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
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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.
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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?

Discussions

Free local passwordmanager for 1Password backup - Software - MPU Talk
Hi I migrated to passwords on Mac and really like it. But there are again and again instances in which I go back to 1Password. Is there a free local passwordmanager into which I import my axported 1Password data as lossless as possible (including CC info etc) so that I can cancel my 1Password ... More on talk.macpowerusers.com
🌐 talk.macpowerusers.com
1
0
September 25, 2024
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
Does 1Password have a free version?
You may have gotten a copy from a bundle in the past, did you ever buy mac bundles? There was a pre-subsciption build. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/1Password
21
5
September 5, 2024
Was 1Password ever free to use?
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. :) More on reddit.com
🌐 r/1Password
26
11
March 2, 2022
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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.
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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
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1Password
1password.com › for-journalists
1Password for Journalists | 1Password
We believe in a free press and open Internet. If you’re a journalist working towards this goal, we want to give you the tools needed to stay safe online. ... 1Password keeps you safe online by securing your passwords, passkeys, and other account logins, as well as files, notes and contacts that you need to do your work.
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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
Find elsewhere
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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.
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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....
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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%
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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!
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EXPERTE.com
experte.com › password manager › best 1password alternatives
Best 1Password Alternatives: Consider These 5 Password Manager | EXPERTE.com
Best 1Password Alternatives: Consider These 5 Password Manager
In our EXPERTE.com test, 1Password came in second place, which is very respectable and reflects how many things the software does right. At the same time, we did notice a few areas for improvement: No free version Some password managers, like KeePass, are both open-source and free.
Rating: 4.6 ​
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University of Wisconsin
kb.wisc.edu › security › 145014
1Password - Get a Free 1Password Families Account
November 27, 2024 - Sign in to your University account at uw-madison.1password.com. Click your name in the top right corner and select Manage Account. Under the “Claim your free family account” section, click Redeem Now.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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ZDNET
zdnet.com › home › tech › security › password manager
1Password vs. NordPass: I tested both password managers, and here's the best pick | ZDNET
September 5, 2025 - The main limitation is that you can be logged in on only one device at a time, which can be inconvenient if you frequently use your phone and computer together. 1Password doesn't have a fully free plan, though you can try it out for 14 days ...
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MacPowerUsers
talk.macpowerusers.com › software
Free local passwordmanager for 1Password backup - Software - MPU Talk
September 25, 2024 - Hi I migrated to passwords on Mac and really like it. But there are again and again instances in which I go back to 1Password. Is there a free local passwordmanager into which I import my axported 1Password data as loss…
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WIRED
wired.com › gear › buying guides › the best password managers to secure your digital life
8 Best Password Managers (2025), Tested and Reviewed | WIRED
October 30, 2025 - There are plenty of free password managers floating around, but Proton Pass combines all the critical security and usability features of paid password managers and offers them for free.