LastPass Announces Multi-Device Password Sync as Free Option for All Users

[gaanee]

It was all nice until they mentioned ads ... ads in the password manager app? It may not be a direct security risk, but still I would prefer a one-time purchase upfront instead o having to see ads while checking the all important password. This is one place where you don't want any distractions or unnecessary stuff popping up.

That's a big change and the free tier is ad-supported should be highlighted in the title. Essentially they are switching to ad-supported business model for their password app.

The $1 per month premium option is still available and includes exclusive features including family sharing with up to five users, no ads, priority tech support, 1GB of encrypted file storage, and more.

​

 

[ignatius345]

I wonder if they mean the difference between "automatically fill in when the page loads" and "choose to have your login filled upon request" because at least on Chrome, these two options exist. I use it ALL the time on Chrome, and on some sites, I have selected that it won't simply auto fill/auto log in, but rather, the input fields have a little mark and I can then select the login I want to be filled. (This is handy when you have multiple accounts for the same website, like I have a different StatCounter account for each website, for example.)

There are some sites where the login doesn't auto fill (some by my own choosing, some probably not), but I can ALWAYS choose, either from the input field or the Chrome extension, to fill my login credentials. On Android, it can sometimes take a few seconds, but generally speaking apps for which I have LastPass entries that require a password on start up *do* eventually show me the LastPass login fill option.

I only ever use Safari if I have a problem in Chrome, but I've always been able to use LastPass in Safari, too. LastPass has never NOT worked, although some websites are a little more finicky, and I've had to play with some settings occasionally.

I migrated from LastPass to 1Password a while ago because I found 1Password's interface dramatically better -- the iOS app, browser plugins, and MacOS app all just seem easier to use and better integrated. 1Password also seems to fill passwords quite a bit more reliably in the browser because it doesn't try to force its little icon into the fields of the web page you're on.

Pricing, however, is dramatically different, so you really do pay for that bump up in quality.
[doublepost=1478109376][/doublepost]

It was all nice until they mentioned ads ... ads in the password manager app? It may not be a direct security risk, but still I would prefer a one-time purchase upfront instead o having to see ads while checking the all important password. This is one place where you don't want any distractions or unnecessary stuff popping up.

That's a big change and the free tier is ad-supported should be highlighted in the title. Essentially they are switching to ad-supported business model for their password app.

It's $12 a year. You could pay for 4 years up front and still be out less than $50.

 

[Apollo33]

That statement is true of *any* traditional software purchase.

Yes, but you have to buy for EACH platform.

And to sync between the latest mobile app, you'll likely need the latest desktop app.

They seem to have reduced the desktop apps to a single $65 license for Mac and Windows. (I'd actually purchased both separately long ago.)

However, keep in mind that this used to be $50 BEFORE substantial discounts through various sites.

The mobile "Pro" features are just $10 now (used to be more), but that's per platform.
If you get an Android phone and an iPad (or an iPhone and an Android tablet), that's a total of $20.

$85 is, effectively, 7 years of "premium" LastPass.

Not to mention that JetBrains recently pulled this whole subscription model with their development tools and completely removed the option to flat-out purchase the software.

I'm sure AgileBits is cautiously treading the waters... But I'm expecting they'll eventually try to push people to switch to the subscription model.
[doublepost=1478111013][/doublepost]

It may not be a direct security risk, but still I would prefer a one-time purchase upfront instead o having to see ads while checking the all important password. This is one place where you don't want any distractions or unnecessary stuff popping up.

One-time purchase is questionable.

I distinctly remember purchasing the 1Password mobile app on two separate occasions.
Yes, with the cost at just $10, it's less than a year of LastPass...

However, the Mac app is also $65 now.

If AgileBits decides to require everyone to buy a new version (which they've done in the past... I've also purchased several upgrades for the Mac app)... Then you're looking at possibly spending at least $50 (assuming they have a discount on upgrades, rather than just hoping people switch to a subscription).

You could use LastPass Premium for over 6 years before you pay the same amount that you pay for 1Password.

I expect that AgileBits will probably have another paid upgrade by 2019 (6 years after the current mobile app, 5 years after the current desktop app).

So that "one-time purchase" will probably happen again in less than three years.

 

[redbeard20]

For simple and free password management, I love clipperz.com.
I think it's small user base is a huge advantage, as it makes it less of a target for hackers.

 

[gaanee]

One could keep using the purchased app version even if its old... as long as the encryption works and there are no critical bugs. Subscription model may not be the right model for every kind of app.

Yes, but you have to buy for EACH platform.

And to sync between the latest mobile app, you'll likely need the latest desktop app.

They seem to have reduced the desktop apps to a single $65 license for Mac and Windows. (I'd actually purchased both separately long ago.)

However, keep in mind that this used to be $50 BEFORE substantial discounts through various sites.

The mobile "Pro" features are just $10 now (used to be more), but that's per platform.
If you get an Android phone and an iPad (or an iPhone and an Android tablet), that's a total of $20.

$85 is, effectively, 7 years of "premium" LastPass.

