Bitwarden suits people who want a free password manager on every device: its always-free account covers unlimited devices and unlimited passwords, and its code is open source. LastPass suits people who want dark web monitoring on a free plan, but LastPass Free works on one device type only. If you use a phone and a laptop, that rule decides it.
These two come up together because both offer a free plan, which is rare among password managers. The free plans aren't the same, though. I read Bitwarden's plans page and LastPass's plans page and FAQ, so every detail below is each company's own.
Free plans: Bitwarden and LastPass compared
| Bitwarden | LastPass | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, always-free account | Yes, Free |
| Devices | Unlimited devices | 1 device type (desktop or mobile) |
| Passwords | Unlimited passwords | Unlimited password storage |
| Sharing on free | With one other user | One password with one person at a time |
| Security model | Open source, zero-knowledge encryption | Zero-knowledge security model |
| Dark web monitoring on free | Not listed on free (security reports on Premium) | Yes |
| Passkeys | Passkey management on every account | Passkeys listed |
| Business options | Teams, Enterprise, self-hosting | Teams, Business, Business Max |
Bitwarden: free on every device
Bitwarden's plans page lists the core features in every account, free included: open source security, zero-knowledge encryption, two-step login, phishing protection, passkey management, a password generator, email alias integration and encrypted export. You get unlimited devices, unlimited passwords and apps for browser, mobile and desktop.
Premium adds an integrated authenticator, file attachments, emergency access and security reports. Families covers 6 premium accounts with unlimited sharing. Businesses can choose Teams or Enterprise, and Bitwarden also offers self-hosting for companies that want to run it on their own servers.
LastPass: free, on one kind of device
LastPass Free includes unlimited password storage, autofill, dark web monitoring and basic sharing. Its FAQ explains the limit: you use the free plan on desktop or on mobile, not both, and you can share one password with one person at a time.
Premium opens up every device and browser, adds sharing with several people and emergency access, and there's a 30-day trial for personal plans. Families covers 6 people, and business plans run from Teams to Business Max.
Open source, and why it matters to some buyers
Here's the difference that doesn't show up in a feature list. Bitwarden puts open source security at the top of its core features, which means its code can be inspected by anyone. For some businesses, especially those answering security questionnaires from clients, that's a real point in its favour. LastPass describes a zero-knowledge model, meaning your vault is encrypted so LastPass can't read it, and Bitwarden describes the same.
On free plans the practical split is simpler: Bitwarden covers every device, LastPass covers one device type. For most people that's the whole decision, because a password manager you can't open on your phone won't get used.
Who each one suits
Bitwarden suits anyone who wants a free password manager on phone and laptop, small teams who want self-hosting as an option, and security-minded buyers who like open source. LastPass suits someone who works on one device type and values dark web alerts on a free plan. For a wider security check, see how Bitwarden compares with 1Password and my notes on improving your business security.
My advice if you want to stay free
If you use more than one kind of device, start with Bitwarden's free account, because LastPass Free won't follow you from laptop to phone. Turn on two-step login on the first day, then move your saved browser passwords across in one go. If you only ever work from one computer and like having dark web alerts, LastPass Free is a fair choice, and you can test Premium for 30 days.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Bitwarden free?
Yes. Bitwarden offers an always-free account with unlimited devices, unlimited passwords and sharing with one other user.
Is LastPass free on phone and computer?
No. LastPass Free is limited to one device type, so you use it on desktop or on mobile, not both.
Is Bitwarden open source?
Yes. Bitwarden lists open source security among the core features included in every account.
Which free plan includes dark web monitoring?
LastPass Free includes dark web monitoring. Bitwarden lists security reports on its Premium plan.
Can I share passwords with my team on a free plan?
Only in a limited way. Bitwarden's free account shares with one other user, and LastPass Free shares one password with one person at a time. For a whole team, both point you to their Teams plans.
Can Bitwarden be self-hosted?
Yes. Bitwarden lists self-hosting on-premises or in a private cloud as an option for businesses.
