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1Password Review

Updated on: September 14, 2019

In this, our latest 1Password review, we put this password manager through its paces and placed it side-by-side against other similar programs. We take them apart, piece by piece, and test each important aspect of each program in terms of features and ease of use. We're presenting the information we gleaned during our 1Password review here with intentions of providing an honest and detailed report about the programs to help you make an informed purchase decision.

Comparison Table

Preview Product
PassKeeper - Password Management Software [Download] PassKeeper - Password Management Software [Download] Shop now at Amazon.com
Keeper® Password Manager & Digital Vault [Download] Keeper® Password Manager & Digital Vault [Download] Shop now at Amazon.com
Password Boss Premium Password Manager (1-User) (1-Year Subscription) - Android|Windows|iOS Password Boss Premium Password Manager (1-User) (1-Year Subscription) - Android|Windows|iOS Shop now at Amazon.com

What Is 1Password?

1Password is a password manager and syncs your passwords and personal data together with your devices. It could be more automatic like their competition, but overall, it's a modern, searchable utility.

Product Specs

1Password can create safe and secure passwords for you personally and keep all sensitive data in a secure format. Credit card numbers, files, bank accounts, driver's licenses, passports, social security numbers, or anything else needing protection, 1Password saves it in your own encrypted vault.


Concerning daily usage, 1Password is well designed. The program is simple to comprehend and does not ask that you learn the logic of the app. It is logically arranged and is intelligent enough to provide passwords through the 1Password browser extensions immediately.

Pricing

Prices for password managers often vary more than other types of software. At the time of our 1Password review, its price point is currently $ monthly or $monthly with their annual plan at $$. You can use the product on all your devices and upgrading is automatic and instantaneous. 1Password also offers a five license family program at $$ per month or $$$ each year. Shared passwords with family or trusted friends is an attractive feature of this password manager. 1Password is available for purchase on their website.

How It Compares

1password image

image source: flickr.com

We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.

  • PassKeeper
  • Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault
  • Password Boss Premium v2.0

1Password

No products found.

  • ease of use
  • setup time
  • design quality
  • Customer service

4.8 stars

1Password easily syncs your passwords and private information across all of your Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, and handles all the anticipated activities of a password manager. Also, the X expansion of 1Password brings your passwords into platforms supporting Chrome. Our 1Password review tests showed authentic password replay and form filling are not as automatic as in other password managers, but throughout the trial period you will learn whether that limit disturbs you. If you decide 1Password isn't for you, canceling and deleting your account is easy via the interface.

4.8 stars

During our 1Password review, we found the sign-up process for 1Password different from other password managers we've tested. Aside from creating a unique master password that must be committed to memory and providing our email address, a few more steps were required before we could use the software.

We're impressed with the added steps because it's a sign of greater security and shows 1Password is serious about security. After we completed initial setup steps during our 1Password review, we had to click on the verification link in our email. From here, we landed back on their website.

On their website, we entered our choice of plans, together with our payment information. The free 30-day trial begins after confirmation of our selections. 1Password does not offer a free-to-use limited version.

4.8 stars

The interface in previous versions was attractive and functional, but somewhat dated. In the latest version, we saw a noticeable change with the menu in the left sidebar. Highlighted numbers inside markers show each category in their own space. Attention to detail makes the changes easy to see with better clarity.

4.9 stars

Part of our 1Password review included interaction with customer service/tech support, which was very supportive. We had an issue with adding a family member to our account. The staff was sincere and offered help with every detail. We quickly had our account setup and running flawlessly.

Pros

  • Resigned interface
  • Apps for all platforms
  • Simple to add devices

Cons

  • Limited importing
  • Lacks some automation
  • No security challenge

PassKeeper

PassKeeper - Password Management Software [Download]
PassKeeper - Password Management Software [Download]
  • PassKeeper simply keeps all of your passwords in one safe place.
  • PassKeeper is quick to setup and extremely easy to use.
  • Never worry about forgetting your passwords again
Shop now at Amazon.com

There's nothing fancy about PassKeeper's program and interface and once installed you're required to create a strong master password, which you must remember. During installation, plugins collect credentials then store the information within the program.


If imported passwords need updating or adding, the procedure for importing is easily repeated as necessary. Our attempts at this went smoothly and without errors or omissions from our test CSV files. PassKeeper can import from up to five password managers.


We should note the browser version is limited regarding sensitive personal information, which is an error in our opinion. Regardless of platform, all information should be accessible. However, full capabilities are available in the desktop version available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, and Chromebook.


Much like most password managers, auto fill and auto login on websites is an option for any or all websites in its database. There's an additional option to export password information into PassKeeper's archive or in a protected, read-only spreadsheet in Excel or CSV format.  

  • ease of use
  • setup time
  • design quality
  • Customer service

4.6stars

People understand passwords are a necessary evil, but all Internet users deal with them. Right or wrong, they're a staple of our collective Internet community. Fortunately, password managers rescue us from the never-ending chore of remembering passwords or constantly updating forgotten ones. An important part of PassKeeper is their free version.


They limit their free-for-life version to 50 entries, perfect for storing and retrieving personal information. They use the data encryption methods as most banks, giving your information almost hack-proof protection. PassKeeper stores the data in the Cloud or on the device they install the app on. If your data entries exceed 50, you have the option to go Premium with an expensive up-charge for an annual subscription.


PassKeeper includes sought-after features such as a password changer, generator, strength evaluation tool, data sharing, and syncing within a secure environment. Their mobile app mimics the desktop version, allowing for quick adaptability to each device.

Using various authentication methods help keep devices secure, together with real-time continuous security monitoring, and unlimited data storage.

