Password managers have rapidly evolved from a niche utility to an essential tool for anyone with an online presence. According to a 2021 Inc. survey, over 80 percent of small business owners rely on password managers to secure access credentials, sensitive customer data, and proprietary company information. With major cyberattacks targeting firms of all sizes, incorporating a robust password security solution should rank as a top investment priority.
But the saturated password management landscape leaves many individuals and enterprise leaders pondering the same question—should I choose industry pioneer 1Password or leading platform Keeper? Both incorporate enterprise-grade encryption protocols and provide intuitive interfaces. However, exploring subtle differences in their feature sets, security protections, onboarding processes and capabilities aimed at personal versus business use can help determine the ideal fit.
This in-depth guide will help you objectively compare 1Password and Keeper across over a dozen categories to inform your password management decision. You’ll also gain insights from information security experts and access key adoption metrics that highlight the password manager space in 2023. Let’s dive in.
The Growing Threat of Cybercrime
Before analyzing the strengths of two password management leaders, understanding the surging threats they aim to combat will underscore their critical need.
Cyberattacks of all varieties continue escalating rapidly year after year:
- Data breaches increased 68% globally from 2020 to 2021 based on RiskBased Security research
- US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) cyber crime reports climbed 12x from 2019-2022
- Losses attributed to ransomware attacks specifically grew over 150% since 2018 topping $49 billion
Fueling these concerning trends includes the shift to remote work, increasing reliance on cloud platforms, rise in IoT device usage, and continuously evolving hacking tools available via the dark web. This combination enables cyber criminals to target companies in nearly every industry large and small through tactics like phishing, man-in-the-middle attacks, and denial of service campaigns with amplified efficiency.
Simply put, antiquated security protocols centered solely on firewalls or anti-virus software no longer cut it against today’s sophisticated hacking entities. Comprehensive protection requires a layered defense strategy with password management sitting at the core.
The Case for Password Managers
The common use of weak, reused or compromised login credentials across critical systems enables the majority of successful attacks. Research cited by Keeper shows 61% of data breaches stem from leveraging stolen passwords. Yet CNBC estimates over 66 million passwords remain compromised globally on a monthly basis.
This gap highlights why password managers eliminate the risks tied to poor password hygiene through features like:
- Secure encrypted password vault storage
- Randomly generated strong passwords
- Multi-factor authentication enforcement
- Integration with existing web platforms and apps
- Access activity logs and reporting
Top solutions like 1Password and Keeper incorporate all the above. But only through consistent use of a password manager by individuals and centralized enforcement across company endpoints can complete protection be achieved.
Industry analyst Gartner estimates over 75 percent of cyberattacks leverage compromised credentials. Mandating enterprise password management adoption along with continual security awareness education for staff therefore offers the best safeguard against preventable intrusions.
Comparing Security & Privacy Protections
1Password and Keeper leverage comparable security protocols and encryption to achieve reliable protection of stored passwords and sensitive documents. Let‘s examine some of their commonalities and differences regarding safety measures:
Encryption and Data Storage
Both platforms rely on end-to-end AES 256-bit encryption to secure all files and passwords within user vaults, meetings industry best practices. No company employees can access user vault data directly. Local data synchronization coupled with secure cloud backup facilitate accessibility when transitioning between devices.
Keeper operates 7 geographically distributed data centers featuring border gateway protocol routing. Physical security includes video surveillance, multi-factor access authentication and manned security personnel. 1Password leverages popular services like Amazon S3 and Google Cloud Platform for stringent data protection adherence via third parties.
Audit Verification and Certifications
Ongoing external security assessments by accredited firms measure the fortitude of their respective solutions against common attack strategies like SQL injections or cross-site scripting attempts.
Keeper possesses SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001 certification along with completion of C5 and Cyber Essentials audits. 1Password has not pursued the same level of formal attestations but engages multiple red teams to actively probe its servers for system weaknesses annually.
Both Keeper and 1Password also enrolled in bug bounty programs welcoming external disclosure of unpatched exploits in return for recognition. Such crowded-sourced penetration testing aids continuous improvement.
