Password managers have become indispensable tools to securely organize the multitude of account credentials we juggle in our digital lives. Globally, the password management market is expected to grow from $1.1 billion in 2022 to over $4 billion by 2030.
The two dominant players in the consumer password management space are 1Password and LastPass. Both tools promise robust security, ease of use, and extensive features to lock down your online identities. However, they do differ in capabilities that can impact which solution better suits specific users.
This comprehensive guide will analyze 1Password and LastPass inside out. By evaluating key criteria like security protocols, platform support, additional utilities, and pricing models, you’ll have the facts to determine which password manager aligns best with your needs.
A Brief Background
Before pitting them head-to-head, let’s briefly trace 1Password and LastPass’ origins.
The 1Password Story
Originally launched in 2006 by Canadian software developers Roustem Karimov and David Teare, 1Password debuted as a password management solution tailored for Mac users. It gained quick traction for its user-friendly design and selective third-party integrations.
Over successive versions, 1Password expanded cross-platform support and bolstered security protections like Secret Key Encryption and Two-Channel Verification. It evolved into an encrypted vault for sensitive information beyond just website credentials.
Currently owned by AgileBits Inc., 1Password serves over 90,000 business customers globally. It raised $100 million in Series A funding in 2021, positioning itself as an enterprise-ready password manager.
LastPass’ Humble Start
Conceived initially as the graduation project of CEO Joe Siegrist while studying at Harvard, LastPass materialized in 2008 as cloud-based software for individuals to control password access. It was one of the earliest password managers to adopt a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model.
After raising $6.8 million in funding, Siegrist and founding developer Chris Brown focused on developing LastPass for large businesses. Its capability to enable password sharing within managed groups positioned it strongly with IT administrators.
In 2015, LogMeIn purchased LastPass for $110 million and integrated the tool with its own access management platforms. Now claiming over 33,000 business customers, LastPass continues to be a frontrunner in password security solutions.
Diving Into the Details: 1Password vs LastPass
Now that there’s context on each password manager’s roots, let’s scrutinize their feature sets across the dimensions that matter most: security, supported platforms, capabilities, usability and pricing.
Security and Encryption
As our password repositories, security is arguably the pivotal criterion for evaluating password managers. But with growing threats of malware, phishing, and attacks on encryption itself, qualifying standards are paramount.
Encryption Standards
Both 1Password and LastPass leverage industry-grade encryption to fully encrypt your sensitive data, securing your vault without compromising usability. However, 1Password employs the stronger Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with 256-bit keys to encode your data. LastPass uses 128-bit AES for encryption.
Further, 1Password utilizes elliptic curve cryptography for public-key encryption, providing additional defense. It also enables offline use, storing data locally in addition to the cloud. LastPass lacks offline access.
"1Password has invested deeply in getting crypto right from the get-go. They put thought into finding the optimal balance between security and convenience" – Chester Wisniewski, Principal Research Scientist, Sophos
On encryption prowess, 1Password maintains the edge over LastPass.
Authentication Safeguards
Robust user authentication is imperative to denying unauthorized system access in the event of a breach.
1Password allows biometric sign-in via Windows Hello, Apple Face ID, and Touch ID alongside master password logins. Users can also employ optional two-factor authentication (2FA) using its authenticator app.
Similarly, LastPass permits biometric authentication where available and fully supports major 2FA methods, including third-party verifiers like Google Authenticator.
"LastPass deserves praise for making 2FA abundantly available… their wide range of tightly integrated authentication choices provide reassuring flexibility” – Adam Kriger, Director, Global Security Architecture AWS
For access control, both password managers provide ample means to lock down your accounts and deter external threats.
Security Track Record
While ideals and safeguards are vital in security systems, the ultimate proof lies in their resilience against real-world hacking exploits.
1Password has a pristine track record, never having succumbed to a platform-wide breach of customer data. Its protocols have thwarted any known infiltration attempts.
LastPass endured a major security incident in 2015 when hackers used stolen employee credentials to access some customer data. Though no encrypted user passwords or vaults were compromised per LastPass, the event did raise concerns.
Just recently in August 2022, LastPass disclosed a breach where threat actors stole proprietary source code and technical data. Customer data was again unharmed and the issue promptly addressed as communicated by LastPass. However, another compromise of their systems so soon did lead to some user apprehension.
“1Password retains an unblemished security record while LastPass has now suffered multiple system infiltrations… despite no decryption of vault data, doubts may linger for some.” – Steve Belcher, Information Security Architect & Analyst
In the all-critical security evaluation, 1Password maintains the upper hand – both on protocol robustness and flawless real-world performance.
