Everything you need to know about 1Password, including differentiators, benefits, use cases, user reviews, pricing, alternatives, and more.

Welcome to SelectHub’s ultimate 1Password review.

We’re here to provide you with a detailed tour and our unbiased perspective on 1Password, a leading password management platform serving over 150,000 businesses globally.

If you’re more of a binge watcher than a bookworm, good news. We’ve also recorded a 10-part video series. Check out the first video in the 1Password series below.

You’re here because you understand 1Password is a significant player in the password management market. Now, you’re evaluating its suitability for your business and how it compares to other options. This 1Password review is here to guide you like a bloodhound on a hot trail. Let’s go.

What Does 1Password Do?

1Password is a powerful, easy-to-use password management platform that helps individuals, families, teams, and enterprises securely manage their passwords and sensitive information. By combining user identity, application insights, device trust, and enterprise password management into a single solution, 1Password ensures that all your digital assets are protected.

Here’s an overview of 1Password’s key functions:

• Password Management: 1Password securely stores and organizes your passwords across all your devices, allowing you to access them anytime, anywhere. It also generates strong, unique passwords for each account, helping you avoid security risks associated with password reuse.
• Secure Storage: Beyond passwords, 1Password provides secure storage for documents, credit card information, and other sensitive data.
• Access Management: 1Password integrates with major Identity and Access Management (IAM) platforms like Entra ID, Okta, and OneLogin, making it easy to manage user access across applications.
• Cross-Platform Support: 1Password offers seamless use across macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, browser extensions, Linux, and CLI, ensuring a consistent experience across all devices.
• Robust Reporting & Insights: 1Password’s reporting and insights give a helpful overview of the health of all passwords in an account. Find out at a glance the existence of potential vulnerabilities, such as weak, reused, or compromised passwords, which makes it easy to resolve them as soon as possible, and with their Watchtower feature, get good insights as to what users are doing in the account for auditing purposes. .

By integrating these aspects into a single platform, 1Password helps individuals and organizations safeguard their digital lives with a user-friendly design and robust security.

1Password is a powerful, easy-to-use password management platform that helps individuals, families, teams, and enterprises securely manage their passwords and sensitive information. Source

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into our deep dive.

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In-Depth 1Password Review

1Password is designed to cater to the evolving security needs of both individuals and organizations. However, popularity doesn’t always mean it’s the perfect fit for everyone.

Let’s explore who 1Password is best suited for, its standout features, pricing, alternatives, user feedback, and our final review.

Who Is 1Password Best Suited For?

1Password is ideal for a wide range of users, from individuals and families to large organizations that prioritize security.

• For Individuals: 1Password is perfect for those who want a secure, user-friendly way to manage their passwords and sensitive information across multiple devices. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just starting with password management, 1Password offers an intuitive solution to keep your digital life safe.
• For Families: 1Password is an excellent choice for families who need to securely share access to accounts while maintaining individual privacy. Each family member gets their own private vault for storing personal passwords and sensitive information, while shared vaults make it easy to manage and share login details for common accounts like streaming services or household utilities. Parents also have the ability to manage their children’s access, ensuring everyone in the household is protected without compromising individual privacy.
• For Teams and Small Businesses: Small teams benefit from 1Password’s ability to securely share passwords and sensitive data among team members, streamlining access while maintaining strong security protocols.
• For Enterprises: 1Password is particularly beneficial for industries with high security demands, such as financial services, media & entertainment, software & technology, professional services, and higher education. It’s designed with security-conscious professionals in mind — think CIOs, IT Managers, Information Security Analysts, Directors of IT, and IT Admins. These are the folks who need to ensure that every employee can create strong, secure passwords for every account, no matter where they are or what device they’re using.

1Password shines in several use cases:

• Secure employee access: 1Password’s Enterprise Password Manager (EPM) ensures your team can securely access all necessary apps and accounts, both in the office and remotely. With features like single sign-on (SSO) integration, role-based access controls, and secure vault sharing, administrators can easily manage employee access to critical tools while maintaining tight security protocols.
• Ease of use: Make security easy and intuitive for all employees, driving adoption and reducing friction in day-to-day operations.
• Comprehensive storage: 1Password stores more than just passwords, believe it or not. The platform offers secure storage for documents, credit card information, and other sensitive data. AND…
• Robust reporting & insights: 1Password’s reporting and insights give a helpful overview of the health of all passwords in an account. Find out at a glance the existence of potential vulnerabilities, such as weak, reused, or compromised passwords, which makes it easy to resolve them as soon as possible, and with their Watchtower feature, get good insights as to what users are doing in the account for auditing purposes.

