Dashlane vs Bitwarden (2026): Which Password Manager Is Worth It?

A factual comparison of Dashlane and Bitwarden covering pricing, features, and migration steps for teams deciding between the two password managers.

Updated 2026-10 · 2026

Dashlane

Password manager with built-in VPN and dark web monitoring

$4/user/month (Team, billed annually)user/month

Strengths

+Polished, easy-to-use interface for non-technical users
+Built-in VPN included on Premium and Business plans
+Dark web monitoring with breach alerts

Weaknesses

-No permanent free tier (trial only, since 2022)
-More expensive than Bitwarden at every tier
-Closed-source, so security claims can't be independently audited

Best for

Non-technical teams that want a polished UI and are willing to pay more for VPN and monitoring bundled in

Bitwarden

Open-source password manager with a genuinely usable free plan

$0 (Free) / $3/user/month (Teams, billed annually)user/month

Strengths

+Free plan supports unlimited passwords and unlimited devices
+Open-source and independently audited
+Self-hosting option for full data control

Weaknesses

-Interface feels less polished than Dashlane's
-No built-in VPN
-Dark web/breach monitoring only on paid tiers, less robust than Dashlane's

Best for

Startups, small teams, and developers who want a free or cheap password manager without sacrificing security

Feature Comparison

Feature	Dashlane	Bitwarden
Free plan	No (trial only)	Yes, unlimited passwords/devices
Individual premium price	$2.75-4.99/month	$10/year (~$0.83/month)
Team/business entry price	$4/user/month (Team)	$3/user/month (Teams, annual)
Open source	No	Yes
Self-hosting option	No	Yes
Built-in VPN	Yes (Premium+)	No
Dark web monitoring	Yes	Yes (paid tiers)
SSO/SCIM support	Yes (Business)	Yes (Enterprise)
CLI/API for automation	Limited	Full CLI and public API
Browser/mobile apps	Yes, all major platforms	Yes, all major platforms
Security audits published	Not publicly disclosed in detail	Yes, regularly published

The Verdict

Bitwarden wins on price and transparency: its free tier alone covers what most small teams need, and its Teams plan is roughly a quarter of Dashlane's Business pricing. Dashlane is worth the premium only if you specifically want a bundled VPN and a more consumer-friendly interface — otherwise Bitwarden delivers equivalent core security for less.

How to switch from Dashlane to Bitwarden

1Export your Dashlane vault: open the desktop app, go to File > Export > Unsecured Archive, and choose CSV or JSON format; store the file in a secure, temporary location.
2Create a Bitwarden account (or organization for teams) and log into the web vault at vault.bitwarden.com.
3Go to Tools > Import Data in Bitwarden, select the matching Dashlane CSV/JSON format, and upload your exported file.
4Review imported entries for duplicates, broken URLs, or miscategorized items, and manually clean up any secure notes or form-fill data that didn't map cleanly.
5Recreate any browser extension logins, 2FA/TOTP entries, and shared folders/collections that your team relied on in Dashlane.
6Once verified, invite team members to the Bitwarden organization, assign them to collections, and permanently delete the old Dashlane export file and account.

Dashlane vs Bitwarden: common questions

How do I export my passwords from Dashlane?+

In the Dashlane desktop app or web vault, go to File > Export > Unsecured Archive (CSV) or use the JSON export option. Dashlane also offers a direct Bitwarden-compatible CSV export under some account types. Save the file locally and delete it immediately after import since it's unencrypted.

How do I import Dashlane data into Bitwarden?+

Log into the Bitwarden web vault, go to Tools > Import Data, and select 'Dashlane (csv)' or 'Dashlane (json)' as the format depending on your export file. Upload the file and Bitwarden will map fields automatically; review entries afterward for duplicates or mismatched categories.

What features do I lose by switching from Dashlane to Bitwarden?+

You lose the built-in VPN that comes with Dashlane Premium/Business plans — you'd need a separate VPN service. Dashlane's dark web monitoring and UI polish are also generally considered more refined, though Bitwarden covers the same core password management functionality.

Is Bitwarden's free plan enough for a small team?+

The free plan is per-individual, not built for team sharing, so for a team you'll want the Teams plan ($3/user/month annually) which adds shared collections, admin controls, and event logs. For solo users or very small teams sharing one account, the free tier alone can work.

How much will switching save over time?+

For a 10-person team, Dashlane Business runs roughly $480-960/year depending on tier, while Bitwarden Teams runs about $360/year ($3/user/month). Over 3 years that's a savings of $400-1,800+ depending on which Dashlane plan you were on, plus Bitwarden's free tier option for non-business use cases.