1Password vs Proton Pass
1Password is password manager for individuals and teams with secure sharing and developer tools, while Proton Pass is open-source password manager with end-to-end encryption from the makers of ProtonMail. The biggest difference up front: Proton Pass is free, while 1Password starts at $2.99/mo. 1Password is built for teams and families that want polished, secure password management, whereas Proton Pass targets proton ecosystem users wanting integrated password management.
| Feature | 1Password | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | — | ✓ |
| Open source | — | ✓ |
| 2FA | — | ✓ |
| Aliases | — | ✓ |
| E2E Encryption | — | ✓ |
| Open Source | — | ✓ |
| Passkeys | ✓ | — |
| SSH Keys | ✓ | — |
| Travel Mode | ✓ | — |
| Vault Sharing | ✓ | — |
| Watchtower | ✓ | — |
Pricing: Proton Pass is completely free (Free unlimited passwords), which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. 1Password starts at $2.99/mo. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: 1Password offers Passkeys, SSH Keys and Travel Mode that Proton Pass lacks. Proton Pass brings 2FA, Aliases and E2E Encryption that 1Password does not have.
Team fit: 1Password is geared toward any size teams, while Proton Pass is aimed at individual users and small setups. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.
Open source: Proton Pass is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. 1Password is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: 1Password's biggest strengths are: excellent ux across all platforms. watchtower alerts for breached passwords. Proton Pass's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. end-to-end encryption by default — messages are unreadable even to the server operator.
Watch out for: With 1Password, users commonly note that no free tier. With Proton Pass, the main complaint is that free plan has meaningful restrictions: free unlimited passwords.
choose 1Password if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams and families that want polished, secure password management
- You specifically need Passkeys and SSH Keys
- You care about watchtower alerts for breached passwords
- Your team size fits the any size profile 1Password is designed for
choose Proton Pass if
- You need a tool built for proton ecosystem users wanting integrated password management
- Budget is a hard constraint — Proton Pass is free, 1Password is not
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need 2FA and Aliases
- You care about end-to-end encryption by default — messages are unreadable even to the server operator
frequently asked
What is the difference between 1Password and Proton Pass?
1Password is password manager for individuals and teams with secure sharing and developer tools, while Proton Pass is open-source password manager with end-to-end encryption from the makers of ProtonMail. The biggest difference up front: Proton Pass is free, while 1Password starts at $2.99/mo. 1Password is built for teams and families that want polished, secure password management, whereas Proton Pass targets proton ecosystem users wanting integrated password management.
Should I use 1Password or Proton Pass?
Proton Pass is the free option; 1Password charges $2.99/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose 1Password over Proton Pass?
Choose 1Password if Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams and families that want polished, secure password management; You specifically need Passkeys and SSH Keys; You care about watchtower alerts for breached passwords; Your team size fits the any size profile 1Password is designed for.
When should I choose Proton Pass over 1Password?
Choose Proton Pass if You need a tool built for proton ecosystem users wanting integrated password management; Budget is a hard constraint — Proton Pass is free, 1Password is not; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need 2FA and Aliases; You care about end-to-end encryption by default — messages are unreadable even to the server operator.
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