What is 1Password?

1Password has evolved far beyond a simple password vault. Today, it's a comprehensive Extended Access Management (XAM) platform that secures every sign-in, manages credentials across devices, and protects businesses from the growing threats of shadow IT and unauthorized access.

Trusted by over 180,000 businesses including Slack, IBM, Stripe, and Salesforce, 1Password delivers a 206% ROI according to Forrester Research. Whether you're a freelancer managing personal accounts or an enterprise securing thousands of employees, 1Password scales to meet your needs.

Key Features That Set 1Password Apart

Password Management & Autofill

At its core, 1Password excels at what matters most: keeping your passwords secure and accessible. The platform stores passwords, credit cards, secure notes, and documents in an encrypted vault that syncs across all your devices. The smart autofill works seamlessly across browsers and applications, while the built-in password generator creates strong, unique passwords instantly.

Unlike basic browser password managers, 1Password gives you complete control over your security. You can organize credentials into multiple vaults, share specific items with team members, and access everything on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux.

Extended Access Management (XAM)

Where 1Password truly shines is its enterprise-grade access management. The Device Trust feature lets IT teams control access from both managed and unmanaged devices, ensuring only secure endpoints connect to company resources. Meanwhile, SaaS Discovery identifies shadow IT and ungoverned applications that employees might be using without approval.

For compliance-focused organizations, the Access Reviews feature automates permission management workflows. And with full Passkey Support, you can embrace passwordless authentication for modern security without sacrificing convenience.

Watchtower Security Dashboard

Watchtower is like having a security analyst monitoring your accounts 24/7. It continuously scans for compromised passwords found in data breaches, flags weak or reused passwords, identifies sites where you should enable two-factor authentication, and tracks expiring credentials and licenses. This proactive approach to security sets 1Password apart from competitors who only react after problems occur.

1Password Pricing Plans

1Password offers flexible pricing that scales with your needs. For individuals, the $2.99/month plan includes all core features and unlimited devices. Families can share with up to 5 members for $4.99/month, making it one of the most affordable ways to secure your household.

Business pricing starts with the Teams Starter plan at $19.95/month for up to 10 users—perfect for small teams just getting started. Growing companies typically choose the Business plan at $7.99/user/month, which adds advanced security features, admin controls, and priority support. Enterprise customers get custom pricing with full XAM capabilities and dedicated success managers.

All plans include a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, so you can test every feature before committing.

Real-World Use Cases

Startups and small teams often struggle with password sharing. Instead of sending credentials through Slack or maintaining insecure spreadsheets, 1Password's shared vaults let teams securely access tools like AWS, Stripe, and social media accounts. When someone leaves the company, you simply revoke their access—no password rotation required.

Remote teams face unique security challenges. With Device Trust, IT teams can verify that employees accessing company resources are using secure, compliant devices—whether they're working from home, a coffee shop, or traveling internationally. The Travel Mode feature even lets you hide sensitive vaults when crossing borders, protecting both personal and business data from inspection.

At the enterprise level, organizations like Duke University have tripled their security coverage after switching to 1Password. The platform's SSO integration works seamlessly with identity providers like Okta and Azure AD, while advanced reporting meets compliance requirements for SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA.

1Password vs Competitors

1Password vs LastPass

After LastPass's 2022 security incident, many users switched to 1Password for its stronger security track record. 1Password has never experienced a breach exposing customer vaults, and its zero-knowledge architecture means even employees can't access your data. Unique features like Travel Mode and Device Trust give 1Password clear advantages for security-conscious users.

1Password vs Bitwarden

Bitwarden appeals to users wanting a free tier or self-hosting options. However, 1Password delivers a more polished experience that drives team adoption. Enterprise features like XAM, SaaS discovery, and advanced reporting are capabilities Bitwarden simply doesn't offer. For businesses prioritizing usability alongside security, 1Password justifies its premium pricing.