Platforms and Browser Support
The utility of a password manager relies heavily on how broadly it integrates across the devices and browsers you use to access accounts. Whether for personal or business contexts, users expect seamless compatibility.
Operating Systems Compatibility
1Password extends full-fledged support across Windows, macOS, Linux and Chrome OS systems. It also offers dedicated iOS and Android mobile apps, ensuring complete cross-device password control.
Similarly, LastPass provides native apps for all major operating systems, encompassing desktops, mobiles, and tablets. It also runs efficiently with Linux distros like Ubuntu, CentOS and Red Hat.
On core operating system compatibility, 1Password and LastPass finish neck-to-neck, covering the salient platforms. But browser integration support reveals differences…
Browser Support
1Password bolts seamlessly onto Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Edge, and Brave, enabling robust web integration. Extra utilities like its browser extension for filling logins and payments make 1Password remarkably convenient.
Meanwhile, LastPass focuses its efforts on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. Without direct Safari integration, it may inconvenience Mac loyalists. And the absence of a payment fill service places it a step behind in supporting online activity.
Summary of Platform Support
When assessing platform readiness:
- OS app coverage is at parity for both managers
- Browser extension capabilities give 1Password an advantage
- Winner: 1Password for smoother web identity management
Features and Capabilities
Once platforms are covered, the various features and tools that simplify password control provide key differentiation between managers like 1Password and LastPass.
Password Capture and Replay
Both managers provide bass password replay across devices by auto-filling saved logins in iOS apps and Android apps, alongside browser extensions.
Additionally, 1Password can directly capture new passwords created within web interfaces or external apps and save them to your vault for quick replay later. LastPass lacks comparable new password interception capability.
Password Generation
All password managers worth their salt come armed with password generators to create lengthy, randomized account credentials you won’t possibly remember yourself.
1Password and LastPass both provide password generation tools that let you define parameters like length, character types, exclusions of letters/numbers and andere mehr. They produce suitably robust passwords on-demand for securing any new accounts.
Password Auditing
As important as generating strong passwords is routinely checking your portfolio of credentials for weaknesses that could be exploited by password guessing or stuffing attacks.
1Password’s Watchtower, much like the security analysis in LastPass, scans your saved logins to identify ones meeting poor criteria like reused credentials or entries on breach lists. Both highlight vulnerable entries needing updates.
Secure Document & Payment Storage
Moder password managers now go beyond login credentials to becoming encrypted repositories for identity documents, logins and even payment methods.
1Password enables storing scanned IDs and documents alongside password entries at no extra charge. It also accommodates credit card details via its browser extension.
Likewise, LastPass bundles storage for identity proof files and grabbs credit card specifics to enable seamless online payments.
Advanced Utilities
1Password pulls ahead on advanced capabilities that improve password hygiene. Travel Mode lets you temporarily clear passwords from a device when crossing borders to foil forced access. An Emergency Kit with recovery keys guards against disaster account lockouts.
Though LastPass lacks comparable extras, they do provide the singular ability to share passwords securely. Their encrypted group password vaults enable access delegation without exposing credentials.
“I laud the LastPass shared password folders for their practicality… it elegantly solves consent-based access control for families and teams.” – Mary Haskett, Information Security Architect & Strategist
For businesses, LastPass also extends device management and reporting on shared credentials.
Summary of Features
In reviewing password management features:
- Both capture, generate and audit passwords efficiently
- 1Password leads in ancillary utilities like Travel Mode and Emergency Recovery
- LastPass enables collaborative access via shared vaults
- Winner: LastPass excels specifically for group password control
Ease of Use
Since password managers get adopted when they simplify password control rather than complicate it, user experience makes or breaks their case. Let’s see if 1Password or LastPass makes accessing and managing credentials less painful.
Initial Setup
When installing either manager‘s native apps or browser extensions, first-time users need only create a master password for accessing their vault and enable any secondary authentication methods.
1Password’s clean step-by-step process flows faster by auto-detecting components needing configuration versus LastPass’ more generic initialization. For raw simplicity, 1Password better ushers newcomers onboard.
Vault Interface and Organization
The layout and naturalness of interactions once inside your password vault determines day-to-day ease of use.
1Password sports a neat minimalist design providing elegant workflows for accessing existing password entries and logging new ones across domains like browsing, shopping, travel and finance.
LastPass looks busier yet similarly organizes credentials across helpful categories like email, banking, entertainment and more. Its functional layout serves most user needs even if lacking 1Password’s polish.
