Dashlane and LastPass are the two most popular password managers, but there are some big differences between these two heavy-hitters that are best learned with a head-to-head comparison.
In this LastPass vs. Dashlane comparison, we compare the two popular password management giants in terms of design, encryption, platform, browser extension support, security, storage features, and more.
Dashlane vs. LastPass: App Compatibility
Compatibility is an essential aspect of any password manager. Depending on how you use your device, a password manager that provides access to your data across platforms will always have an edge.
Dashlane and LastPass offer desktop apps, support browser extension, and are available on mobile platforms, including Android and iOS.
Dashlane, however, has decided to focus on web-first experience and will be ending support for its desktop app by the end of 2021. You’re most likely to have only the LastPass support desktop app in the near future.
Dashlane extension is compatible with all these browsers as well. While there is no official support for the Opera browser, you can install the Chrome extension as a workaround.
Extension, Desktop, and Mobile App Performance
Dashlane and LastPass have desktop apps for Mac and Windows, and the mobile app is available for iOS and Android platforms. Even though Dashlane will be ending support for its desktop app, it is still the superior of the two.
According to Dashlane, you can continue to use the desktop app, but it won’t receive any performance or feature updates. Also, features like VPN, multifactor authentication, and emergency access are not available on the web app yet.
LastPass’s desktop app is barebone with a few essentials on offer. However, it is the browser extension where you can see all its bells and whistles.
The mobile app of both services is excellent. You can use autofill in apps on Android and iOS, split-screen features on compatible devices, and almost everything else available on the web app.
Dashlane vs. LastPass: Features
When you set up these password managers, they prompt you to create a master password. This is your gateway to access stored data. So, instead of remembering details for hundreds of websites, you only need to keep your master password safe and, of course, remember it.
There are several things to look for in a password manager, and one of them is ease of use. Both password managers get the basic features rights and offer one-click usability with the web app. All the actions are performed on the standalone web app that automatically opens when you choose to perform any action.
Dashlane extension opens in the vault tab right away, where all your saved credentials are stored. In addition, both the apps offer to auto-fill passwords and forms saved in the vault automatically.
Add Items/Vault
Add Items in Dashlane and LastPass allows you to store 18 types of information, such as passwords, secure note, address, payment card, bank account, driver’s license, passport, and more. You can even attach documents. The free plan on LastPass only offers 50 MB storage, while the limit is 1 GB for Premium users.
It also includes the option for a digital wallet where you can store your credit/debit card details using the Payment Cards tab.
Password Generator
To avoid password reuse, LastPass and Dashlane offer a one-click password generator. You can customize the password by adding or removing letters, digits, symbols, and similar characters.
With Dashlane, you can keep the length from four to 40 characters, while LastPass can generate a password with 99 characters.
Credit Report Monitoring (LastPass Only)
For US-based users, LastPass offers an advanced option called Credit Monitoring Profile. When enabled, it monitors the web and notifies the users of events to protect them from identity theft. There is also a premium version of this service offering detailed reports, but that will cost $9.95/mo separately.
VPN (Dashlane Only)
With Dashlane’s Premium account, you get access to advanced security tools and a decent unlimited VPN access. However, it’s a basic VPN targeted at casual users who want to access region-restricted content or browse the web. It lacks advanced features, and the server locations are limited as well.
It offers decent speed, has no bandwidth limitations, and can be used on all devices. That said, advanced users are better off with a dedicated VPN service.
Password Health and Dark Web Monitoring
Dashlane’s security tools consist of Password Health and Dark Web Monitoring tab. It analyzes your vault’s data and scores them out of 100. Even if you have a strong but reused password, it will show up in the At-Risk Passwords section. Changing the password is easy as Dashlane guides you through the process.
Dark Web Monitoring is a premium feature that keeps a tab on leaked or stolen information associated with your monitored email. On Dashlane, you can add up to 5 emails for monitoring.
LastPass also offers similar security tools under its Security Dashboard and uses a scoring system. It shows dark web monitoring status, at-risk passwords, and other information. Compared to Dashlane, here you can monitor up to 100 email addresses through dark web monitoring.
In my testing, the Dashlane’s dark web monitoring found more instances of data breaches (7) than LastPass (1) for an email account.
Sharing Center and Emergency Access
Sharing Center is a handy feature for family users available on both password managers. You can share folders containing secure notes or passwords saved on your Dashlane or LastPass account with contacts with limited or full rights. People with full rights will have joint ownership of shared items.
Contacts added to Emergency Access (EA) can access your vault in case of emergencies. To prevent misuse, both the services require the contact to request EA from the vault owner. You can configure EA to give immediate access or set the wait time for up to 30 days.
Advanced Account Settings
The advanced account settings section of these password managers is where you will find the most contrast. Dashlane desktop app’s advanced menu consists of the usual preference settings, privacy, and security options.
