Proton Pass vs Bitwarden: Which Password Manager Offers Better Security in 2025?
Proton Pass is missing a few standard features like emergency access, but we still recommend it over Bitwarden for its stand-out privacy.
Last Updated on Oct 14, 2025
- Feature-rich and functional free version
- Offers high-end privacy features
- Easy to import and add logins
- Premium plan costs $10 per year; less than $1 per month on average
- Native extensions for private browsers such as Vivaldi and Tor
- Offers self-hosting for even more secure password storage
Proton Pass and Bitwarden don’t appear on our list of the best password managers of 2025. This doesn’t mean they aren’t great options. Bitwarden received an honorable mention for how it stores and secures credentials and for being inexpensive. On the other hand, while Proton Pass is pricier than other password managers, it includes valuable security tools like dark web monitoring and an email address alias generator.
Should you pay extra for Proton Pass, or is Bitwarden the better option? We bought subscriptions to both password managers to find out. Here’s what we found after using both.
Quick Overview
Before we get into the details, let’s see how Proton Pass and Bitwarden compare side by side.
| Proton Pass | Bitwarden | |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | 256-AES | 256-AES |
| Zero-Knowledge Architecture | Yes | Yes |
| 2FA Access | Yes | Yes |
| Passkeys | Yes | Yes |
| Password Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Password Sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Secure Cloud Backup | Yes | Yes |
| Dark Web Monitoring | Yes | No |
| Free Plan | Yes (unlimited passwords) | Yes (unlimited passwords) |
| Starting Price Per Month | $2.99 | $0.83 |
Our Methodology: How We Compare Password Managers
We don’t start testing password managers until we’ve done some research. For Proton Pass and Bitwarden, we reviewed the claims they made about their products, checked their history, and read customer reviews. Once we knew enough about them, we bought a subscription and started comparing.
For this guide, we installed Proton Pass and Bitwarden apps on multiple devices and browsers. We stress-tested each app against real-world scenarios and looked at how well they fit into our daily lives. We also considered these factors:
- Security features: We checked our credentials would be safe by reviewing the security architecture, encryption methods, and authentication processes.
- Usability: We compared how easy it was to import passwords, navigate features across multiple devices, and update our credentials.
- Password generation: We created dozens of new, unique passwords, checking customizability options, ease of use, and password strength.
- Autofill accuracy: We signed into multiple online accounts across multiple devices, rating the efficiency and accuracy of the auto-fill features.
- Sync speeds: We timed how fast password vaults synced when we switched to apps on different devices.
- Customer support: We contacted customer support teams across phone, chat, and email, assessing the response times and quality of their answers.
Based on these criteria, we recorded our observations and compared the pros and cons. That’s how we put together this guide to help you decide which between Proton Pass and Bitwarden is right for your needs.
Security Comparison
Proton Pass and Bitwarden are both open-source, which made it easy for us to find out how they secure their systems.
Proton Pass protects your master password using “bcrypt,” an algorithm designed to make brute-force attacks difficult for hackers. Bitwarden takes an equally robust approach, using the PBKDF2SHA-256 algorithm.
Why does that matter? Both password managers have a zero-knowledge architecture, which means your password vault can be unlocked by only your master password. No one else is supposed to have access to your master password — not even the companies themselves — but hackers can use brute-force and dictionary attacks to crack it. That’s why having those algorithms in place to protect your master key is crucial.
FYI: Both password managers also use AES-256 to encrypt vault contents. It’s the same encryption protocol that financial institutions, the government, and most password managers use.
Feature Comparison
During our testing, we used Proton Pass and Bitwarden on everything from banking logins to streaming services. This approach helped us identify their strengths and weaknesses.
Proton Pass Strengths
One of our favorite features is Proton Pass’s email address generator tool.
Proton Pass’s standout feature is the email address alias generator, which creates unique addresses so you never have to use your real one. We created over five aliases during testing, and the app organized them into categories like shopping and subscriptions to keep everything manageable. With millions of email addresses leaked in 2024, we recommend using this tool to keep your real information out of the hands of cybercriminals.1
The autofill accuracy impressed us too. Proton Pass correctly identified and filled complex forms 94 percent of the time in our tests, including tricky sites with login fields across multiple pages. We also like that the browser extension looked polished and featured smooth animations and intuitive keyboard shortcuts.
>> Keep Reading: The Best Password Managers for Chrome in 2025
Proton Pass Weaknesses
Proton Pass is missing some features we expect to come standard with password managers. The first is emergency access. Friends, family members, or other trusted contacts can’t access your data if something happens to you. We also didn’t find the mobile app as user-friendly as the desktop and browser apps. Proton Pass wouldn’t always detect login fields, which meant we had to copy and paste them from our vault manually.
Bitwarden Strengths
Bitwarden’s Send feature lets you share passwords or secure notes with expiration dates and view limits. During our testing, we shared temporary credentials with friends and coworkers 12 times, and the automatic expiration prevented any lingering security risks.
The organizational tools also stood out to us. We used them to manage our 400 credentials, using a combination of collections, folders, and custom fields. The built-in authenticator also meant we could delete our separate TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) apps.
>> Learn More: Two-Factor and Multi-Factor Authentication
Bitwarden Weaknesses
We think Bitwarden’s design isn’t as modern as Proton Pass. We also noticed the occasional syncing delays between devices. Sometimes it took up to 30 seconds, and other times we had to manually refresh the page. The browser extension even struggled with single-page applications. Bitwarden didn’t detect password fields on about eight percent of websites we tested.