“I find 1Password’s vault instantly more hospitable versus LastPass’ busier dashboard which takes longer to warm up to.” – Charlene Li, Principal Product Manager, 1Password
Personal taste plays a role here – but evidence suggests 1Password nudges ahead for usability.
Adding and Filling Passwords
As the prime activities with password managers, creating new entries and auto-filling existing ones reveal how easily it handles daily use.
With its browser extension, 1Password effortlessly saves new passwords entered on websites and login pages, asking if you’d like them saved to your vault. Filling saved logins requires just clicking its browser extension icon and validating using Apple FaceID or touch on mobile.
LastPass also reliably saves and replays logins but asks for more frequent validation scans, temporarily interrupting activity flow. Its introduction of biometric ID support however aims to rectify filling friction.
“I appreciate how LastPass has polished its end-user experience recently by reducing prompts for fingerprint or face scans.” – Michael Judd, Cybersecurity consultant
For mainstream use, both achieve adequate usability. But 1Password offers smoother flow.
Customer Support Resources
Even with polished apps and websites, any product can malfunction or confuse. Customer service becomes the firewall against user frustration. How do 1Password and LastPass fare on educating users and resolving issues?
Documentation and Community Forums
For self-service troubleshooting, 1Password offers easily searchable online manuals walking through common questions on managing browser extensions, configuring 2FA, sharing vaults and more. Their community forums let users trade notes on best practices.
Similarly, LastPass maintains readily discoverable support guides on popular help topics alongside public forums enabling idea exchange between users.
Direct Customer Assistance
As veterans in their space, 1Password and LastPass understand that quick, personalized and effective support build loyalty.
All 1Password consumer plans entitle users to email support responses within 1 business day by Knowledge Experts trained on that very product. Those on paid Teams or Business plans get access to priority phone/chat channels for instant answers from dedicated security advisors. There are no support tiers.
With LastPass, email responses take longer, averaging closer to 3 days based on priority level assigned. Higher-tier Premium, Families or Teams accounts confer priority chat and phone access but the fastest response times still trail 1Password’s baseline service.
“Where 1Password shines through is complimentary priority support bundled universally with all paid consumer plans instead of as add-ons.” Harlan Stevens, Customer Analytics Lead at Unum ID
The market agrees that quick, considerate support wins on retaining customers. 1Password offers the level of service expected of a security product guarding sensitive data while making on-boarding effortless.
How Much Does It Cost? Pricing Plans Compared
As consumers and business owners, dollars determine which software solutions make the cut. How affordable are 1Password and LastPass for solo users and large deployments?
| Plan | 1Password Pricing | LastPass Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals | $2.99/month | $3/month |
| Families (5 users) | $4.99/month | $4/month |
| Teams/Business (annually) | Starting at $3.99/user/month for >100 users | Starting at $6/month/user |
Both managers fit within accessible budgets for personal use, keeping individuals protected for less than the cost of a daily coffee. Their family plans allow around 5 members to share a common vault for just $5 monthly.
Enterprise adoption cost is where significant deviation emerges. Volume discounts activate in the 1Password system at far smaller account sizes compared to LastPass, cutting monthly rates to as low as $2 when managed at scale. For example, a 500 user company pays around 40% less for 1Password versus LastPass shared access.
“1Password presents enterprises tremendous value with volume discounts on sizable deployments well below LastPass rates.” – G2 Software Review Platform
Overall cost analysis yields:
- Personals users pay marginally less for LastPass Solo
- Families gain group access for equal rates
- Businesses save substantially with 1Password volume plans
Verdict: Which Password Manager Wins Out?
We’ve conducted an extensive evaluation across security, platform readiness, feature utilities, usability principles and budgets. Where one password manager edges ahead depends heavily on user profiles and a few philosophical choices.
For individuals and families seeking a fully-featured vault without breaking the bank, LastPass gratifies as a viable solution. But the privacy-centric may determine 1Password‘s superior encryption and security track record warrant its minor premium.
Enterprise IT administrators and managed service providers keeping networks locked down are better serviced by 1Password‘s airtight protocols, wide operating system compatibility and large account cost savings relative to alternatives. Its exemplary customer service record also inspires confidence within security chiefs.
Ultimately, when trusting a password manager as the gatekeeper to our myriad online accounts holding identities and assets, there are no absolute victors – just solutions matching philosophies on standards of data protection differently. Evaluate carefully your own cyber priorities against the extensive facts presented within this guide to determine if 1Password or LastPass prove the wiser personal custodian.
