Bitwarden
1258 likes
Open-source password manager using AES-256 and PBKDF2 SHA-256 encryption. Securely store and sync logins across iOS, Android, Windows, and more without service provider access.
License model
- Freemium • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Apple Watch
- Snapcraft
- Microsoft Edge
- Vivaldi
- Google Chrome
- Flathub
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Tor Browser
- Safari
- F-Droid
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Flatpak
- Cloudron
- Opera
- Chocolatey
- Mono
- Brave
- Mozilla Firefox
- Docker
Features
Bitwarden News & Activities
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Recent News
- Fla published news article about BitwardenBitwarden enables biometric unlock on Linux
Linux users installing Bitwarden through Snapcraft can now unlock the desktop application using bio...
- Fla published news article about BitwardenBitwarden implements new security measure
Starting in February, Bitwarden users without two-step login enabled will need to provide an emaile...
- Fla published news article about BitwardenBitwarden releases native Android app
Bitwarden's native Android app is now in General Availability, offering users upgraded performance ...
Recent activities
What is Bitwarden?
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Bitwarden information
AlternativeTo Categories
Security & Privacy, Web Browsers, Backup & Sync, Office & Productivity, OS & Utilities, Remote Work & EducationApple AppStore
- Updated May 1, 2025
- 4.64 avg rating
GitHub repository
- 16,632 Stars
- 1,405 Forks
- 212 Open Issues
- Updated Jun 6, 2025
Comments and Reviews
Updated review: 2018-05-18
Summary:
Bitwarden is, overall, the hands down best all-round password manager I know that will suit most people. Open source, fully-encryped (unlike LastPass), free or cheap, works on all OSes, supports 2-factor authentication, with a responsive developer. You just don't get that anywhere else. It's simply one of the best apps you can use to help you stay safe online.
(Disclosure: I don't have any affiliation with Bitwarden. I don't even know anyone involved. I just know how it works, what it does and how it can help the average user.)
The full version:
Password managers are essential and come in many different shapes and sizes. The best advice is to go with something that is open source, which the "big players" like LastPass, 1Password and Dashlane aren't. Open source software ensures a higher level of trust, and enables security flaws to be found much more quickly.
The Good:
BitWarden is open source, which is good for security and trustworthiness. However, like its closed-source competitors mentioned above, it syncs an encrypted version of your password library to a central server, so that your logins are available wherever you are. All you have to do is install a browser plugin, desktop app or phone app (Android and iOS). Additionally, it offers 2-factor authentication via mobile (or Yubikey for the paid version). One of the major advantages of BitWarden is that it encrypts your URLs (web addresses) whereas Lastpass does not (and I think 1Passwords doesn't either). If you use LastPass, this should alarm you profoundly: they can read which websites you have accounts with, how often you visit them, and that means this data can be subpoenad and used to profile you, which would be a violation of your privacy. (Remember: privacy and security aren't the same thing.)
Recent versions of Bitwarden have enabled the storage of credit card data, notes and - for the paid version - up to 1GB of attachments.
The Bad.
BitWarden is based in Florida, which puts it under US legal jurisdiction, which is far from ideal. Although it's open source, the data - in it's unreadable, encrypted format - is stored on Microsoft's "Azure" servers. That means the servers are probably well managed and secure, but if the data was asked for by federal agencies under National Security Letter or FISA laws, they would probably hand it over and tell you nothing about it. It would be encrypted, but they would still have a copy to attack in the future, if they wanted. If you're not a techie, it means this: your secrets would be protected by the best mathematics int the world ever, against the best minds the US government can buy today. Go figure. Ultimately, it's not a bad bet.
The fact that Bitwarden (and Lastpass, etc) store your data on a central server (whoever it belongs to), means there is a high-value target servers somewhere for hackers to target. This has been LastPass's perennial problem, and in the case of OneLogin, another related servers, an attack seems recently to have succeeded.
