Proton Pass vs. 1Password: Which password manager is right for you?

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by a sea of options when looking for a new password manager. There are various tools to choose from that offer different features, device compatibility, and price points. You want to compare which ones do the basics well and have the extras you need – all in a package that ensures your data is safe and secure. 

Also: The best password managers: Expert tested

In our head-to-head comparison of Proton Pass and 1Password, Proton Pass gets high marks for its focus on privacy and free plan. On the other hand, 1Password provides a smoother and more consistent user experience with all the features you’d expect from a premium password manager. 

When deciding between the two, we recommend weighing which features and services you’ll use most and whether you need more than just password management. Here’s how these top password managers stack up so you can determine which one best fits your needs. 

Specifications

You should try Proton Pass if…

1. You want unique features to protect your privacy

Proton focuses heavily on privacy, and Proton Pass includes several unique features to protect your data from everyone else. Paid users have unlimited email aliases when signing up for subscriptions or purchasing online. This feature keeps your actual email address hidden to minimize spam in your inbox, curb online tracking, and reduce vulnerability to credential stuffing. Plus, you can simply delete aliases when they’re no longer needed, such as when you want to unsubscribe from a newsletter or close an account. You can also have custom domains for aliases and forward messages to multiple inboxes. 

Proton Pass includes data breach monitoring for email addresses and aliases and AI-backed suspicious activity monitoring to keep hackers out of your account. Proton offers other services you can bundle with your password manager subscription if you need additional privacy tools. 

2. You want VPN or encrypted mail services

Proton’s other privacy-oriented services include a VPN, digital wallet, encrypted email, calendar, and cloud storage, which can be bundled with a single subscription of $120/year with annual billing or $96/year with a two-year commitment. Your subscription is managed with a single login. While you can piecemeal these tools together by subscribing to different services, Proton makes it convenient to keep them together. Depending on how many tools you need, bundling can be more cost-effective, too. 

3. You want an excellent free password manager

Proton Pass has a free plan that syncs unlimited credentials across unlimited devices with no login restrictions. Proton’s free plan includes 10 email aliases and basic password health alerts. The free tier does not allow you to store credit cards or share items from your vault, but if all you need is a secure place to park your passwords and access them wherever you need them, Proton Free is a solid choice. 1Password offers a 14-day trial but no entirely free option. 

You should try 1Password if…

1. You want an established, feature-packed password manager

1Password has the features and user experience you’d expect of a premium service. It works seamlessly across devices and platforms to autofill passwords and payment methods. Additionally, this service can create a wide range of record types, save files, and share items. Plus, the interface is simple and easy to navigate, so you can quickly find what you want.  

Proton Pass launched in 2023 and, to its credit, has consistently rolled out new features to align with competitors. At the time of writing, though, basics like credit card autofill, document storage, and biometrics across all platforms are still in the works. Settings are spread across multiple dashboards, and navigating them can be confusing.  

2. You need a family plan

1Password is our top pick for families with multiple users under one plan. A $60 annual subscription comes with five personal private vaults with organizer and admin permissions for users to help kids or aging parents manage or recover their accounts. 1Password’s family plan has more integrated sharing options than many competitors, plus a unique guest feature for providing temporary access to a collection of logins such as home Wi-Fi and streaming passwords. 

Alternatives to consider