1Password Introduces $2.99/Month Plan for Individuals, With 6 Months Free at Sign-Up [Updated]

[BigMcGuire]

When Lastpass was acquired by LogMeIn, I bit the bullet and painfully migrated to 1Password because LogMeIn has the reputation of screwing the users with massive price hike when they have the market power to do so.

10 months down the road, Lastpass is still offering $1/month subscription under the new owner. Ironically, it's 1Password that is raising the price of the standalone product (one could imagine that the upgrade price for the next version will most likely be higher than the full price paid for the previous version!).

As for the subscription price, if Lastpass could run a profitable business by offering $1/month subscription, I just don't know how 1Password can justify its $2.99/month fee?

This was exactly me to the letter! I had problems with LogMeIn in the past - where they charged my card after I had cancelled and wouldn't refund me the money. So when LogMeIn bought LastPass, I left it for 1Password. I would have sworn, like you, that prices would rise, but they didn't. Kinda ironic that 1Password is $3/mo for a similar service. Also ironic that this comes out right after I purchase LastPass $12/year on Sunday for a job I'm doing. lol.

But yeah, price wise, $12/year x2 for me and my wife to share passwords via LastPass is a lot cheaper. Bummer because I really like 1Password and the company behind it. I respect that they have a developer and a support person talking in this thread.

And even though a lot of people are anti-subscription, companies that don't adopt this model will be left behind imo - so it's smart business to do so, sadly.

 

[Max Portakabin]

companies that don't adopt this model will be left behind imo - so it's smart business to do so, sadly.

They won't die if they innovate. There is still a huge growth opportunity for password manager apps and that's before you start going international. Ben listed a heap of reasons and cited the standard folks like grandparents. If there are confusing steps involved, surely there is a software solution that can be built into the package?

Perhaps the ultimate fear here is of biometrics. If there is an API that can verify your fingerprint without disclosing its signature a la TouchID that can be used across websites, that's the end of passwords and by default password manager apps.

 

[drewcosten]

Perhaps the ultimate fear here is of biometrics. If there is an API that can verify your fingerprint without disclosing its signature a la TouchID that can be used across websites, that's the end of passwords and by default password manager apps.

Just my opinion, but biometrics will likely never replace passwords. If somebody is able to steal your password for a site, you can just change it. If somebody manages to copy your fingerprint (or DNA or whatever future form biometrics will take), you can't change it quite as easily. So, while a fingerprint is handy for my iPhone, I personally don't use it for my iPad since it's not with me all the time and I can't see what someone is doing with a copy of my fingerprint (which I leave all over my apartment) on my iPad when I'm not home.

 

[amro]

I paid for the windows/mac bundle this past November. It has proven itself to be one of my most valuable apps. So, I will essentially divide the $70 I paid by $3 (per month on an annual basis) which equates to 23 months, and switch over in Nov. 2017. If they offered us licensed people some sort of pro-rate, I would switch over today. Between my Mac, PC, iOS and Android devices, this app is phenomenal/invaluable. And since I use Dropbox to sync, I feel more confident in using AgileBits' server to sync. I've read their white pages, so I'm more confident in them than any of their competitors.

I am disappointed that they are offering a free six months to those who never paid before, but for those of us who gave them money already, nothing. That's disappointing, but that's capitalism :\

 

[CrystalQuest76]

I am very disappointed with this trend of moving towards subscription business practice also known as Software as a Service (SaaS). It leaves me feeling that the data/documents that I have created with those applications being locked away from my later viewing/editing if I don't continue to pay the SaaS company. There is a feeling of extortion. This is especially emotional with passwords and PII that I put in 1Password for safe keeping. There are a number of things that I placed in 1Password that I don't regularly use including family members' SSNs. 1Password promised to be a place to store lots of information. Now I feel that at any time the 1Password that I bought two years ago will break with an upgrade to the OS and unless I pay 1Password I will not be able to retrieve that that valuable information.

