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1Password Review—Analyzing Security, Features, and Pricing

Ashley Ferraro, Product
Ashley Ferraro, Product
Oct 7, 2024
 • 
10
 Min Read
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Developed by AgileBits Inc. and first launched in 2006[1], 1Password has gained a strong foothold in the password manager market, growing to become the second most used password manager globally[2].

In this 1Password review, we will analyze the password manager's security, features, and pricing to help you decide if it is the right option for you. We will also discuss an easy method of safeguarding your financial details during online transactions.  

Disclaimer: The information in this article is accurate as of August 2024. Visit the official 1Password website for the most up-to-date information.

1Password Manager Review—A Detailed Overview

A cropped photo of a computer screen displaying a chain code and a red warning message reading "security alert"
Source: Elchinator

To review 1Password password manager, we'll examine its offering across these four areas: 

  1. Security measures
  2. Password management features
  3. Device compatibility and customer support
  4. Pricing options

Security Measures

1Password employs end-to-end encryption using the AES-256-bit encryption algorithm to secure passwords and other sensitive information[3]. To create the encryption key, 1Password uses a 34-character Secret Key together with the master password, providing an additional layer of safety in case a user's account password is compromised[4]. 

Other security measures 1Password offers users include:

  • Zero-knowledge architecture—Only the user knows their master password and Secret Key, which means that 1Password can't decrypt the data it stores[5].
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA)—1Password supports 2FA for account security, with support for authenticator apps and security keys as the second authentication factor[6].
  • Biometric authentication—Users can access their 1Password accounts using their fingerprint, face, or iris instead of their passwords[3]. 
  • Regular security audits—1Password undergoes regular audits and penetration testing to identify and fix potential vulnerabilities. 1Password is ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II certified, further validating its security measures[7].
  • Bug bounty program—The service has a bug bounty on Bugcrowd, allowing security researchers to check in for bugs and other vulnerabilities[7].

Password Management Features

1Password helps users create strong, unique passwords with its password generator[8]. The password managers also autofills stored login credentials, protecting against phishing attacks via fraudulent websites[9]. 

1Password also offers its users: 

  • Watchtower vulnerability report—Scans all stored logins and alerts users of weak, reused, or compromised passwords[10]
  • Additional credentials storage—Stores credit card details, secure notes, software license keys, and other kinds of information[11][12]
  • Passwordless login support—Allows users to log in with passkeys to accounts that support it for increased security[13]
  • 2FA support—Creates one-time passwords for accounts that support the feature as a form of two-factor authentication[14]
  • Clipboard management—Automatically clears the clipboard after a set time, preventing anyone from accessing sensitive data copied to the clipboard[15]
  • Item sharing—Enables secure sharing of data stored in 1Password vaults with friends, family, or employees[16]
  • Emergency Kit—Provides users with a PDF document with account details and space for users to write their master password[17]
  • Travel mode—Enables users to temporarily remove sensitive data from their devices when traveling, reducing the risk of data breaches if their devices are lost or stolen[18]
  • Masked email—Integrates with Fastmail, allowing users who have a Fastmail account to create proxy email addresses during account signup[19]

While users can share their Emergency Kit with others, 1Password lacks an integrated emergency access feature included in password managers such as LastPass, NordPass, and Keeper.

Device Compatibility and Customer Support

A photo showing a switched-on Mac, iPad, and iPhone placed on a wooden surface
Source: Pixabay

1Password is available on all major platforms and has browser extensions for most popular browsers[20], allowing users to manage their passwords on:

  • Desktop—Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems
  • Mobile—iOS and Android devices
  • Web browsers—Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Brave

1Password has a searchable support website with detailed guides and tips for using the app, and it offers a chatbot service[21]. Its online community forum also allows users to connect with other 1Password users to share ideas, participate in conversations, and learn about updates[22].

Users who require direct support can contact 1Password's customer support team through email or their X (formerly Twitter) profile[21]. 