Who Is 1Password NOT Suited For?

While 1Password is an excellent solution for many individuals and organizations, it may not be the best fit in certain scenarios. Here are three situations in which 1Password may not be a perfect fit.

Organizations Requiring Extensive Customization

If your organization operates in a highly complex environment with unique security needs, 1Password’s focus on simplicity and usability might not offer the level of customization and control you require. For example, large enterprises that need granular control over access management, such as setting highly specific permissions for different user groups, custom roles, or complex multi-factor authentication (MFA) schemes, may find 1Password’s features somewhat limited.

In such cases, platforms like Okta or Entra ID might be more appropriate. These tools offer extensive customization, including the ability to build and enforce complex security policies, integrate deeply with custom-built applications, and manage a wide range of identity and access scenarios. If your business requires an IAM solution with highly specialized workflows, intricate user access policies, or detailed reporting capabilities, you may find that 1Password does not provide the level of sophistication needed — but it may integrate with platforms that do.

Businesses Seeking Comprehensive Security Solutions Beyond Password Management

1Password excels at password management and securing sensitive data, but it’s not designed to be a comprehensive security platform that addresses all aspects of cybersecurity. For businesses seeking a single platform that can handle everything from endpoint security and network monitoring to data loss prevention (DLP) and detailed compliance management, 1Password may fall short.

If your organization needs a more holistic approach to security — encompassing a wider range of tools such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), firewall management, or advanced threat protection (ATP) — you might need to look at solutions like Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, or even more extensive platforms like IBM Security. These platforms offer integrated security operations, centralized threat intelligence, and end-to-end protection across your IT environment, going far beyond the capabilities of a password manager.

Enterprises Needing Advanced AI and Machine Learning Capabilities

As businesses increasingly turn to AI and machine learning (ML) for proactive threat detection, automated security responses, and intelligent analytics, 1Password may not yet satisfy all those needs. While 1Password offers robust password management and security features, as well as impressive features like its Watchtower, it lacks some of the more advanced AI-driven capabilities that certain enterprises might require for modern cybersecurity strategies.

For instance, companies looking for tools that can predict potential security breaches based on behavioral analytics or provide AI-driven recommendations for improving security posture might find 1Password lacking in this area.

Solutions like Darktrace, which uses AI to autonomously detect and respond to cybersecurity threats in real-time, or Splunk, which offers AI-powered security analytics, might be more suitable for enterprises that prioritize AI and machine learning in their security infrastructure.

Compare 1Password to the Top Competitors

Top 10 1Password Differentiators

1Password has a lot of features packed into one product. Here are the top 10 differentiators that SelectHub found in its review.

Privacy-First Approach

1Password is built with privacy as its core principle. Unlike many other password managers, 1Password doesn’t track, store, or share any of your data — though in some cases, it does collect basic, anonymized telemetry data.

Your passwords, documents, and sensitive information are private, and 1Password cannot see or access the data due to its unique security architecture. This level of privacy is essential for businesses that deal with sensitive information and need assurance that their data is not being monitored or misused.

The platform’s commitment to privacy is backed by rigorous third-party audits and compliance with major industry standards, ensuring your information stays protected and private.

Extended Access Management

1Password®️ Extended Access Management integrates user identity, application insights, and device trust into one seamless platform. This allows businesses to have full visibility and control over who is accessing what, from where, and on which devices.

Security controls in 1Password.

By integrating with existing identity management solutions like Entra ID, Okta, and OneLogin, 1Password simplifies the management of employee access across all applications. This holistic approach helps organizations enforce strong security policies, reduce the risk of unauthorized access, and streamline user provisioning and deprovisioning processes.

Secret Key Protection

1Password introduces an additional layer of security through its unique Secret Key feature. In addition to your account password, the Secret Key is a device-specific code required to access your 1Password account. This ensures that even if your password is compromised, unauthorized users cannot access your account without the Secret Key.

This extra layer of encryption provides robust protection against hacking attempts and unauthorized access, providing an extra layer of protection compared to other password managers.

