Bitwarden vs. LastPass - Login Lockdown

Bitwarden vs. LastPass

Katy Smith
February 18, 2021

Choosing the right password manager can be challenging. You need to find a reliable app with an outstanding security feature to manage your password. But with the sheer variety of options available, many people struggle to find the password manager app suitable for them.

For that reason, we’ve given you a breakdown of Bitwarden and LastPass, two of the most popular options in the password manager industry. We’ll talk about their functions, target audience, and pricing options. On top of that, we’ll provide details about a free plan if the app has it.

Finally, we’ll help you decide which password generator is a better solution for your particular needs and business type.

Bitwarden vs. LastPass: At a Glance

Whether Bitwarden or LastPass is a better password managing solution seems to be a never-ending debate. Both password manager apps boast fantastic features, but what do they consist of? In this section, we’ll examine what Bitwarden and LastPass have to offer.

What Does Bitwarden Offer?

The unique feature of Bitwarden is that it’s open-source. But what does that mean? Basically, users have access to its code, allowing them to add new features. Accordingly, the app will boast even more functions in the future as its army of followers grows.

As a premium password manager, Bitwarden has all the functions a user might expect such an app to have. Its AES 256-bit encryption offers fantastic security and is the same that governments worldwide use.

Furthermore, Bitwarden is a zero-knowledge platform, meaning no other user besides you has access to your master password. Bitwarden also can’t get your sensitive information. In case you forget your master password, you won’t be able to retrieve it, though. But rest assured. All sensitive information is protected and not vulnerable.

Bitwarden also boasts two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of security. With such a system, a user has peace of mind that no one will be able to hack into the master password. Even if someone gets your password, they won’t be able to access your data without the second authentication.

bitwarden features

Regarding the password generator, Bitwarden is relatively simple to use. Users can make their passwords from five to 128 characters long. This gives them more flexibility when choosing the right password. When typing the password into the password field, know that it can include numbers, letters, and even ambiguous characters, such as zero or the letter O.

Another cool function is the Collection feature. This password manager lets its users store passwords or financial information into different compartments. For example, you can have one folder with your partner and share with them passwords and financial data. You could also create another folder for children or family members with a password, without sharing sensitive data with them.

Its password auditing feature is reliable and ensures the password vault is secure. Bitwarden will analyze potential issues and provide a report. That way, users can be in the loop about all password-related data. For example, a user can check the Bitwarden vault for weak passwords, repeated passwords, or even get insight into any data breach.

Keep in mind the app won’t automatically inform you if there are some red flags. Instead, you’ll have to perform the manual check. But if you make a mental note to visit your vault regularly, there shouldn’t be any problems.

The only downside is that Bitwarden doesn’t auto-save newly-generated passwords. Instead, you might have to copy-paste it into the vault. Although this isn’t a significant problem, it might be an issue for some users.

How Much Is Bitwarden?

If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll love this password manager. It offers almost all the features as its competitors, but for a much lower price. On top of that, it has a free plan, suitable for a single user and their everyday needs regarding password security.

Here’s what it provides:

  • Password generator
  • Unlimited password sharing with one user
  • Limitless password storage
  • Device synchronization

However, if a free version doesn’t seem to satisfy your needs, you can try the Bitwarden Premium plan. Price-wise, this plan is $10 a year – reasonable compared to other similar password manager platforms. It has all the features of the Free plan, plus:

  • Vault tools and reports
  • 1 GB encrypted file storage
  • Two-step login with YubiKey, U2F, and Duo
  • Bitwarden authenticator

Being relatively affordable, this plan is great if a user needs an authenticator and vault auditing tools. But keep in mind that you can share your logins only with one user.

Another package is the Bitwarden Families plan. It’s slightly more expensive than the Premium package, at $40 a year. It offers everything the previous two plans provide, plus:

  • Up to six base users
  • Unlimited password sharing between users
  • Unlimited shared items
bitwarden plans and pricing

What Does LastPass Offer?

Another amazing password manager is LastPass. This app attracts many people for its user-friendly platform. Like Bitwarden, LastPass also offers government-grade security. It’s a zero-knowledge platform and has a two-factor authentication. On top of that, it also provides an additional layer of security with the help of third-party apps and their multi-level authentication features.

Such a system sends users one-time codes they need to insert when using their master password. With this kind of technology in place, you can rest assured that hacking into your passwords will be almost impossible.

LastPass also has an in-built One-Time Password option. If you need to use a public or someone else’s computer, this app will provide a one-time code for you to insert along with the password. The great thing is that you can print or remember this code and use it anytime you feel an additional layer of security is necessary. There are also situations when company owners decide to hire freelance Cloudflare experts to be able to prevent several types of attacks from happening.

lastpass strong master password

In case you forget the password, LastPass has got you covered. Namely, there are various options to retrieve it. For example, it could be done via SMS, by confirming your identity with Touch ID, etc.

Auto-saving passwords isn’t a problem with this platform. Every time you need to log in to an account, the browser you use will confirm whether you want to save the password. Its vault is neatly organized, so you can access any section quickly.

As far as the password generator goes, LastPass has a unique option. Once you create a password, the app will suggest whether saying it is easy. This function is useful when generating Wi-Fi passwords.

