Adios LastPass – Hola Bitwarden
In 2004, PCMag introduced me to Password Managers, and my first experience was with RoboForm. However, a year or two later, I grew frustrated with the limitations of RoboForm’s free plan and switched to LastPass’s free version. Despite its initial imperfections, LastPass quickly gained momentum, and I was pleased with its performance, eventually upgrading to the premium version. However, a few months ago, due to the significant increase in the value of the US Dollar compared to the Sri Lankan Rupee, using LastPass Premium became unaffordable, leading me to downgrade to the free version. Unfortunately, this downgrade restricted my password vault to just one device type. It was then that I discovered Bitwarden and decided to give it a try. I realized that Bitwarden offers the best value for money and switched. Here are four compelling reasons why Bitwarden stands out as an excellent deal. [Image Credit: Mayur Roshen from SR Productions]
Disclaimer: This post is intended solely for informational purposes. I hereby declare that I bear no responsibility for any potential damage incurred to your data as a result of installing the application mentioned. Users are advised to proceed cautiously and undertake any installations at their own risk.
Bitwarden is a lot more Affordable
LastPass subscription costs $3 per month. As of the time of writing, the exchange rate for the US Dollar is LKR 311.94, which translates to an annual payment of LKR 11,293. With Bitwarden’s Premium Plan, however, the annual cost is only LKR 3,119.43. This means I save LKR 8,173.57 by choosing Bitwarden. As for the security comparison between Bitwarden and LastPass, I can’t guarantee it as I don’t possess that knowledge. Nevertheless, I’ve included a link to an external blog post at the end, which thoroughly compares all the features of both services.
Unlimited Number of Devices
Unlike LastPass, with Bitwarden’s Free Plan, I’m not restricted to just one type of device. I can install the app and access my password vault on various devices like my MacBook Air, and the smartphone. This flexibility means that whether I opt for the premium plan or stick with the free one, I’m still coming out on top. While I typically advise against software products based on the freemium model, I have no hesitation recommending Bitwarden. Even if the company were to retire the free plan, upgrading to the premium wouldn’t break the bank.
LastPass doesn’t have Touch ID
For quite some time, LastPass offered Touch ID support within its free plan until GoTo made it a premium feature. This change proved to be a significant inconvenience, as typing a lengthy master password on a smartphone screen and verifying identity with 2FA is cumbersome. Unlike LastPass, Bitwarden supports Touch ID across all its plans, eliminating the need to type in the master password altogether. This feature effectively minimizes unnecessary complications in information security, ensuring a smoother experience for users.
Smooth and Easy Transition
Bitwarden simplifies the transition by offering a highly intuitive built-in tool that seamlessly imports all your data from your LastPass Vault to your newly created Bitwarden Vault. To get started, navigate to settings, select “Import Items,” and choose LastPass from the “File Format” dropdown menu. Then, enter your LastPass vault’s master password and authenticate with 2FA if applicable. With Bitwarden, there’s no need to fuss over XML files or spreadsheets—it’s as easy as taking a leisurely walk in the park.
Wrap Up
Bitwarden, like any software, has its imperfections. It may experience performance issues on certain smart devices, and its user interface may not be as appealing as LastPass. Some key features are still in beta, and some bugs require attention and fixing. However, achieving perfection takes time. LastPass has evolved into a widely recognized Password Manager over time. I believe that Bitwarden has the potential to reach the same level of excellence. It’s already making significant strides and is closely competing with LastPass. I hope that Bitwarden will continue to develop and eventually fulfill its potential as a password manager, providing both individual and enterprise clients with the security it aims to deliver in the long run. By the way, if you’re interested in a thorough article comparing LastPass and Bitwarden, you can find it here.
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Sri Lanka Telecom in the late 90s introduced the worst metaphor I have ever heard when they referred to their CONTINUE READING
I would like to clarify that I am not a cybersecurity expert; my knowledge in this field merely scratches the CONTINUE READING