Seamless Integration

1Password Business integrates effortlessly with your existing IAM infrastructure. It works with major platforms like Entra ID, Okta, OneLogin, and Slack, enabling the automation of common administrative tasks. Whether it’s syncing employee credentials or managing access to critical applications, 1Password fits naturally into your workflow, enhancing security without disrupting operations.

Additionally, 1Password offers deployment options across macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, browser extensions, Linux, and even CLI, ensuring that your team can securely access information no matter what devices or operating systems they use.

Usability Across Devices

1Password is designed with a focus on usability, offering a consistent experience across all devices — whether it’s on desktop, mobile, or through a browser extension. This multi-device support ensures that employees can securely access their accounts and information from any location, at any time.

The intuitive interface and easy-to-use features mean less time spent on training and more time on productive work. The flexibility to use 1Password across various devices without sacrificing security makes it a practical solution for modern, mobile workforces.

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Secure Travel Mode

For employees who travel frequently, security can be a major concern, especially when crossing borders or working in unfamiliar locations. 1Password’s Secure Travel Mode is specifically designed to address this. It temporarily removes sensitive data from your devices, preventing unauthorized access in case your device is lost, stolen, or confiscated during travel. Once you’re back in a secure environment, you can easily restore the data with a single click.

This feature is particularly valuable for businesses that need to ensure the security of sensitive information while their employees are on the move.

Strong Security Measures

Security is the foundation of 1Password, and it includes a comprehensive suite of advanced security features to protect your business. These features include a built-in password generator that creates strong, unique passwords for every account, and two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of protection. 1Password also integrates with Have I Been Pwned to alert users to potential security threats so that they can take immediate action.

Password generation in 1Password.

Comprehensive Storage

With 1Password, you can store more than just passwords. The platform offers secure storage for documents, credit card information, and other sensitive data. This means your business can keep everything from confidential contracts to employee credentials in one encrypted location, reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.

1Password’s storage vault.

The ability to securely store and share sensitive information across teams, while keeping it private and protected, adds another layer of security and convenience for businesses of all sizes.

Security Alerts

When it comes to security, being proactive is crucial. 1Password provides real-time security alerts that notify you of potential breaches, weak passwords, or suspicious activity within your accounts. These alerts allow you to take immediate action to secure your data and prevent potential breaches before they occur.

The platform’s ability to monitor security in real-time and provide actionable insights helps you stay ahead of threats and maintain a strong security posture.

Robust Reporting & Insights

1Password’s insights give a helpful overview of the health of all passwords in an account. Find out at a glance the existence of potential vulnerabilities, such as weak, reused, or compromised passwords, which makes it easy to resolve vulnerabilities as soon as possible, and get good insights for auditing purposes.

Team and password insights in 1Password.

For example, if you see that your company’s Instagram password has been compromised, you can quickly inform marketing. Since weak and reused passwords are the #1 cause of breaches, this helps the whole organization stay vigilant.

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1Password Pricing: How Much Does It Cost?

1Password offers several pricing tiers catered to different personal and professional needs. Here they are along with their high-level features and benefits.

Personal Plan

• Best Suited For: Individuals needing a secure way to manage their passwords and personal data across multiple devices.
• Features: Unlimited passwords, items, and devices; 1 GB document storage; Travel Mode; security dashboard; 365-day item history.
• Pricing: Approximately $2.99 per month when billed annually.

Family Plan

• Best Suited For: Families or households looking to share secure access to accounts while maintaining individual privacy.
• Features: All Personal plan features, plus up to 5 family members, sharing vaults securely, recovery for locked-out family members, and the ability to add more members for $1 per new member.
• Pricing: Approximately $4.99 per month when billed annually for up to 5 users.

Team Plan

• Best Suited For: Small teams or businesses that need to share passwords and other sensitive information securely among team members.
• Features: All Family plan features, plus unlimited shared vaults, admin console, activity log, and basic two-factor authentication.
• Pricing: Teams Starter Pack is $19.99/mo for 10 users

Business Plan

• Best Suited For: Businesses or organizations that need advanced security controls, compliance features, and extensive sharing options.
• Features: All Team plan features, plus advanced reporting, integration with third-party services (e.g., Okta, Entra ID), custom roles and groups, dedicated account manager, and 5 GB document storage per user.
• Pricing: Approximately $7.99 per user per month when billed annually.

