Dashlane Review 2026: Is $4.99/mo Worth It? (Honest)

Dashlane has positioned itself as the premium password manager for users who want everything in one package. Built-in VPN, dark web monitoring, password health scoring, and a sleek interface all come bundled together. But with prices starting at $4.99/month and competitors like Bitwarden offering solid free options, does Dashlane justify its premium positioning?

We tested Dashlane for three months across desktop and mobile platforms to deliver an honest verdict on whether the premium price tag delivers premium value.

Quick Verdict

Dashlane delivers excellent password management with genuinely useful extras like dark web monitoring and a bundled VPN. The interface is polished, security is robust, and features like Password Health make it easy to audit your credential hygiene.

However, pricing is the elephant in the room. At $4.99/month for Premium (or $8.99/month for the Premium + VPN tier), Dashlane costs significantly more than 1Password ($2.99/month) and exponentially more than Bitwarden ($1/month). The discontinuation of the free tier in September 2025 removes the option to test before committing.

Bottom line: Dashlane is a polished, feature-rich password manager that justifies its price only if you will actually use the bundled extras. If you just need password storage and autofill, you can get 90% of the experience elsewhere for far less.

The Free Tier Situation

This is a significant change worth addressing upfront. For years, Dashlane offered a limited free tier (25 passwords on one device). That option no longer exists.

If you need a free password manager:

• Bitwarden Free offers unlimited passwords across unlimited devices
• Proton Pass Free provides 100 passwords with two-factor authentication
• Browser-based managers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox) work but lack advanced features

The loss of free access makes Dashlane harder to recommend for casual users or those who want to test extensively before paying.

Pricing Breakdown

Dashlane restructured pricing following the free tier discontinuation. Here are the current options:

Plan	Price	Key Features
Premium	$4.99/mo (billed annually)	Unlimited passwords, dark web monitoring, Password Health, phishing alerts
Premium + VPN	$8.99/mo (billed annually)	Everything in Premium plus Hotspot Shield VPN
Friends & Family	$7.49/mo (billed annually)	Up to 10 users, all Premium features, shared vaults
Business	$8/user/mo	Admin controls, SSO integration, activity logs

All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee. Since there is no free tier, this refund window is your only risk-free trial option.

Price Comparison

Dashlane is the most expensive mainstream password manager:

Password Manager	Individual Plan	Family Plan
Bitwarden Premium	$1/mo	$3.33/mo (6 users)
1Password	$2.99/mo	$4.99/mo (5 users)
NordPass Premium	$1.99/mo	$3.99/mo (6 users)
LastPass Premium	$3/mo	$4/mo (6 users)
Dashlane Premium	$4.99/mo	$7.49/mo (10 users)

The Family plan offers reasonable value at $7.49/month for 10 users (under $0.75 per person), but the Individual plan is nearly five times the cost of Bitwarden.

Security Architecture

Despite the pricing concerns, Dashlane implements strong security fundamentals.

Encryption Standards

• AES-256-bit encryption: Military-grade encryption for your vault
• Argon2 key derivation: Modern algorithm that is resistant to GPU-based attacks
• Zero-knowledge architecture: Dashlane cannot access your master password or vault contents
• Local encryption: Data is encrypted on your device before transmission

The technical implementation is solid. Your master password never leaves your device unencrypted, and Dashlane staff cannot decrypt your vault even if legally compelled.

Security Audits

Dashlane has undergone third-party security audits, though they publish fewer details than competitors like 1Password:

• SOC 2 Type 2 certification: Annual operational security verification
• Independent penetration testing: Conducted but detailed reports not publicly available
• Bug bounty program: Active program through Bugcrowd

The security is trustworthy, but transparency is not as extensive as 1Password’s 20+ published audits or Bitwarden’s open-source codebase.

Two-Factor Authentication

Dashlane supports multiple 2FA methods:

• Authenticator apps: Google Authenticator, Authy, etc.
• Hardware security keys: YubiKey and other FIDO2 keys
• Biometric unlock: Face ID, Touch ID, fingerprint on supported devices

Hardware key support is particularly valuable for high-security users.

Feature Deep Dive

Dashlane differentiates through bundled extras that competitors charge separately for or do not offer at all.

