Dashlane Review 2026
Our verdict
Dashlane is a feature-rich password manager that bundles a VPN, dark web monitoring, and phishing alerts into one subscription. It is the only major password manager with a built-in VPN (powered by Hotspot Shield), which makes it compelling if you do not already have a VPN subscription.
The trade-off is price: Dashlane Premium at $4.99/mo is the most expensive in its class. If you already own a VPN, Bitwarden or NordPass deliver core password management for far less.
Key features
- Built-in VPN (Hotspot Shield) included on Premium plan
- Dark Web Monitoring scans for your credentials on breach databases
- Phishing alerts warn you about suspicious login pages
- Password Health Score identifies weak, reused, and compromised passwords
- Passkey support (FIDO2 / WebAuthn)
- Friends & Family plan covering up to 10 members
- AES-256 + Argon2d encryption with zero-knowledge architecture
Pros
- Only major password manager bundling a full VPN
- Dark web monitoring included on all paid plans
- Phishing alerts are unique among password managers
- Friends & Family plan supports up to 10 members (most generous)
- Passkey support and automatic password changer
Cons
- Most expensive consumer password manager
- Free tier capped at 25 passwords on 1 device (essentially unusable)
- Abandoned desktop apps in favor of web-only (controversial)
- VPN quality inferior to standalone VPN providers
- Occasional sync issues between web and mobile
Pricing breakdown
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 25 passwords, 1 device |
| Premium | $4.99/mo (annual) | Unlimited passwords, VPN, dark web monitoring |
| Friends & Family | $7.49/mo (annual) | Up to 10 members |
| Business | $8/user/mo | Admin controls, SSO |
Who should use Dashlane
- Users who want a password manager + VPN in one — the bundled VPN saves a separate subscription
- Large families — the 10-member family plan is unmatched
- Users concerned about data breaches — dark web monitoring is built in
- Non-technical users — the web-first approach works well for browser-centric workflows
Who should NOT use Dashlane
- Budget-conscious users — Bitwarden offers better value at $10/yr
- Users who already have a VPN — you are paying for a bundled feature you do not need
- Desktop app loyalists — Dashlane is web-only since 2022
- Power users wanting self-hosting — Bitwarden supports self-hosting
Related
- Best Password Managers 2026 — full comparison listicle
- 1Password Review — premium UX alternative
- Bitwarden Review — best free tier alternative
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dashlane worth the price?
Dashlane is worth it if you value the bundled VPN and dark web monitoring and want a single subscription covering both password management and basic VPN. If you already have a VPN, cheaper alternatives like Bitwarden or NordPass offer better value.
How much does Dashlane cost?
Dashlane Free is limited to 25 passwords on 1 device. Premium is $4.99/mo (annual) and includes a VPN. Friends & Family is $7.49/mo (annual) for up to 10 members — the most generous family plan in the market.
What are Dashlane's biggest downsides?
Dashlane is the most expensive consumer password manager, the free tier is capped at 25 passwords (essentially unusable), it abandoned desktop apps for web-only, and occasional sync issues between web and mobile are reported.