By the way the job title "Positive Experience Architect" instead of "Marketing Director" is and a turn off.
[doublepost=1470327790][/doublepost]

At AgileBits we've intentionally avoided pre-announcing software. We don't announce when it is going to ship until it is ready to go out the door.

An those of us old enough to understand sales and the desire to ensure a constant source of money flowing in to the corporate coffers, know the reason announcements are not made.

 

[drewcosten]

I am very disappointed with this trend of moving towards subscription business practice also known as Software as a Service (SaaS). It leaves me feeling that the data/documents that I have created with those applications being locked away from my later viewing/editing if I don't continue to pay the SaaS company. There is a feeling of extortion. This is especially emotional with passwords and PII that I put in 1Password for safe keeping. There are a number of things that I placed in 1Password that I don't regularly use including family members' SSNs. 1Password promised to be a place to store lots of information. Now I feel that at any time the 1Password that I bought two years ago will break with an upgrade to the OS and unless I pay 1Password I will not be able to retrieve that that valuable information.

You will never be locked out of your 1Password data, even if you don't continue with your subscription (well, presuming you don't forget your Master Password, anyway). You won't be able to edit or add new items, since the account will go into read-only mode, but you'll still be able to access all your data.

By the way the job title "Positive Experience Architect" instead of "Marketing Director" is and a turn off.

You probably wouldn't like my job title ("Support Hero") either, then, but we like to have fun at AgileBits. We all got to choose our own job titles when we began (you can see us all at https://1Password.com/company).

 

[netnothing]

Question - when using the new service - is your vault still stored locally on your machine/devices and just synced to the 1PW servers (like it is today with Dropbox)? So if I don't have an internet connection, I can still access my current data?

-Kevin

 

[drewcosten]

Question - when using the new service - is your vault still stored locally on your machine/devices and just synced to the 1PW servers (like it is today with Dropbox)? So if I don't have an internet connection, I can still access my current data?

Great question, Kevin. The answer is yes, a copy of the database is stored locally on your device as well (presuming you've added the account to an app on your device - we don't cache the web account locally), just like when syncing with Dropbox or iCloud, so you can still access your data in the app if your net connection goes down.

 

[bwoodruff]

I am very disappointed with this trend of moving towards subscription business practice also known as Software as a Service (SaaS). It leaves me feeling that the data/documents that I have created with those applications being locked away from my later viewing/editing if I don't continue to pay the SaaS company. There is a feeling of extortion. This is especially emotional with passwords and PII that I put in 1Password for safe keeping. There are a number of things that I placed in 1Password that I don't regularly use including family members' SSNs. 1Password promised to be a place to store lots of information. Now I feel that at any time the 1Password that I bought two years ago will break with an upgrade to the OS and unless I pay 1Password I will not be able to retrieve that that valuable information.

By the way the job title "Positive Experience Architect" instead of "Marketing Director" is and a turn off.
[doublepost=1470327790][/doublepost]

I work in customer service / technical support, not marketing. I picked my title based on what I was being asked to do for our customers. It is just a bit of fun, instead of having stuffy corporate titles. I much enjoy it over "Customer Support Technician" or something similar.

I paid for the windows/mac bundle this past November. It has proven itself to be one of my most valuable apps. So, I will essentially divide the $70 I paid by $3 (per month on an annual basis) which equates to 23 months, and switch over in Nov. 2017. If they offered us licensed people some sort of pro-rate, I would switch over today. Between my Mac, PC, iOS and Android devices, this app is phenomenal/invaluable. And since I use Dropbox to sync, I feel more confident in using AgileBits' server to sync. I've read their white pages, so I'm more confident in them than any of their competitors.

I am disappointed that they are offering a free six months to those who never paid before, but for those of us who gave them money already, nothing. That's disappointing, but that's capitalism :\

The free 6 months is available to everyone who signs up before September 21st 2016. We did it that way in part because we felt it was better to try and be generous to everyone than no one, and it would've been way too difficult and time consuming to research everyone's past purchases (especially purchases from Apple and Google where those purchase details are not shared with us).

Edit: Including existing license holders. Not sure I made that clear. The offer is available to everyone, regardless of if they've purchased 1Password before or not.