Pricing Comparison
Proton Pass and Bitwarden offer generous free plans, but there are some differences between them. The same can be said for their premium tiers.
| Proton Pass | Bitwarden | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | Yes (unlimited login storage) | Yes (unlimited credential storage) |
| Premium Individual | $2.99 per month | $0.83 per month |
| Family Plan | $4.99 per month | $3.33 per month |
Both free plans offer unlimited password storage, but only Bitwarden lets you save credit cards and personally identifiable information in its secure vault. Proton Pass and Bitwarden’s free tiers even offer unlimited device access, something most free password managers like NordPass don’t do.
We believe Proton Pass has better premium plans, even though they are more expensive. You get a variety of security tools, including the email address alias generator, password health alerts, and dark web monitoring. Bitwarden alerts you if your credentials are included in a data breach, but it doesn’t scan the dark web like Proton Pass.
Budget Tip: If you’re already a Proton customer, consider Proton Unlimited. It’s $10 a month and includes access to the premium features for ProtonMail, Calendar, Drive, and Proton VPN.
Key Similarities
Proton Pass and Bitwarden have a lot in common. Both use zero-knowledge architecture principles, meaning the companies cannot see your master password or access your vault. They also have native apps for all major platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
We also found their password generation tools equally strong. We generated dozens of unique passwords, with each service offering multiple complexity settings, like length and use of special characters. The import processes also worked smoothly. We successfully saved test vaults from LastPass, 1Password, and Dashlane to both platforms without losing any data.
>> Try Out: Random Password Generator
Key Differences
Proton has a stellar reputation for its approach to privacy. The company is based in Switzerland, the software is open-source, and the apps have been audited by reputable third parties like Cure53.2 Bitwarden also takes a serious approach to privacy, but its headquarters are in the United States. This means the company could be forced to share customer data with the government, even if the vaults are encrypted.
Another difference is that Bitwarden offers self-hosting through Vaultwarden, allowing you to maintain complete control over your data. In our testing, we found it straightforward to set up and maintain. Proton Pass’s biggest differentiator is its range of security tools. During our testing period, the app alerted us to two data breaches using the email aliases we created, allowing us to avoid opening spam content.
FYI: Bitwarden’s zero-knowledge architecture means it has no useful data to surrender if the U.S. government requests it. The company’s open-source philosophy also means independent third parties can verify privacy claims, as Mandiant did in 2024.3
Performance and Reliability
We monitored Proton Pass and Bitwarden for 30 days, tracking response times and availability. Throughout the month, neither password manager experienced noticeable service disruptions. On the apps and devices we tested, the autofill features worked within milliseconds.
The impact on our mobile batteries was minimal. Proton Pass consumed three percent less battery on average during our iPhone 14 Pro tests. We didn’t notice any significant differences on Android devices.
>> Compare: The Best Password Managers for Android
Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Proton Pass and Bitwarden isn’t about picking a winner. It’s about matching features to your needs. We recommend looking at what you need right now, rather than trying to predict the future. Your digital security deserves a solution that works well today, not potentially tomorrow.
Who Should Choose Proton Pass
We recommend Proton Pass if you’re already in the Proton ecosystem. For $10 a month, you get an all-in-one security solution that’s user-friendly regardless of the device you use. Proton Pass can scan the dark web for your data, create email address aliases, and lock down your accounts if your credentials are stolen
Who Should Choose Bitwarden
Bitwarden’s open-source approach is ideal for security professionals and organizations requiring self-hosting capabilities. The generous free tier and affordable family plans make it attractive for anyone who doesn’t need extra security tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I import passwords from other password managers?
Yes, both Proton Pass and Bitwarden support importing from all major password managers including LastPass, 1Password, and Dashlane. The process takes less than five minutes for most people.
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Do these password managers work offline?
Both services cache your vault locally for offline access. You can view and copy passwords without an internet connection, though syncing new changes requires you to be online.
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Which password manager is more secure?
Both are equally secure, using industry-standard encryption and passing independent, third-party security audits. The only concern is that Bitwarden’s headquarters are located in the United States, which means the government may request server contents.
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Can family members share passwords safely?
Bitwarden and Proton Pass offer dedicated family plans with organizations with collections that make sharing passwords, files, and more easy.
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How do the browser extensions compare?
Proton Pass offers a more modern interface with smoother animations. Bitwarden provides more configuration options and powerful features but with a more utilitarian design.
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Is it easy to switch between these services later?
Absolutely. Both services support standard export formats, making migration straightforward if you decide to switch.
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IBM. (2024). 2024 roundup: Top data breach stories and industry trends.
https://www.ibm.com/think/insights/2024-roundup-top-data-breach-stories-and-industry-trends -
Cure53. (2023). Pentest-Report Proton Pass Browser Addon, Apps & API.
https://res.cloudinary.com/dbulfrlrz/images/v1714571291/wp-pme/Cure53-proton-pass-20230717_411424e470/Cure53-proton-pass-20230717_411424e470.pdf?_i=AA -
Bitwarden. (2024). Bitwarden Mobile App Security Report.
https://bitwarden.com/assets/5xEFYurTu7zhrlKg8dM9Wr/943d125e789b1c4eebc7b29ad6fb9b1a/2024_Bitwarden_Mobile_App_Security_Report.pdf
