Short answer: No — Skip Dashlane. 1Password has better features for the same price. Bitwarden is cheaper and open-source.
Worth it for: Current users who like it, people who want bundled VPN Skip if: New users, budget-conscious users Better alternative: N/A Here's the thing: the password manager market has matured. Dashlane was once competitive. Now it's overpriced without compelling advantages.
The marketing promises more than it delivers.
When It IS Worth It
You already use Dashlane and like it. Switching password managers is annoying. If Dashlane works for you, inertia is valid.
You want a bundled VPN. Premium includes VPN. If you'd buy VPN separately, this adds value. (Though dedicated VPNs are better.)
You get a deal. If pricing is competitive with 1Password, Dashlane is fine. It's just rarely worth paying more.
When It Is NOT Worth It
For new users:
You're choosing a password manager fresh. 1Password has better features for similar price. Bitwarden is cheaper.
Budget matters. $60/year when Bitwarden is $10 or free.
You want the best security features. 1Password has better travel mode, Watchtower, and enterprise features.
You don't need a VPN. If the bundled VPN doesn't matter, you're paying for nothing extra.
Who Should NOT Buy This
- New users — Choose 1Password or Bitwarden instead
- Budget users — Bitwarden at $10/yr or free beats $60/yr
- Security-focused users — 1Password has more advanced features
- Families — Competitors have better family plans
- Anyone comparison shopping — Dashlane rarely wins comparisons
Dashlane vs. Competitors
| Feature | Dashlane Premium | 1Password | Bitwarden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $60/yr | $36/yr | $10/yr or free |
| Devices | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Password sharing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Security breach alerts | ✅ | ✅ (Watchtower) | ✅ |
| Travel mode | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Included VPN | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Open source | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Family plan | $90/yr (6 users) | $60/yr (5 users) | $40/yr (6 users) |
The verdict: Dashlane costs more and offers less than 1Password. Bitwarden costs far less for essentially the same core features.
The VPN Bundling Question
Dashlane Premium includes a VPN. Is this value?
Reality check:
- It's powered by Hotspot Shield
- Not as good as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, etc.
- If you'd buy VPN anyway, it adds value
- If you don't need VPN, you're paying for nothing
My take: If you want a VPN, buy a dedicated one. Dashlane's VPN is a marketing add-on, not a serious feature.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Dashlane | 1Password | Bitwarden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $60/yr | $36/yr | $10/yr |
| Family | $90/yr (6) | $60/yr (5) | $40/yr (6) |
| Free tier | Very limited | ❌ | Fully functional |
Dashlane is the most expensive option across the board. The math doesn't favor it.
Why I'd Pick 1Password Over Dashlane
- Better price: $36 vs. $60/year
- Travel mode: Hide vaults when crossing borders
- Watchtower: Better security monitoring
- Better family sharing: Cheaper for families
- Secret automation: Developer features
Dashlane has no killer feature that justifies the higher price.
Why I'd Pick Bitwarden Over Dashlane
- Price: $10/year or completely free
- Open source: Code is publicly auditable
- Self-hosting option: Run your own server
- All essential features included free
If budget matters, Bitwarden is the obvious choice.
What Annoys Me About Dashlane
- Overpriced. $60/year when competitors charge less for more.
- Free tier is useless. Capped at 25 passwords. That's a trial, not a tier.
- VPN bundling feels like padding. Adding mediocre VPN to justify premium pricing.
- No standout features. Nothing Dashlane does that others don't.
- Desktop app removed. Now browser-only, which some users dislike. If your browser crashes or you need to log in to WiFi at a hotel, having no standalone app means you are stuck staring at a login screen with no way to retrieve your 40-character generated password.
Migration Path
If you're on Dashlane and want to switch:
To 1Password:
- Export from Dashlane (CSV)
- Import to 1Password
- Verify everything transferred
- Update master password
To Bitwarden:
- Same process
- Bitwarden has specific Dashlane import option
Migration takes 30 minutes and saves you money every year after.
Cheaper or Better Alternatives
- N/A
| Alternative | Price | My Take |
|---|---|---|
| Bitwarden | Free / $10/year | Does 95% of what Dashlane does for $0-10/year instead of $60-96/year. Full review |
| 1Password | $3/month | Better UX than Dashlane at a lower price. Family plan is excellent. Full review |
| Apple Keychain | Free | Built into Apple devices. Free, reliable, and good enough for most people |
Check out our 1Password review for comparison. Check out our Bitwarden review for comparison.
Final Verdict
Skip Dashlane. It's not bad software, but 1Password offers more for less, and Bitwarden offers the same for far less. No reason to choose Dashlane as a new user.
Existing users: Consider switching. Migration is minor effort, savings are permanent.
The bundled VPN isn't enough. If you need a VPN, buy a real one. Dashlane's VPN is a bonus, not a selling point.
FAQ
Is Dashlane safe?
Yes. Dashlane uses proper encryption and zero-knowledge architecture. Safety isn't the issue — value is. Competitors are equally safe and cheaper.
Is Dashlane better than 1Password?
No. 1Password has more features (Travel mode, better Watchtower) at a lower price ($36 vs. $60). The only Dashlane advantage is bundled VPN, which isn't compelling.
Is Dashlane worth it vs. Bitwarden?
Not unless you specifically want the bundled VPN. Bitwarden is $10/year or free with all essential features. Dashlane at $60/year can't justify 6x the price.
Should I switch from Dashlane to something else?
Probably yes. Migration takes 30 minutes. You'll save $24-50/year every year after. 1Password for better features, Bitwarden for better price.