AWS Secrets Manager vs 1Password: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between AWS Secrets Manager and 1Password comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: 1Password wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Identity & Access pick. LastPass is our free Identity & Access pick. Pick AWS Secrets Manager if you need security.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
AWS Secrets Manager
AWS service for storing and rotating secrets securely
Best for you if:
- • You want managed secrets storage
1Password
Securely store passwords, cards, and docs with end-to-end encryption
Best for you if:
- • You want excellent security
| At a Glance | AWS Secrets Manager | 1Password |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.05/10,000 calls API Calls | $2.99/mo Individual |
Category | Security Cloud & Infrastructure | Password Managers Security |
Rating | 4.5/5 G2 4.5 18 reviews | 4.7/5 Capterra 4.7 · G2 4.6 3,945 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | n/a | No free tier at all, even personal use starts at $2.99/mo (annual) or $3.99/mo (monthly) |
Choose AWS Secrets Manager or 1Password?
Choose AWS Secrets Manager if
- You want managed secrets storage
- You want automatic rotation
- Budget matters ($0.05/10,000 calls vs $2.99/mo)
- You work in security, not password managers
Choose 1Password if
- You want excellent security
- You want easy to use
- You work in password managers, not security
In-Depth Analysis
AWS Secrets Manager
AWS service for storing and rotating secrets securely
AWS Secrets Manager offers fair pricing, with a clear per-secret cost of $0.40/month and API calls at $0.05 per 10,000.
Strengths
- Pro: Managed secrets storage
- Pro: Automatic rotation
- Pro: Audit logging
- Pro: Integration with AWS services
- Pro: Cross-account access
Weaknesses
- Con: Per-secret pricing adds up
- Con: AWS only
- Con: Less flexible than Vault
- Con: Rotation setup complex
- Con: Region-specific
Key features
1Password
Securely store passwords, cards, and docs with end-to-end encryption
1Password is the premium option in password management, no free tier, starting at $2.99/mo (annual).
Watch out
No free tier at all, even personal use starts at $2.99/mo (annual) or $3.99/mo (monthly)
Strengths
- Pro: Excellent security
- Pro: Easy to use
- Pro: Family sharing
- Pro: Watchtower alerts
Weaknesses
- Con: No free plan
- Con: Subscription required
- Con: Can be expensive for families
Key features
Pricing: AWS Secrets Manager vs 1Password
| Plan | AWS Secrets Manager | 1Password |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0.4 month per secret Per Secret | $2.99 Individual |
| Tier 2 | $0.05 /10,000 calls API Calls | $4.99 Families |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $19.95 Teams Starter Pack |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $7.99 Business |
| Tier 5 | N/A | Free Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on AWS Secrets Manager pricing and 1Password pricing.
Key Takeaways
1Password
- Larger review base (3,945 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
AWS Secrets Manager
- Better fit for security
The Bottom Line
1Password wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Identity & Access pick. LastPass is our free Identity & Access pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AWS Secrets Manager or 1Password better in 2026?
1Password wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Identity & Access pick. LastPass is our free Identity & Access pick. Pick AWS Secrets Manager for security workflows (main strength: managed secrets storage). Pick 1Password for password managers workflows (main strength: excellent security).
What are AWS Secrets Manager and 1Password used for?
AWS Secrets Manager: AWS service for storing and rotating secrets securely. 1Password: Securely store passwords, cards, and docs with end-to-end encryption.
What does AWS Secrets Manager cost vs 1Password?
AWS Secrets Manager's paid plans start at $0.05/10,000 calls (API Calls). 1Password's paid plans start at $2.99/mo (Individual).
What's the main difference between AWS Secrets Manager and 1Password?
AWS Secrets Manager's main strength: managed secrets storage. 1Password's main strength: excellent security.