Bitwarden — The Complete Guide: An Open-Source Password Manager with Encrypted Sync Across Devices
Bitwarden is an open-source password manager that encrypts the vault on your own device and only then sends it to the server for sync. There are apps for Windows, macOS and Linux, extensions for the common browsers, a web vault, mobile apps and a command-line tool. Anyone who wants full control can also run a self-hosted server.
Bitwarden
Bitwarden Inc.
Open-source password manager with end-to-end encrypted sync; the free plan has unlimited passwords and devices.
Get it from the vendorWhat you get
- One vault for every account — authority portals, software licences, file servers and supplier accounts.
- Autofill — quick sign-in on any computer and on your phone, without typing a password.
- Password generator — long, different passwords for every site.
- Bitwarden Send — encrypted sharing of text or a file with a limited lifetime.
- Self-hosting — the option to keep the data on an office server.
What is free and what is paid
The free plan has no time limit and includes unlimited passwords and devices, sharing with one other user, and Send. A TOTP code generator, file attachments, emergency access and weak-password reports are reserved for Premium, billed yearly, and team sharing uses the Teams and Enterprise plans, paid per user. An account is required. Security tip: choose a long master password that you have never used anywhere else, turn on two-factor sign-in for the account and keep the recovery code on paper.
Related tools
For a local vault in a file with no cloud — KeePassXC. For email aliases alongside your passwords — Proton Pass. For team password sharing on the office server — Passbolt.
KeePassXC
KeePassXC team
Local encrypted password manager — passwords for portals, software licences and equipment in one file you control.
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Proton Pass
Proton AG
End-to-end encrypted password manager from Switzerland’s Proton, with email aliases that hide your real address.
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Passbolt Community Edition
Passbolt SA
Team password manager you install on your own office server, with encrypted sharing by user and group and no user limit.
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Ente Auth
Ente Technologies
Open-source two-factor (2FA) code generator with encrypted backup and sync, and apps for desktop and browser as well.
Get it from the vendorThe bottom line
The most complete free password manager for a single user working across several devices. For wider team sharing you need a paid plan or another tool.