier.
Families and business
Both offer family plans for up to six users. Bitwarden has the longer track record in business, with Teams and Enterprise plans, directory sync, SCIM provisioning and the option to self-host. Proton Pass business plans include SSO, activity logs and policy controls.
Everyday use
Both apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, browser extensions, a web vault and a command-line tool, so platform coverage will rarely decide it. Proton Pass feels especially natural if you already use Proton Mail, because aliases and your inbox live with the same company. Bitwarden suits people who want a focused, no-frills vault.
The bottom line
If you want the most proven free option, especially for a team, choose Bitwarden. If you care most about privacy and want email aliases alongside your passwords, Proton Pass is a great fit, particularly if you already use Proton Mail.
Bitwarden vs Proton Pass FAQ
Which is better for free, Bitwarden or Proton Pass?
Both have strong free plans that sync across devices and support passkeys. Proton Pass adds a limited number of email aliases on its free plan, while Bitwarden has the longer track record.
Are Bitwarden and Proton Pass open source?
Yes. Bitwarden says its codebase is publicly available, and Proton says Proton Pass is open source and independently audited.