Best 1Password alternatives: Honest comparison of 8 password managers for Mac in 2026

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 alternatives to 1Password and compiled the main features of each option in this article. 

Compare alternatives to 1Password: Features and pricing

Different password managers have different 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	Included in Setapp
Secrets 4	Mac-native experience	Beautiful UI, local vaults	Included in Setapp
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

Now let's analyze each of them to understand which one best aligns with your goals.

Strongbox: Best 1Password alternative with KeePass compatibility

Strongbox 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. 

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 250+ apps. You can try it free for 7 days.

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

Secrets 4 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. 

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 250+ 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.

“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 an unlimited number of devices — a key differentiator from competitors.

Users are choosing Bitwarden as one of the alternatives to 1Password, thanks to its high functionality and price (free or Pro features for $19.80 per year).

”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.

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. 

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.

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.

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 to replace 1Password with an alternative, first identify the key features you're looking for in a password manager.

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. 

Setapp provides access to both Strongbox and Secrets alongside 250+ productivity apps for one subscription price. Try it now and create an effective security model for your Mac!