1Password vs Apple Keychain

Apple Keychain is free and convenient for Apple users, but it falls short for anyone working across platforms. 1Password offers cross-platform support, better organization with multiple vaults, secure document storage, and the team sharing features that Keychain lacks entirely.

Integrations & Ecosystem

1Password connects with your entire tech stack. Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Brave provide seamless autofill everywhere you work. SSO integration with Okta, Azure AD, and Google Workspace means employees can use their existing credentials while IT maintains central control.

Developers love 1Password's command-line interface and SSH agent for managing secrets in their workflows. The secrets automation feature integrates with CI/CD pipelines, while SIEM connections to Splunk and Datadog enable security monitoring at scale. The 1Password Marketplace offers hundreds of additional integrations for specialized workflows.

Pros and Cons

1Password's strengths are substantial. The industry-leading security with zero-knowledge architecture protects your data even from 1Password itself. The intuitive interface consistently receives praise for driving team adoption where other password managers fail. Comprehensive enterprise features like XAM and Device Trust address needs that competitors ignore, while excellent cross-platform support means you're never locked into one ecosystem.

That said, 1Password isn't perfect for everyone. The lack of a free tier means budget-conscious individuals might prefer Bitwarden. The higher price point compared to some alternatives requires justification for cost-sensitive organizations. There's no self-hosting option for companies with strict data residency requirements, and the advanced enterprise features have a learning curve that smaller teams might not need.

Who Should Use 1Password?

1Password is the right choice for remote teams needing secure credential sharing, enterprises requiring compliance and access governance, and developers managing secrets and SSH keys. Families wanting to share passwords safely will appreciate the affordable family plan, while frequent international travelers benefit from the unique Travel Mode feature.

If you need a free solution and don't mind fewer features, consider Bitwarden. But if security, usability, and enterprise capabilities are priorities, 1Password delivers exceptional value that justifies its cost.

Getting Started with 1Password

Getting started takes just minutes. Sign up for a 14-day free trial on the 1Password website, then download the apps for your devices. The import wizard makes migrating existing passwords from browsers or other managers painless. Install the browser extensions for seamless autofill, then invite team members or family to share vaults.

1Password's onboarding guides walk you through every step, and their support team is available to help with migration from competitors. Most users are fully operational within an hour of signing up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 1Password safe to use?

Yes, 1Password uses AES-256 encryption and a zero-knowledge architecture, meaning even 1Password employees cannot access your data. Your master password never leaves your device, and all data is encrypted end-to-end before reaching their servers.

Can 1Password be hacked?

While no system is 100% immune, 1Password has never experienced a data breach exposing customer vaults. The company undergoes regular third-party security audits and maintains a bug bounty program that rewards researchers for finding vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.

Is 1Password better than LastPass?

After LastPass's 2022 security incident, many users consider 1Password the safer choice. Beyond the security track record, 1Password offers unique features like Travel Mode and Device Trust that LastPass lacks. The user experience is also generally considered more polished.

Does 1Password work offline?

Yes, 1Password stores an encrypted copy of your vault locally on each device. You can access all your passwords offline, and changes sync automatically when you reconnect to the internet.

Can I use 1Password for free?

1Password offers a 14-day free trial but no permanent free tier. For a free alternative, consider Bitwarden, though you'll miss 1Password's advanced features and polished experience.

What happens if I forget my 1Password master password?

1Password provides a Secret Key during setup that, combined with your Emergency Kit, allows account recovery. For teams, administrators can help reset access. Due to zero-knowledge encryption, 1Password cannot reset your password directly—this is a security feature, not a limitation.

Final Verdict

1Password remains the gold standard for password management in 2026. Its combination of user-friendly design, enterprise-grade security, and innovative features like Extended Access Management make it the top choice for businesses serious about protecting their credentials.

The lack of a free tier may deter some users, but the 14-day trial gives you ample time to experience why 180,000+ businesses trust 1Password with their most sensitive data. For teams and enterprises prioritizing security and usability, 1Password is the clear winner.

Rating: 4.8/5