Proton Pass and Bitwarden both have free plans that work across all your devices. The difference is in the extras: Proton adds email aliases, Bitwarden is open source and offers self-hosting options, and both keep the built-in authenticator for paid plans.
Plan details were checked against each provider's own pricing page on October 27, 2026. Prices and limits change, so confirm on the provider's site before you buy.
The short answer
- Choose Proton Pass if hiding your real email address matters to you. The Free plan includes 10 hide-my-email aliases.
- Choose Bitwarden if you want open-source software and the option to self-host.
What the free plans include
| Free plan | Proton Pass | Bitwarden |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Logins | Unlimited logins, notes and credit cards | Unlimited passwords |
| Passkeys | Supported on all devices | Passkey management and usage |
| Email aliases | 10 hide-my-email aliases | Not part of the Free plan |
| Built-in 2FA authenticator | Paid (Pass Plus) | Paid (Premium) |
Paid plans
Pass Plus adds unlimited hide-my-email aliases, a built-in 2FA authenticator, secure vault sharing, dark web monitoring and file attachments. It was listed at $35.88 billed every 12 months, at a promotional price. Bitwarden Premium adds an integrated authenticator, file attachments, emergency access and security reports at $19.80 per year.
Who is behind them
Proton Pass is made by Proton AG, based in Geneva, Switzerland. Bitwarden describes open source security as a core feature and links to its open-source page.
Which one should you choose?
If you want one free app on every device and care about email aliases, Proton Pass is a good fit. If you want an open-source manager with self-hosting options, look at Bitwarden. If built-in one-time codes matter, plan on a paid tier with either, or choose a manager that includes an authenticator.
A Third Option: DroidPass
If you mainly use a phone, DroidPass is a smaller alternative worth a look. It has a free tier, with Pro for unlimited entries, and works on Android and iPhone (and on Apple-silicon Macs as an iPad app). It includes a built-in 2FA authenticator, passkeys and AutoFill, and can import from other managers. Entries are encrypted with AES-256 on your device before they sync, and the app is available in 29 languages.
It is newer and smaller than the apps above, so if you need team features or a long track record, stay with one of them. See the full side-by-sides: DroidPass vs Bitwarden, DroidPass vs 1Password and DroidPass vs LastPass.
Want to try a different password manager?
DroidPass has a free tier, a built-in 2FA authenticator and passkeys, and imports from Bitwarden, 1Password and LastPass.
Frequently asked questions
Is Proton Pass free?
Yes. Proton Pass Free includes unlimited devices, unlimited logins, notes and credit cards, 10 hide-my-email aliases and passkey support.
Does Proton Pass have a built-in 2FA authenticator?
The built-in 2FA authenticator is listed with Pass Plus, the paid plan, not with the Free plan.
Is Bitwarden free?
Yes. The Free plan includes unlimited devices, unlimited passwords and passkey management.