1Password vs Surfshark: Which Security & VPN Tool Is Better in 2026?
1Password
From $2.99Surfshark
From $2.19Quick verdict
Overall pick: Tie
Pick 1Password if your core need is a zero-knowledge password vault with team administration and credential sharing, billed per seat. Pick Surfshark if you want VPN routing with kill switch and multi-hop at a flat price for many devices, accepting that it has no password vault. Neither is a full substitute for the other, so the choice depends on whether you are buying credential management or network privacy.
- Surfshark's entry plan ($2.19) is 27% cheaper than 1Password's ($2.99).
- 1Password charges per user while Surfshark uses a flat price, so Surfshark gets relatively cheaper as your team grows.
- Only 1Password offers: zero-knowledge encrypted password vault.
- Only Surfshark offers: automatic kill switch & dns leak shield, multi-hop double encryption routing.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 1Password · per user | $14.95 | $179 |
| Surfshark · flat | $2.19 | $26 |
Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.
Which one should you choose?
| If you need… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Team needing shared credentials and an admin console | 1Password | 1Password has a zero-knowledge password vault and centralized team management; Surfshark has team management but no password vault. |
| Household covering many devices on a budget | Surfshark | Surfshark uses flat pricing starting at $2.19 and is positioned for unlimited devices; 1Password bills per seat starting at $2.99. |
| Buyer wanting encrypted VPN routing with kill switch | Surfshark | Surfshark supports kill switch and multi-hop double encryption; 1Password supports neither. |
| Buyer prioritizing a password vault with passkey sharing | 1Password | 1Password lists a password vault and is best for passkey and credential sharing; Surfshark has no password vault. |
| Buyer wanting dark web monitoring plus developer API | Tie | Both list dark web breach monitoring and developer CLI/API access. |
Feature comparison: 1Password vs Surfshark
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ❌ | ❌ |
| Starting price | $2.99 /user/mo | $2.19 /mo |
| Independent no-logs security audit | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automatic kill switch & DNS leak shield | — | ✅ |
| Multi-hop double encryption routing | — | ✅ |
| Zero-knowledge encrypted password vault | ✅ | — |
| Biometric / hardware security key 2FA | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dark web breach monitoring & alerts | ✅ | ✅ |
| Centralized team admin console | ✅ | ✅ |
| Developer CLI & API access | ✅ | ✅ |
Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.
Pros and cons
1Password
- Zero-knowledge encrypted password vault with biometric and hardware key 2FA
- Centralized team admin console suited to teams and enterprises
- Dark web monitoring and developer CLI/API access included
- Established in 2006, longer track record than Surfshark's 2018 founding
- No kill switch or multi-hop VPN routing
- Per-seat billing at $2.99 starting price scales with headcount
- No free plan
Surfshark
- Flat pricing starting at $2.19 rather than per seat
- Kill switch and multi-hop double encryption routing
- Independent no-logs audit plus dark web monitoring
- Positioned for households and unlimited devices on a budget
- No zero-knowledge password vault
- Founded in 2018, a shorter track record than 1Password
- No free plan
Which tool would you pick for your stack?
Cast your vote to see real-time peer recommendations from other software buyers.
At a glance
Industry gold standard password and credential manager with Watchtower security.
Founded 2006 · From $2.99 · 6/8 tracked features
Best for: teams and enterprises, passkey and credential sharing
See 1Password alternatives →Feature-packed budget VPN with unlimited simultaneous device connections and CleanWeb.
Founded 2018 · From $2.19 · 7/8 tracked features
Best for: households, unlimited devices on a budget
See Surfshark alternatives →FAQ
Is 1Password cheaper than Surfshark?
No on starting price: 1Password starts at $2.99 per seat, while Surfshark starts at $2.19 on flat billing. Because 1Password is per seat, the gap widens as users are added.
Does Surfshark include a password manager?
No. Surfshark does not list a zero-knowledge encrypted password vault, whereas 1Password does.
Does 1Password include a VPN with kill switch?
No. 1Password does not list kill switch or multi-hop routing; Surfshark lists both.
Do both offer dark web monitoring?
Yes. Both 1Password and Surfshark list dark web breach monitoring and alerts.
Which is better for a team?
1Password, because it pairs a password vault with a centralized team admin console. Surfshark has team management but no password vault.
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Data last reviewed: pending verification. All Security & VPN tools →