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Browser extension vs App
I'm using 1P primarily on Windows 11. What are the essential differences between the app and the browser extension (I usually use Chrome)? Do I really need to have both active? What functionality wil...
Hi jjgfromnj! That's a great question.
Personally, I primarily use 1Password for Windows for item and vault management, and the extension for filling and saving. I also use 1Password.com for account management (billing, adding family members etc.).
Strictly speaking you don't need both the 1Password desktop app, and the 1Password browser extension, but I prefer the experience with both. If you were going to pick only one, I would recommend the 1Password extension so you can easily fill and save credentials while you browse. 1Password for Windows does have the Quick Access feature to pull up any credentials you might need, but it's not quite as seamless as filling with the browser extension.
One of the advantages of using 1Password for Windows in addition to the extension is that they can share a lock state. That means unlocking the desktop app will unlock the extension and vice versa. If you close your browser while the app is open and unlocked, you can hop back into your browser without having to unlock the extension again. If you're interested in using Windows Hello to unlock 1Password on your PC, 1Password for Windows will also facilitate this.
Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks again!
1P_Timothy
Community Manager
Community ManagerHi jjgfromnj! That's a great question.
Personally, I primarily use 1Password for Windows for item and vault management, and the extension for filling and saving. I also use 1Password.com for account management (billing, adding family members etc.).
Strictly speaking you don't need both the 1Password desktop app, and the 1Password browser extension, but I prefer the experience with both. If you were going to pick only one, I would recommend the 1Password extension so you can easily fill and save credentials while you browse. 1Password for Windows does have the Quick Access feature to pull up any credentials you might need, but it's not quite as seamless as filling with the browser extension.
One of the advantages of using 1Password for Windows in addition to the extension is that they can share a lock state. That means unlocking the desktop app will unlock the extension and vice versa. If you close your browser while the app is open and unlocked, you can hop back into your browser without having to unlock the extension again. If you're interested in using Windows Hello to unlock 1Password on your PC, 1Password for Windows will also facilitate this.
Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks again!
Thank you, this is helpful. Is there a way to get the browser extension to use Windows Hello for login? Also, is there a way the browser extension can stay logged in even if the browser is closed, for a certain amount of time?
That's the real benefit of the desktop app. They integrate, so once you sign in on the desktop app, the browser extension is automatically logged in too. You can open and close the browser, use multiple browsers, and everything stays logged in and connected. And you can use Windows Hello with the desktop app.