4.3 stars

Initial installation of PassKeeper was straightforward without unnecessary steps placed in our way. As mentioned previously, installation begins after downloading, and after an email address and master password is established, importing begins from the browser add-on.


PassKeeper's internal browser stores account information during installation with no further input from users and complete installation. Overall, setup needs refining because importing from up to five other password managers is not without issue.


One refinement should be a capability to import from competing managers directly instead of CSV files. Files from previous managers must be exported and saved in CSV format and imported into PassKeeper's database.

An oddity we found is PassKeeper's inability to import files not created by a password manager, they and must be in a generic CSV format. We questioned why because PassKeeper can export to Excel CSV format.

4.8 stars

Our thoughts about the usefulness of PassKeeper's interface focus on user-friendliness. They must design software for ease of use and fluidity in navigating options and functions. Without easy navigation, password managers and other software become burdensome and lose their usefulness. Our impression of PassKeeper is positive in many respects, one of which is the easy navigation. We give them a high mark for their design and layout. Important functions that impact results are neatly spaced and categorized on the left sidebar.  

4.5 stars

Modern customer service for security software should have an always-open policy. If a security breach occurs, customers need a way to reach out for advice about protecting their information. Dashlane does not endorse such a policy, nor do they have a telephone solution.


To their credit, they provide French and Spanish content as well as content in English. FAQs provide extensive information about the software, but sometimes more is needed. A quick search brought us to their YouTube channel where we found tutorials about various topics of the software. However, we were surprised to find the videos dated a year ago or more.

Twitter is another platform to reach PassKeeper staff, and it is updated frequently. Email support initiated from their website seems to be reserved for Premium members to receive faster responses.

Pros

  • Simple to use and learn
  • Device sync
  • Password changer

Cons

  • No phone support
  • Too expensive
  • Limited import capability
More Info

Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault

Keeper® Password Manager & Digital Vault [Download]
Keeper® Password Manager & Digital Vault [Download]
  • Organize and access your passwords and private information
  • Sync seamlessly across all your Smartphones, Tablets and Computers
  • Create strong passwords with Keeper's instant password generator
  • Enjoy peace of mind with 256-bit AES encryption which protects your data
  • Stay secure with unlimited storage on Keeper's Cloud Security Vault
Shop now at Amazon.com

Password managers exist for one reason. Hiding your passwords under the umbrella of a strong master password allows one to access websites using a complicated, individual password for each. Keeper Password Manager and Digital Vault provides native apps for all major platforms. Also offered are browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, the often excluded Microsoft Edge, and IE. 

  • ease of use
  • setup time
  • design quality
  • Customer service

4.7 stars

Version 11 of Keeper received a major upgrade of its user interface. Its appearance is modern and functional with choices for color themes. We're impressed with their forethought in the design to keep its layout near identical across all platforms, especially Mac and Windows versions.  

4.6 stars

Initial setup is straightforward and quick with the usual creation of a master password and entering an email address to begin account creation. Rather than scaring us into remembering our master password, Keeper sets up security questions with the master password. However, if you require a password reset, they send a verification code that must be entered before password reset continues. 

4.8 stars

Version 11 takes quality to a new level in our opinion. The software is stable, and options and functions are easy to understand. Software speed is a major factor when reviewing performance. We know from experience when software is too heavy from resource usage, the response time of the software suffers. We didn't notice speed drops or slow-downs with all windows open.  

4.9 stars

Keeper Security support chat is available 24/7 and their help section is impressive with video tutorials, webinars and user guides. 

Pros

  • Fingerprint login
  • 24/7 support
  • Unlimited storage
  • Two-factor authentication

Cons

  • Web form filling limitations
  • Manual password updates
  • A little pricey

Password Boss Premium v2.0

Password Boss Premium Password Manager (1-User) (1-Year Subscription) - Android|Windows|iOS
Password Boss Premium Password Manager (1-User) (1-Year Subscription) - Android|Windows|iOS
  • Publisher: Password Boss
  • Firewall Type: None
  • Cloud Based Software: No
  • Number Of Users/Players: 1
Shop now at Amazon.com

Password Boss Premium is an average password manager lacking some expected features included in top-tier products. The manager is relatively new to the arena of password managers (2014), but they're taking measures to improve over time.  

  • ease of use
  • setup time
  • design quality
  • Customer service

4.3 stars

Noting the basic appearance of the user interface, it may require some patience to learn the program. Most of the features you would expect are present, but you won't see them immediately.  

4.8 stars

Downloading and installing the software went smoothly for us, aside from the normal steps in creating an account and a master password. Part of account creation required us to select which cloud data center for our data. A suggestion recommended choosing a location in the EU because of their newly passed privacy laws.

4.3 stars

We think the user interface needs refining and layout should be redesigned for user friendliness. The appearance of the UI looks dated, and the color scheme needs a refresh. 

4.5 stars

Password Boss offers email support via a web form and a substantial list of helpful articles concerning setup and instructions for specific tasks such as two-factor authentication setup.

Pros

  • Two-factor authentication
  • Password expiration
  • Syncing

Cons

  • No phone support
  • No password strength tool
  • Dated interface

1Password Review - Conclusion

Thanks for taking the time to consider our 1Password review. We investigate several factors in our reviews of software, but the most important is how well it performs its designed functions. This password manager functioned very well in our tests of stability and performance. We know the company took customer reviews about the UI seriously and redesigned it, and it shows. The new, modern design is faster than before, and it's easier to navigate. We're proud to award 1Password with 4.8 stars out of 5 possible.  


featured image source: flickr.com

Last update on 2021-01-23 at 20:41 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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