Not to mention that JetBrains recently pulled this whole subscription model with their development tools and completely removed the option to flat-out purchase the software.

I'm sure AgileBits is cautiously treading the waters... But I'm expecting they'll eventually try to push people to switch to the subscription model.
[doublepost=1478111013][/doublepost]

One-time purchase is questionable.

I distinctly remember purchasing the 1Password mobile app on two separate occasions.
Yes, with the cost at just $10, it's less than a year of LastPass...

However, the Mac app is also $65 now.

If AgileBits decides to require everyone to buy a new version (which they've done in the past... I've also purchased several upgrades for the Mac app)... Then you're looking at possibly spending at least $50 (assuming they have a discount on upgrades, rather than just hoping people switch to a subscription).

You could use LastPass Premium for over 6 years before you pay the same amount that you pay for 1Password.

I expect that AgileBits will probably have another paid upgrade by 2019 (6 years after the current mobile app, 5 years after the current desktop app).

So that "one-time purchase" will probably happen again in less than three years.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

Yes, but you have to buy for EACH platform.

And to sync between the latest mobile app, you'll likely need the latest desktop app.

They seem to have reduced the desktop apps to a single $65 license for Mac and Windows. (I'd actually purchased both separately long ago.)

However, keep in mind that this used to be $50 BEFORE substantial discounts through various sites.

The mobile "Pro" features are just $10 now (used to be more), but that's per platform.
If you get an Android phone and an iPad (or an iPhone and an Android tablet), that's a total of $20.

$85 is, effectively, 7 years of "premium" LastPass.

Not to mention that JetBrains recently pulled this whole subscription model with their development tools and completely removed the option to flat-out purchase the software.

I'm sure AgileBits is cautiously treading the waters... But I'm expecting they'll eventually try to push people to switch to the subscription model.

I was responding to someone making a comment about 1Password having recent SaaS only changes. I wasn't making a value prop comparison to LastPass. SaaS can be a real value depending upon situation and price point. The traditional model of on-premise perpetual license is what you are describing above. You have traditionally had to purchase software independently for Desktop/Phone/Tablet/etc... and if that version was superseded with a new version (e.g. to update with a new OS release) then you had to buy an upgrade to replace it. That's the downside to perpetual license but some people prefer it greatly to SaaS.

 

[windowpain]

I was responding to someone making a comment about 1Password having recent SaaS only changes. I wasn't making a value prop comparison to LastPass. SaaS can be a real value depending upon situation and price point. The traditional model of on-premise perpetual license is what you are describing above. You have traditionally had to purchase software independently for Desktop/Phone/Tablet/etc... and if that version was superseded with a new version (e.g. to update with a new OS release) then you had to buy an upgrade to replace it. That's the downside to perpetual license but some people prefer it greatly to SaaS.

If you are referring to my comment, i never said they have moved to a subscription only service.
They have of course promoted this service as the primary way of continuing with 1password, and duly upped the price on the stand alone versions (by bundling it with the windows version too, an unnessecary expense for many)

I was merely pointing out that now there are many other alternatives, and if you are unhappy with the thought of a subscription you should check them out.

1password is $3 a month for the individual subscription, and $6 a month for the family pack.
last pass is free for single users, and $1 a month for the premium pack.
Locko is currently free for both Mac OS X and iOS.
iCloud Keychain sync is free.

There are other alternatives too, and it is up to users to decided wether they think the services/apps offered by 1password is worth the money.
I like 1password and am currently on the family subscription, after buying multiple standalone versions of the apps over the past 5 or so years.
I will be checking out last pass as a possible alternative as it is significantly cheaper.

 

[ILikeAllOS]

This is great news for people who haven't tried LastPass yet!
However I'll still keep paying because it's only $12 a year and I want to reward the devs for creating THE best password manager, bar none!

My concern is how will they make enough money to keep lastpass sustainable now? You don't want them taking shortcuts on things like security because they can't afford to maintain best practices.

LastPass was bought by LogMeIn who has a large presence in the enterprise market, so that's where they likely get their money from.

That's a big change and the free tier is ad-supported should be highlighted in the title. Essentially they are switching to ad-supported business model for their password app.

This isn't a change, LastPass free tier has always had an ad.
Also the ad isn't what you're thinking. It only shows up in your vault and it's just a small banner on the right side that advertises their own services, they aren't third party ads.

 

[Steeley]

Does LastPass have a built in OTP generator like 1Password? Saves me having to load up google authenticator. If it does I'll switch in a heartbeat because 1P on windows is an awful experience, and lastpass has an edge extension.

 

[alphaod]

I donate to tons of free apps when I find lots of use of them, so paying for Premium is a no-brainer... but I'm glad they are making this syncing feature available to everyone.
[doublepost=1478149867][/doublepost]

Does LastPass have a built in OTP generator like 1Password? Saves me having to load up google authenticator. If it does I'll switch in a heartbeat because 1P on windows is an awful experience, and lastpass has an edge extension.

Yeah they have been pushing this feature. When a site asks for OTP, LastPass will auto push the OTP like a pop up.