User Access Controls
In limiting exposure to stolen passwords or unauthorized vault activity, Keeper and 1Password baked in select user constraints:
- Multi-factor authentication configurable to link SMS texts, authenticator apps, biometrics
- Custom password generator with special character enforcement
- Denial of password reuse across sites
- File permissions, access history logs and IP tracking by account
1Password uniquely offers a Secret Key as a final check against improper access by company insiders without compromising end-to-end encryption. Users can store part of an encryption key offline while 1Password retains the other segment. Both would be required for contents decryption.
Comparing Platforms, Integrations and Tools
The list of supported platforms, apps, and access methods substantially overlap when it comes to 1Password and Keeper. But reviewing some of the ancillary tools and workflow integrations reveals a few differences:
Browser and Device Support
1Password extensions run seamlessly on all major browsers like Chrome, Safari and Firefox plus newcomers Brave and Vivaldi. Integrations exist across Windows, macOS, iOS and Android devices. Linux desktop environments and Chromebooks also supported.
Keeper fills comparable web browser coverage although current extensions don‘t adapt to newer niche options like Brave yet. Linux users can utilize Keeper‘s web vault as well. Largest gap comes via lack of Chromebook optimization by Keeper presently.
Third-Party App Integrations
Thanks to its head start in the password manager market, 1Password forged partnerships across hundreds of apps and services developers could bake in support for. This spans everything from media streaming platforms to banks and payment processors.
As an enterprise-geared solution, Keeper adopted fewer third-party linkages so far and instead focused on inward-facing tools. But core options like tie-ins with Gmail, Office 365 and Outlook still included.
Team Management and Provisioning
From shared password vaults to activity logs and user permissioning, Keeper shines in facilities for company oversight duties and workforce security policy administration needs.
Its centralized management console offers automation in handling employee on-boarding, access reviews, group creation and more. The capacity for designating roster-based read/write privileges across vault content also surpasses present 1Password team controls.
Gaps in logging, dashboarding and cross-department data isolation present in 1Password’s current business-focused offering by comparison.
Evaluating Password Capture and Generation
Streamlining password capture as users navigate between accounts and websites represents a vital productivity gain and security enhancement offered by managers like 1Password and Keeper. But subtle Capturing passwords with Keeper generally requires a more hands-on approach than 1Password based on user preference, system configurations and sites utilizing non-standard login flows.
1Password Capture Capabilities
Browser extensions recognize login forms automatically, popping up the 1Password interface to generate secure credentials and inserting them into target fields seamlessly post-save. Matching existing vault data to site URLs occurs behind the scenes. Minimal user effort needed.
The processing speed and accuracy of form fill-ins ranks above Keeper. 1Password also lets users save new credentials directly from web page code inspection tools if standard detection fails. Syncing across authenticated devices happens automatically.
Keeper Capture Workflows
By contrast, Keeper‘s browser extensions surface a button click to capture credentials rather than detecting entry points itself. This allows greater discretion but means an extra step for users each time. The autofill component then pulls up the matching vault password cleanly.
Power users can activate Keeper‘s AutoFill feature however for a more automated approach akin to 1Password. Keeper also lets admins enforce security policies around password capture unlike 1Password, ensuring company standards apply.
Password Generation
Both managers include built-in password generators with custom rule establishment around length, special characters and pronounceable options. 1Password adds a bit more fine grain control around inclusion of digits and exclusion of certain characters however. Keeper‘s tool can integrate new passwords directly into its browser extensions at the press of a button for fast save.
Comparing User Onboarding and Experience
The sign-up process, onboarding flow and daily interface navigation substantially impact user adoption and security compliance over the long run. Evaluating how 1Password and Keeper fare regarding user experience offers clues into their differing priorities as well.
1Password Account Creation and Setup
From the welcome page to establishing a new vault, 1Password sports a clean and intuitive initial interface. Handy message prompts guide newcomers through first password and Secret Key creation. iOS users benefit from Apple ID integration skipping email registration.