When it comes to sharing, the good news is that it’s possible to give passwords to other individuals without them seeing the actual password itself.

How Much Is LastPass?

LastPass has a free version for every plan they offer. This allows you to explore all the options the package offers. The platform has two types of plans: Personal and Business. 

As far as the Personal package goes, there’s a free plan. Here are its features:

  • Browser support
  • Unlimited password storage
  • Fantastic email support
  • Sensitive data storage

If the free version isn’t enough for your needs, there’s a Premium plan as well. It’s around $3.50 per user per month, but it’s billed annually. Besides the features the free plan offers, it also includes:

  • 1 GB secure cloud storage.
  • One-to-many sharing
  • Security dashboard

The Families package this password manager has is around $4.80 per user per month, billed yearly. Here’s what it includes:

  • Shared folders
  • Up to six users
  • Family manager dashboard

Remember that the final price of the plan depends on the number of users you need.

lastpass plans and pricing

Three Essential Features of Bitwarden and LastPass

Now that you know about the features these apps offer, it’s time to compare their performance regarding critical password management.

Security

Naturally, the primary function of every password manager is the level of security it offers. Each step the app takes to improve security means there’s less chance of data breach. 

That’s why it’s crucial that the platform you choose is reliable and manages to keep your passwords secure. However, password manager platforms have different ways of dealing with security. Let’s see how Bitwarden and LastPass compare:

How Bitwarden Handles Security?

As mentioned above, Bitwarden has AES 256-bit encryption. This kind of data protection means even the company itself doesn’t have access to your passwords and other sensitive information. It also has a Two-factor authentication, meaning you have the option of providing another kind of verification along with your password.

Bitwarden also lets users self-host data, giving them more control over sensitive information.

How LastPass Handles Security?

LastPass handles security similarly. For example, it also doesn’t let other individuals read your passwords. Furthermore, LastPass has multi-factor authentication, more than Bitwarden offers. It also shows the strength of your passwords and informs you whether they should be updated. But unlike Bitwarden, there’s no self-hosting option with LastPass. That said, users can’t have full control over their sensitive data.

Ease of Use

Another critical function of a password manager is how user-friendly the platform is. While some apps might be more suitable for advanced users, others are great for beginners. But how do Bitwarden and LastPass perform in terms of ease of use? Let’s see.

bitwarden features

How User-Friendly Is Bitwarden?

Generally speaking, Bitwarden seems to be more suitable for advanced users. Using it isn’t always intuitive. And if you tend to use Bitwarden with a smartphone, keep in mind the app won’t integrate your password automatically.

How User-Friendly Is LastPass?

Because of its more user-friendly platform, LastPass is a better option for beginners. Setting up the app and managing your passwords is relatively simple. On top of that, importing passwords from another similar app takes a few moments. For your convenience, it organizes notes or sections into separate folders.

Vaults and Password Options

You might be wondering how many users can share a password and if you need a particular browser to access the vault. Although not related to security, these features are equally important when choosing a password manager. Let’s see how Bitwarden and LastPass manage this:

How Bitwarden Handles Vaults and Passwords?

Bitwarden users can access their vaults from any browser, except Internet Explorer. Since many consider this browser outdated, you shouldn’t have any issues. 

Regarding password sharing, the free plan Bitwarden offers lets two users share passwords. That number is slightly higher if you choose the Premium or the Family package. For example, with the Family tier, up to six users can share the package.

How LastPass Handles Vaults and Passwords?

LastPass allows its users to access their vaults from all browsers, including Internet Explorer. If you’re a hardcore fan of this platform, know that you won’t have to switch to another just to use LastPass. 

As for password sharing, LastPass also has a free plan, but it supports only one user. However, its Premium and Families packages are compatible with similar Bitwarden tiers and support the same number of users.

Lastpass all items

Bitwarden and LastPass boast amazing features regarding security and password sharing. But which app do you need for a small business or a startup, and which for a large enterprise? Let’s find out:

Small Businesses and Startups

Families, small businesses, or startups looking to get a password manager often need something that’s user-friendly and doesn’t require any advanced technical skills. In that case, LastPass might be a better option. Its platform is designed with beginner users in mind, and managing it isn’t difficult. LastPass also provides a health score for your password, letting you know if you should make it stronger.

Medium-Sized Businesses

If you’re a medium-sized business, you’ll likely need more features from your password manager. LastPass has a variety of packages, all of which boast numerous advantages. It also lets users organize data into folders. Such a feature enables medium-sized companies to store various passwords regarding finances, websites they use, etc.

Enterprise-Level Businesses

Larger businesses need unlimited password storage on multiple devices, which Bitwarden offers. They also usually look for apps to enforce more security among themselves. Since Bitwarden utilizes one-way salted hashing, it’s more suitable for large enterprises.

But if you’re looking for a much simpler alternative than these two options, consider checking monday.com.

Bitwarden vs. LastPass: Who Wins?

Which of these password manager apps is a better solution? Both boast amazing features, are affordable, and offer great security.

Unfortunately, the choice ultimately depends on your needs. If you need something with a friendly user-platform, consider LastPass. Navigating it is relatively simple, and you don’t need any technical skills. But if you’re tech-savvy and want more security, then Bitwarden would be a better choice.