1Password Raises Subscription Prices by Up to 33% — Here Are the Best Free Alternatives

February 24, 2026

If you’re a 1Password user, check your inbox — the company began notifying subscribers today of a significant price hike set to take effect on March 27, 2026.

For a service that has kept its pricing largely stable for years, the increase has caught many users off guard.

What’s Changing

1Password is raising the cost of its annual subscription plans by $12 per year across both its individual and family tiers:

Individual Plan: rises from $35.88/year ($2.99/month) to $47.88/year ($3.99/month) — a 33% increase
Family Plan: rises from $59.88/year ($4.99/month) to $71.88/year ($5.99/month) — a 20% increase

For existing subscribers, the new pricing will not kick in immediately. It will take effect at your next renewal on or after March 27, 2026, meaning if your subscription renews before that date, you’ll pay the current lower rate for one more cycle. However, users in some regions, including parts of Europe, will reportedly have their plans automatically canceled if they do not actively approve the price change.

Why Is 1Password Raising Prices?

In its notification email, 1Password pointed to years of product investment as justification. The Toronto-based company, founded in 2005, stated that while its platform has grown substantially in features and capability, its pricing has “remained largely unchanged for many years.” The company framed the increase as necessary to “continue investing in innovation and the world-class security you expect.”

The email highlighted several recent platform improvements, including proactive phishing prevention, easier saving of login credentials and payment details, AI-powered item naming, enhanced Watchtower security alerts, and a faster cross-device setup experience.

Whether these additions justify a 33% jump in price for individual users is a question many subscribers are now asking themselves.

Should You Stay or Switch?

1Password remains one of the most polished and full-featured password managers on the market, with strong cross-platform support covering iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux. For users who rely on its seamless experience across multiple operating systems and devices, the new pricing may still represent reasonable value.

That said, the increase arrives at a time when several capable alternatives — including completely free options — are more competitive than ever.

Best Free Alternatives to 1Password

1. Bitwarden — Best Overall Free Alternative

Bitwarden is widely regarded as the strongest free alternative to 1Password. It is fully open-source, meaning its code is publicly audited for security. The free tier includes unlimited password storage, syncing across unlimited devices, and support for all major platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and all major browsers. A premium upgrade is available for just $10/year if you want extras like advanced two-factor authentication reports, but the free plan is genuinely capable for most users.

2. Apple Passwords — Best for Apple Users

Apple quietly launched a standalone Passwords app with iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, making it easier than ever to manage credentials natively on Apple devices. It is completely free, deeply integrated with Safari and iCloud Keychain, and supports passkeys. The main limitation is its ecosystem lock-in — it works on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows PCs via the iCloud for Windows app, but it has no Android support. If you live exclusively in the Apple world, this is a hard offering to beat at zero cost.

3. Google Password Manager — Best for Android and Chrome Users

If you use Chrome as your primary browser or an Android device, Google Password Manager is already built into your experience. It stores and syncs passwords across all devices where you’re signed into your Google account, supports passkeys, and has added a dedicated app on Android. Like Apple Passwords, it works best within its own ecosystem, but for Android-first users, it is a natural and free choice.

4. KeePass / KeePassXC — Best for Privacy-Focused Users

KeePass and its community fork KeePassXC are free, open-source password managers that store your password database locally on your device — nothing goes to the cloud unless you choose to sync it yourself via a service like Dropbox or a personal server. This approach appeals strongly to users who prefer full control over their data. The trade-off is a less polished user experience compared to 1Password or Bitwarden, and setup requires a bit more effort.

5. NordPass (Free Tier) — Honorable Mention

NordPass, from the makers of NordVPN, offers a free tier that covers one device at a time with unlimited password storage. It features a clean, modern interface and strong encryption. The single-device restriction makes it less practical for multi-device users, but it is a solid option for those who primarily work from one machine.

The Bottom Line

1Password’s price increase is a notable shift for one of the most trusted names in password security. For users already considering a switch, this is a natural moment to explore alternatives. Bitwarden in particular offers an experience that rivals 1Password in most respects at no cost, making it the go-to recommendation for users who want to avoid the new pricing.

If you’re an existing 1Password subscriber, keep an eye on your renewal date. Renewing before March 27, 2026, will lock in the current lower rate for one more year — giving you extra time to evaluate your options without rushing.

Prices listed in USD. Regional pricing may vary.

1Password Raises Subscription Prices by Up to 33% — Here Are the Best Free Alternatives