Dashlane

What is Dashlane?

Dashlane is a premium password manager and digital identity protection service designed to simplify and secure your online life. Founded in 2012 by Bernard Liautaud, Emmanuel Schalit, and Guillaume Maron in Paris, France, Dashlane has grown to protect over 15 million users and 20,000 businesses worldwide with its comprehensive approach to password security and identity protection.

What distinguishes Dashlane is its all-in-one approach to digital security. Beyond password management, the platform includes a built-in VPN, dark web monitoring, automatic password changing, and identity theft protection features that create a complete security ecosystem. Dashlane’s patented security architecture ensures that even Dashlane itself cannot access your encrypted data.

The service is particularly popular in enterprise environments due to its robust admin controls, seamless SSO integration, and comprehensive security policies. Dashlane’s consumer products offer an unusually polished user experience, making complex security features accessible to non-technical users while satisfying the needs of security professionals.

Key Features

• Password Management: Securely store unlimited passwords with military-grade AES-256 encryption and zero-knowledge architecture.
• Auto-Fill: Automatically fill passwords, addresses, and payment information across all devices and browsers.
• Password Generator: Create strong, unique passwords for every account with customizable complexity settings.
• Password Health: Analyze password strength across all accounts with actionable recommendations for improvement.
• Dark Web Monitoring: Continuous scanning of the dark web for leaked credentials associated with your email addresses.
• VPN Protection: Unlimited VPN included with premium plans for secure browsing on public networks.
• Secure Sharing: Safely share passwords and notes with family members or colleagues without exposing the actual credentials.
• Two-Factor Authentication: Built-in 2FA authenticator plus support for hardware keys like YubiKey.
• Passkey Support: Full support for passwordless authentication using modern passkey standards.
• Emergency Access: Designate trusted contacts who can access your vault in case of emergency.

Latest Updates

Dashlane continues to enhance its platform with modern security features and improved usability.

• Passkey Integration: Full support for passkeys as a passwordless authentication method across supported websites.
• Confidential SSO: Enhanced single sign-on that keeps credentials encrypted even from IT administrators.
• Improved Auto-Fill: More reliable and faster auto-fill across browsers and applications.
• Enhanced Admin Console: Better business management tools with improved policy controls and reporting.
• Passwordless Login: Log into Dashlane itself without a master password using biometrics and security keys.
• Phishing Alerts: Real-time warnings when entering credentials on suspected phishing websites.
• Credential Monitoring: Expanded monitoring for compromised credentials across more data breach sources.
• Family Dashboard: Improved family plan management with better oversight and sharing controls.

System Requirements

Browser Extensions

• Chrome (version 70+)
• Firefox (version 60+)
• Safari (version 14+)
• Edge (version 80+)
• Brave, Opera, Vivaldi (Chromium-based)

Desktop Applications

• Windows 10 or later
• macOS 10.14 or later
• Storage: 100 MB available

Mobile

• iOS 15.0 or later
• Android 8.0 or later
• Storage: 100 MB available

How to Install Dashlane

Browser Installation

1. Visit dashlane.com and create an account
2. Download the browser extension for your browser
3. Click the extension icon and sign in
4. Create your master password (the only password you’ll need to remember)
5. Import existing passwords from browser or CSV
6. Enable auto-fill and start browsing securely

Mobile Setup

1. Download Dashlane from App Store or Google Play
2. Sign in with your account credentials
3. Set up biometric authentication (Face ID/fingerprint)
4. Enable auto-fill in system settings
5. Configure dark web monitoring notifications
6. Sync will automatically pull in all saved passwords

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Complete Security Suite: VPN, dark web monitoring, and password management in one integrated package.
• Excellent User Experience: Polished, intuitive interface makes security accessible to everyone.
• Strong Auto-Fill: Reliable auto-fill works consistently across browsers and mobile apps.
• Zero-Knowledge Security: Dashlane cannot access your data, even if compelled by authorities.
• Passkey Support: Leading support for modern passwordless authentication standards.
• Business Features: Robust enterprise tools including SSO, provisioning, and policy management.
• Password Changer: Can automatically change passwords on supported websites without manual effort.

Cons

• Higher Price: Premium pricing is higher than many competitors, especially for individuals.
• No Desktop Apps: Moved to browser-only model, removing standalone desktop applications.
• Limited Free Tier: Free plan now limited to a single device with 25 passwords.
• VPN Basic: Included VPN is functional but not as feature-rich as dedicated VPN services.
• Import Limitations: Some password imports may require manual cleanup and organization.

Dashlane vs Alternatives

Who Should Use Dashlane?

Dashlane is ideal for:

• Security-Conscious Users: Those wanting comprehensive protection including VPN and dark web monitoring.
• Non-Technical Users: People who want powerful security without complexity or steep learning curves.
• Business Users: Organizations needing enterprise-grade security with admin controls and SSO integration.
• Password Strugglers: Users with many weak or reused passwords who need guided improvement.
• Travel Frequenters: People who use public WiFi and benefit from the included VPN protection.
• Families: Households wanting to share passwords securely while maintaining individual accounts.

Dashlane may not be ideal for:

• Budget Users: Those seeking free or low-cost solutions should consider Bitwarden.
• Open Source Advocates: Users wanting auditable open-source code should look at Bitwarden.
• Desktop App Fans: Those preferring standalone desktop applications over browser extensions.
• VPN Enthusiasts: Users needing advanced VPN features should use a dedicated VPN service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dashlane safe?

Yes, Dashlane uses AES-256 encryption and a zero-knowledge architecture, meaning your data is encrypted locally before transmission and Dashlane cannot access your vault. The service has never experienced a data breach exposing user passwords and undergoes regular third-party security audits.

Can Dashlane see my passwords?

No, Dashlane uses zero-knowledge encryption. Your vault is encrypted with your master password locally on your device, and Dashlane never has access to your master password or decrypted data. Even if Dashlane’s servers were compromised, attackers would only get encrypted data they cannot decrypt.

What happened to the Dashlane desktop app?

Dashlane discontinued standalone desktop applications in favor of browser extensions and mobile apps. The company made this change to provide more consistent updates and features across platforms. Existing desktop app users were transitioned to the web-based experience.

Is Dashlane worth the price?

Dashlane’s value depends on your needs. If you’ll use the VPN and dark web monitoring, the premium price includes features that would cost more separately. For password management only, competitors offer similar features at lower prices. The polished experience justifies the cost for many users.

How does Dashlane’s VPN compare to standalone VPNs?

Dashlane’s VPN (powered by Hotspot Shield) provides basic protection suitable for securing public WiFi connections. It lacks advanced features like server selection, split tunneling, or streaming optimization found in dedicated VPNs. For serious VPN use, a standalone service is recommended.

Final Verdict

Dashlane delivers a polished, comprehensive approach to password management that goes beyond basic credential storage. The inclusion of VPN, dark web monitoring, and automatic password changing creates a complete security ecosystem that justifies its premium positioning for users who will leverage these features.

The user experience is exceptional. Non-technical users will appreciate how Dashlane makes complex security accessible, while power users benefit from advanced features like passkeys and enterprise SSO. The transition away from desktop apps may disappoint some, but the browser-based experience is seamless.

While Dashlane’s pricing is higher than alternatives like Bitwarden, the all-in-one approach provides genuine value for users who would otherwise pay for separate password manager, VPN, and monitoring services. For those seeking a premium, polished password manager with comprehensive security features, Dashlane earns a strong recommendation.