Bitwarden vs Proton Pass
Both are alternatives to 1Password. Here's how they stack up — verified facts, no spin.
Also searched as Proton Pass vs Bitwarden — same comparison, one verdict.
Bitwarden
TOP PICKOpen-source and free forever — the easy pick for most people.
Bitwarden is a mature, audited, open-source password manager. Use its low-cost hosted plan or self-host the server for full control, with clients on every platform.
Proton Pass
End-to-end encrypted password manager from the Proton privacy suite.
Proton Pass is a hosted, end-to-end encrypted password manager (passwords, passkeys, 2FA codes, and hide-my-email aliases) from the Swiss privacy company Proton. Its apps are open-source and independently audited, but the service runs on Proton's servers — you can't self-host it. It's the easy, no-server option for people who want strong privacy without running infrastructure.
Side by side
| Bitwarden | Proton Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty Score | 88 | 62 |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Self-hostable | Yes | No |
| Local-first | No | No |
| License | GPL-3.0 (clients) / AGPL (server) | Proprietary hosted service (client apps open-source, GPL-3.0, audited) |
| Pricing | Generous free tier; paid from about $1/month; self-host free | Free tier; paid from about $2/month (or bundled in Proton Unlimited) |
Bitwarden is Macrostack's recommended 1Password alternative, so it's our pick here.
Bitwarden
Strengths
- +Independently audited
- +Cross-platform clients
- +Self-host option
Trade-offs
- −Official self-host stack is heavier than Vaultwarden
- −Cloud plan still a third-party host
Proton Pass
Strengths
- +End-to-end encrypted — Proton cannot read your vault
- +Open-source, independently audited client apps
- +Zero setup — no server to run or maintain
- +Includes passkeys, 2FA, and hide-my-email aliases
Trade-offs
- −Hosted on Proton's servers — you cannot self-host it
- −The service itself is proprietary; only the client apps are open
- −Your vault lives in Proton's cloud, not on hardware you own
- −Full features require a paid plan
Related alternative guides
Facts verified 2026-07-04. Licenses and pricing change — spotted something out of date? That's a correction we want.