How To Change From LastPass To Bitwarden

By Jim Hillier / 02/22/2021 / 11 Comments / Freeware, How-To, Security

As reported in an earlier article from Terry Hollett — LastPass Changes Free Service — LastPass has changed the terms of service for its free password manager to exclude syncing across all devices, a feature which is now only available via LastPass premium accounts. This means that LastPass free on PC and LastPass free on mobile devices will be treated as two completely separate entities– passwords saved on PC will not be available across mobile devices and vice versa. Considering that the ability to sync passwords across all devices is one of the most important features for a password manager, and LastPass’s popularity, I think it’s fair to say that many users will be looking to change to a new free password manager.

Options here are quite limited but, fortunately, there is one excellent free and open-source password manager that fits the bill– Bitwarden. I’ve been using Bitwarden free for over 12 months and can highly recommend it: Best Free Password Manager. Migrating from LastPass to Bitwarden is a fairly simple process– here’s what you’ll need to do:

Export Data From LastPass

Left-click the LastPass icon in your browser and click Account Options

Select Advanced and then Export
Select LastPass CSV File
Type in your master password to verify

Save the CSV file to the local system
If you also need to transfer form data, select Export again and this time select Form Fills
Type in your master password again to verify
Save the CSV file to the local system

Import Data Into Bitwarden

Install the Bitwarden extension in your browser of choice: Bitwarden: Create Account
Open the Web Vault on the Bitwarden site and log in
In the menu across the top, select Tools
Under the Tools menu, select Import Data
Under Select the format of the import file, use the associated drop-down menu to select LastPass (CSV)
Click Choose File, then navigate to and select the exported LastPass CSV file
Click the blue Import Data button

NOTE: Please delete the exported CSV file(s) as soon as you are satisfied the import has been successful. The passwords/data contained therein are not protected/encrypted.

Password managers are a must these days– everyone should be using one. What password manager are you using?

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About The Author

Jim Hillier

Jim is the resident freeware aficionado at DCT. A computer veteran with 30+ years experience who first started writing about computers and tech back in the days when freeware was actually free. His first computer was a TRS-80 in the 1980s, he progressed through the Commodore series of computers before moving to PCs in the 1990s. Now retired (aka an old geezer), Jim retains his passion for all things tech and still enjoys building and repairing computers for a select clientele... as well as writing for DCT, of course.

11 thoughts on “How To Change From LastPass To Bitwarden”

NAN
02/26/2021 at 5:19 pm

Sooo, Jim…I’m dumping 1Passward…is the process the same? I (this tech dummy) didnt know I could even Export passwards (she smacks her head with left palm…then right, lol)..please advice 🙂

Thx..Nan in PDX
1. Jim Hillier
  02/26/2021 at 5:34 pm
  
  Hi NAN,
  
  Yep, the process is very similar. Here is a link to a guide from 1Password Support: How To Export Data From 1Password.
Ritergeek
02/26/2021 at 9:21 pm

Thanks for endorsing BitWarden as a reliable, safe replacement for LastPass. You saved me lots of detective mode time. This limited sharing is the point at which I switched to OneNote from Evernote.
1. Jim Hillier
  02/26/2021 at 10:28 pm
  
  You are most welcome RG.
Martin Hunt
02/27/2021 at 4:12 am

Thanks Jim.
Saved me a lot of trouble with this Lastpast latest , keep up the good work
1. Jim Hillier
  02/27/2021 at 6:02 am
  
  You are most welcome Martin, glad to be of help.
Otto
02/27/2021 at 8:09 am

Unfortunately my LastPass csv file was opened in LibreOffice and from there I cannot export to Bitwarden. Without uninstalling LibreOffice how can I proceed? Please advise – thank you.
1. Thomas Roth
  03/14/2021 at 12:32 pm
  
  I, too, encountered the ‘default to Libre Office conundrum’! I found it to be easily resolved by using the web/online version of Bitwarden to establish an account. This gives the opportunity to ‘point to a local computer ‘csv’ file and open it directly into the online Bitwarden. Once completed, sign-in for the local computer version is quite simple and effective! Give it a go, and happy computing!
Otto
02/27/2021 at 8:13 am

Added info – in LibreOffice I can only get the csv file only in .odt or .jpg format so that is why I cannot export to Bitwarden
Thomas Roth
03/13/2021 at 3:42 pm

Your suggestion to convert from LastPass to Bitwarden , and how to. was one of the best I’ve found in the last few years! Once I found out (via web search) that the conversion could/should be made via the online Bitwarden site all went swimmingly! It did take me a brief interval to learn HOW to use the program. but all is humming along perfectly, and I do believe quicker and easier than before!
Thank you ever so much!
1. Jim Hillier
  03/13/2021 at 6:36 pm
  
  Hi Thomas,
  
  You are most welcome. Thank you for posting your kind comment, appreciated.

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