1Password Wins
Winner
VS
iCloud Keychain
7.8
Apple-only users who want seamless, free password management without installing third-party apps
Score Comparison
Criteria
1Password
iCloud Keychain
Overall Score
9.3
7.8
Security
9.5
8.8
Ease of Use
9.5
9.2
Features
9.2
6.0
Cross-Platform
9.5
5.5
Pricing/Value
8.5
10.0
Pricing & Features
Specification
1Password
iCloud Keychain
Starting Price
$2.99/mo
Free
Free Tier
Pricing Model
Subscription
Free
Making Your Decision
When to Choose 1Password
Users and families who want the most polished password management experience
1Password sets the standard for password managers with its exceptional design, security features, and cross-platform experience, making the premium price worthwhile for those who value quality.
Strengths
- Best-in-class user experience across all platforms
- Watchtower alerts for compromised passwords and vulnerabilities
- Travel Mode hides sensitive data when crossing borders
- Excellent family and business sharing features
Limitations
- No free tier available
- Slightly more expensive than some competitors
- Cannot self-host for full data control
When to Choose iCloud Keychain
Apple-only users who want seamless, free password management without installing third-party apps
iCloud Keychain excels within the Apple ecosystem with tight integration and strong hardware security. However, its limited cross-platform support makes it unsuitable for users with mixed devices.
Strengths
- Completely free and built into Apple devices
- Secure Enclave hardware protection on supported devices
- Seamless autofill across Safari and iOS apps
- Passkey support with biometric authentication
Limitations
- Very limited Windows support via iCloud app
- No native Android or Linux support
- No secure notes or document storage
