Key takeaways: 
  • Strongbox and Secrets 4 are the best Mac-native 1Password alternatives. Both integrate with Face ID, Touch ID, and AutoFill, and both are available on Setapp.
  • Bitwarden is the best free option, but its free tier shrank in 2026. Unlimited passwords and devices are still free, but TOTP and file attachments now require the $1.65/month Premium plan.
  • Proton Pass is the pick for privacy-focused users. End-to-end encryption on all fields plus email aliasing make it the most privacy-forward option in this list.
  • Apple Passwords works for basic needs but can't replace a full manager. No breach monitoring, limited cross-platform support, and no file storage.
  • Strongbox, Secrets 4, and Step Two are all included in Setapp — along with 270+ other Mac and iOS apps. Try Setapp free for 7 days.

I kept my passwords... in notes. Please tell me I'm not the only one? Then I came across some shocking news: in 2025,  during the second-largest data breach, 16 billion passwords and user credentials were stolen. That's how I got interested in password managers.

While 1Password has long been a trusted solution, it's not the only option. Honestly? I just didn't want to pay $5/month for a subscription. So I analyzed 8 1Password alternatives for Mac and compiled the main features of each option in this article. 

Or get Strongbox standalone for $24.99/yr — no Membership needed.

Compare alternatives to 1Password: Features and pricing

Not every 1Password alternative for Mac has the same priorities when it comes to security and user-friendliness. Some focus on compliance with corporate policies, others emphasize data protection through open-source transparency, and some integrate additional security tools that go beyond simple password storage.

App

Best for

Key differentiator

Price

Strongbox

Apple ecosystem users

KeePass compatibility

$24.99 USD/year as a standalone purchase on Marketplace, or included with a Setapp Membership (270+ apps, $14.99 USD/mo + tax). Both options include a 7-day free trial.

Secrets 4

Mac-native experience

Beautiful UI, local vaults

Setapp Membership (270+ apps, $14.99USD/mo + tax).

Apple Passwords

Basic password needs

Pre-installed on Apple devices

Free

Bitwarden

Budget-conscious users

Open-source, self-hosting

Free or from $1.65/month

Proton Pass

Privacy-focused users

Email aliasing system

Free or from $4.99/month

Dashlane

VPN + password combo

Bundled VPN access

From $4.99/month

Keeper

Enterprise compliance

FedRAMP, SOC 2 certified

From $2.95/month

NordPass

Clean UX seekers

Data breach scanner

Free or from $2/month

If you're still weighing Strongbox vs Secrets 4 vs Bitwarden and others, the Productivity Tools GPT assistant can help you match features to your workflow. I ran it before finalizing this roundup, and it surfaced a couple of angles I hadn't considered.

Strongbox: Best 1Password alternative with KeePass compatibility

Strongbox is a strong 1Password alternative for Mac that brings KeePass database compatibility to macOS with deep Apple ecosystem integration. The app stores passwords, bank details, recovery keys, and private notes in fully encrypted KeePass-format databases, making it interoperable with other KeePass applications across platforms.

For users prioritizing transparency and local control, Strongbox's open-source codebase and one-time purchase model offer an alternative to subscription-based services.

“I’ve been using StrongBox on macOS after finally getting tired of 1Password, and honestly I wish that I’d switched sooner. StrongBox is great. The fact that it just uses a normal KeePass file means I’m not stuck with any company’s cloud or subscription. I dropped the .kdbx in iCloud Drive and it syncs perfectly to my iPhone without any hassle.

The app itself feels really polished. Face ID unlock is instant, AutoFill actually works every time in Safari, and I love that I can keep TOTP codes right in the same database. The Have I Been Pwned check is built in and super handy. Everything is fast, no weird bugs that I’ve noticed. Everything works nicely so far.

It’s exactly what I wanted: simple, private, and does the job better than the big names. Very happy with it so far”
, says Dylan, a Setapp user. 

Strongbox is an alternative to 1Password, that is available in Setapp

Best features:

  • Multiple encryption options: AES-256 (default), TwoFish, ChaCha20
  • GPU-resistant Argon2 key derivation
  • Multiple sync options: iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, SFTP, WebDAV, Syncthing
  • Offline vault support

Pros:

  • Open-source transparency
  • Full KeePass ecosystem compatibility
  • Multiple sync providers supported
  • Works offline without cloud dependency
  • Can import 1Password vaults

Cons:

  • Requires understanding of KeePass database structure

Price: Available on Setapp, a subscription platform with 270+ apps. You can try it free for 7 days.

