KeePass vs Dashlane
A detailed comparison to help you choose between KeePass and Dashlane.
KeePass Classic offline password manager for Windows. | Dashlane Password manager with VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 (224 reviews) | 4.4 (16000 reviews) |
| Pricing Model | free | freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | From $0/mo |
| Best For | Best for users managing multiple passwords securely | Password manager with VPN included |
| Free Tier | ||
| API Access | ||
| Team Features | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Tags | — | — |
KeePass
Pros
- + Free and GPL-licensed software
- + Offline-first: vault is a local encrypted file
- + Supports AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption
- + KDBX 4 supports Argon2id key derivation
- + Built-in database sync/merge in KeePass 2.x
- + Advanced Auto-Type plus obfuscation option
Cons
- - No first-party cloud sync; you must manage syncing
- - Some protocols require plugins like IOProtocolExt
- - Endpoint malware can still capture credentials
- - Audit information often applies to KeePassXC, not KeePass
Dashlane
Pros
- + Zero-knowledge architecture with published security documentation
- + Annual SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 claims
- + Paid plans support unlimited device syncing
- + Friends & Family supports up to 10 people
- + Bundled Hotspot Shield VPN for eligible plans
- + 30-day refund window for annual subscriptions
Cons
- - Free plan limited to 25 passwords, read-only above cap
- - VPN is third-party (Hotspot Shield), not first-party
- - Friends & Family members don’t receive VPN access
- - Passwordless login availability depends on account status
- - Pricing pages can be opaque and region-dependent
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