Productivity
Bitwarden
Open-source password manager.
What it is
Bitwarden is an open-source password manager that can be used as a hosted service or run entirely on your own server, with clients on every major platform. Being open source and self-hostable means the vault can stay on your own server and the client can be audited by anyone. The interface is plainer than its commercial rivals, which is the usual reason non-technical teams pick something else.
Bitwarden pricing
Bitwarden publishes 5 plans. Paid tiers start at $1.65/mo, and a free tier is listed alongside them.
| Plan | Price | What the vendor’s page says |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | Free: basic password management, unlimited devices |
| Premium | $1.65/mo | Premium $1.65/month ($19.80/year); Families $3.99/month ($47.88/year) for 6 |
| Families | $3.99/mo | Premium $1.65/month ($19.80/year); Families $3.99/month ($47.88/year) for 6 |
| Teams | $4/user/mo billed annually | Teams $4/user/month annual; Enterprise $6/user/month annual with SSO, self-hosting, free Families for users |
| Enterprise | $6/user/mo billed annually | Teams $4/user/month annual; Enterprise $6/user/month annual with SSO, self-hosting, free Families for users |
Prices read from the vendor's own pricing page on 2026-09-08. Vendors change plans without notice — check the source before you budget. Source
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Key features
Open-source clients
Publishes source for clients and server for independent review.
Self-hosting option
Runs the vault server on your own infrastructure.
Organisation sharing
Shares credentials through collections with role-based access.
Strengths and trade-offs
What works well
- Open source and independently audited
- Self-hosting is genuinely supported
- Free tier is usable for individuals
Where it falls short
- Interface is plainer than commercial rivals
- Self-hosting means you own recovery and backups
- Some polish gaps in the desktop apps
Who it is for
Individuals and teams who want a password manager they can inspect or host themselves.
Pick it or skip it
Pick Bitwarden if
- Individuals who want an open-source, zero-knowledge password manager free on unlimited devices
- Families of up to 6 for $3.99/month billed annually
- Businesses that want self-hosting and SSO: Enterprise at $6/user/month annually
Skip it if
- You need an integrated authenticator or file attachments for free — that is Premium ($1.65/month annually)
- You want passwordless SSO on the cheaper Teams plan ($4/user/month); it is Enterprise only
- You prefer a closed, single-vendor ecosystem like iCloud Keychain
Our verdict
Strong value in password management, particularly if open source matters to you.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does Bitwarden cost, and can I self-host it?
- Bitwarden is free for individuals on unlimited devices. Premium costs $19.80 a year, Families $47.88 a year for up to 6 people. For businesses, Teams is $4 and Enterprise $6 per user per month billed annually. Bitwarden is open source, and the server can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure.
- How much does Bitwarden cost?
- Bitwarden publishes 5 plans: Free at $0/mo, Premium at $1.65/mo, Families at $3.99/mo, Teams at $4/user/mo billed annually, Enterprise at $6/user/mo billed annually. Every figure is read from the vendor's own pricing page; the pricing section above shows the source sentence for each tier.
- Does Bitwarden have a free plan?
- Yes. Bitwarden offers a free tier with limits; paid plans unlock higher usage or team features.
- Who is Bitwarden best for?
- Individuals and teams who want a password manager they can inspect or host themselves.
- What are the main drawbacks of Bitwarden?
- The trade-offs we noted: Interface is plainer than commercial rivals; Self-hosting means you own recovery and backups; Some polish gaps in the desktop apps.
- When should you not use Bitwarden?
- Skip Bitwarden if: You need an integrated authenticator or file attachments for free — that is Premium ($1.65/month annually); You want passwordless SSO on the cheaper Teams plan ($4/user/month); it is Enterprise only; You prefer a closed, single-vendor ecosystem like iCloud Keychain.
What we checked
- Public APIOffers a documented API you can build against.Yes
- Mobile appHas a native app for iOS or Android, not just a mobile website.Yes
- Open source / self-hostableSource is open and the tool can be run on your own infrastructure.Yes
- SSO (SAML)Supports SAML single sign-on on at least one plan.Yes
“Not checked” means exactly that — we have not verified it, and we do not guess.
Evidence and freshness
Status: Vendor pricing page verifiedReviewed: 2026-09-08
- Bitwarden — Pricing ↗
Checked 2026-09-08 · Supports: Free: basic password management, unlimited devices, Premium $1.65/month ($19.80/year); Families $3.99/month ($47.88/year) for 6, Teams $4/user/month annual; Enterprise $6/user/month annual with SSO, self-hosting, free Families for users, open source; self-hosting available
Limit: Vendor pricing page was reviewed by an editor on this date; this record is not a ToolCompare benchmark. Prices and limits change.
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