Secrets 4: Best alternative to 1Password for users prioritizing Mac-native design

Secrets 4 is a polished 1Password alternative for Mac that delivers password management with an interface designed specifically for macOS. This 1Password alternative supports local vaults and iCloud sync, storing logins, credit cards, bank accounts, software licenses, and secure notes with attached images and documents.

“This application is a good replacement of 1password and a good complement to Apple password. it is pleasant and easy to use”, says Didier Varlot, a Setapp user

Secrets 4 is one of the best alternatives to 1Password; you can download it in Setapp

Best features:

  • Local and iCloud vault creation
  • Storage for multiple data types: logins, credit cards, bank accounts, licenses, notes
  • Image and document attachment support
  • Touch ID and Face ID integration

Pros:

  • Beautiful, intuitive interface 
  • Fast performance optimized for macOS
  • Seamless iCloud sync across Apple devices

Cons:

  • Apple ecosystem only (no Windows, Linux, or Android)

Price: Available on Setapp, a subscription platform with 270+ apps. You can try it free for 7 days.

Apple Passwords: Best for basic password management

Apple Passwords (formerly iCloud Keychain)  provides password management built directly into macOS Sequoia, iOS 18, and iPadOS 18. The app handles password storage, strong password generation, two-factor authentication codes, and synchronization across Apple devices.

For users with simple password requirements who don't need advanced features, Apple Passwords offers a free, built-in solution without third-party software.

Apple passwords manager
“I absolutely love Apple's passwords app for the reasons of 1) I trust Apple over any third party, 2) filling in passwords on websites works so seamlessly, 3) filling in 2fA codes now for apps/sites works great, 4) syncing across all my devices works perfectly, 5) manually looking up passwords or 2fa auth codes is now very simple (vs when you had to look it up through Safari), and lastly 6) passwords now can be autopopulated in Chrome”, shares a Reddit user.

Best features:

  • Pre-installed on Apple devices 
  • Automatic sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac
  • Two-factor authentication code generation
  • Strong password generation
  • AutoFill integration with Safari and system-wide

Pros:

  • Completely free 
  • Zero additional software installation required
  • Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
  • Face ID and Touch ID authentication
  • Regular security updates 

Cons:

  • Limited credit card and bank account storage
  • No breach monitoring or password health reports
  • Basic feature set compared to dedicated password managers

Price: Free 

Bitwarden: Best alternative to 1Password (free and open-source)

Bitwarden is a leading open-source password manager providing transparency through publicly available code while offering the same functionality as commercial alternatives.

The free version includes unlimited password storage on unlimited devices — still the most generous free tier in the market. However, as of January 2026, Bitwarden moved the built-in TOTP authenticator, file attachments, and emergency access behind the paywall. Premium pricing also jumped from $9.99/year to $19.80/year ($1.65/month). Still cheap, but nearly double what it used to be.

”1password has a great ui and a great product but cost $36 a year. Bitwarden in my opinion has a less refined up but is functionally the same as 1password”, says a Reddit community member.

Bitwarden password manager

Source: Bitwarden

Best features:

  • Unlimited password storage on free tier
  • Works across unlimited devices (all platforms)
  • Self-hosting option for complete control
  • Open-source codebase for security audits
  • Passkey management and storage
  • SSH key generation and storage (desktop app)

Pros:

  • Free tier extremely generous (unlimited passwords, unlimited devices)
  • Open-source transparency builds trust
  • Self-hosting option for organizations
  • Available on every major platform

Cons:

  • Interface less polished than premium alternatives
  • Autofill can be less intuitive than competitors
  • Some advanced features require paid plans
  • Self-hosting requires technical knowledge

Price: Free or from $1.65/month.

Proton Pass: Free password manager with email protection

Unlike other 1Password alternatives, Proton Pass integrates email aliasing through “Hide-my-email” functionality. What does this mean for you as a user? If your account is hacked on one of the websites, hackers won’t get your real email address. And if your email is sold or leaked to third parties, you immediately know about it and can stop the spam.

What's more, Proton Pass doesn't just encrypt the password field but applies end-to-end encryption to all fields, including usernames, web addresses, and all data contained in your encrypted notes. 

Proton Pass password manager

Best features:

  • Hide-my-email alias system
  • Built-in 2FA authenticator 
  • End-to-end encryption with zero-knowledge model
  • Open-source approach for transparency
  • Unlimited passwords synced across devices
  • File and attachment storage

Pros:

  • Strong privacy reputation through Proton brand
  • Email aliasing 
  • Vault sharing for families and teams
  • Works across all platforms

Cons:

  • Email aliases require Proton ecosystem understanding

Price: Free or from $4.99/month.

