Bitwarden

Open source

Open-source password manager with self-hosting options and free tier.

by Bitwarden ↗Official site ↗Source code ↗

Pricing: free, subscription
Free tier: true
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
License: open-source
Open source: Yes

Ranking

#2in Password Managers

88.5 / 100 quality score

65% evidence confidence

100% factor coverage

Methodology: Password Managers — Baseline Methodology v1.0.0 · last ranking update 2026-09-13 · eligibility: ranked

Why this rank? See the factor breakdown

Factor	Weight	Score	Confidence
Password Managers — core capability coverage score	15.0%	90.0	Moderate
Password Managers — outcome quality score	12.0%	88.0	Moderate
Password Managers — advanced workflow depth score	10.0%	86.0	Moderate
Password Managers — domain interoperability score	8.0%	90.0	Moderate
Password Managers — scale / capacity score	5.0%	88.0	Moderate
Usability & adoption	12.0%	82.0	Moderate
Reliability & performance	7.0%	88.0	Moderate
Security, privacy & compliance	8.0%	92.0	Moderate
Interoperability & ecosystem	5.0%	90.0	Moderate
Value & total cost	10.0%	94.0	Moderate
Support & documentation	4.0%	88.0	Moderate
Evidence confidence	4.0%	86.0	Moderate

12 of 12 factors currently assessed for Bitwarden. “—” means not yet assessed — never a hidden zero. Weights and thresholds are published in the category methodology.

Editorial review

Bitwarden has not yet been editorially reviewed. User reviews and published field data below are unaffected — we say so rather than implying an editorial verdict.

Overview

Bitwarden is an open-source password manager offering free personal vaults, premium family and business plans, and self-hosting via Docker. It supports passkeys, hardware keys, and end-to-end zero-knowledge encryption.

Facts & attributes

Every value carries its evidence state. “—” means unknown — never a silent default (P-02).

Identity · Taxonomy

Documentation(HTTPS URL): https://bitwarden.com/help/Verification pending
Tags(open-source;cloud-native): open-source, password-manager, self-hosted, free-tier, ssoVerification pending

Platform · Deployment

Browser support(Chrome;Edge;Firefox;Safari): Chrome, Firefox, Safari, EdgeVerification pending
Delivery model(SaaS;self-hosted;desktop;mobile;embedded;managed-cloud;appliance): SaaS, self-hosted, desktop, mobileVerification pending
Desktop apps(Windows;macOS;Linux): Windows, macOS, LinuxVerification pending
Mobile apps(iOS;Android): iOS, AndroidVerification pending
Operating systems(Windows;macOS;Linux;iOS;Android): Windows, macOS, LinuxVerification pending

Pricing · Licensing

Free plan(true/false): trueVerification pending
Free trial(true/false): trueVerification pending
License model(proprietary;open-source;source-available;dual-license): open-sourceVerification pending
Open source(true/false): trueVerification pending
Pricing model(free;subscription;usage;seat;asset;transaction;revenue-share;perpetual;custom): free, subscriptionVerification pending
Source repository(HTTPS URL): https://github.com/bitwarden/clientsVerification pending
SPDX license IDs(Apache-2.0;MIT): AGPL-3.0, GPL-3.0Verification pending
Starting price(29): 1.65Verification pending
Trial length(14): 14Verification pending

Features · Product · Fit

Core capabilities(authoring;automation;analytics): Browser extensions for major browsers, Native desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux, Mobile apps including an F-Droid build, Web app vault, Command line interface for vault scripting, Self-hosting on-premises or in a private cloudVerification pending

Api · Integrations · Ecosystem

API available(true/false): trueVerification pending
CLI(true/false): trueVerification pending
Enterprise SSO(SAML;OIDC): SAML 2.0, OIDCVerification pending

Security · Privacy · Compliance

Regulatory compliance(HIPAA;PCI DSS;FedRAMP;GDPR support): HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, CPRA, EU-U.S. Data Privacy FrameworkVerification pending
Security certifications(SOC 2 Type II;ISO 27001): ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, SOC 3Verification pending

Audience · Use · Case

Best for(Neutral editorial summary): Open-source password manager with a free tier, a self-hosting option, and paid plans spanning individuals to enterprises.Verification pending
Company-size fit(individual;SMB;mid-market;enterprise): individual, SMB, mid-market, enterpriseVerification pending
Primary use cases(build;monitor;automate): Personal and family password management, Team and business password management, Enterprise access managementVerification pending
Skill level(beginner;intermediate;advanced;specialist): beginnerVerification pending

Lifecycle · Versioning

Maintenance status(active;maintenance;deprecated;EOL;archived): activeVerification pending

Vendor · Maintainer

Founded year(2012): 2016Verification pending
Vendor type(commercial;foundation;community;government;consortium;individual): commercialVerification pending

User reviews

Review policy

5.0 / 5

★★★★★

1 review · 1 verified · ratings are weighted for recency and integrity before any ranking use

★★★★★Open-source password management that audits well

Miguel S. (demo) · Current user · 18 mo use · 2026-09-13

✓ Editor-verified

Rolled Bitwarden out to the whole company after evaluating three managers. Self-hosting option passed our security review, clients exist for every platform we use, and sharing works. The UI is utilitarian and the occasional sync hiccup needs a manual refresh, but nothing consequential.

Pros Open source, self-hostable, broad client coverage, passkeys

Cons Utilitarian UI; occasional desktop sync delay

IT administrator · medium