Pricing Options

1Password offers a 14-day trial for new users to try the service before purchasing. After the trial, users who want to sign up for 1Password for personal use can choose one of two plans[23]: 

  1. Individual—At $2.99 per month (billed annually), it allows access to all personal features.
  2. Families—At $4.99 per month (billed annually), it allows access to all personal features and simple admin controls for up to five family members.
    ‍

Business users can also deploy 1Password, with plans starting at $19.95 per month (billed annually), for up to 10 users. Business plans include additional features such as advanced reporting, onboarding resources, and additional support options[23]. 

Individuals looking for password managers that offer a free plan might consider open-source options such as Proton Pass and Bitwarden, as well as Norton Password Manager and Microsoft Authenticator.

Are Password Managers Enough To Secure Your Data Online?

An illustration of a blue login screen showing prefilled username and password fields along with a "login" button
Source: TBIT

Password managers employ various security measures to protect the sensitive information you store with them. 1Password goes a step further with its Secret Key feature, which makes cracking its encryption even more challenging. While they excel at secure storage, password managers' protections don't extend to your sensitive information after you've shared it. 

Payment card details are a good example—as soon as you use them to make a purchase online, you place their security in the hands of the merchant. If the vendor's security measures are lax and their platform suffers a breach, your payment card numbers can be stolen.  

To shield your payment card details while shopping, consider using virtual cards. These cards act as a substitute for your actual payment numbers, protecting them in case a merchant's server gets compromised. 

While popular banks like Capital OneⓇ and Citi offer virtual cards, choosing a dedicated virtual card provider like Privacy gives you access to comprehensive features that make online shopping secure and effortless. 

Facilitate Secure Online Payments With Privacy Virtual Cards

After linking your debit card or bank account to Privacy, you can generate multiple virtual cards for all your online purchases. Privacy Cards come with 16-digit card numbers, expiration dates, and CVVs. You can use them when making online purchases the same way you'd use your actual payment cards, bolstering your security and protecting you from potential fraud. 

Besides keeping your financial information safe, Privacy offers robust security measures such as:

  • Military-grade AES-256 encryption for all sensitive data, boosting data confidentiality and integrity
  • Two-factor authentication for extra login security, ensuring only authorized users can access your account
  • Real-time transaction alerts that will notify you when a virtual card has been used or declined, enabling you to detect and report any unusual activities promptly
  • Regular system audits to detect and address vulnerabilities that could compromise your data
  • OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) compliance, ensuring Privacy follows best security practices when developing its service

Privacy Card Types and Features

A bird's eye view photo of a person holding a payment card while typing on a laptop placed on a wooden surface
Source: Mikhail Nilov

Privacy offers three types of virtual cards:

Card Type Description
Single-Use These cards become invalid shortly after your first transaction. Further transactions with them are declined, making them useless even if stolen. Single-Use Cards are perfect for transactions with new merchants and those you don't plan on visiting again soon. 
Merchant-Locked These cards "lock" to the first merchant you use them with. Any attempts to pay with them elsewhere will be declined. You can use Merchant-Locked Cards at familiar and reputable stores and for recurring payments, such as subscriptions and bills. 
Category-Locked They "lock" to a specific category of merchants, such as dining, entertainment, or health & wellness, and they cannot be used outside that category. Category-Locked Cards can help you manage your expenses.

Privacy lets you set spending limits and pause or close your Privacy Cards at any time without impacting the underlying funding source. Privacy will block all charge attempts on paused or closed cards and charges that exceed your specified spending limit, protecting against accidental or excessive charges from sneaky merchants.

Privacy Convenience Features

Privacy is dedicated to making your online transactions more convenient with the following features:

  • 1Password integration—You can connect Privacy to your 1Password account to create, access, and manage your passwords and payment details directly from the 1Password dashboard.
  • Mobile app—Privacy App, available for iOS and Android, allows you to generate new virtual cards on the go, manage existing ones, and receive real-time transaction alerts.
  • Browser extension—Available for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Safari for iOS, the Privacy Browser Extension autofills your virtual card details at checkout, streamlining your shopping experience. 
  • Shared Cards—Privacy lets you share virtual cards with family and friends, helping you securely manage and track shared expenses.
  • Card Notes—You can add notes to your Privacy Cards to remind you of merchant information, subscription renewal dates, or other relevant details.

