Dashlane vs LastPass (2026)
This comparison focuses on the specific decision between Dashlane and LastPass — two premium password managers aimed at users who want polished UX and extras beyond core password storage. Both are reviewed individually: Dashlane review and LastPass review.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Dashlane | LastPass |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 25 passwords, 1 device | Unlimited passwords, 1 device type (mobile or desktop) |
| Premium price | $4.99/mo (billed annually) | $3/mo (billed annually) |
| VPN included | ✓ Yes (Hotspot Shield) | No |
| Dark web monitoring | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes (Dark Web Monitoring) |
| Security breach history | Clean record | 2022–2023 vault data breach |
| Family plan | $7.49/mo (up to 10 members) | $4/mo (up to 6 users) |
| ExpertChoice score | 4.4/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Best for | Users who want a VPN + password manager bundle | Budget buyers who want a familiar UX |
The LastPass breach: what buyers need to know
In late 2022, LastPass disclosed that attackers had copied encrypted vault data. The encryption means a strong, unique master password provides meaningful protection — but the disclosure also revealed that older accounts had PBKDF2 key derivation with iteration counts far below current best practices, making them more vulnerable to offline brute-force.
LastPass has since improved its security defaults. Whether this is sufficient depends on how old your account is and your risk tolerance. For new users evaluating which manager to start with, the breach gives Dashlane and 1Password/Bitwarden a meaningful advantage on security confidence.
Who should choose Dashlane
- Users who want a VPN bundle. If you need both a password manager and a VPN, Dashlane Premium bundles Hotspot Shield. Buying them separately would cost more. If you have no VPN use case, this bundling is irrelevant.
- Security-conscious buyers who want a clean record. Dashlane has not had a major breach. For buyers who weight security history heavily, this matters.
- Users migrating away from LastPass. Dashlane has a polished import tool and comparable UX, making it a natural migration target.
Who should choose LastPass
- Existing LastPass users who don't want to migrate. If you're already using LastPass, have changed your master password since 2022, and are comfortable with the breach context, staying is a defensible choice.
- Budget-sensitive buyers who want multi-device sync. LastPass Premium at $3/month is cheaper than Dashlane. If you only need password management without a VPN, this is the price argument.
Alternatives worth considering
For most buyers comparing Dashlane vs LastPass, the stronger question is whether either is the right choice against the broader category. Bitwarden's free tier is more capable than either product's free offering, and 1Password vs Bitwarden is the higher-value comparison if you're starting fresh.
Frequently asked questions
Is LastPass still safe to use after the 2022 breach?
LastPass has rebuilt parts of its security stack after the 2022–2023 breaches. Its feature set is strong and the UX is polished. For users who stayed with a strong master password and have changed it since the incident, the risk is mitigated. For new users starting fresh, several competitors offer equivalent usability with cleaner security records.
Does Dashlane's VPN make it worth the higher price?
Only if you need a VPN. If you were going to buy one separately, bundling via Dashlane can save money. If you have no VPN use case, Bitwarden Premium ($10/year) or 1Password ($2.99/month) are more cost-effective for pure password management.
Can I switch from LastPass to Dashlane without losing my vault?
Yes. Export your LastPass vault as CSV, then import into Dashlane. Dashlane supports LastPass imports directly. The process takes about 10–15 minutes. Secure notes and custom fields may need manual review.