Password manager guides
17 guides on installing, comparing and switching to the open-source Bitwarden password manager. Each one is re-checked against the current desktop release, links only to official downloads, and ends with the questions people actually ask.
By Password Manager Notes editorial team Current release Bitwarden 2026.8.0, published August 20, 2026
Install by operating system
Step-by-step installs with the exact command or file for each system.
- Install on Windows 11 Install the free Bitwarden password manager on Windows 11 with one winget command or the signed .exe, handle SmartScreen, unlock with Windows Hello.
- Install on Mac Install the free Bitwarden password manager on a Mac with one Homebrew command, the .dmg or the App Store. Covers Gatekeeper, Touch ID unlock and Safari.
- Install on Ubuntu Install the free Bitwarden password manager on Ubuntu, Debian or Linux Mint with Snap, the .deb, Flatpak or AppImage. Covers updates, Firefox and fixes.
- Install on Fedora Install the free Bitwarden password manager on Fedora, RHEL, Rocky or AlmaLinux with Flatpak, the .rpm, Snap or AppImage. Covers SELinux and updates.
- Install on Arch Linux Install the free Bitwarden password manager on Arch, Manjaro, EndeavourOS or CachyOS from the AUR, Flatpak or AppImage. Covers PKGBUILD checks and updates.
Comparisons
Bitwarden against the other password managers people ask about.
- Bitwarden vs 1Password Bitwarden vs 1Password compared on price, free plan, open source, Secret Key vs master password security, passkeys, sharing, self-hosting and how to switch.
- Bitwarden vs LastPass Bitwarden vs LastPass compared on price, the 2022 LastPass security incidents, free plan limits, encryption, open source and a step-by-step switching guide.
- Bitwarden vs KeePass Bitwarden vs KeePass and KeePassXC compared: hosted sync versus a local .kdbx file, mobile apps, extensions, sharing, passkeys, audits and how to migrate.
- Bitwarden vs Proton Pass Bitwarden vs Proton Pass compared on price, free plans, email aliases, self-hosting, Linux and CLI support, Swiss vs US jurisdiction, audits and switching.
- Bitwarden vs Apple Passwords Bitwarden vs the Apple Passwords app compared on platforms, Android and Windows support, browsers, passkeys, sharing, open source and how to export and switch.
Switch and import
Move your saved passwords out of a browser or another manager.
- Import from Chrome and Edge Export saved passwords from Chrome, Edge, Brave or Opera as a CSV and import them into the free Bitwarden password manager, then clean up the file.
- Import from LastPass Export your LastPass vault as a CSV and import it into the free Bitwarden password manager. What carries over, what does not, and what to rotate after.
- Import from 1Password Export from 1Password 8 as a 1PUX file and import it into the free Bitwarden password manager. What maps, what does not, and how to swap the extension.
Setup and security
Extension, CLI, self-hosting and how the security model works.
- Is Bitwarden safe? Is Bitwarden safe? Yes. The password manager encrypts your vault on your device with AES-256, is audited yearly, is open source and has had no vault breach.
- Browser extension Install the Bitwarden password manager extension in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari or Brave, then set up autofill, PIN or biometric unlock and URI matching.
- Command-line (CLI) Install the Bitwarden CLI with npm, Homebrew or Snap, unlock with a session key, then list, get, import and script your password manager from the terminal.
- Self-host (Vaultwarden) Self-host the Bitwarden password manager: official Docker server vs Vaultwarden, a quick start with HTTPS, admin token, backups and a security checklist.
Reference pages
Release history, the GitHub repository, and how to tell a real download from a fake one.