Overview

Dashlane positions itself as premium password management, and the pricing reflects it. What distinguishes Dashlane isn't core password features, those are comparable across good password managers, but the extras bundled in: built-in VPN, dark web monitoring, and a password health dashboard that aggressively pushes security improvement.

The built-in VPN is Dashlane's unique selling point. Premium subscribers get VPN access without separate subscription. For users who'd pay for both password management and VPN anyway, this bundling creates genuine value. For users who don't need VPN, it inflates cost.

The password health dashboard deserves specific mention. Dashlane doesn't just store passwords, it continuously scores your security posture, flags weak and reused credentials, and celebrates improvement. This gamification of security encourages ongoing hygiene rather than set-and-forget behavior.

Features Deep-Dive

Built-In VPN

Dashlane Premium includes VPN access through partnership with Hotspot Shield. The VPN provides basic privacy protection for public Wi-Fi and geographic flexibility. It's not NordVPN-level comprehensive, but it works for casual VPN needs.

The value is bundling. Users wanting both password management and VPN get both for one price. Users who don't need VPN pay for functionality they won't use. Evaluate based on whether you'd subscribe to VPN separately.

Password Health Score

Dashlane's security dashboard quantifies your password health across all stored credentials. The score considers password strength, reuse, breach exposure, and two-factor authentication support. Improvement is tracked over time.

This ongoing feedback encourages security improvement. Users see their score increase as they fix weak passwords. The gamification works. Dashlane users tend to have better password hygiene than average.

Automatic Password Changer

Dashlane can change passwords on supported sites automatically. Click a button, and Dashlane navigates the site and updates the password without manual intervention. The feature saves significant time when improving password security.

Support is limited to specific sites, not universal, but coverage includes many common services.

Pricing Analysis

Dashlane's free tier is extremely limited: 25 passwords on a single device. This is essentially a trial, not usable password management. Premium at $4.99/month includes VPN, dark web monitoring, and full functionality. Family at $7.49/month covers 10 users.

The pricing is highest among mainstream password managers. The value depends on needing the bundled VPN, without that need, competitors offer comparable features for less.

Who Is This For?

Dashlane works best for:

• Users who want VPN bundled and would pay separately otherwise
• Security-conscious users who appreciate the health dashboard
• Those motivated by gamification who'll improve hygiene for scores
• Users wanting premium features in a single subscription
• Families wanting generous coverage at the premium tier

The platform excels when the bundled VPN creates value.

Who Should NOT Use This

Dashlane might not be the right choice if:

• You don't need VPN: You're paying for unused functionality
• Budget matters: Bitwarden costs far less
• You want the best VPN: Dedicated VPN services are better
• Free tier is needed: 25-password limit is unusable
• Self-hosting matters: Dashlane is cloud-only

Bottom Line

Dashlane delivers premium password management with bundled VPN that creates value for users who'd pay for both anyway. The password health dashboard encourages ongoing security improvement through effective gamification.

The premium pricing requires the VPN bundling to make sense economically. Users who don't need VPN should consider 1Password (better experience, lower price) or Bitwarden (excellent value). Know whether the bundle matches your needs.

FAQ

Is Dashlane's VPN good?

Adequate for basic use, public Wi-Fi protection and casual geographic flexibility. It's not as comprehensive as NordVPN or ExpressVPN. The value is inclusion, not superiority. Users wanting best-in-class VPN should subscribe separately.

Is Dashlane worth the price?

If you'd subscribe to VPN separately, the bundle creates value. Premium costs comparable to password manager plus basic VPN subscriptions. If you don't need VPN, competitors offer comparable password features for less.

How does Dashlane compare to 1Password?

1Password offers a more polished experience at lower price without bundled VPN. Dashlane includes VPN and stronger health dashboard gamification. Choose 1Password for experience; choose Dashlane if VPN bundling is valuable.

Is Dashlane's free tier useful?

No. The 25-password limit and single-device restriction make the free tier essentially unusable. It's a trial, not a free offering. Bitwarden's free tier is vastly superior for actual password management.

Has Dashlane been breached?

Dashlane has not experienced a major security breach. The company publishes regular security audits and maintains a strong security reputation. This clean record contrasts favorably with some competitors.