My advice
My advice for using password managers varies based on who my audience is:
If you are "all thumbs" at technology, or want something very simple, go for Encryptr. It will keep your passwords safe, sync them and it has an extremely easy interface that looks the same, whether you use Mac, Windows or Linux.
If you are "average" at technology, I think BitWarden is for you. It's every bit as easy to use (easier even, perhaps) than LastPass, more secure, more trustworthy and cheaper. What's not to like?
If you are a "techie", then it depends. If you want something super convenient, Bitwarden's service is the best option I've found to date (2018-05-18). If you're ultra-conscious about your security and privacy, then use a local database that you sync yourself (e.g. KeePassXC, which works with browser plugins on Windows, Mac and Linux). If this is you, then there's probably you can learn from me. But two tips: 1) KeepassXC is the best Keepass-compatible cross-platform client I've seen so far; 2) if you do sync your own database, I'd recommend against assuming you're safe from Dropbox, Google Drive, etc. just because your database is encrypted. It's still obvious (to them) that this is what you're syncing. Consider Cryptomator, Tresorit, Spideroak, Sync.com, or any other end-to-end encrypted service.
The remaining option is to host an instance of Bitwarden yourself. About that I have little to say, except: clearly, you will have to know what you're doing. But, if you think that an encrypted database is safe because it's encrypted (a successful hacker can't use it), then why not have it on MS Azure with Bitwarden's service? If you want to run it on your own server, then fine. But then you'll know, of course, that bots exist to knock on all the Raspberry Pi doors online, seeing what might be pried open. Up to you. I'll just say I'm glad that this option exists; you can't exactly run LastPass instances on your own, can you?
In all cases, avoid LastPass and 1Password like the plague. They will make your passwords more secure only up to a point, and your internet habits much less private.
2017-06-25 update: I have been testing BitWarden for the past couple of weeks. I am impressed by how much of the functionality of LastPass it can offer for such a young project. The developer is also responsive and has fixed a GUI bug I reported. He predicts addtitional features in the summer of 2017, including Yubikey for paying customers (same price as LastPass: $1/month). I would like to see Bitcoin as a payment option, but about this he says he is undecided.
Last update: 2018-05-18
[Edited by JohnFastman, May 18]
please update your review regarding the selfhostoption on bitwarden.
Yes, I'd also like clarification on this. BitWarden appears to offer self-hosting setup options now (and at no cost). Your insights on both BitWarden and KeePass have proven invaluable and I'd really appreciate your input here. Does BW still save an encrypted copy elsewhere? I'm curious to hear if the latest BW changes anything for you.
By popular request, I have updated my review.
May I ask you to review Myki Password manager? I'm quite curious what you think of it.
Hands down the top password manager I've ever used. I was on 1Password 4 before they switched to subscriptions and looked into KeePass, but the setup with all the plugins and integrations felt like a hassle. Then I came across Bitwarden - super intuitive, powerful, and just works flawlessly. Haven’t looked back since.
I like Bitwarden because it covers all the essentials we need from a password manager in a free plan, it's open source, and available on F-Droid. You can subscribe for more advanced stuff. However, you can freely use it on multiple devices and browser extensions are available. Totally worth it.
Solid open source password manager. Desktop apps leave a lot to be desired but this is a fantastic app for the price!
It's quite good for everyday use for free users, but if for example we forget the main Bitwarden password for a free account, then all the data in it will be lost.
Effective, cross-platform, open source password manager that gets the job done. It's macOS integration is severely inconvenienced by the lack of auto-fill support, however it's fantastic in other regards.
excellent! i used to use keepass family and some standalone encrypted editors, but bitwarden helped me in everyway, esp when now i want to migrate everything to username + password (=passkey) AND 2FA (authn OR hardware keys x2 OR recovery codes). it's FOSS, /w E2EE, self hosting is FREE and subscription is CHEAP/ECONOMIC. cant find better alternative. PS: DO NOT use the authn within the main BW app. store authn separately in another app or only in phone, otherwise having username+passwd+2FA-authn makes a single point of failure and ruined the 2FA idea.