1Password suits businesses that want a polished password manager that grows into wider access control, including credentials for AI agents, apps outside single sign-on and SaaS discovery. Keeper suits businesses that want password management plus privileged access, secrets, remote connections and endpoint controls on one zero-trust platform, with a Business Starter plan for 5 to 10 users. For a small team, Keeper's starter plan is the simpler entry; for a business tightening access to apps and AI tools, 1Password goes further.
Both started as password managers and now sell identity security for people, machines and AI agents. I read 1Password's home and plans pages and Keeper's home and business plans pages.
1Password and Keeper feature check
| 1Password | Keeper | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point for small teams | Business plan | Business Starter for 5 to 10 users |
| Security model | Zero-knowledge password manager | Zero-trust platform |
| Privileged access | Just-in-time privileged access | KeeperPAM |
| Secrets for developers | Developer toolkit, Credential Broker | Secrets Manager |
| AI agents | Credentials delivered to agents at runtime | Secure AI agents listed |
| Extra tools | SaaS Manager, device security | Remote Browser Isolation, Endpoint Privilege Manager |
| For IT providers | Multi-tenant support | Editions for managed service providers |
Where AI agents fit in
The newest difference is how each handles AI agents. 1Password's Credential Broker delivers only the credentials each human, agent or machine workload is authorised to receive at runtime, and its Unified Access product is pitched at humans and AI agents together. 1Password also says it was named a Leader in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for SaaS Management Platforms for its SaaS Manager.
Keeper describes itself as the unified control plane for privileged access, secrets, remote connections, endpoints and databases, with securing AI agents listed as a use case.
What 1Password does well
1Password combines an easy password manager with wider access governance. Its Enterprise Password Manager protects apps that sit outside single sign-on, sets granular vault permissions and supports multi-tenant setups, while SaaS Manager finds the apps and AI tools your team signs up for. Device security checks that each device is trusted and lets users fix compliance issues themselves.
What Keeper does well
Keeper's strength is breadth for IT teams. Business Starter gives sole traders and small teams an encrypted vault, admin console, credential sharing and autofill for 5 to 10 users, and bigger plans add KeeperPAM for privileged access, Secrets Manager, Remote Browser Isolation and Endpoint Privilege Manager. It also offers editions built for managed service providers.
Five questions for your security shortlist
- How many people need a vault today, and how fast are you hiring?
- Do you have apps that sit outside your single sign-on?
- Will AI agents or scripts need credentials?
- Do admins need privileged access controls for servers and databases?
- Does an outside IT provider manage your security?
If you're also weighing other tools, see my comparison of Bitwarden and 1Password and my list of open source password managers.
Covering the apps single sign-on misses
If single sign-on doesn't cover every app you use, that's where both tools earn their place. 1Password says its Enterprise Password Manager protects apps outside SSO with granular vault permissions, and its device security lets users fix compliance problems themselves. Keeper's Business Starter gives you an encrypted vault and an admin console from day one, so you can see who has access to what.
If you also need single sign-on, see which identity platform to choose.
My advice on 1Password or Keeper
If you're a sole trader or a team of up to 10 that simply needs shared passwords done right, start a Keeper Business Starter trial. If you're growing, use lots of SaaS and AI tools, and want control over who and what can sign in, shortlist 1Password and ask to see its SaaS Manager and agent credentials on your own setup.
Do you make password managers or identity security tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
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Frequently asked questions
Is 1Password or Keeper better for small businesses?
Keeper's Business Starter is built for sole traders and teams of 5 to 10 users. 1Password suits growing businesses that want wider access control.
How do 1Password and Keeper describe their security?
1Password describes its password manager as zero-knowledge. Keeper describes its product as a single zero-trust platform.
Does 1Password manage AI agent credentials?
Yes. 1Password says its Credential Broker delivers credentials to humans, AI agents and machine workloads at runtime.
Does Keeper offer privileged access management?
Yes. KeeperPAM covers privileged access, secrets, remote connections, endpoints and databases.
Do 1Password and Keeper offer free trials?
Keeper's business plans page offers a free trial. 1Password's plans page leads with quotes for Enterprise and lists Business and Personal plans.
Can an IT provider manage either one?
Yes. 1Password lists multi-tenant support, and Keeper offers editions for managed service providers.
What is KeeperPAM?
Keeper's privileged access management product, covering privileged access, secrets, remote connections, endpoints and databases.
Does 1Password check employee devices?
Yes. 1Password's device security verifies that each device is trusted and lets users self-remediate to restore compliance.