Enterprise Plan

• Best Suited For: Large enterprises requiring extensive security measures, custom onboarding, and priority support.
• Features: All Business plan features, plus customized setup and onboarding, dedicated success and deployment teams, priority support, and advanced integration options.
• Pricing: Custom pricing based on organizational needs and size.

From small startups to large enterprises, 1Password scales with your business, offering tailored solutions for various security needs. Its easy deployment and integration with tools like Entra ID, Okta, and Slack make it a go-to choice for businesses looking to bolster their security posture without compromising productivity.

To get more details about 1Password pricing, request a free price quote. It’s also advisable to get a demo and discuss pricing scenarios relevant to your organization’s unique requirements.

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1Password Alternatives: How Do They Stack Up?

Googling “1Password alternatives” will lead you down a rabbit hole of password management solutions.

The most common — and most competitive — would be the likes of LastPass, Bitwarden, NordPass, Roboform, JumpCloud, Norton Password Manager, Zoho Vault, Sticky Password, and Enpass.

In reviewing why businesses choose 1Password alternatives, reasons include the following.

• Budget Considerations: While 1Password offers robust security and features, some alternatives like Bitwarden provide a more budget-friendly option, especially for individuals and small teams. Bitwarden, for instance, offers a free tier with many essential features, making it an attractive option for those looking to manage costs while still getting reliable password management, while 1Password does not have a free tier.
• Preference for Integrated Security Suites: Businesses looking for a comprehensive security solution that goes beyond password management might find alternatives like Dashlane appealing due to its inclusion of a VPN in its premium plan. For organizations seeking an all-in-one package that covers multiple aspects of digital security within a single subscription, Dashlane or similar platforms may offer more value.
• Customization Needs: If an organization requires extensive customization, particularly in enterprise settings, they might lean towards alternatives like LastPass or Keeper, which offer certain customization features that 1Password may not. For example, organizations needing highly specialized user roles or advanced reporting capabilities might find these alternatives more flexible in meeting their specific needs.
• Existing Ecosystem Compatibility: Companies heavily invested in a particular ecosystem might choose a password manager that integrates more seamlessly with their existing tools. For instance, businesses using Microsoft’s suite of products might prefer LastPass due to its tighter integration with Entra ID and other Microsoft services. Similarly, organizations already utilizing an integrated IAM platform might choose a tool that dovetails more naturally with their existing infrastructure.
• Legacy Systems and Familiarity: Some organizations might opt for a password management solution they’ve previously used or one that has been widely adopted in their industry. Familiarity and a well-established user base can drive decisions, particularly in large enterprises where change management is a significant concern. LastPass, for example, has been a long-standing player in the market and might be preferred due to its established reputation and widespread adoption.

Now that we’ve covered the reasons why businesses might choose 1Password alternatives, here are several reasons why you should choose 1Password over the competition.

• Privacy-First Design: 1Password’s commitment to privacy stands out as a key differentiator. Unlike some competitors, 1Password doesn’t track, store, or share user data. Its zero-knowledge architecture ensures that even 1Password itself cannot access your information, making it a top choice for users and organizations that prioritize data privacy above all else.
• Extended Access Management: 1Password offers a comprehensive solution for managing access across multiple platforms and devices, integrating seamlessly with Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions like Entra ID, Okta, and OneLogin. For businesses needing full visibility and control over user access, 1Password Extended Access Management capabilities are a significant advantage, particularly for enterprises that require robust security protocols across diverse user bases.
• Superior Usability and User Experience: 1Password is often praised for its intuitive interface and ease of use, making it a favorite among teams and individuals who value a seamless user experience. The platform’s consistency across different devices — whether desktop, mobile, or browser extension — ensures that users can manage their passwords and sensitive information effortlessly, with minimal training or technical support.
• Advanced Security Features: 1Password goes beyond basic password management with features like the Secret Key, which adds an additional layer of encryption unique to each device. This, combined with strong security measures like two-factor authentication (2FA) and real-time security alerts, makes 1Password a compelling choice for organizations that require the highest level of security for their digital assets.
• Comprehensive Storage and Secure Sharing: Unlike some competitors that focus solely on password management, 1Password provides secure storage for a wide range of sensitive information, including documents, credit card details, and other private data.
• Responsive Customer Support and Continuous Improvement: 1Password’s customer support is frequently highlighted as one of its strengths. The company’s commitment to listening to user feedback and incorporating it into regular updates ensures that the platform evolves to meet the changing needs of its users. This focus on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction makes 1Password a reliable choice for businesses and individuals seeking a password manager that grows with them.