Dashlane: Password manager with bundled VPN

The main feature that sets Dashlane apart from other alternatives to 1Password is the built-in VPN. So you don't have to search for and pay for two separate solutions — it's convenient and reliable. 

In addition, the platform includes comprehensive security features, including dark web monitoring, phishing alerts, and password health scoring alongside traditional password management.

Dashlane password manager

Best features:

  • VPN included 
  • AI-powered phishing alerts and credential risk detection
  • Password Health score with hygiene insights
  • Passkey creation, storage, and sync across devices
  • Zero-knowledge encryption architecture

Pros:

  • VPN combined with a password manager
  • Affordable family plans ($7.49 for 10 users)
  • Includes dark web monitoring
  • Phishing alert system
  • Available on multiple platforms

Cons:

  • No free option

  • Individual plan more expensive than alternatives ($4.99/month)

Price: From $4.99/month.

Keeper: Best 1Password alternative for enterprise compliance and auditing

For businesses requiring detailed access control reporting, audit trails, and compliance documentation, Keeper is the best alternative to 1Password. It provides infrastructure beyond basic password management including SIEM integrations, SSO (Single Sign-On) support, role-based access controls, detailed audit logs, and team vault sharing with granular permissions.

Keeper password manager

Best features:

  • Zero-knowledge encryption model
  • BreachWatch dark web monitoring
  • Compliance certifications: SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP
  • Access control reports and audits
  • Administrative console for team management
  • Autofill and password generator

Pros:

  • Strong reputation 
  • Comprehensive administrative controls
  • Detailed reporting 
  • Suitable for regulated industries

Cons:

  • Overkill for personal or small team use

From $2.95/month

NordPass: Best for clean user experience with breach scanning

If you are looking for a password manager with a clean user interface and basic features, take a look at NordPass. It is not overloaded with features — instead, you get straightforward vault organization, built-in authenticator functionality, and proactive breach monitoring.5

Source: NordPass

Best features:

  • Data Breach Scanner Built-in TOTP authenticator
  • Passkey storage
  • XChaCha20 encryption
  • Password Health monitoring

Pros:

  • Clean, intuitive user interface
  • Breach monitoring included
  • Credit card monitoring in breach databases
  • Passkey support

Cons:

  • Less feature-rich than comprehensive alternatives

Price: Free or from $2/month.

To sum up: What is the best alternative to 1Password

Once you've decided you need a 1Password alternative for Mac, the right pick depends on the features that matter most to you.

If you're interested in KeePass compatibility and deep Apple ecosystem integration, try Strongbox

Secrets 4 is also a good choice for the Apple ecosystem and lacks cross-platform complexity, plus it has a user-friendly interface (just like NordSecurity, by the way!).

For basic things like storing and generating passwords, Apple Passwords is a good choice. 

A special feature of Dashlane is its VPN add-on, while Proton Pass offers email aliasing. Keeper is best suited for regulated industries and organizations with strict security requirements, while Bitwarden is ideal if you want open-source transparency with unlimited passwords on a free tier. 

1Password just got more expensive. Your next password manager doesn't have to be. Strongbox, Secrets 4, Step Two, and 270+ other apps — all included with Setapp. Try Setapp Free.

FAQ

What is the best free 1Password alternative for Mac?

Bitwarden is the strongest fully free option — unlimited passwords on unlimited devices, open-source, and cross-platform. Apple Passwords is also free if you're all-in on Apple devices. 

If you're open to a short trial before committing, Strongbox and Secrets 4 are both available to try free for 7 days on Setapp — they offer deeper Mac integration (KeePass compatibility, local vaults, iCloud sync) than either free option, and you get access to 270+ other apps during the trial.

Why is 1Password so expensive compared to alternatives?

1Password raised prices in March 2026 for the first time in nearly a decade — the Individual plan went from $2.99/month to $3.99/month (annual billing). It's a premium subscription with strong encryption, Travel Mode, and cross-platform polish, but many alternatives like Bitwarden and Proton Pass now compete at a fraction of the price.

Can I import my 1Password vault to another password manager?

Usually yes. Export your vault from 1Password (CSV or .1pux format), then use the import tool in your new manager. Strongbox, Secrets 4, Bitwarden, and most others in this guide support 1Password imports. Delete the exported file after migrating — it contains your passwords in plain text.

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