Question - when using the new service - is your vault still stored locally on your machine/devices and just synced to the 1PW servers (like it is today with Dropbox)? So if I don't have an internet connection, I can still access my current data?

-Kevin

There is a local cache that will allow you to access your data without internet access, yes.

Ben

 

[netnothing]

Great question, Kevin. The answer is yes, a copy of the database is stored locally on your device as well, just like when syncing with Dropbox or iCloud, so you can still access your data in the app if your net connection goes down.

Thanks Drew....that's good news.

Also, as for the apps - do I need to uninstall the MAS version of 1PW and download a standalone version from the site after switching to the new service? How to downloading new iOS apps work since they are included in the new service. Do we get some kind of redeem code to download them from the App store?

EDIT: Ok, just remembered the iOS versions are free now - so that answers that question.

-Kevin

 

[newyorkone]

I've hidden all of the gold in a single pot and it's at the end of the rainbow. It should be really safe there...

 

[bwoodruff]

I've hidden all of the gold in a single pot and it's at the end of the rainbow. It should be really safe there...

Have you ever gotten to the end of a rainbow?

In all seriousness, if you'd like to understand more about how your data is secured, please check out our whitepaper:

http://1pw.ca/whitepaper

Ben

 

[drewcosten]

Thanks Drew....that's good news.

Also, as for the apps - do I need to uninstall the MAS version of 1PW and download a standalone version from the site after switching to the new service? How to downloading new iOS apps work since they are included in the new service. Do we get some kind of redeem code to download them from the App store?

-Kevin

Your 1Password account will work in both the Mac App Store version and the AgileBits Store version of 1Password, as well as in the existing 1Password 6 for iOS app. We don't use separate apps for 1Password accounts, just the same apps you've been using already. You can add the account from "1Password > Preferences... > Accounts" (from the menubar in the 1Password app) on your Mac, and from "Settings > 1Password Accounts" in the app on your iOS devices once you've set up the account online. If you have an existing 1Password vault already, you can migrate the data over easily on your Mac. See our https://support.1password.com/migrate-1password-account/ guide for a quick explanation of how to do so, and let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[tgara]

Well, after thinking about this move by AgileBits and putting it in perspective (and after a few glasses of wine), I just might give the new service a try. To be honest, what ticked me off the most is not the cost per se, but rather the prospect of being charged $2.99 every month, month after month, and seeing that charge over and over and over. But, if they simply charge me $36 once then leave me alone for a year, I'm OK with that. Plus the new features look interesting, plus they're giving 6 months free. It's at least worth a try to if the value proposition is there for me.

Maybe it's psychological, I don't know, but that's the same way I thought about my Sirius satellite radio subscription.... don't nickel & dime me month after month, just let me pay once then leave me the heck alone.

 

[netnothing]

Your 1Password account will work in both the Mac App Store version and the AgileBits Store version of 1Password, as well as in the existing 1Password 6 for iOS app. We don't use separate apps for 1Password accounts, just the same apps you've been using already. You can add the account from "1Password > Preferences... > Accounts" (from the menubar in the 1Password app) on your Mac, and from "Settings > 1Password Accounts" in the app on your iOS devices once you've set up the account online. If you have an existing 1Password vault already, you can migrate the data over easily on your Mac. See our https://support.1password.com/migrate-1password-account/ guide for a quick explanation of how to do so, and let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks Drew. Looks easy enough. One last question - I'd love to get away from the MAS version of 1PW and get back to the one offered directly from AgileBits. If I went with the new service, can I do this:

1) Sign up for new 1PW service
2) Use my current MAS version of 1PW to move all my items in my vault to the new service.
3) Once all my items are in the new service - uninstall the MAS version of 1PW and download the standalone version of 1PW.
4) Open the standalone version of 1PW and sign in again, thus syncing my new vault back locally?

Would that work.

I'm actively trying to move away from the MAS for my mission critical apps as I want the developers to control the rollout schedule and features, not Apple.

Thanks.