Password Health Dashboard

The Password Health feature scores your overall credential hygiene and identifies specific issues:

• Overall security score: 0-100 rating based on your vault
• Weak passwords: Flags passwords that are too short or simple
• Reused passwords: Identifies credentials used across multiple sites
• Compromised passwords: Checks against known breach databases
• Old passwords: Suggests rotation for passwords unchanged for extended periods

The gamification aspect (improving your score) genuinely motivates better password habits. The dashboard provides clear, actionable recommendations rather than just highlighting problems.

Dark Web Monitoring

Dashlane continuously monitors the dark web for your personal information:

• Email addresses: Scans for your email in breach databases
• Credit card numbers: Monitors for leaked financial data (Premium plan)
• Phone numbers: Alerts if your number appears in data dumps
• Social Security numbers: US users can monitor SSN exposure
• Passport numbers: International document monitoring

When leaked data is detected, Dashlane provides specific guidance on remediation steps. This goes beyond basic breach notification by telling you exactly what to do.

Built-in VPN

Dashlane Premium includes Hotspot Shield VPN at no additional cost. This is genuinely unique among password managers.

What you get:

• Unlimited bandwidth
• Coverage for one device at a time
• Basic connection protection on public WiFi

What you do not get:

• Server location selection (connects to nearest server)
• Streaming unblocking capabilities
• Advanced features like split tunneling or kill switch
• Multi-device simultaneous connections

The VPN is adequate for basic privacy needs but cannot replace a dedicated VPN service. If you already have a VPN subscription, this bundled feature adds no value. If you have no VPN and just want basic public WiFi protection, it is a nice extra.

Phishing Protection

Dashlane alerts you when you visit suspected phishing sites that mimic legitimate login pages. The extension compares the site you are visiting against the domain stored with your credentials and warns if something seems off.

This is a subtle but valuable feature that can prevent credential theft before it happens.

Secure Sharing

Share passwords with family members or colleagues without revealing the actual password:

• Recipients can use credentials without seeing them
• Revoke access at any time
• Set sharing permissions (view only vs. full rights)
• Track who has access to shared items

The Family plan enables household password sharing for accounts like streaming services, utilities, and shared subscriptions.

Apps and Interface

Dashlane took a controversial approach to desktop access.

The Desktop App Situation

If you preferred the old desktop app experience, this change was frustrating. However, the browser extension is full-featured and handles most use cases well.

Browser Extensions

Dashlane offers extensions for:

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Safari
• Edge
• Brave

The extension handles:

• Password autofill on login forms
• Credit card and address autofill
• Password generation during signup
• Access to full vault management
• Password Health dashboard

Performance is generally smooth, though resource usage can be higher than minimal extensions like Bitwarden.

Mobile Apps (iOS and Android)

Mobile apps are polished and full-featured:

• Biometric unlock (Face ID, Touch ID, fingerprint)
• System-wide autofill integration
• In-app browser for secure logins
• Dark mode support
• Offline access to your vault

The mobile experience is one of Dashlane’s strengths. Autofill works reliably across apps and browsers, and the interface is intuitive for managing passwords on the go.

Web Interface

The web vault at app.dashlane.com provides full access to:

• All saved passwords and secure notes
• Password Health analysis
• Dark web monitoring alerts
• Account settings and security options
• Sharing management

The interface is clean and modern. Navigation is logical, and finding specific items is straightforward even in large vaults.

Dashlane vs. The Competition

Dashlane vs. 1Password

Category	Dashlane	1Password
Price	$4.99/mo	$2.99/mo
Security	AES-256, Argon2	AES-256, PBKDF2, Secret Key
VPN	Included	Not available
Dark Web Monitoring	Included	Via Watchtower
Desktop App	No (extension only)	Yes (native apps)
Travel Mode	No	Yes
Audit Transparency	Limited	Extensive (20+ audits)

Choose Dashlane if: You want bundled VPN and prefer browser-based access.

Choose 1Password if: You prioritize security architecture, want native desktop apps, or need Travel Mode for border crossings.

Dashlane vs. Bitwarden

Category	Dashlane	Bitwarden
Price	$4.99/mo	$1/mo (Free tier available)
Security	Proprietary	Open-source, audited
VPN	Included	Not available
Dark Web Monitoring	Included	Requires Premium ($1/mo)
Self-hosting	No	Yes
Family Plan	$7.49/mo (10 users)	$3.33/mo (6 users)

Choose Dashlane if: You want a polished interface with bundled extras and do not mind the price.