LastPass’s account settings offer similar options and then some. You can turn off LastPass on specific sites in Never URLs; the Equivalent Domains tab adds domains that use the same login service. There are some pre-defined URLs of popular sites. You can also set URL rules for individual sites if you want.
Although the Dashlane web app now offers the Equivalent Domains option for individual sites you add, it’s still pre-defined, leaving you with no option to manually add any Equivalent Domains yet.
Importing and Exporting
Switching from Dashlane to LastPass or vice versa is easy enough.
On LastPass, you can Import and Export files in CSV format using the web app. LastPass supports import from a wide range of password managers, browsers, and a custom CSV format.
On Dashlane, you can use the desktop app to import and export the secure and unsecured archives in JSON, Excel, and CSV format. It can import passwords from all the major browsers and Password Managers, including LastPass, 1Password, RoboForm, Password Waller, and a custom CSV file.
Storage
Dashlane and LastPass are very conservative when it comes to storage on free accounts.
While LastPass caps the user at 50 MB of encrypted file storage with unlimited passwords, Dashlane only offers 50 passwords per free account.
Premium users get unlimited passwords and 1 GB of encrypted file storage on both services. So if you have too many passwords to store and don’t require additional encrypted file storage, free LastPass is an enticing option.
Dashlane vs LastPass: Security and Encryption
Since password managers store critical user information, robust security is the most important thing to consider. Fortunately, both Dashlane and LastPass are highly secure services.
Dashlane stores your sensitive data after encrypting it with the AES-256 cipher in combination with your master password. LastPass, on the other hand, uses AES-256 encryption with the PBKDF2 SHA-256 hash function.
Neither service stores passwords or keys on their server in unencrypted form. Even if the data is leaked, without the master password, it is of no use. So data security is ensured either way.
Multifactor Authentication
You can add an extra layer of security to your LastPass account by activating the Multifactor Authentication option. Once enabled, it changes your login process. On top of entering your master password, you need to verify your identity using an authenticator app that you selected during the setup.
Your LastPass free plan comes with LastPass, Google, Microsoft Authenticator, Troopher, and DUO authentication options. By upgrading to Business and Premium you can choose from Salesforce and Yubico and fingerprint authentication, respectively.
Dashlane’s multifactor authentication is a bit limited but works. Right now, it’s only available on the desktop app, while the web app still has the feature in BETA. It supports Google Authenticator, Duo Mobile, and Authy authenticator app.
Password Recovery
When it comes to account and password recovery, you have better chances of recovery with LastPass. You can recover or reset a forgotten password using the registered email address and other options.
However, with Dashlane, there are only two recovery options. You can ask your approved emergency contact to retrieve the data from your vault, or if you have set up biometric login on your smartphone, that should help you recover the account as well.
For example, my attempt at recovering my password without Biometric recovery enabled failed, meaning I’d lose all my saved data.
If none of these methods work, then you have to start from scratch with a reset.
Pricing
Both services provide free plans and tiered payment systems.
Dashlane Plans
Dashlane offers Free, Essentials, Premium, and Family plans costing $0, $2.49, $3.99, and $5.99 per month, respectively. Apart from the limited password storage, the Free account covers the basics well.
In addition, the Essentials plan includes features such as Secure Notes, Automatic Password Changer, and support for two devices compared to the Free plan. However, it misses out dark web monitoring, VPN, Encrypted File Storage, and unlimited device access features available for Premium and Family accounts.
LastPass Plans
LastPass seemingly has simplified its offerings better, with less confusion. There are three plans to choose from—Free, Premium, and Families priced at $0, $3, and $4, respectively.
Unlike Dashlane, the free plan comes with unlimited passwords and 50 MB of encrypted file storage space. However, with a free account, you miss out on 1 GB of file storage, dark web monitoring, emergency access, advanced multifactor authentication, security dashboard, and personal support. Plus they’re limited to one device.
Dashlane vs. LastPass: Which Is the Best Password Manager For You?
Dashlane and LastPass offer identical key features and some unique additions. With Dashlane premium, you get access to a basic but unlimited VPN, while LastPass has credit card monitoring, although limited to US users.
Dashlane’s 50 passwords limit on free accounts compared to unlimited passwords on LastPass can be a deal-breaker. If you don’t fancy a built-in VPN, LastPass is a more affordable option with more advanced customizations such as better password recovery, URL management, and a well-built web and mobile app.
Dashlane is an excellent password manager as well and the built-in VPN can make up for the premium over LastPass. It also offers a great desktop and mobile app and is affected by fewer controversies.
While you won’t go wrong with either service, LastPass as a pure password manager should work for most people.
That said, go through each of these services’ pros and cons and pay attention to the features that work for you to make an informed decision. Of course, these two are not the only digital password books available: you can find one for every occasion.