-Kevin

Well, after thinking about this move by AgileBits and putting it in perspective (and after a few glasses of wine), I just might give the new service a try. To be honest, what ticked me off the most is not the cost per se, but rather the prospect of being charged $2.99 every month, month after month, and seeing that charge over and over and over. But, if they simply charge me $36 once then leave me alone for a year, I'm OK with that. Plus the new features look interesting, plus they're giving 6 months free. It's at least worth a try to if the value proposition is there for me.

Maybe it's psychological, I don't know, but that's the same way I thought about my Sirius satellite radio subscription.... don't nickel & dime me month after month, just let me pay once then leave me the heck alone.

I'm in the same boat as you. I do wish the price was closer to the $2 per month mark instead of $3.

-Kevin

 

[drewcosten]

Thanks Drew. Looks easy enough. One last question - I'd love to get away from the MAS version of 1PW and get back to the one offered directly from AgileBits. If I went with the new service, can I do this:

1) Sign up for new 1PW service
2) Use my current MAS version of 1PW to move all my items in my vault to the new service.
3) Once all my items are in the new service - uninstall the MAS version of 1PW and download the standalone version of 1PW.
4) Open the standalone version of 1PW and sign in again, thus syncing my new vault back locally?

Would that work.

I'm actively trying to move away from the MAS for my mission critical apps as I want the developers to control the rollout schedule and features, not Apple.

Thanks.

-Kevin

Absolutely. Those are actually the exact steps I would tell you to take if switching versions.

To remove the MAS version, once you've got your data migrated to the new vault in your account, quit the 1Password app and 1Password mini background process with the Control-Command-Q keyboard shortcut from within the app, then go to the Launchpad app to view your list of apps and hold the mouse or trackpad button down on the 1Password icon until the icons "jiggle" and delete 1Password by clicking the black circle with the x in it on the top left corner of the 1Password icon (don't use any app cleaners, such as CleanMyMac. Just delete it the regular way so as to not risk losing your 1Password database as well, although this is admittedly less of a worry with an account, but I always include it in my instructions anyway in case somebody who is using a non-account vault sees my instructions and tries to follow them when switching versions). Reboot the Mac and reinstall 1Password from our https://agilebits.com/downloads page.

 

[bwoodruff]

Well, after thinking about this move by AgileBits and putting it in perspective (and after a few glasses of wine), I just might give the new service a try. To be honest, what ticked me off the most is not the cost per se, but rather the prospect of being charged $2.99 every month, month after month, and seeing that charge over and over and over. But, if they simply charge me $36 once then leave me alone for a year, I'm OK with that. Plus the new features look interesting, plus they're giving 6 months free. It's at least worth a try to if the value proposition is there for me.

Maybe it's psychological, I don't know, but that's the same way I thought about my Sirius satellite radio subscription.... don't nickel & dime me month after month, just let me pay once then leave me the heck alone.

It is actually an annual billing, if that helps. We do offer the option to pay monthly but the price listed is for an annual payment.

Ben

 

[tgara]

It is actually an annual billing, if that helps. We do offer the option to pay monthly but the price listed is for an annual payment.

Ben

Thanks, yes, I saw that on the sign-up page (annual billing) and that's what changed my mind. I don't mind paying for software that I use, but if a company is going to be using the SaaS model, I'd rather pay more on a less frequent billing schedule (e.g., annually or quarterly) than the other way around (monthly, weekly, etc.). Frankly, I have more important things to worry about that reviewing an invoice for $3 every month.

 

[FieldingMellish]

I'll never buy a subscription for a password app if I can help it. I've been using Password Wallet, originally on Palm Pilot, and redone for IOS. Selznick Scientific Software. All synched up on my Macs and IOS devices.

 

[bwoodruff]

Thanks, yes, I saw that on the sign-up page (annual billing) and that's what changed my mind. I don't mind paying for software that I use, but if a company is going to be using the SaaS model, I'd rather pay more on a less frequent billing schedule (e.g., annually or quarterly) than the other way around (monthly, weekly, etc.). Frankly, I have more important things to worry about that reviewing an invoice for $3 every month.

