Choose Dashlane if you want a password manager with a built-in VPN for public Wi-Fi, AI-powered scam protection and a Family plan that covers 10 accounts. Choose 1Password if you want flexible sharing, Travel Mode that hides vaults when you cross borders and a Families plan for 5 people with unlimited shared vaults. Neither offers a free personal plan on the pages I read; both give you a 14-day free trial, and 1Password's trial needs no credit card.
Password managers look alike from the outside, so I went through Dashlane's personal plans page and business plans page and 1Password's personal plans page and its Travel Mode help article to find what separates them.
Dashlane and 1Password side by side
| Dashlane | 1Password | |
|---|---|---|
| Personal plans | Premium and Family | Individual and Families |
| Family plan size | 10 accounts on one subscription | 5 users included |
| VPN | Included in Premium | Not mentioned on the pages I read |
| Border protection | Not mentioned on the pages I read | Travel Mode on every subscription |
| Scam protection | AI-powered scam protection in Premium | Alerts for weak or compromised credentials |
| Sharing | Secure sharing | Share with anyone, even without 1Password |
| Free trial | 14 days of Premium | 14 days, no credit card |
The extras that split them
The deciding features aren't the basics, which both handle well. Dashlane's Premium plan includes a VPN to keep you safe on public Wi-Fi, and its newest addition is AI-powered scam protection that tries to stop scams before you log in. On the Family plan, the plan manager gets Premium while members get everything except the VPN.
1Password's standout is Travel Mode. Its help article says Travel Mode removes vaults from your apps and browser extension except the ones you mark as safe for travel, so if you're stopped for inspection, only those vaults are visible. It's included with every 1Password subscription, and with 1Password Business, admins can switch it on and off for team members.
What Dashlane offers
Dashlane's personal password manager covers unlimited password and passkey storage, access on an unlimited number of devices, syncing across browsers and operating systems, phishing protection and Dark Web monitoring. The Family plan puts 10 accounts on one subscription, which is generous for a household. For companies, Dashlane runs its business plans on a platform it calls Omnix, with a password management package that also has a 14-day free trial.
What 1Password offers
1Password's Individual plan covers one person and its Families plan includes 5 users, unlimited shared vaults, simple admin controls and up to 5 guest accounts for vault sharing. Both plans generate, autosave and autofill passwords, let you share items securely with anyone, even people who don't use 1Password, and alert you to weak or compromised credentials. Developers also get 1Password's developer tools.
Pick by what you care about
- You often work from cafes or airports: Dashlane's built-in VPN saves a separate app.
- You travel internationally with work data: 1Password's Travel Mode is made for that.
- Your household has more than 5 people: Dashlane Family covers 10 accounts.
- You share logins with contractors who don't use a password manager: 1Password shares with anyone.
- You want to try first without a card: 1Password's 14-day trial doesn't ask for one.
If you're also weighing an open source option, my comparison of Bitwarden and 1Password is worth a read, and you can create strong logins right now with this free password generator.
My advice on Dashlane or 1Password
For a business owner who travels or shares logins with freelancers, I'd lean towards 1Password for Travel Mode and its easy sharing. If you want one subscription that also covers a VPN, or you're protecting a larger family, Dashlane gives you more in the box. Use the 14-day trials side by side with a few real logins, and pick the one your team will open every day, because an unused password manager protects nobody. Whichever you choose, turn on the breach or weak-password alerts in week one; that's where both earn their keep.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Dashlane include a VPN?
Yes. Dashlane's Premium plan includes a VPN for public Wi-Fi. On the Family plan, members get everything except the VPN.
What is 1Password Travel Mode?
Travel Mode removes vaults from your 1Password apps and browser extension except those marked safe for travel. It's included with every subscription.
How many people does each family plan cover?
Dashlane Family covers 10 accounts on one subscription. 1Password Families includes 5 users.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Dashlane offers a 14-day Premium trial, and 1Password offers a 14-day trial with no credit card required.
Can 1Password share passwords with people who don't use it?
Yes. 1Password says you can share items securely with anyone, even those without 1Password.
