Password managers have become a vital tool for protecting online accounts, but with many options available, making the right choice can be tough. Two of the most popular commercial password managers on the market are 1Password and LastPass.
This comprehensive guide will compare the key features of 1Password and LastPass to help you determine the best solution for your personal or business password management needs.
An Introduction to Password Managers
Before diving into the details, let‘s quickly recap what password managers are and why they‘re important in the digital age.
A password manager is an encrypted online vault that securely stores login credentials for all your online accounts. The tool generates strong, random passwords for each account, remembers them for you, and can automatically log you into sites and apps that you‘ve saved.
This eliminates the insecure practices of reusing the same passwords everywhere or keeping them written down on paper. With a password manager, you only have one master password to remember to unlock the vault.
Leading providers like 1Password and LastPass also offer password sharing between teams, emergency access options, advanced authentication methods, and more. Their core purpose is to improve login security and convenience.
Now let‘s see how two of the top commercial competitors, 1Password and LastPass, compare when evaluated across crucial categories.
Security Protocols and Encryption
Security is make-or-break when evaluating a password manager for personal use or company-wide deployment.
1Password and LastPass both utilize encryption and advanced security principles to protect stored data, but there are some key differences in their approaches.
1Password‘s Security Architecture
1Password employs end-to-end encryption for all data in transit and 256-bit AES encryption for data at rest. Master passwords are strengthened with PBKDF2 key derivation.
The service claims it would take centuries to brute force guess a 1Password master password. No employees can ever access the encryption keys for customer data.
The company has maintained an excellent security track record without any consumer data breaches over 17+ years in business.
LastPass‘s Security Standards
LastPass also provides AES-256 bit encryption at rest while leveraging TLS protocols during data transit. The master passwords use PBKDF2 with 100,000 rounds.
Additionally, LastPass designs its software infrastructure guided by the rigorous Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle framework involving threat analysis, code auditing, and regular penetration testing.
However, LastPass has faced some security incidents over the past couple years, including a phishing attack in 2021 and a breach of customer support data in 2022. No master passwords were compromised, but it‘s important to note for transparency.
Based on these details, 1Password has a slight edge regarding overall security right now due to its flawless track record. But LastPass does follow modern encryption best practices as well.
Sharing Passwords Across Teams
For businesses and entire families, collaboration features are critical when managing a shared vault of passwords. Let‘s explore how 1Password and LastPass stack up.
1Password‘s Team Password Sharing
1Password enables password sharing through shared vaults that can be precisely customized with user and permission levels. For example, you may allow some team members read-only access while others can edit or even manage permissions.
The company offers separate solutions for families (1Password Families) and businesses (1Password Business) to meet distinct collaboration needs. Family plans allow up to 5 members while business plans support unlimited users.
LastPass‘s Team Password Sharing
Similar to 1Password, LastPass uses shared folders for password collaboration across designated teams. You can customize folder access through granular permission settings per user, allowing view-only, edit, or admin access.
With LastPass Business, you get additional oversight capabilities covering who is sharing what passwords and tools to revoke access. Detailed activity logs provide an audit trail for everything members touch.
From a team perspective, 1Password and LastPass take a comparable strategy here by grouping passwords into customizable folders and vaults. LastPass does offer superior visibility and tracking once deployed across larger groups.
Administrative Controls and Activity Logs
Understanding usage patterns and having administrative oversight is pivotal for managed business password policies.
1Password and LastPass provide varying degrees of insight.
1Password‘s Admin Capabilities
1Password itself does not provide built-in activity monitoring and usage analytics for business managers. However, they offer integrations with third-party services like Splunk and Sumo Logic that can pull logs from 1Password‘s data directory for external analysis.
So some oversight is possible, but you‘ll need another platform to achieve it. The reporting capabilities are not as robust overall compared to some competitors.
LastPass‘s Admin Features
Conversely, LastPass Business supplies an Admin Console delivering complete visibility over users, shared passwords, and account activity:
- Activity Reports cover individual logins, actions, and changes.
- Account Details show who has access to each password or secure note.
- Email notifications alert managers about suspicious behaviors.
By handling reporting natively rather than relying on external tools, LastPass certainly provides superior auditing and oversight for deployed business accounts.
Authentication Methods
1Password and LastPass both provide two-factor authentication (2FA) for enhancing login security beyond just master passwords.
But 2FA is just the start of modern identity and access management platforms aimed at going passwordless. There are substantial differences in the companies‘ authentication capabilities.
1Password‘s Authentication
1Password focuses primarily on TOTP-based two-factor authentication via apps like Google Authenticator or 1Password‘s proprietary authenticator.
While reliable, this is pretty standard as far as 2FA goes. 1Password does not yet provide more advanced options like biometrics or WebAuthn/FIDO2 passwordless login seen with some competitors. For most individuals, TOTP is sufficient but businesses may want more.
LastPass‘s Multi-Factor Authentication
Conversely, LastPass includes support for TOTP authentication but places heavier investment into its true multi-factor authentication (MFA) platform spanning several modalities:
- Push Notifications: Confirm logins via Approve/Deny prompts on mobile devices
- Biometrics: Fingerprint or Face ID scanning
- Contextual Factors: Location-based thresholds during access attempts
- Passwordless Access: Via email magic links and device trust
By blending 2FA with device trust and risk-based analysis, LastPass can achieve solid MFA protections while pointing toward a future without dependence on fallible passwords.
