1Password wins. It costs $2.99/mo against Dashlane's $4.99/mo, has better security architecture through the Secret Key system, and includes Travel Mode, a feature Dashlane doesn't offer at any price. Dashlane bundles a VPN and dark web monitoring, but the VPN is Hotspot Shield, a usable-but-basic service that won't replace a real VPN subscription. Those extras don't justify paying 67% more for weaker core functionality.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | 1Password | Dashlane |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | No free tier | No free tier |
| Paid price | $2.99 USD/mo | $4.99 USD/mo |
| Encryption | AES-256 + Secret Key | AES-256 |
| Mfa | ||
| Passkey Support | ||
| Travel Mode | ||
| Secure Notes | ||
| Emergency Access | ||
| Browser Extensions | All major browsers | All major browsers |
| Biometric Unlock | ||
| SSO support | Business plan only | Business plan only |
| Offline Access | ||
| Self Hosting | ||
| Open source | ||
| Score | 9/10 | 7/10 |
1Password
9
Dashlane
7
Runner-up
1Password is the stronger product by most measures. The Secret Key means your vault can't be decrypted even if 1Password's servers are compromised, which is a real architectural advantage. Dashlane matches it on polish and ease of use, but not on security depth or value.
Pricing
1Password is $2.99/mo for individuals and $4.99/mo for up to 5 family accounts. Dashlane charges $4.99/mo for a single Premium plan and $7.49/mo for up to 10 members on the Friends & Family plan. Neither offers a free tier: 1Password has a 14-day trial, and Dashlane dropped its free plan in September 2025.
The price difference adds up. Over a year, 1Password's individual plan costs $35.88 vs Dashlane's $59.88. That $24 gap is essentially what you're paying for Hotspot Shield VPN and automated breach alerts, both of which you can find elsewhere for free or cheap. Dashlane's family plan is more generous on member count (10 vs 5), which could tip the math if you're splitting costs across a large household.
Features and Security
1Password encrypts your vault with AES-256 plus the Secret Key, a 34-character key generated locally that 1Password's servers never hold. Even a full server breach wouldn't expose your credentials. Dashlane uses AES-256 without a second key factor, which is still solid encryption, but not the same level of protection against a compromised backend.
Watchtower (1Password's monitoring feature) checks your passwords against breach databases, flags weak and reused credentials, and alerts on expiring 2FA codes. Dashlane does similar dark web monitoring as part of its Premium bundle, so both cover this ground, but 1Password includes it at a lower price.
Travel Mode is a 1Password exclusive. It lets you remove specific vaults from your devices entirely before crossing a border, then restore them afterward. Dashlane has no equivalent.
Offline access is another difference. 1Password works offline once your vault is cached locally. Dashlane requires an active internet connection to decrypt your vault, which is a real inconvenience if you travel in areas with unreliable connectivity.
Dashlane does include emergency access (letting a trusted contact request your vault after a waiting period), which 1Password doesn't offer. It also has no native desktop app, relying on the browser extension and web app only, while 1Password ships native apps on every major platform plus a CLI and integrations for developers.
Who Each Product Suits
1Password fits developers, frequent travelers, and anyone who wants the most security-conscious option without compromise. The CLI, Terraform integration, and GitHub Actions support make it useful beyond just storing passwords.
Dashlane fits users who want one subscription covering passwords, basic VPN access, and dark web alerts, and who don't already pay for those services separately. If you're starting fresh and want a bundle, the math works (barely). But if you already use a real VPN, Dashlane's main differentiator disappears.