How To Get Privacy Virtual Cards

To start using Privacy, here's what to do:

  1. Visit the signup page
  2. Enter the required Know-Your-Customer (KYC) information
  3. Provide a funding source (debit card or bank account)
  4. Submit your request and generate your first virtual card
    ‍

Privacy offers four monthly plans:

Plan Price What You Get
Personal Free for domestic transactions

  • Up to 12 new virtual cards per month

  • Merchant-Locked and Single-Use Cards

  • All card spending features

  • Privacy App

  • Privacy Browser Extension
Plus $5/month

  • Everything in the Personal plan

  • Up to 24 new cards per month

  • Category-Locked Cards

  • Shared Cards

  • The ability to add notes to cards

  • Priority support with Live Chat (Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET)
Pro   $10/month    

  • All Plus plan features

  • Up to 36 new cards per month

  • Fee-free foreign transactions

  • 1% cashback on purchases totaling up to $4,500 per month
Premium $25/month 

  • Everything in Pro

  • Up to 60 new cards per month

References

[1] 1Password. https://1password.com/company, Sourced August 14, 2024
[2] Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1331322/password-management-market-share/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[3] 1Password. https://support.1password.com/1password-security/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[4] 1Password. https://support.1password.com/secret-key-security/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[5] 1Password. https://1password.com/features/zero-knowledge-encryption/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[6] 1Password. https://support.1password.com/two-factor-authentication/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[7] 1Password. https://support.1password.com/security-assessments/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[8] 1Password. https://1password.com/password-generator, Sourced August 14, 2024
[9] 1Password. https://1password.com/features/autofill/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[10] 1Password. https://watchtower.1password.com/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[11] 1Password. https://1password.com/resources/guides/saving-credit-cards-and-addresses/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[12] 1Password. https://1password.com/features/secure-notes/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[13] 1Password. https://1password.com/product/passkeys, Sourced August 14, 2024
[14] 1Password. https://support.1password.com/one-time-passwords/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[15] 1Password. https://support.1password.com/copy-passwords/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[16] 1Password. https://support.1password.com/share-items/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[17] 1Password. https://support.1password.com/emergency-kit/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[18] 1Password. https://support.1password.com/travel-mode/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[19] 1Password. https://1password.com/fastmail/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[20] 1Password. https://support.1password.com/system-requirements/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[21] 1Password Support. https://support.1password.com/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[22] 1Password Community. https://1password.community/, Sourced August 14, 2024
[23] 1Password. https://1password.com/pricing, Sourced August 14, 2024

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Privacy — Seamless & Secure Online Card Payments
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Checkout securely online by creating unique virtual card numbers for every purchase. Avoid data breaches, unwanted charges, and stolen credit card numbers.
Pay with virtual cards so that you don’t need to expose your actual card information during checkout.
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Privacy — Seamless & Secure Online Card Payments
Enjoy greater financial control online
Checkout securely online by creating unique virtual card numbers for every purchase. Avoid data breaches, unwanted charges, and stolen credit card numbers.
With Privacy, you can create virtual cards that lock to one merchant or close after the first use, ensuring they are only being spent as you’ve intended.
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Privacy Virtual Cards
Spending Limits

Set a spending limit and Privacy will decline any transactions that go over the limit

Merchant-Locked Cards

Lock Privacy Cards to the first merchant they’re used at to prevent misuse if stolen

Single-Use Cards

Create Privacy Cards that close automatically after the first purchase is made on them

Pause/Close Cards

Pause or close your Privacy Cards at any time to block future transaction attempts

Sign Up For Privacy Now
Privacy — Seamless & Secure Online Card Payments
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