Ease of Use
No password manager can provide substantial security benefits if users find it too complex or frustrating to adopt. Ease of use is still imperative – especially for non-technical teams.
1Password‘s User Experience
1Password strives to offer consumer-grade user interface (UI) polish fitting both home and work environments. Functions feel intuitive out the gate. Most will find it familiar analogous to apps like Dropbox or Evernote.
Strong investment in design pays dividends through features like password creation assistance, secure note taking, form filling, and quick item search across vaults.
1Password also gets high marks for offering exceptional platform support across Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome OS, and web browsers via extensions.
LastPass‘s User Experience
By focusing efforts on core password management, LastPass does trail 1Password a bit regarding user experience finesse and personalization. But it still provides solid credentials management accustomed to non-technical users even if the UI lacks vibrancy.
Some welcome highlights include a security challenge to identify potentially weak existing passwords and dark web monitoring that notifies users if saved accounts appear on the dark web.
Like 1Password, LastPass also offers thorough platform support by way of native apps across mobile and desktop operating systems augmented through popular browser extensions.
Pricing and Plans
As 1Password and LastPass are both premium software solutions, pricing plays an important role during evaluation. Let‘s compare what they each offer consumers and businesses.
| 1Password | LastPass | |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals | $2.99/month – Personal $4.99/month – Families (5 users) |
Free – Basic password manager $3/month – Premium add-ons |
| Business | $7.99/user/month billed annually $9.99/user/month billed monthly |
$6/user/month billed annually $8/user/month billed monthly |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing Volume discounts 500+ users Dedicated account manager |
Custom pricing Volume discounts 1,000+ users Dedicated account manager |
| Free Option | No free version (30-day trial available) |
Yes Basic password management for individuals |
| Storage | 5GB free per user 100GB max per account |
1GB free per user Unlimited storage add-on available |
In terms of pricing, 1Password and LastPass take a similar premium software approach with comparable team plans and volume discounts at an enterprise scale.
LastPass does offer a permanently free individual plan with basic functionality unlike 1Password, which requires a paid subscription of some kind.
Expert and User Reviews
Along with technical capabilities, it‘s insightful to examine expert and user reviews evaluating 1Password and LastPass password managers based on real-world usage across various situations.
Expert Analysis and Reviews
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PC Mag: Award-winning reviews site PC Mag rated 1Password #1 Editors‘ Choice among best business password managers with rave remarks about its ease of use, organization, support, and enterprise deployment capabilities.
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Wirecutter: In extensive testing for Wirecutter, 1Password also earned designation as the #1 Pick for most people seeking a convenient and secure password manager. They favor its excellent interface and syncing.
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TechRadar Pro: This online B2B tech publication preferred LastPass for its breadth of authentication methods and administration over 1Password. But they granted both services high marks overall for encryption and convenience.
User Reviews on Reddit
Checking Reddit for candid takes provides further anecdotal insights from real-world users:
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"Switched from LastPass to 1Password this year and never looking back. So much better UI and product integration across my devices."
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"LastPass served me well for basic password management, but 1Password blows them out of the water for enterprise functionality if you can afford it. Their support is truly exceptional too."
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"Honestly I just use LastPass free since I don‘t need anything advanced. Does everything I need even with basic version plus they support more browser extensions."
Final Recommendations
Based on this full evaluation, here is a final breakdown of choosing between 1Password and LastPass:
For personal use and families, 1Password brings better design polish, sharing capabilities, and generally tracks as the more enjoyable solution although a bit pricier without a free option.
For large business deployments, LastPass excels at company-wide control with superior activity monitoring. Its wide array of authentication factors also suits more complex identity protocols.
Either password manager ultimately provides hearty protection far beyond not using one. Pick the solution aligning closest with your main priorities as both services merit strong consideration.
FAQs About 1Password and LastPass
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions for further comparison:
Is 1Password or LastPass more secure?
1Password and LastPass leverage comparable encryption standards, but 1Password retains a flawless security track record while LastPass has faced isolated breaches recently. Generally they both represent excellent security.
Which option is cheaper for business use?
1Password and LastPass are extremely close in pricing at both small and large business levels. LastPass does offer slightly cheaper MFA and identity management capabilities for enterprises.
Can I try before buying 1Password or LastPass?
1Password provides a generous 30-day free trial to test its software for personal or business use without payment. LastPass offers a free forever individual subscription albeit with limitations.
What do I lose choosing LastPass Free?
The permanently free LastPass account omits options like advanced multi-factor authentication, password sharing, emergency access, and priority support. But core password management remains identical.
Does 1Password offer biometrics?
Currently 1Password does not support biometric logins like fingerprint or facial recognition. Reliance on TOTP authenticator apps helps keep costs lower. LastPass does provide robust biometric authentication.
In Closing
Implementing a dedicated password manager remains one of the best starting points towards improving personal and enterprise security. Both 1Password and LastPass simplify password hygiene through automated generation, storage, and syncing across devices.
This guide covered the distinctions setting them apart from security protocols to collaboration tools. While their core purpose stays aligned, subtle differences in priority and execution lead to each solution having situational advantages.
There is no universal "best choice" as ideal password manager depends on your risk profile, team structure, user technical proficiency, and budget. Consider where these two leading platforms excel when seeking the right fit.
Whichever route you select, taking password management off your hands inches us forward to a safer digital landscape with convenience rather than sacrifice.