Downloaded mac and Windows software connect seamlessly with mobile apps post authentication. Browser extension installation requires just a single click too. Slick animations and responsive design make the overall onboarding frictionless.
Keeper Account Creation and Setup
By comparison, new Keeper users face a busier homepage and profile establishment process with less upfront handholding. Links redirect to separate support articles to detail certain account security recommendations for example.
Mandatory multi-factor authentication setup also adds to the time investment before fully accessing your vault. But for organizations, this stricter access control aligns better with IT policies likely already in place.
Interface and Navigation
1Password consolidates all central account functions like password management, secure document storage, payment details and identity record access within a left-hand vertical menu bar for easy discovery. Vault content utilizes folders concisely, with hierarchical nesting to organize dozens of logins or records.
Keeper relies more on pop-up overlay menus activated by clicking your account avatar for key tools. Browsing vault content and core security controls thereby require an extra click or search effort. Folder hierarchy also capped at just one parent-child level presently in Keeper.
On mobile, 1Password integrates directly with iOS and Android password autofill capabilities for streamlined usage, while Keeper relies on copy-paste workflows around its vault instead.
Comparing Pricing and Plans
As popular as password managers now are, keeping to a budget still impacts individual or business adoption decisions. Here’s how the pricing models shake out across personal and organizational needs between established players 1Password and Keeper:
1Password Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Personal | $2.99/month |
| Family | $4.99/month |
| Business | $7.99/user/month |
Annual billing only. All tiers allow unlimited password vault storage and offer a free 14-day trial. Certain features like secure document hosting get introduced at higher rungs. Custom enterprise quotes available for 1000+ seats.
Keeper Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Personal | $29.99/year |
| Family | $59.99/year |
| Business | $29.99-$74.99/user/year |
Business pricing based on 10 to 100+ user brackets. Free basic version allows limited password vault storage. Top-shelf enterprise support and custom platform extensions available too.
Industry Acclaim and Company Benchmarks
Taking the pulse of experts regarding cybersecurity innovations provides useful perspective. Plus, studying recent growth trajectories sheds light on market preferences.
Analyst and Industry Recognition
1Password earned praise as a leader in password management and consumer identity & access management from research firms like G2 and Gartner. Its top-rated customer support and intuitive interface garner positive feedback.
Keeper sits among the elite enterprise password management vendors according to analysts like TechRadar Pro and SoftwareReviews driven by top-notch security protocols. Its flexible deployment options and scalability attract IT decision makers.
User Base and Company Expansion
1Password doubled its consumer subscriber base over the past two years to over 25 million users presently. Recent acquisitions of password analysis tool Watchtower and secure document sharing platform Stacks hint at further growth ahead.
Keeper currently services over 10 million individual, business and enterprise users gaining strong adoption in sectors like finance, healthcare and education. Its Toronto-based HQ expanded in parallel across European and Asian markets as revenue climbed above $100 million.
The Final Verdict
Choosing between industry stalwart 1Password that popularized consumer password management and Keeper that aims to serve both individuals and larger organizations ultimately depends on your specific security needs and scalability requirements.
For personal password management or family sharing – 1Password delivers best-in-class user experience through dead simple setup workflows, intuitive and responsive interface interactions, and broad platform integrations. Unique offerings like Travel Mode and the Secret Key provide added data protection assurances for non-business users focused purely on security.
For business team collaborations or enterprise-wide deployments – Keeper shines through its flexible pricing plans, extensive administrator controls, activity audit logs, broad authentication integrations and core focus on fast-growing SMBs and multinational corporations alike. The expanded controls, advanced reporting and custom APIs make it straightforward for IT teams to govern security policies.
At the end of the day, you can‘t go wrong trusted giants like 1Password or Keeper for comprehensive password security coverage reflecting modern cyberattack realities. Both support rigorous encryption, convenience-focused access tools and comprehensive platform reach. Pick the solution that best aligns with your individual or organizational requirements.
