LastPass suits people who want to start free, but its free plan works on one device type only, so it's desktop or mobile, not both. 1Password suits people who want every device covered from day one, with apps for Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android and Apple Watch, but it has no free plan, only a 14-day trial. Think about where you log in before you choose.
Both of these store your passwords behind one master login and fill them in for you. The real differences sit in the plan details, so I read LastPass's plans page and FAQ and 1Password's personal plans page. Here's how they compare on the points that change daily use.
LastPass and 1Password compared
| LastPass | 1Password | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, Free (1 device type) | Not listed (14-day free trial) |
| Devices on the entry option | Desktop or mobile, not both, on Free | All your devices on Individual |
| Trial | 30 days for personal plans | 14 days, no card needed |
| Sharing | One password with one person at a time on Free | Share items securely with anyone |
| Family plan | Families, for 6 people | Families, 5 users |
| Storage | Unlimited password storage | 1GB per user |
| Apps | Browser extension, desktop and mobile | macOS, iOS, watchOS, Windows, Android, Linux |
| Extras | Dark web monitoring on Free; VPN plan (Windows only) | Alerts for weak or compromised logins |
LastPass: free, with one big catch
LastPass Free gives you unlimited password storage, autofill, dark web monitoring and basic sharing. The catch is in the FAQ: on Free you use LastPass on your desktop or on your mobile devices, not both. Sharing on Free is one password with one person at a time.
Premium removes the device rule, lets you share with several people and adds emergency access. Families covers 6 people. There's also a Plus plan that pairs the password manager with a VPN, though LastPass says its VPN runs on Windows only for now. If you try Premium and drop back to Free, your vault stays put.
1Password: everywhere, from the first day
1Password lists Individual and Families plans with a 14-day free trial and no free plan. Individual covers one person on all their devices, with password generation, autosave and autofill, secure sharing with anyone and alerts for weak or compromised logins.
Families covers 5 people with unlimited shared vaults and simple admin controls. Each user gets 1GB of storage, and there are apps for macOS, iOS, watchOS, Windows, Android and Linux, plus browser extensions. Support runs 24/7 by email, forum or social.
The rule that changes the decision
Here's what I'd point out to any client. Most people log in on a laptop and a phone every day. LastPass Free makes you pick one of those device types, so the free plan only works if you're happy to stay on desktop or stay on mobile. 1Password has no free plan at all, but its Individual plan covers every device from day one.
So the free option only stays free if your logins live in one place. The moment you need a password on your phone that you saved on your laptop, you're choosing between Premium and a different tool.
Who each password manager suits
LastPass suits a solo user who works almost entirely on one computer and wants to start without signing up for anything. 1Password suits anyone who switches between phone and laptop, and families or small teams who share logins. If you're weighing up LastPass on security, read my take on whether LastPass is safe, and see these LastPass alternatives for more options.
My advice on choosing
List the devices where you log in during a normal week. If it's one computer, LastPass Free will cover you, and you can test Premium for 30 days. If it's a phone and a laptop, or you share logins with family or staff, start the 1Password trial and import your saved browser passwords on day one, so you see how it handles the logins you use most.
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Frequently asked questions
Does LastPass have a free plan?
Yes. LastPass Free includes unlimited password storage, autofill and dark web monitoring, but it's limited to one device type: desktop or mobile, not both.
Does 1Password have a free plan?
No free plan is listed. 1Password offers a 14-day free trial of its Individual and Families plans with no card required.
How many people does each family plan cover?
LastPass Families covers 6 people. 1Password Families includes 5 users.
Can I share passwords on LastPass Free?
Yes, but only one password with one person at a time. Premium lets you share with several people.
Which devices does 1Password support?
1Password lists apps for macOS, iOS, watchOS, Windows, Android and Linux, plus browser extensions.
What happens when the LastPass trial ends?
LastPass says that if you stay on the Free plan after a trial, your saved data stays in your vault and you lose access to the Premium features.
