There’s nothing worse than trying to log in to an online account only to be told your password attempt is incorrect. If you’re tired of juggling different password combinations or having to reset a password after too many login attempts, it’s time to invest in a password management system.

Both LastPass and 1Password offer unique features to keep your passwords safe. Read on to find out which password management system is a better fit for your password needs.

Password protection

The most fundamental feature that every password manager needs to get right is, of course, protecting your passwords. Both LastPass and 1Password utilize a master password system to lock up all of your other login credentials in a robust digital vault.

LastPass

LastPass passwords are stored on its remote servers, but they are protected using 256-bit AES encryption. Although LastPass has been compromised at some points in the past, it’s excellent at rebounding with improved features and tighter security.

To make sure that your master password (and others) are secure, LastPass employs a “Security Challenge” that looks at the complexity of your passwords, then lets you know whether they’re strong enough. If they’re not, you can use its built-in password generator to create replacements that are far harder for humans and machines to guess.

LastPass also offers multifactor authentication using several potential options, including its two-factor solution and those provided by third parties like Google.

1Password

In comparison, 1Password stores its password data locally and only copies it to the cloud for syncing across multiple devices. Just like LastPass, it encrypts all data before it leaves your PC with 256-bit AES encryption, so even if someone were to gain access to it, they wouldn’t be able to read it.

Along with a master password, 1Password utilizes a “secret key” that never leaves your login devices and is required for logins. That holds some advantages over multifactor authentication, though it does mean that 1Password does not have the option of hardware or software-based, third-party authentication systems. It does offer fingerprint logins for those who like to use biometrics to authenticate themselves.

1Password also helps you generate new passwords based on your preferences, using combinations of words, digits, and symbols with a customizable length.

In case you ever lose your login credentials, 1Password offers an “emergency kit” PDF file that you can store digitally or print off. It contains every credential you need to gain access to your account, so it’s best to store it somewhere very safe. Still, it provides a real-world backup should you forget your master password or other related login information.

Features

Protecting your passwords is well and good, but in a battle of LastPass versus 1Password, how do their expanded feature sets compare?

Both services support a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, though LastPass has a slight edge with the addition of WatchOS and Linux support. LastPass also takes the lead in browser plugin support, with Microsoft’s new Edge Chromium added to its shared support list of Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari.

LastPass and 1Password also both support the storage of secure documents up to a specified file size limit. Both services can store bank details, credit card credentials, and addresses.

When it comes to sharing passwords with friends and family, both services make it easy to accomplish. 1Password offers a unique family URL for you to give different people access to your vault, while LastPass provides a specially-crafted sharing folder just for those family-friendly logins.

1Password

1Password’s Watchtower feature is one that often sets it apart from the competition. It keeps an eye on websites that have been hacked, and if you have an account on them, it will let you know you need to change your password. LastPass offers something similar, but it’s not quite as accessible, as it’s only available within the “Security Challenge” tool.

LastPass’s solution, however, does warn you of reused passwords and any you have stored that it considers weak, prompting you to use the best personal security practices.

In terms of applications, LastPass doesn’t have a Windows one, though its extension vault system acts much like one. It also has mobile apps for iOS and Android platforms. 1Password has the same mobile application availability but also offers a downloadable password vault.

Ease of use

An intuitive, clean user interface is paramount for any application, password managers included. Although it is somewhat more subjective than the other categories in this comparison, it’s still an important consideration to make.

We found 1Password’s interface almost too clean, with large, white spaces in both its online and offline tools, which leave you clicking through successive menus to find what you’re looking for while you’re still learning how it works. Everything is laid out neatly, but it’s not immediately obvious where everything is.

LastPass

Although its login system is detailed, requiring an account URL, email, master password, and secret key to access your account, that system isn’t as easy to get to grips with as more standard logins. While security is understandably paramount with such software, we found logging in a little confusing at the start. LastPass, on the other hand, was a breeze. Its extension-focused platform, clearly color-coded menu system, and use of more common multifactor authentication devices meant we felt immediately more at home using it than 1Password.

Pricing

1Password offers a 30-day free trial for its services but no permanent free solution. If you want long-term password storage and security with 1Password, you need to pay $3 a month for a personal account, paid annually. That gets you a single login for unlimited devices, with access to the apps and web app, a gigabyte of secure document storage, and 365-day item recovery.

For a more expanded account, the 1Password family option is priced at $5 a month and gives you similar capabilities, with up to five different logins — additional ones can be had for $1 a month each. You get everything in the personal account, plus password sharing, permission control, and an account recovery system.

On the other hand, LastPass has a permanent free account system that gives you password storage for one user, access to its online extension, multifactor authentication, and its secure notes storage. Of note, even if you sign up for the free version, LastPass allows you to try the Premium service for 30 days. 

The upgrade, which you can keep for just $3 a month, includes a gigabyte of encrypted file storage, increased priority from tech support, emergency access, and password sharing — all features we feel are worthwhile if you like the Premium version better.

LastPass offers another tier geared toward families. The “Families” tier allows up to six users to take advantage of the service, including all premium features. This tier is just a little more than the Premium version at a cost-effective rate of $4 a month.

LastPass is simply more cost-effective than 1Password regardless of the level you select. Both the individual and family plans offer comparable features, but LastPass saves you more money overall.

Overall winner: LastPass

The premium plan from LastPass, at only $3 month (after your one-month free trial), takes the cake with its gigabyte of encrypted file storage, assuming you don’t mind paying out.

You also get better tech support with LastPass. For an extra dollar a month, you can upgrade that Premium plan to a Family plan and include up to six people.

LastPass is the more cost-effective choice for both individuals and families and has comparable features for the money.

Editors’ Recommendations