1Password Price Hike Hits Next Month — Here’s What You Need to Know

If you’re one of the millions relying on 1Password to keep your digital life secure, it might be time to check your wallet. The beloved password manager is raising its annual subscription fees starting March 27th, 2026 — and yes, even family plans are affected.

The New Numbers: What’s Changing?

According to emails rolling out to subscribers (first reported by The Verge), 1Password is increasing its annual pricing by $12 across the board:

• Individual plans: Jumping from $36/year to $47.88/year ($1 more per month)
• Family plans: Rising from $60/year to $71.88/year

Monthly subscribers paying $5/month ($60/year) aren’t mentioned in the announcement, leaving uncertainty about whether their rates will also climb.

Why the Increase? 1Password Points to Added Value

In their communication, 1Password attributes the hike to “increased value and capability” within the app. They emphasize this is their first price adjustment in years — a claim backed by Reddit threads from nearly seven years ago showing identical pricing to what’s being replaced today.

The company argues that unlike many subscription services that frequently raise prices, they’ve held steady while continuously improving features. However, with free alternatives like Google Password Manager and Bitwarden gaining traction, some users are questioning whether the increase is justified.

The Competitive Landscape: Free Options Abound

This timing is particularly interesting given the password management market’s evolution. While 1Password has maintained premium positioning, competitors have aggressively moved toward free tiers:

• Google Password Manager: Built into Chrome and Android, completely free
• Bitwarden: Offers robust free plans with premium features available
• Apple’s iCloud Keychain: Free for Apple ecosystem users

When you consider that Netflix’s most expensive plan in 2019 was just $16/month (and still allowed password sharing), 1Password’s increase feels particularly notable for a utility app.

What Happens Next?

The price changes will take effect on your next renewal date after March 27th, 2026. Here’s the strategic move: if you renew or sign up within the next month, you can lock in current pricing for another year.

For existing subscribers, this means timing your renewal could save you money. New users have a limited window to join at the old rates before the increase hits.

The Bigger Picture: Password Managers in 2026

This price hike arrives as the industry stands at a crossroads. Passkeys — the passwordless authentication technology — continue gaining momentum, potentially disrupting the traditional password manager market. Companies like 1Password are investing heavily in passkey support while maintaining their core password management business.

The question becomes: are users willing to pay more for a premium experience when adequate free alternatives exist? 1Password’s gamble is that their superior user experience, family sharing features, and continuous innovation justify the premium.

Bottom Line

Whether this price increase sticks or drives users toward competitors remains to be seen. For now, 1Password subscribers have a month to decide: renew now at current rates, explore alternatives, or accept the new pricing for continued access to what many consider the gold standard in password management.

The digital security landscape is evolving rapidly, and how users respond to this change could signal broader trends in how we value (and pay for) online safety tools.

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