PCMag still rates 1Password highly for its design, security and ease of use, but higher subscription costs and no permanent free plan leave rivals such as Proton Pass and NordPass offering better value.
1Password remains one of the most polished password managers available, with well-designed apps across major desktop and mobile platforms, strong autofill, and a security model that is straightforward enough for newcomers yet still detailed enough for experienced users. PCMag’s review says the service is still excellent in use, but the value equation has shifted after a sizeable price rise and the absence of any permanent free tier, especially when competitors now bundle more extras at lower cost.
The pricing change is the main reason 1Password is harder to recommend without qualification. PCMag reports that the annual Individual plan increased from $35.88 to $47.88, while the Families plan rose from $59.88 to $71.88. Monthly billing now stands at $4.99 for Individuals and $7.99 for Families. 1Password told PCMag that the increase was intended to fund continued investment in innovation, infrastructure, privacy and security. The company’s own pricing page still lists a 14-day trial, but there is no ongoing free version for personal users.
Even so, the subscription still covers a broad feature set. According to 1Password’s pricing information, Individual accounts include unlimited password storage, sync across unlimited devices, secure item sharing, password generation, autofill, and alerts for weak or compromised credentials. Families adds access for up to five additional people, unlimited shared vaults and simpler access controls. PCMag also notes that the service supports notes, identities, payment cards, encrypted storage and Travel Mode, which is included with every subscription.
Setup is unusually well thought through. New users are given a Secret Key alongside their master password, plus an Emergency Kit to store account recovery details. PCMag found the onboarding process particularly helpful for people new to password managers, especially the autofill tutorial and the guided import process. 1Password can bring in data from browsers, iCloud, other 1Password accounts and several rival managers, or from a CSV file if needed.
Security remains one of 1Password’s strongest suits. The company says all vault data is end-to-end encrypted with AES-256-GCM and encrypted on the user’s device, with no unencrypted vault contents stored by the company. PCMag says 1Password has never had a security breach and does not sell customer data. The review also highlights flexible multi-factor authentication options, per-device lock settings and phishing warnings when a website does not match the stored login URL.
Travel Mode is still one of the product’s most distinctive features. According to 1Password’s support documentation, the feature temporarily removes vaults from apps and browser extensions, leaving only those marked safe for travel. That makes it useful when crossing borders or if a device is inspected. The support article also makes clear that users must enable it before travelling and that it does not fully stop someone who can unlock the browser extension from disabling it online.
There are, however, gaps that matter in comparison with rivals. PCMag says 1Password’s Watchtower can flag weak or reused passwords and identify compromised sites, but its breach monitoring is less comprehensive than what NordPass, Dashlane and Proton Pass provide. Masked email support is available, but only through a paid Fastmail account. Proton Pass, by contrast, offers a free plan with unlimited logins and notes, cross-device access and hidden-email aliases, while Bitwarden also offers a no-cost tier and emergency access on paid plans. PCMag’s view is that 1Password still delivers an excellent overall experience, but its higher price and missing extras make it a harder sell than some of its closest rivals.
For people who want a refined, dependable password manager and do not mind paying for it, 1Password remains a strong option. For most individual users, though, the review concludes that NordPass and Proton Pass now present a more compelling mix of features and value, while Bitwarden stays attractive for anyone prioritising a capable free product.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
