1Password vs Dashlane: which should you choose?
Quick answer: 1Password is built for families, while Dashlane suits dark-web-monitoring. For most users 1Password is the stronger default, but Dashlane can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. 1Password has the lower entry price.
1Password and Dashlane look similar on the surface; the differences show up in practice. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| 1Password | Dashlane | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Password Manager | Password Manager |
| What it's known for | Travel Mode, Watchtower breach monitoring, secret-key zero-knowledge model and best-in-class UX. | Built-in VPN on premium tiers, dark-web monitoring and a polished autofill engine. |
| Pricing | ~$2.99/mo individual, ~$4.99/mo families (billed annually) | ~$3.33/mo Premium, ~$4.99/mo Friends & Family (billed annually) |
| Best audience | Families and teams wanting the most polished, security-forward password manager. | Users wanting an all-in-one identity+password tool with bundled VPN. |
| Best for | families, teams | dark-web-monitoring, all-in-one |
| Entry price | ~$3.99/mo | ~$4.07/mo |
| Biggest strength | Polished, best-in-class UX. | Real-time (not on-demand) dark-web monitoring. |
| Main caveat | No free tier (trial only). | No free plan since September 2025. |
Features compared
The feature sets only partly overlap. Here is what each one actually gives you:
1Password key features
- Secret Key (128-bit) combined with master password for dual-layer encryption
- Travel Mode wipes selected vaults from devices before border crossings
- Watchtower breach and weak/reused password monitoring (Have I Been Pwned data)
- Full FIDO2 passkey support
Dashlane key features
- Built-in VPN (Hotspot Shield-powered) on paid tiers
- Real-time dark-web monitoring using a proprietary database
- Passkey support and autofill engine
- Phishing alerts and password health auditing
Pricing tiers side by side
1Password plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | ~$3.99/mo | $47.88/year |
| Families | ~$4.99/mo | Billed annually, up to 5 users |
| Business | ~$7.99/user/mo | Adds SSO, SCIM, SIEM |
Dashlane plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | ~$4.07/mo | Annual; includes VPN + dark-web monitoring |
| Friends & Family | ~$8.13/mo | Annual, up to 10 members |
| Business | ~$8/user/mo | Adds SSO, SCIM, SIEM |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where 1Password wins
The Secret Key architecture means even a full server compromise leaves vaults unreadable.
- Polished, best-in-class UX.
- Secret Key model means a server breach alone can't unlock vaults.
That makes it the stronger pick for families and teams wanting the most polished, security-forward password manager.
Where Dashlane wins
Bundles a VPN and continuous real-time dark-web monitoring into a polished autofill experience.
- Real-time (not on-demand) dark-web monitoring.
- Bundled VPN at the Premium tier.
That makes it the stronger pick for users wanting an all-in-one identity+password tool with bundled VPN.
Verdict: choose by fit
Pick by fit rather than by an overall score.
- Choose 1Password if you fit its core audience — families and teams wanting the most polished, security-forward password manager.
- Choose Dashlane if you fit its core audience — users wanting an all-in-one identity+password tool with bundled VPN.
FAQ
Is 1Password better than Dashlane?
1Password is the stronger default for most users, but Dashlane can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between 1Password and Dashlane?
1Password is the Secret Key architecture means even a full server compromise leaves vaults unreadable. Dashlane is bundles a VPN and continuous real-time dark-web monitoring into a polished autofill experience.
Which is cheaper, 1Password or Dashlane?
Entry pricing differs: 1Password starts at ~$3.99/mo, while Dashlane starts at ~$4.07/mo. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for 1Password and Dashlane: