Softwr

Software · head to head

1Password vs Private Internet Access

1Password logo

1Password

Software

The world's most-loved password manager

From
$2.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Private Internet Access logo

Private Internet Access

Software

Long-standing VPN service with a large server network and flexible multi-year plans

From
$11.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 1Password no free tier; all plans require paid subscription; Private Internet Access monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.
  • They diverge on capability: 1Password covers Password generator, Private Internet Access covers Split tunneling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 1Password and Private Internet Access actually diverge.

Attributes where 1Password and Private Internet Access differ
Attribute1PasswordPrivate Internet Access
Starting price$2.99/month$11.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Webwindows, mac, linux, ios, android
Founded2006Unknown

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 1Password

  • Password generator
  • Autofill
  • Secure notes
  • Credit card storage
  • Document storage
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Watchtower security alerts
  • Travel mode

Only in Private Internet Access

  • Split tunneling
  • Kill switch
  • Ad and tracker blocking
  • Dedicated IP add-on
  • Bundled antivirus add-on

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

1Password

  • Password managementnot Private Internet Access
  • Secure document storagenot Private Internet Access
  • Team credential sharingnot Private Internet Access
  • Identity protectionnot Private Internet Access
  • Compliance managementnot Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access

  • Encrypting traffic on public Wi-Fi with a kill switchnot 1Password
  • Blocking ads and trackers network-wide via MACEnot 1Password
  • Maintaining a consistent connection identity with a dedicated IP add-onnot 1Password
  • Committing to a long-term plan for a lower effective monthly ratenot 1Password

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

1Password

  • No free tier; all plans require paid subscription
  • Offline access requires prior device sync; cannot add new passwords while offline
  • Enterprise plan does not include free trial access

Private Internet Access

  • Monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.
  • Dedicated IP and antivirus are paid add-ons rather than included features.
  • Headquartered in a jurisdiction whose privacy reputation some competitors market against, despite audited no-logs claims.
  • App interface is less streamlined than some higher-priced premium VPN competitors.

Pricing, plan by plan

1Password

$2.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the 1Password review.

Private Internet Access

$11.99/month
  • Monthly$11.99/month
    • Billed month to month
    • Full server network access
    • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 1-Year$3.1/month
    • Billed annually at $37.19
    • Full server network access
  • 2-Year$2.19/month
    • Lowest advertised rate, billed every 2 years
    • Full server network access

Which should you pick?

Choose 1Password if

  • You need password generator.
  • You work on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Web.
  • You also want autofill.
1Password review

Choose Private Internet Access if

  • You need split tunneling.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
  • You also want kill switch.
Private Internet Access review

Questions people ask

Is 1Password or Private Internet Access better?
Neither clearly leads. 1Password starts at $2.99/month and Private Internet Access at $11.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 1Password or Private Internet Access?
1Password starts at $2.99/month and Private Internet Access at $11.99/month.
Does 1Password or Private Internet Access run on more platforms?
1Password runs on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Web. Private Internet Access runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
What is 1Password best used for?
1Password is most often used for password management, secure document storage, team credential sharing, identity protection. Of those, password management and secure document storage are not what Private Internet Access is typically brought in for.
What can 1Password do that Private Internet Access cannot?
1Password covers Password generator, Autofill, Secure notes, Credit card storage. Private Internet Access covers Split tunneling, Kill switch, Ad and tracker blocking, Dedicated IP add-on.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

1Password: Does 1Password offer a free tier?

No. 1Password offers no free tier as of July 2026, but provides a 14-day free trial with no credit card required for all plans except Enterprise.

Source
1Password: Can I access 1Password offline?

Yes. The desktop app allows for offline access to your vault once you have synced your passwords to the device.

Source
1Password: What is the pricing for individuals and families?

Individual plan costs 2.99 USD per month or 35.88 USD annually. Families plan costs 59.88 USD per year and includes five licenses with the ability to add more for 1 USD per month each.

Source
1Password: What platforms does 1Password support?

1Password is available on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, with browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and Safari.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on 1Password

More on Private Internet Access

Keep looking

Other head to heads