Should you build your own 1Password?
Password manager for logins, passkeys, secrets, and secure sharing
A basic encrypted vault is buildable, but browser autofill, mobile apps, passkeys, sharing, recovery, audits, and trust make this a dangerous thing to replace casually.
ENOriginal research content in English. Original prompt preserved in English.
Build me a local encrypted password vault to replace 1Password, CLI-first. Requirements:
- A single-binary CLI in Go using filippo.io/age for encryption and Argon2id
(golang.org/x/crypto) to derive the key from my master passphrase. Use the
library primitives exactly as documented, invent no crypto.
- The vault is one encrypted file at ~/.vault/vault.age holding JSON entries:
name, username, password, URL, notes, updated timestamp.
- Commands: add, get <name> (copies to clipboard, clears it after 20 seconds),
ls, gen (32-char random password), edit, rm.
- Fuzzy name matching on get; never print a password to stdout unless --show
is passed.
- vault backup writes a date-suffixed copy of the encrypted file to a folder
set in .env; it is already encrypted, so any cloud drive can sync it.
- Import from a 1Password CSV export so I can migrate in one command.
- Everything local: no server, no accounts, no telemetry.
- Out of scope: browser autofill, passkeys, and secure sharing. Those are why
people pay 1Password; if I need them the honest move is KeePassXC or
Bitwarden, say exactly that in the README.
- README: a five-line threat model, how key derivation works, and a warning
that losing the master passphrase loses everything, there is no recovery.The prompt opens pre-filled in your agent. Review it before running. · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR
What would building your own look like?
Create a local encrypted vault, generate passwords, search entries, and optionally sync the encrypted database with a cloud drive.
What you will need
- strong encryption library
- secure key derivation
- browser extension if autofill matters
- mobile/desktop storage
- backup plan
They pay because password managers are one place where reliability and audited security beat saving a few dollars.
xbrowser/mobile autofill
xpasskey support
xsecure sharing
xrecovery
xaudits
xwatchtower alerts
xfamily/team management
Prefer something ready-made?
VaultwardenPasswords, passkeys, notes, sharing, and reports on your server; polished recovery support becomes your problem.Open source↗
Bitwarden FreeUnlimited passwords, passkeys, secure notes, and one-person sharing; built-in TOTP and full reports cost extra.Free↗License, setup, and limitations for each alternative.
How much does 1Password cost?
- Monthly billing
- $2.99/mo$2.99/mo
- Per year
- $35.88/yr$35.88/yr
- On a Brazilian card, with 3.5% IOF
- R$15.62/moR$187/yr
Saved to My list. You will see a notice on this site when the price changes.
You complete the purchase on 1Password’s site. Vibe Radar does not handle payments.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per month) | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| individual | $3.99/user≈ $3.99 | $2.99/user≈ $2.99 | 1 person; unlimited passwords and devices; 1 GB document storage |
| families | $5.99/workspace≈ $5.99 | $4.49/workspace≈ $4.49 | Up to 5 family members; unlimited passwords and devices; 1 GB document storage/user |
Free tierno free tier; 14-day trial
Billing termsmonthly + annual; advertised annual rate is a first-year promotion
Additional costsThe discounted annual amount is introductory and auto-renews at the then-current regular price; taxes may be added and family seats beyond the included 5 can increase the bill
verified 2026-08-14 · source ↗
Is it cheaper to build or buy 1Password?
Adjust the numbers: hours to build, your hourly rate, running costs and the subscription price.
Over 24 months, subscribing is cheaper.
Starting hours estimated from the analysis (multi-day). Does not price what you give up (support, integrations, security).
Can I rebuild 1Password?
Kinda. The core of 1Password is buildable in a weekend with the prompt on this page, but there are real gaps: browser/mobile autofill, passkey support. Read the honest list above before committing.
How much does 1Password cost?
1Password costs about $2.99/mo (Individual, checked 10/20/2026), which is $35.88 per year.
What do I lose by replacing 1Password?
Honestly: browser/mobile autofill; passkey support; secure sharing; recovery; audits; watchtower alerts; family/team management. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to 1Password?
Yes: Vaultwarden (Passwords, passkeys, notes, sharing, and reports on your server; polished recovery support becomes your problem.) Bitwarden Free (Unlimited passwords, passkeys, secure notes, and one-person sharing; built-in TOTP and full reports cost extra.) The prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.