Despite a crowded space and a long list of alternatives, 1Password is a solid category leader for organizations looking for a highly configurable password management system.

Compare 1Password to the Top Competitors

1Password Review Themes From Users

There are many customer stories about how 1Password has helped organizations. Here are three themes commonly mentioned in 1Password reviews.

• Exceptional Product Quality and Security: Users consistently praise 1Password for its strong focus on privacy and security. Many appreciate that 1Password doesn’t track or store user data, providing peace of mind that their sensitive information remains confidential. The Secret Key feature, which adds an extra layer of protection beyond the master password, is often highlighted as a standout security measure.

• Seamless Integration and Ease of Use: Another common theme is 1Password’s seamless integration with existing systems and its intuitive user interface. Users appreciate how easily 1Password fits into their workflows, whether they’re managing a small team or a large enterprise. The platform’s ability to integrate with tools like Okta, Slack, and Entra ID is often mentioned as a significant advantage.

• Strong Customer Support, Continuous Improvement, and Consistency: Many users commend 1Password for its responsive customer support and commitment to continuous improvement. The regular updates and introduction of new features based on user feedback are seen as a sign of 1Password’s dedication to maintaining a high-quality product that evolves with its users’ needs.

Individual experiences with 1Password vary, and user reviews may not be representative of all users’ experiences. It’s essential if you’re considering 1Password to evaluate the platform based on your specific requirements and to get a demo to better understand its capabilities and potential fit with your business.

Final 1Password Review

1Password is a top-tier password management solution that excels in providing robust security features, seamless integration with enterprise tools, and an intuitive user experience. It’s particularly well-suited for organizations that prioritize privacy and need a reliable, easy-to-use platform to manage passwords and sensitive information across a wide range of devices.

In our analysts’ review, here is what we ultimately found.

First, 1Password excels in privacy and security. Its privacy-first design ensures that your business data remains confidential, with no profiling or sharing of your information. This commitment to privacy is backed by rigorous external audits and industry certifications, making 1Password a top choice for security-conscious organizations.

Second, 1Password Extended Access Management is a standout feature. By combining user identity, application insights, and device trust, 1Password provides a comprehensive security solution that integrates seamlessly with your existing infrastructure. This holistic approach is particularly valuable for businesses looking to enforce strong security policies at scale.

Third, ease of use is another area where 1Password shines. It’s designed to be intuitive and accessible, with quick onboarding and a user-friendly interface that minimizes the learning curve. Whether you’re managing a small team or a large enterprise, 1Password fits smoothly into your existing workflow.

Fourth, security monitoring and alerts keep you proactive about potential threats. 1Password’s advanced monitoring tools provide timely notifications about security breaches, enabling you to respond swiftly and reduce risk. Its insights and reporting are outstanding, providing an overview of the health of your passwords in one place and helping reduce risks of breaches.

Fifth, comprehensive storage capabilities make 1Password more than just a password manager. Its encrypted file storage and secure document sharing features allow you to protect a wide range of sensitive business information.

However, while 1Password is a powerful tool, it’s not without its limitations. Organizations with highly specific customization needs, those requiring a comprehensive all-in-one security suite, or industries with stringent regulatory compliance requirements might need to consider alternative solutions or use 1Password in conjunction with other specialized tools.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a secure, reliable, and user-friendly password management solution that integrates seamlessly with your existing infrastructure, 1Password is an excellent choice. It offers the security, flexibility, and ease of use that businesses of all sizes need to keep their digital assets safe. What’s not to like about that?

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What’s Next?

Still haven’t decided on the right password management platform? Behold these resources.

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About the Author

About Devon Hennig: Devon is SelectHub’s sultan of software selection. He most recently served as VP of Marketing for Docebo (Nasdaq: DCBO) and, prior to that, he was VP of Demand Generation at Vendasta, the leading provider of white-label products and services for global resellers. His passion is helping companies find the right solutions for their tech stack. Visit devonhennig.com for more information.