Proton Pass suits people who want hide-my-email aliases and unlimited devices on a free plan, and who may already use Proton Mail or Proton VPN. Bitwarden suits people who want an open source password manager with a free start, a separate free authenticator app and the option to self-host. Choose Proton Pass for aliases, Bitwarden for open source control.
Both of these have free plans, which makes the choice easier to test. I read Proton's Pass page and Bitwarden's personal and plans pages, so everything below is from the two companies.
Proton Pass and Bitwarden side by side
| Proton Pass | Bitwarden | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Proton | Bitwarden |
| Free plan | Yes, unlimited logins and devices | Yes, start free |
| Email aliases | 10 hide-my-email aliases on Free | Not covered on the pages I read |
| Authenticator | Built-in 2FA on Pass Plus | Bitwarden Authenticator app, free, no account needed |
| Self-hosting | Not covered on the page I read | Yes, on-prem or private cloud |
| Passkeys | Supported on all devices | Passwordless login with a passkey |
What Proton Pass gives you
Proton's free plan is generous on its own page: unlimited logins, notes and credit cards, unlimited devices, apps for browser, mobile and desktop, a password generator, alerts for weak and reused passwords, passkeys on every device and easy import. It also includes 10 hide-my-email aliases.
Those aliases are the standout. You give a site a unique email address, Proton forwards the messages to your inbox, and your real address stays hidden. Pass Plus adds unlimited aliases, a built-in 2FA authenticator, vault and link sharing, Dark Web Monitoring and Emergency Access. Everything is protected by end-to-end encryption.
What Bitwarden gives you
Bitwarden invites you to get started free, with Individual and Family plans for personal use; the Family plan is a shared vault for six users. It's open source, runs a bug bounty programme and publishes a security whitepaper, which matters if you like to see how your passwords are protected.
Two extras stand out. Bitwarden Authenticator is a free 2FA app that doesn't need an account, and Secure Sharing lets you send files that disappear after they're viewed. For businesses, Bitwarden offers self-hosting on your own servers or private cloud.
Aliases or open source
Here's how I'd frame it. Proton Pass protects your email address as well as your passwords, because its aliases stop sites knowing your real inbox. Bitwarden's edge is openness: its code is open source and it can be self-hosted, so you're not relying only on its word.
Both support passkeys, and both offer a way to handle two-factor codes. Proton puts its authenticator inside Pass Plus, while Bitwarden gives you a separate authenticator app for free.
One practical detail: Proton's free plan includes easy password import, so moving from a browser's saved passwords or another manager doesn't mean typing everything again. Bitwarden's Family plan gives six people one shared vault, which is handy if you're the person who sorts out everyone's logins at home. Proton also bundles Pass with Mail, Calendar, VPN and Drive in Proton Unlimited, so if you already lean on Proton for email, keeping your passwords there means one account and one set of security settings to look after instead of two. Bitwarden's answer is openness and the option to run it on your own servers.
Who each password manager suits
Proton Pass suits people who already use Proton Mail or Proton VPN, and anyone tired of spam from sign-ups. Bitwarden suits people who want open source software, families sharing one vault, and businesses that need to host it themselves. If you're comparing more options, here are the open source password managers worth a look, and my Bitwarden vs 1Password comparison covers another common pairing.
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My advice on Proton Pass or Bitwarden
Start with the free plan of each and import the same set of passwords. Use Proton Pass's aliases on your next few sign-ups and see whether that stops the junk mail. If you care more about open source code and a free authenticator, settle on Bitwarden. Whichever you keep, turn on two-factor authentication for the password manager itself first.
Do you make password managers or security tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
Is Proton Pass free?
Yes. Proton's page lists a free plan with unlimited logins, notes and credit cards, unlimited devices and 10 hide-my-email aliases.
Is Bitwarden open source?
Yes. Bitwarden says it's open source and runs a bug bounty programme and a security whitepaper.
Does Bitwarden have an authenticator app?
Yes. Bitwarden Authenticator is a free 2FA app that doesn't need an account.
What are hide-my-email aliases?
They're unique addresses Proton Pass creates for each site, forwarding emails to your inbox while keeping your real address hidden.
Can I self-host Bitwarden?
Yes. Bitwarden offers self-hosting on-prem or in a private cloud for organisations.
