Bitwarden

Why Bitwarden?

Unlike LastPass (data breaches in 2022) and other proprietary password managers, Bitwarden is 100% open source and independently audited. This means security researchers worldwide can verify there are no backdoors or vulnerabilities.

• Unlimited passwords — store as many credentials as you need for free
• Zero-knowledge encryption — Bitwarden never sees your master password or data
• Cross-platform sync — works on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and all browsers
• Self-hosting option — host your own Bitwarden server for complete control
• Open source — audited by security experts, no hidden vulnerabilities

For developers managing hundreds of API keys, database credentials, and SSH keys, Bitwarden provides enterprise-grade security without the enterprise price tag.

Key Features

Setup Guide for Developers

Step 1: Create Your Bitwarden Account

1. Go to vault.bitwarden.com
2. Enter your email and create a strong master password (12+ characters, mix of upper/lower/numbers/symbols)
3. Critical: Write down your master password and store it securely. Bitwarden cannot recover it if you forget.
4. Verify your email address
5. Your encrypted vault is now created — Bitwarden servers never see your master password

Step 2: Install Browser Extension

1. Visit the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons
2. Click "Add to Chrome" or "Add to Firefox"
3. The Bitwarden icon appears in your browser toolbar
4. Click the icon → Log in with your email and master password
5. Your vault syncs automatically from the cloud

Step 3: Import Existing Passwords

Migrate from Chrome, LastPass, 1Password, or any password manager:

1. Export passwords from your old manager (usually Settings → Export → CSV)
2. In Bitwarden web vault → Tools → Import Data
3. Select your old password manager from the dropdown
4. Upload the CSV file
5. Bitwarden imports and encrypts all credentials automatically
6. Important: Delete the CSV export file after import (it's unencrypted!)

Step 4: Enable Auto-Fill

Configure automatic login detection:

1. Click Bitwarden icon → Settings (gear icon)
2. Go to "Options" tab
3. Enable "Enable Auto-fill On Page Load" (detects login forms automatically)
4. Enable "Show auto-fill menu on form fields" (right-click to fill)
5. Set default URI match detection to "Base domain" (works for subdomains)

Step 5: Set Up CLI for Automation (Advanced)

Integrate Bitwarden into scripts and CI/CD pipelines:

1. Install Bitwarden CLI: npm install -g @bitwarden/cli
2. Login: bw login your-email@example.com
3. Unlock vault: bw unlock (returns session key)
4. Export session key: export BW_SESSION="your-session-key"
5. Retrieve passwords in scripts: bw get password "GitHub API"
6. Perfect for retrieving API keys in deployment scripts without hardcoding

Example CLI usage:

• bw list items --search "AWS" (search for AWS credentials)
• bw get item "production-db-password" (retrieve specific password)
• bw generate --length 32 --passphrase (generate secure password)

Bitwarden vs Competitors

Feature	Bitwarden	LastPass	1Password
Price	Free (Premium $10/year)	$36/year	$36/year
Unlimited Passwords	✅ Free tier	✅ Paid only	✅ Paid only
Cross-Platform Sync	✅ Unlimited devices (free)	⚠️ 1 device type (free)	❌ Paid only
Open Source	✅ Yes (audited)	❌ No	❌ No
Self-Hosting	✅ Yes (free)	❌ No	❌ No
2FA/TOTP Support	✅ $10/year	✅ Included	✅ Included
CLI Tool	✅ Yes (free)	❌ No	✅ Yes ($36/year)
Data Breaches	✅ None	❌ 2022 breach	✅ None

Verdict: Bitwarden is the best value for developers — free unlimited passwords, open source security, self-hosting option, and powerful CLI tools that competitors charge $36/year for.

Use Cases for Developers

1. API Key Management

Store hundreds of API keys securely in one place:

• Create a "Secure Note" item for each service (AWS, Stripe, SendGrid, etc.)
• Add custom fields for multiple keys (test vs production)
• Use tags to organize by project or environment
• Retrieve via CLI in deployment scripts: bw get item "stripe-api-key"

2. SSH Key Storage

Store private SSH keys and passphrases securely:

• Create secure note with private key content
• Store passphrase in password field
• Add server IP, username, and port as custom fields
• Copy-paste keys when needed (never leave unencrypted on disk)

3. Team Password Sharing

Share credentials with team members securely (Organizations feature):

• Create Bitwarden Organization ($3/user/month, free for 2 users)
• Share staging/production database passwords
• Share admin accounts for internal tools
• Revoke access instantly when team members leave
• Audit logs show who accessed what and when

4. Self-Hosted Vault

For maximum security, host Bitwarden on your own server:

• Deploy using Docker: docker pull bitwarden/self-host:latest
• Run on internal network (no internet exposure)
• Complete control over encryption keys and backups
• Perfect for companies with strict compliance requirements

Security Best Practices

Master Password Guidelines

Your master password is the key to everything — make it unbreakable:

• Minimum 12 characters (16+ is better)
• Use a passphrase (e.g., "correct-horse-battery-staple-mountain-7")
• Never reuse your master password anywhere else
• Write it down and store in a physical safe (yes, really!)
• Enable 2FA on your Bitwarden account (Settings → Two-Step Login)

Regular Security Audits

Bitwarden includes tools to identify weak passwords:

• Go to Tools → Vault Health Report
• Review "Weak Passwords" (less than 12 characters)
• Check "Reused Passwords" (same password on multiple sites)
• Monitor "Exposed Passwords" (appeared in data breaches)
• Update weak credentials using the built-in password generator

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bitwarden really free?

Yes, Bitwarden's free tier includes unlimited passwords, unlimited devices, and cross-platform sync. The Premium plan ($10/year) adds 2FA/TOTP support, 1GB encrypted file storage, and priority support.

What if I forget my master password?

Bitwarden cannot recover your master password due to zero-knowledge encryption. You'll need to create a new account and re-import passwords. This is why writing down your master password is critical.

Is Bitwarden safe from hackers?

Yes. Bitwarden uses AES-256 encryption (unbreakable with current technology) and PBKDF2-SHA256 for key derivation. Even if Bitwarden's servers were hacked, attackers would only get encrypted blobs they can't decrypt.

Can Bitwarden employees see my passwords?

No. Bitwarden uses zero-knowledge encryption — your data is encrypted locally before syncing. Bitwarden servers only store encrypted data they cannot decrypt.

Should I use the browser extension or desktop app?

Use both! The browser extension is convenient for web logins. The desktop app is better for managing SSH keys, API tokens, and secure notes. They sync automatically.

How does self-hosting work?

Bitwarden provides official Docker images for self-hosting. You can run the entire stack (web vault, API, database) on your own server. Free for personal use, requires license for organizations.

Related Extensions

Enhance your security toolkit with these complementary extensions:

• uBlock Origin — Block malicious ads and phishing sites
• HTTPS Everywhere — Force encrypted connections
• Privacy Badger — Block trackers that could monitor your logins

Get Started Today

Install Bitwarden now and secure all your passwords with military-grade encryption. Join 5 million users who trust open-source security over proprietary black boxes.