How 1Password 8 is Different From 1Password 7 & Whether or Not You Should Upgrade

With the arrival of 1Password 8, 1Password customers are wondering, “Is it worth it to upgrade from 1Password 7?” To decide if switching to 1Password 8 or staying with 1Password 7 is right for you, consider which features each version does (or does not) offer. 

Here are some critical questions and thoughts to consider when evaluating the value of 1Password 8:

• Is 1Password 7 still supported?
• What are the key differences between 1Password 8 and 1Password 7?
• Is it worth upgrading from 1Password 7 to 1Password 8?
• 1Password FAQs.

Is 1Password 7 still supported?

1Password 7 is no longer under active development, and there are no plans to update this version of the tool for compatibility with new computers or operating systems. Any updates that do occur will likely be to help users migrate to 1Password 8 or fix the most critical security issues. With that in mind, according to 1Password, version 7 will probably stop working entirely in the future. 

Can you still use 1Password 7 if you already have it?

Users who already have 1Password 7 can still use it as long as the device/operating system they are using supports it. Operating system requirements include:

• macOS High Sierra 10.13 or later.
• iOS 12.2 or later.
• Windows 10 or later and Microsoft .NET 4.7.2 or later.
• Android 5 (Lollipop) or later.

System updates are also required to run the 1Password browser extension and access 1Password.com.  

It’s important to note that 1Password also allows users to return to 1Password 7 after upgrading to 1Password 8 if they are unhappy with the experience. 

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What are the key differences between 1Password 8 and 1Password 7?

So, what makes 1Password 8 different from its predecessor, 1Password 7? Here are some of the key characteristics that separate the platform's versions. 

Vault hosting is only available on 1Password’s cloud

1Password 8 requires users to store their passwords in its cloud server rather than in a local vault. While 1Password 8 offers passwordless authentication with this new cloud requirement, some users are upset with the update. For example, a user on Reddit expressed concern with the update, stating that if a hacker gets past 1Password’s security measures, they can access the credentials to every account stored in the cloud, increasing the risk of identity theft. 1Password counters this argument by noting the value of the Secret Key, a feature that would prevent a massive breach similar to what LastPass users experienced. 

Other users have expressed concerns about accessing 1Password when no internet access is available. However, 1Password assures users (via forum comments) that the 1Password 8 app stores data locally on a user’s device so that users can access it if they are offline or can’t connect to 1Password.com for any reason. 

Those concerned about this change may consider using offline or self-hosted alternatives like KeePassXC, Passwarden, or Enpass.

1Password 8 requires a more up-to-date operating system

For 1Password 8 to work properly, users must have the latest version of supported operating systems and browsers.

For the 1Password app, this includes:

• macOS Catalina 10.15 or later.
• iOS 16.4 or later.
• A 64-bit version of Windows 10 or later.
• Android 9 (Pie) or later.
• A computer with a 64-bit x86 or ARM processor and GNU C Library (glibc) 2.28 or later.

For the 1Password browser extension, this includes:

• Chrome 103 or later on a compatible computer. 
• Firefox 68 or later on a compatible computer. 
• Edge 103 or later on a compatible computer. 
• Brave 1.41.99 or later on a compatible computer. 
• Safari 16 or later on macOS Big Sur 11 or later.

For the 1Password.com website, this includes:

• Chrome 97 or later on a compatible computer. 
• Firefox 102 or later on a compatible computer. 
• Edge 97 or later on a compatible computer. 
• Brave 1.34.81 or later on a compatible computer. 
• Safari 16 or later on macOS Big Sur 11 or later.

1Password 8 has an updated UI

1Password 8 includes various design updates to improve the user experience, reduce clutter, and increase productivity. These design updates include, but are not limited to:

• A new collapsible, fully customizable sidebar provides an unobstructed view of your most important tags and categories.
• A customizable home screen shows favorite or recently edited items.
• The ability to pin and unpin item windows keeps your windows of focus at the ready.
• A new lock screen allows users to reveal passwords and create account avatars.
• New back and forward buttons to simplify navigation within the platform.
• New category icons and colors to improve organization, with the option to add custom icons. 
• Privacy protection helps hide sensitive information and prevent shoulder-surfing.

Watchtower alerts are available in 1Password 8

1Password 8 provides users with a new Watchtower dashboard. The Watchtower dashboard gives users a holistic view of their security standing, including a security score and suggestions to enhance their security level. 

Users who leverage the Watchtower will also receive security alerts with action buttons to stop issues before they grow too big to handle. These may include alerts to change weak and re-used passwords, update passwords compromised in a data breach, enable two-factor authentication, and more. 

There is also an option to customize Watchtower warnings and ignore those that are irrelevant to you. This is a big hit with users who trigger frequent warnings for unavailable circumstances — like using a two-factor authentication that’s not run via 1Password or duplicate passwords that need to be the same for reasons beyond their control (ex., enterprise passwords). 

Is it worth upgrading from 1Password 7 to 1Password 8?

1Password was the top-ranked supplier in the identity and access management category on Vendr’s Buying Platform in 2023 and has been named the Top Purchased Password Manager in previous SaaS Trends Reports. Vendr data also shows that 1Password had the most “new purchases” of any product on Vendr’s platform (in any category) last year and had 3x the purchases of other top competitors in 2023 — beating out Auth0 and Jumpcloud.

It’s popular for good reason, and with a brand-new design, updated security features, a customizable home screen, and additional developer tools, 1Password 8 has many valuable user features that make it worth the upgrade. Plus, given that 1Password has said it will no longer push updates to 1Password 7 (beyond critical security upgrades), it’s best to transition to the fully supported version of the platform. 

If you're interested in comparing 1Password to popular alternatives, check out our guide on 1Password vs. LastPass.

How to upgrade to 1Password 8

When you decide to take the leap and upgrade from 1Password 7 to 8 or from a stand-alone vault you’re currently using, here are the steps you need to take:

If you’re already a 1Password member:

• Download and install 1Password 8.
• Once downloaded, if you’re upgrading from version 7, you’ll automatically be able to view your accounts when you first open the 1Password 8 app.
• If you’re upgrading from 1Password 6, click Sign In after you install and open the 1Password 8 app. Next, choose your 1Password account and enter your password.

If you’re moving from a stand-alone vault to 1Password 8:

• Migrate your data from your stand-alone account to 1Password.

If you're interested in migrating from a different password manager, check out our guide on how to migrate from LastPass to 1Password.

1Password FAQs

Is 1Password free?

1Password is not a free platform but does offer a 14-day free trial to help you determine if you’d like to commit to a paid subscription. 

Is 1Password 8 more secure than 1Password 7? 

With new security features like an instant two-factor authentication code scanner and AES 256-bit encryption, 1Password 8 provides more security capabilities than 1Password 7. 

Does it cost more to upgrade from 1Password 7 to 8? 

If you have an active membership with 1Password, the upgrade will not cost more than a regular membership.

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