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LastPass vs Bitwarden

A side-by-side look at LastPass (the paid SaaS) and Bitwarden (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.

LastPass Bitwarden
Tagline Password manager for individuals and businesses. Open source password manager with free cloud and self-host options.
License Proprietary SaaS GPL-3.0 / AGPL-3.0
Pricing Free tier; Premium from $3/month. Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan
Self-host option No Yes — difficulty 2/5
Hosted cloud available Yes (only option) Yes
Desktop apps Varies by product Windows, macOS, Linux
Mobile apps Official apps typically available iOS, Android
Ad slot — between tables

Best for

The obvious modern replacement — free cloud or self-hosted.

Bitwarden strengths

  • Generous free tier on the hosted service.
  • Strong open source credentials.
  • Cross-platform clients and browser extensions.

Bitwarden weaknesses

  • Self-hosting the full stack is multi-container.
  • Some polish features (password health, reports) are paid.
  • Occasional syncing edge cases on mobile.

What's the catch with LastPass?

  • Major security breaches in 2022 eroded trust.
  • Free tier was restricted to one device type.
  • Cloud-only, no self-hosted option.

Still unsure?

Check the full list of alternatives to LastPass: see LastPass alternatives, or learn more about Bitwarden on its project page.