Self-Hosted Alternatives to Dashlane
Why Replace Dashlane?
Dashlane Premium costs $59.88/year ($4.99/month). The Friends & Family plan is $89.88/year. Over five years, that’s $300–$450 for a password manager.
Dashlane dropped its desktop apps in 2022, moving entirely to a browser-based experience. If you relied on the desktop app, you already lost a feature you were paying for. The free tier was eliminated entirely in 2023 — there’s no way to use Dashlane without paying.
Self-hosting eliminates these concerns:
- No subscription. Run it on hardware you own for zero recurring cost.
- No feature removals. You control the software and its updates.
- No vendor lock-in. Export your data anytime in standard formats.
- Full privacy. Your passwords never touch Dashlane’s servers.
- Unlimited everything. No device limits, no storage limits, no user limits.
Best Alternatives
Vaultwarden — Best Overall Replacement
Vaultwarden is the top recommendation. It runs the full Bitwarden API, which means polished browser extensions, desktop apps, and mobile apps with auto-fill. Unlike Dashlane, Vaultwarden still has proper desktop applications.
Vaultwarden matches or exceeds Dashlane’s core features: password storage, auto-fill, TOTP 2FA, password sharing via organizations, file attachments, passkeys, and emergency access.
What Dashlane has that Vaultwarden doesn’t: Dark web monitoring, built-in VPN (Premium), and password health dashboard (Vaultwarden has vault health reports instead).
Read our full guide: How to Self-Host Vaultwarden
Passbolt — Best for Teams
Passbolt focuses on team credential sharing with OpenPGP end-to-end encryption. If you used Dashlane Business for shared team credentials, Passbolt’s granular permissions and audit logs make it a strong replacement.
Best for: Teams migrating from Dashlane Business who need shared credential management.
Read our full guide: How to Self-Host Passbolt
KeeWeb — Best File-Based Option
KeeWeb is a web-based KeePass client. Your vault is a single encrypted .kdbx file — no database, no server process. Store it on your server and access it via a web browser, or sync it with Nextcloud/Syncthing and use KeePassXC or Strongbox on any device.
Best for: Users who want maximum simplicity and portability with a file-based vault.
Read our full guide: How to Self-Host KeeWeb
Migration Guide
Exporting from Dashlane
- Log in to Dashlane in your browser
- Navigate to Settings → Export Data
- Choose CSV or DASH format (CSV for maximum compatibility)
- Enter your master password to confirm
- Save the file securely
Importing into Vaultwarden
- Log in to your Vaultwarden web vault
- Go to Tools → Import Data
- Select Dashlane (csv) as the import format
- Upload the CSV
- Review imported items — passwords, secure notes, and payment cards are transferred
After Migration
- Delete the CSV export immediately — it contains all your passwords in plain text
- Verify critical entries — check banking, email, and 2FA-protected accounts
- Install the Bitwarden browser extension and configure it to point to your Vaultwarden server
- Set up mobile apps — install the Bitwarden app on iOS/Android, configure the server URL
- Uninstall Dashlane — remove the extension and cancel the subscription
Cost Comparison
| Dashlane Premium | Dashlane Friends & Family | Vaultwarden (Self-Hosted) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $4.99/month | $7.49/month | $0 |
| Annual cost | $59.88/year | $89.88/year | $0 |
| 3-year cost | $179.64 | $269.64 | $0 |
| 5-year cost | $299.40 | $449.40 | $0 |
| Users | 1 | 10 | Unlimited |
| Devices | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| VPN included | Yes | Yes | No (use Tailscale/WireGuard) |
| Dark web monitoring | Yes | Yes | No (use HIBP) |
| Data location | Dashlane servers | Dashlane servers | Your server |
What You Give Up
- Dark web monitoring. Dashlane scans breach databases for your email addresses. Use Have I Been Pwned and its free notification service instead.
- Built-in VPN. Dashlane Premium includes a VPN. Self-host Tailscale or WireGuard for remote access instead.
- Effortless setup. Dashlane’s onboarding is polished. Self-hosting requires Docker, a reverse proxy, and SSL certificates.
- Automatic updates. Dashlane updates itself. Self-hosted requires pulling new Docker images periodically.
FAQ
Is Vaultwarden as secure as Dashlane?
Both use strong encryption (AES-256). Vaultwarden encrypts your vault client-side before it reaches the server, same as Dashlane. The key difference is operational: Dashlane has a professional security team, while self-hosting puts security responsibility on you. Keep your server updated and follow our security basics guide.
Will I lose my password history?
Dashlane’s CSV export includes current passwords but not password history. If you need historical entries, export before migrating and store the CSV in an encrypted archive.
Can I access my passwords on my phone?
Yes. Vaultwarden works with the official Bitwarden mobile apps on iOS and Android, including auto-fill in apps and browsers.
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