We've had a few different models, particularly with regard to our offerings on the App Store. Broadly, we started with a paid app. You had to pay to even download it. This was a bit painful because folks didn't have an opportunity to try before they bought, and at the time there was no mechanism for refunds. To address some of those pain points we transitioned to a "freemium" model, where you could download the app, but had to pay an in-app purchase to use most of the features. After that we made it such that anyone who had a license for one of the desktop apps could download and use the iOS app. And now 1Password is a subscription service. I don't think anything necessarily went wrong here, you just likely downloaded the app under one of the previous models and have been grandfathered to some extent. Going forward 1Password membership will be the way to use 1Password. In this case it may make sense to consider a 1Password Families membership that you could share with your family member. :) Answer from agben on reddit.com
🌐
1Password
1password.com › pricing › password-manager
Pricing Plans for the Best Password Manager | 1Password
1Password is free to try for 14 days, so you have plenty of time to decide if it’s right for you.
🌐
1Password
1password.com › developers › students
GitHub Student Developer Pack | 1Password
Simplify security and secure your workflows with a free year of 1Password, now available to all GitHub-verified students.
Discussions

Free Plan Suggestion!
Honestly, 3$ a month for a password manager this good with support for any device you can imagine is more than justified More on reddit.com
🌐 r/1Password
6
5
October 25, 2017
6 months 1Password for free. Business Account, comes with Family Account.

I ain’t even mad as a paying customer because it’s well worth what I pay for my business subscription.

Hopefully it will encourage good password hygiene and people will develop better habits as a result.

More on reddit.com
🌐 r/1Password
1
36
August 28, 2017
6-Month extension to Free trial

Honestly, just buy it. It's worth every penny. Plus, students also get something for free iirc

More on reddit.com
🌐 r/1Password
4
2
March 19, 2018
1Password Alternatives - Just say no to Subscriptions
You can either pay $35/year in a subscription or pay $35ish for a new version each year or so. Six in one hand, half a dozen in the other. Either way they need revenue to pay people. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/1Password
42
15
December 13, 2021
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/1password › was 1password ever free to use?
r/1Password on Reddit: Was 1Password ever free to use?
March 2, 2022 -

I’m trying to help a family member with managing their passwords, and as a 1password user myself, I thought why not use this app?

Upon downloading though, it asked me to pay a subscription fee—something that I never did before.

What concerns me is how am I able to use 1password and its features with no restrictions (I have about 94 accounts stored in there)

From what I remember (could be wrong), 1Password was a free app years ago, and I was using it since that time.

I dont necessarily have a 1password account, but it seems like my current vault is synced with my iCloud (or appstore) account.

I tried downloading 1password like I said on a family member’s phone, but the option to sync through iCloud was also locked behind a paywall.

Is my account somehow “lucky” in a sense that I was a pioneer user and got upgraded free? or did something go wrong on 1password’s developer’s end?

🌐
1Password
support.1password.com › link-family
Get a free 1Password Families membership when you use 1Password Business | 1Password Support
Sign in to your business account on 1Password.com. Click your name in the top right, then select Manage Account. In the “Claim your free family account” section, click Redeem Now.
🌐
1Password
1password.com › downloads › windows
Download 1Password for Windows | 1Password
Download the 1Password Windows password manager. Stay safe with the best credential manager to store passwords and protect yourself from data breaches.
🌐
Chrome Web Store
chromewebstore.google.com › detail › 1password-–-password-mana › aeblfdkhhhdcdjpifhhbdiojplfjncoa
1Password – Password Manager - Chrome Web Store
This extension requires a 1Password membership. If you don’t have one yet, you can sign up when you install the extension and try one free. Passkey support is now available for 1Password for Chrome!
Find elsewhere
🌐
App Store
apps.apple.com › us › app › 1password-password-manager › id1511601750
1Password: Password Manager App - App Store
We can’t see your 1Password data, so we can’t use it, share it, or sell it. Learn more about our security model at 1Password.com/security. == Get started for free == Try 1Password free for 14 days, then find the plan that's right for you ...
Rating: 4.6 ​ - ​ 19.4K votes
🌐
1Password
support.1password.com › explore › membership
About 1Password membership | 1Password Support
If you also want to add traditional ... is required to sign in to your account on a new device. ... Enjoy a free trial when you sign up for a 1Password membership....
🌐
GitHub
github.com › 1Password › for-open-source
GitHub - 1Password/for-open-source: Get a 1Password team account for free to support your open source initiatives!
Get a 1Password team account for free to support your open source initiatives! - 1Password/for-open-source
Starred by 1.8K users
Forked by 820 users
Languages   Go 98.4% | Makefile 1.6%
🌐
1Password
1password.com
Password Manager & Extended Access Management | 1Password | 1Password
More than a password manager and leader in Extended Access Management. Secure all sign-ins to every application from any device with 1Password.
🌐
1Password
1password.com › password-generator
A Secure, Strong Password Generator | 1Password
1Password offers the best combination of security, convenience, and functionality. See how our password manager and various pricing plans stack up against the competition. ... What’s better than a simple, secure password manager? Trying it for free.
🌐
Kevin The Tech Guy
kevinthetechguy.ca › p › how-to-download-install-and-use-1password
How To Download, Install, and Use 1Password
December 28, 2024 - I truly believe that everyone should have access to this kind of basic information and essential tools, although 1Password itself is not free.
🌐
GetApp Canada
getapp.ca › home › cloud security software › 1password
1Password Reviews, Prices & Ratings | GetApp Canada 2025
Individual accounts: $2.99/month ... Free (see https://github.com/1Password/1password-teams-open-source) All accounts include free 14-day trial....
Rating: 4.7 ​ - ​ 2.12K votes
🌐
Cybernews
cybernews.com › home › best password managers › 1password review: how secure is it?
1Password Review 2025 : Tested by Experts
1Password is free for 14 days, as that’s the duration of the free trial. Unfortunately, 1Password does not have a free version, but prices start from just $1.50/month.
Published   September 10, 2025
🌐
PCMAG
pcmag.com › home › reviews › security › password managers
1Password Review | PCMag
AgileBits 1Password
Beyond this trial, 1Password is only available for paying customers and doesn't offer some premium features you get in other password managers. It's still a well-designed and intuitive app, but if you're looking for password inheritance options or VPN access, check out Editors' Choice winners NordPass and Proton Pass. NordPass includes features like email data breach scanning at an affordable price, while Proton Pass has a free ... Straightforward and affordable password management
Rating: 4 ​
🌐
1Password
1password.com › for-non-profits
1Password for Non-Profits | 1Password
Once you've created an account, read our support page for step-by-step instructions on how to set up 1Password on your devices, save all of your passwords, and more.
🌐
Google Play
play.google.com › store › apps › details
1Password: Password Manager - Apps on Google Play
We can’t see your 1Password data, so we can’t use it, share it, or sell it. Learn more about our security model at 1Password.com/security. == Get started for free == 1Password is the best password manager app for Android.
Rating: 3.6 ​ - ​ 17K votes