Bitwarden vs OnlyKey (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, we pick Bitwarden: it is first in our ranking of password managers, and it grades higher too, 3.8 against 2.0.
Checked Oct 9, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Oct 10, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Bitwarden grades higher on value for money, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Bitwarden
Open-source password manager with a free plan and self-hosting
OnlyKey
USB hardware password manager and two-factor security key
Which one is for you
Pick Bitwarden if
- Fits if you want a free password manager on all your devices with no limit on logins
- Works for a household of up to 6 at $3.99 a month, or anyone who wants to host it themselves
Look elsewhere if
- Tight if you're staying free and want two-factor codes, attachments, health reports or emergency access, as all are paid
- Skip it if you share logins with several people but don't want Families, since solo plans share with one other user
- Not for you if you want a VPN or scam warnings bundled in, because Bitwarden sticks to passwords
- Watch out: listed prices assume yearly billing and leave out tax
- Pricey if your company wants single sign-on and policies, which need Enterprise at $6 a user a month
Pick OnlyKey if
- Fits if you want a hardware key and password storage in one device
- Works for people who want no software and a one-time purchase
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you lose things: without a backup key your passwords are gone, hence the two-pack
- Not for you if you want sync or a phone app, as none is listed
- Watch out: shipping is extra, and prices show in local currency
- Tight if you want browser autofill, as no extension is listed
How we grade them
| 3.8GPABitwardenExcellent | 2.0GPAOnlyKeyFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AThe useful version costs nothing, and Premium is $1.65 a month, billed as $19.80 a year, against $2.99 for the middle of this category and $2.49 where its lowest-priced quarter starts. Families covers 6 people for $3.99 a month. | B$65.99 one-time equals the category's middle one-time price, under two years of a $2.99 subscription. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe one free plan in this category with no cap on logins or devices: unlimited logins, passkeys, notes and cards on unlimited devices, with no time limit. File attachments, the built-in authenticator and emergency access are the paid extras. | FA physical device with no free plan and no trial. |
| Features | AIt covers the whole job, plus two things none of the paid rivals here offer: the code is open source, and you can run the whole service on your own server. Passwords, passkeys, autofill, a generator, Send for links that disappear, then two-factor codes and 5 GB of encrypted attachments on Premium. | CPassword storage, 2FA, SSH and encryption. No sync, no phone app and no browser extension. |
| Ease of use | A4.76 from about 33,500 App Store ratings, the highest in this category. Sign up free and your logins fill in across your devices. The self-hosting is optional and most people will never go near it. | BIt works without installing software, which keeps setup short. No store rating on record. |
| Platforms and integrations | BNo common device is left out: web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android and a browser extension. There's no list of integrations and no public API on the listing, though. The only connecting out to other software is directory sync, SCIM and single sign-on, and those are business plans. | CWindows, Mac, Linux and Chromebook, computers only. No phone app or extension on the pages read. |
| Best for | a free password manager on every device | a USB key that holds passwords and works as 2FA |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Bitwarden and OnlyKey. How we grade
Where they differ
- Bitwarden is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- OnlyKey can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Bitwarden also covers passkeys.
At a glance
| Bitwarden | OnlyKey | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Paid |
| Starts at | $1.65 per month, billed annually at $19.80 (Premium) | $65.99 one-time (single device) |
| Free plan | Free for 1 user: unlimited logins, passkeys, notes, cards and identities on unlimited devices, a password generator and text-only Send. No file attachments or integrated authenticator. | None |
| Free trial | 14-day free trial of the Families, Teams and Enterprise plans, started from the sign-up pages the pricing page links to | None listed |
| Web | ||
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Browser extension | ||
| Made by | Bitwarden, Inc. | OnlyKey |
| Price read from | bitwarden.com | onlykey.io |
| Checked | Oct 9, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Bitwarden
- The free plan leaves out file attachments, the integrated authenticator, vault health reports and emergency access.
- Individual plans share items with only one other Bitwarden user; unlimited sharing starts with Families.
- Listed prices are based on annual subscriptions, and taxes are not included.
- SSO integration and enterprise policies require the Enterprise plan.
OnlyKey
- It is a physical device: losing it without a backup means relying on a second key, which is why a two-pack is sold.
- Store prices are shown in the visitor's local currency; the dollar figures were read from the US version of the pages.
- No sync service, mobile app or browser extension is listed on the product pages.
- Shipping is extra and calculated at checkout; the vendor also points US buyers to Amazon.
Key features
Bitwarden
- Unlimited free vault
- The free plan stores unlimited logins, passkeys, notes, cards and identities and works on unlimited devices through browser, mobile and desktop apps.
- Open source
- Bitwarden's code is open source, and the company describes its security as independently verified.
- Passkeys, autofill and generator
- Stores and manages passkeys alongside passwords, autofills logins across devices and generates strong passwords and usernames.
- Bitwarden Send
- Shares sensitive information through a link that disappears. Free accounts can send text only; file sharing comes with paid plans.
- Self-hosting
- Bitwarden can be deployed on premises or in a private cloud. Families and Enterprise organizations can be moved to a self-hosted server.
- Business controls
- Teams adds event logs, directory synchronization and SCIM provisioning. Enterprise adds policies, SSO integration and granular access control.
OnlyKey
- Hardware password manager
- Plugged into a computer, it types the username and password at the press of a button, so credentials need no browser extension or app.
- PIN entered on the device
- The unlock PIN is typed on the key itself, and the vendor says all data is securely erased after 10 failed attempts.
- Two-factor authentication
- Supports FIDO2 and U2F, Yubico OTP, TOTP and challenge-response methods.
- Encryption and SSH
- Acts as a file and message encryption token; the DUO model is listed for SSH and OpenPGP use as well.
- Rugged build
- The vendor lists a waterproof, tamper-resistant case rated IP68 and MIL-STD-810G.
- Works on several operating systems
- The vendor lists Windows, macOS, Linux and Chromebook support.
Plans
Bitwarden
Free$0
1 user. Unlimited passwords and passkeys on unlimited devices, a password and username generator, and two-step login.
Premium$1.65
per month, billed annually at $19.80
Adds the integrated authenticator, 5 GB of encrypted file attachments, emergency access, security reports and priority support.
Families$3.99
per month for up to 6 users, billed annually at $47.88
6 premium accounts with unlimited sharing and collections, plus shared organization storage.
Teams$4
per user / month, billed annually
Secure credential sharing for a team, event logs, directory synchronization and SCIM provisioning.
Enterprise$6
per user / month, billed annually
Everything in Teams, plus enterprise policies, passwordless SSO integration, granular access control and self-hosting.
OnlyKey
OnlyKey$65.99
one-time
One device. Shown on the product page at $65.99 against a crossed-out $69.99, with no end date given.
OnlyKey DUO$65.99
one-time
One device with both USB-A and USB-C connectors; also supports SSH and OpenPGP.
Two OnlyKey bundle$99.99
one-time
Two devices, sold so that you have a backup.
Ways to pay less
Bitwarden
- Other savings
Free Families plan for Enterprise users
Bitwarden's pricing page states that the Enterprise plan includes a free Families plan for all of its users.
OnlyKey
No public discounts listed.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Bitwarden or OnlyKey?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Bitwarden starts at $1.65 per month, billed annually at $19.80 (Premium), and OnlyKey starts at $65.99 one-time (single device).
Which has a free plan, Bitwarden or OnlyKey?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Bitwarden has a free plan. OnlyKey does not.
Which platforms do Bitwarden and OnlyKey run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Bitwarden lists a web app, iOS and Android apps and a browser extension. Both list macOS, Windows and Linux apps. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.