8.9 / 10
Bitwarden
Open-source champion with unbeatable pricing
Bitwarden is the leading open-source password manager, offering unlimited password storage across all devices even in the free version. Premium at just CHF 10/year adds TOTP authentication, emergency access, and advanced reports. Bitwarden can be self-hosted – a unique feature for privacy purists. The interface is functional but not as polished as 1Password.
Windows
Mac
Android
iOS
Lightnet Multimedia GmbH
Protection & performance
Protection
9.4
Performance
9.0
Best for
8.5
First-year price
9.8
Key features
8.8
Support
8.0
Best for
Key features
Pros
- Strong free version
- Only CHF 10/year for Premium
- Fully open source
Cons
- Less elegant interface
- Auto-fill sometimes clunky
Frequently asked questions about Bitwarden
Is Bitwarden a good fit for my family?
The family plans of Bitwarden typically allow 5–6 accounts that store passwords independently but can share key items (Wi-Fi password, streaming logins).
Are my passwords really encrypted?
Yes. Bitwarden uses zero-knowledge architecture: even the vendor cannot see your passwords. Encryption is AES-256 or XChaCha20 – both currently considered secure.
What happens if I forget my master password?
You usually lose all stored passwords – the price of zero-knowledge architecture. Bitwarden offers a recovery key as fallback that you should print and store safely during setup.
Does Bitwarden work with every browser?
Yes. Bitwarden ships extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge and Brave. On iOS and Android it provides a dedicated app that integrates with the system autofill.
Can I store secure notes, credit cards or documents too?
Yes. Besides passwords, Bitwarden encrypts credit cards, identities, secure notes and (depending on plan) documents – all unlocked with the same master password.