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Software · head to head

Bitwarden vs KnowBe4

Bitwarden logo

Bitwarden

Software

Open source password management for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
KnowBe4 logo

KnowBe4

Software

World's largest security awareness training platform

From
$1/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Bitwarden has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bitwarden the integrated TOTP authenticator, encrypted file attachments, vault health reports and Emergency Access are all withheld from the free plan and need Premium at $1.65 per month; KnowBe4 published prices assume a three year term, so the quoted per seat rate depends on a long commitment
  • They diverge on capability: Bitwarden covers Unlimited password storage, KnowBe4 covers Security awareness training.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bitwarden and KnowBe4 actually diverge.

Attributes where Bitwarden and KnowBe4 differ
AttributeBitwardenKnowBe4
Starting priceFree$1/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, CliWeb, Mobile, Email
Founded20162010

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Bitwarden

  • Unlimited password storage
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Secure password sharing
  • Password generator
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Encrypted file attachments
  • Vault health reports
  • Emergency access

Only in KnowBe4

  • Security awareness training
  • Phishing simulation
  • Risk assessments
  • Compliance training
  • Incident reporting
  • API access
  • Custom policies
  • Behavior analytics

Both cover

  • Okta
  • Google Workspace

What people use each for

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

Bitwarden

  • Personal password managementnot KnowBe4
  • Team credential sharingnot KnowBe4
  • Enterprise securitynot KnowBe4
  • Compliance requirementsnot KnowBe4
  • Developer secrets managementnot KnowBe4

KnowBe4

  • Security awareness training and simulated phishing for staffnot Bitwarden
  • Tracking employee susceptibility to phishing over timenot Bitwarden

Where each one falls short

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

Bitwarden

  • The integrated TOTP authenticator, encrypted file attachments, vault health reports and Emergency Access are all withheld from the free plan and need Premium at $1.65 per month
  • Free accounts can share vault items with one other Bitwarden user and no more
  • File storage is capped at 5 GB on Premium and 5 GB personal plus 5 GB family on the Families plan
  • Two-step login accepts up to 10 hardware security keys per account
  • The Families plan is capped at 6 people, so a seventh member means moving to a Teams subscription at $4 per user per month

KnowBe4

  • Published prices assume a three year term, so the quoted per seat rate depends on a long commitment
  • Pricing is banded by seat count, and the lowest band of 25 to 50 seats pays the highest rate
  • Accounts above 1,000 seats have no published price and require a custom quote
  • Third party integrations, Compliance Plus and PhishER Plus are all separately priced per seat add ons
  • The Foundation tier carries 200 training modules against more than 1,000 on Advanced, so content volume is the main gate

Pricing, plan by plan

Bitwarden

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited passwords
    • 2 users (organizations)
    • Sync all devices
  • Teams$3/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Unlimited users
    • Shared collections
  • Enterprise$6/month
    • Everything in Teams
    • SSO integration
    • Enterprise policies

KnowBe4

$1/month
  • Basic$1/month
    • Per user
    • Training modules
    • Phishing templates
  • Advanced$2/month
    • All Basic features
    • Advanced phishing
    • Risk assessments
  • Pro$3/month
    • All Advanced features
    • API access
    • Custom content

Which should you pick?

Choose Bitwarden if

  • You need unlimited password storage.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Cli.
  • You also want cross-platform sync.
Bitwarden review

Choose KnowBe4 if

  • You need security awareness training.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Email.
  • You also want phishing simulation.
KnowBe4 review

Questions people ask

Is Bitwarden or KnowBe4 better?
Neither clearly leads. Bitwarden starts at Free and KnowBe4 at $1/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bitwarden or KnowBe4?
Bitwarden has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Bitwarden and $1/month for KnowBe4.
Does Bitwarden or KnowBe4 run on more platforms?
Bitwarden runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Cli. KnowBe4 runs on Web, Mobile, Email.
Can I use Bitwarden for free?
Yes. Bitwarden has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. KnowBe4 starts at $1/month.
What is Bitwarden best used for?
Bitwarden is most often used for personal password management, team credential sharing, enterprise security, compliance requirements. Of those, personal password management and team credential sharing are not what KnowBe4 is typically brought in for.
What can Bitwarden do that KnowBe4 cannot?
Bitwarden covers Unlimited password storage, Cross-platform sync, Secure password sharing, Password generator. KnowBe4 covers Security awareness training, Phishing simulation, Risk assessments, Compliance training. Both handle Okta, Google Workspace.
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