Choose Bitwarden if: You prefer open-source software, want the best value, or need self-hosting options.

Dashlane vs. LastPass

Category	Dashlane	LastPass
Price	$4.99/mo	$3/mo
Security Track Record	No major breaches	Multiple incidents (2022-2023)
VPN	Included	Not available
Dark Web Monitoring	Included	Included
Free Tier	Discontinued	Limited (one device type)

Choose Dashlane if: Security track record matters and you want VPN included.

Choose LastPass if: You are already invested in the ecosystem and organizational requirements mandate it. Otherwise, consider alternatives given LastPass’s security history.

Who Should Use Dashlane?

Dashlane is ideal if you:

• Want password management and basic VPN in a single subscription
• Value a polished, modern interface over raw functionality
• Will actually use dark web monitoring and Password Health features
• Prefer browser-based access over native desktop applications
• Need to share passwords with up to 10 family members
• Do not want to research and maintain separate security tools

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

Look elsewhere if you:

• Want the best value (Bitwarden at $1/month or free)
• Need a native desktop application (1Password)
• Prefer open-source software (Bitwarden)
• Want maximum security architecture (1Password’s Secret Key)
• Already have a dedicated VPN subscription
• Want a free tier to test before committing (Bitwarden, Proton Pass)
• Need advanced VPN features like server selection or streaming unblocking

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dashlane safe to use?

Yes. Dashlane uses AES-256-bit encryption with Argon2 key derivation and zero-knowledge architecture. Your master password never leaves your device unencrypted, and Dashlane cannot access your vault contents. The company has not experienced major security breaches, unlike some competitors.

Does Dashlane have a free version?

No. Dashlane discontinued its free tier in September 2025. New users must choose a paid plan. All paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, which serves as your trial period.

Is the Dashlane VPN any good?

The bundled Hotspot Shield VPN is adequate for basic privacy on public WiFi but limited compared to dedicated VPN services. You cannot select server locations, it only works on one device at a time, and it lacks streaming unblocking capabilities. If you need a proper VPN, purchase one separately.

Can Dashlane see my passwords?

No. Dashlane uses zero-knowledge architecture, meaning your vault is encrypted on your device before transmission. Without your master password, Dashlane employees cannot decrypt your data. This is verified through their SOC 2 Type 2 certification.

Why did Dashlane remove the free tier?

Dashlane cited business sustainability and the desire to focus on premium features. Free tiers are expensive to maintain and often do not convert to paid users. The decision remains controversial but aligns with industry trends toward sustainable subscription models.

Does Dashlane work with passkeys?

Yes. Dashlane supports creating, storing, and using passkeys for sites that offer them. The Password Health feature also notifies you when saved sites add passkey support, helping you transition to more secure authentication.

How does Dashlane compare to Apple Keychain?

Dashlane offers cross-platform access (Windows, Android, Chrome), dark web monitoring, password health analysis, and secure sharing that Apple Keychain lacks. If you exclusively use Apple devices and want simplicity, Keychain is sufficient. If you need cross-platform access or advanced features, Dashlane provides more functionality.

What happens if I forget my Dashlane master password?

Account recovery depends on whether you enabled recovery options before forgetting your password. Options include:

• Recovery key: A code you generated during setup
• Biometric recovery: If enabled on a mobile device
• Admin recovery: For business accounts

Without these, your account is unrecoverable. Dashlane cannot reset your password due to zero-knowledge architecture.

Final Verdict

Dashlane delivers a polished password management experience with genuinely useful extras. The Password Health dashboard motivates better security habits, dark web monitoring provides peace of mind, and the bundled VPN adds value if you do not already have one.

However, the premium positioning comes with premium pricing that is increasingly difficult to justify. At $4.99/month, Dashlane costs nearly five times what Bitwarden charges and significantly more than 1Password. The discontinuation of the free tier removes the ability to evaluate before paying.

If the bundled features align with your needs and the price does not concern you, Dashlane is excellent. But for most users, 1Password offers better security architecture at a lower price, and Bitwarden offers comparable core functionality for a fraction of the cost.

Our Rating: 4.0/5

Excellent features and interface, but the high price and loss of free tier make it hard to recommend over more affordable competitors.

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Last updated: December 2025. Pricing and features may change. Visit Dashlane’s website for current offers.