Heh, yes, I know that feeling. I wish I could get Google to bill me annually for Google Apps and my Google Drive storage, but they seem to insist on doing it monthly.

Ben

 

[drewcosten]

Heh, yes, I know that feeling. I wish I could get Google to bill me annually for Google Apps and my Google Drive storage, but they seem to insist on doing it monthly.

Ben

Ditto for iCloud Drive storage. I'm glad we did what Dropbox does and offer an annual option.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I have my personal account set up with the iOS app and the Mac app. However, I don't see the sync option with the Mac app. Is that how it should be now? With the iOS app, it still shows sync with iCloud, Dropbox or Wifi locally.

 

[Benjamin Frost]

It is actually an annual billing, if that helps. We do offer the option to pay monthly but the price listed is for an annual payment.

Ben

It might soften the blow a little if you introduced a small discount for paying upfront for a year's service. My car insurance company does that.

 

[AbSoluTc]

I have been expecting this for a while so about a month ago I transferred all passwords to encrypted iOS notes and they sync across all my apple devices just fine

This is what I will probably do myself. I have had 1password for years and I never really used it for anything other than storing my passwords and other credit card info. Many of the features never worked right and were wonky. They still are. I open the app and it doesn't pop up the "Touch ID" thing. I have to tap Touch ID to activate it. Been a problem ever since they came out with that.

On the computer, it never remembers the correct link/site where I enter my password/username. Did that a couple of times and screwed myself because it didn't remember it correctly and I had to reset it all again. So, I never use it for that.

Absolutely. Those are actually the exact steps I would tell you to take if switching versions.

To remove the MAS version, once you've got your data migrated to the new vault in your account, quit the 1Password app and 1Password mini background process with the Control-Command-Q keyboard shortcut from within the app, then go to the Launchpad app to view your list of apps and hold the mouse or trackpad button down on the 1Password icon until the icons "jiggle" and delete 1Password by clicking the black circle with the x in it on the top left corner of the 1Password icon (don't use any app cleaners, such as CleanMyMac. Just delete it the regular way so as to not risk losing your 1Password database as well, although this is admittedly less of a worry with an account, but I always include it in my instructions anyway in case somebody who is using a non-account vault sees my instructions and tries to follow them when switching versions). Reboot the Mac and reinstall 1Password from our https://agilebits.com/downloads page.

So, 1Password used to be through Agilebits. Then in order to get the "updates/upgrades", you had to go through the MAS also for iCloud syncing to work as well. So I moved there. I am not moving back again. I've already paid for 1Password several times because of that and another issues. So in essence, $140 bucks has been paid to them.

I will not sign up for yet another subscription for any software. This whole system everyone is switching to is BS IMO. Why would anyone pay $150+ dollars for a password app over 4 years? $300 for 8 years.

 

[drewcosten]

I have my personal account set up with the iOS app and the Mac app. However, I don't see the sync option with the Mac app. Is that how it should be now? With the iOS app, it still shows sync with iCloud, Dropbox or Wifi locally.

The 1Password account settings are in a slightly different location than "standalone" (Dropbox, iCloud, Wi-Fi) sync. They are in the Accounts tab in 1Password 6 for Mac Preferences, and in the "1Password Accounts" section in the 1Password 6 for iOS app Settings. If you haven't migrated your data from the old standalone vault(s), you can do so by following the instructions in our https://support.1password.com/migrate-1password-account/ guide.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The 1Password account settings are in a slightly different location than "standalone" (Dropbox, iCloud, Wi-Fi) sync. They are in the Accounts tab in 1Password 6 for Mac Preferences, and in the "1Password Accounts" section in the 1Password 6 for iOS app Settings. If you haven't migrated your data from the old standalone vault(s), you can do so by following the instructions in our https://support.1password.com/migrate-1password-account/ guide.

I migrated over. All my info appears to be there. I was just wondering why I don't see any sync option in the Mac app like I do with the iOS app. I also no longer see a backup option with the Mac app like I did before setting up the new account.