How to Migrate from LastPass to Bitwarden: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

If you're reading this, you're probably done with LastPass. The 2022 breach that exfiltrated encrypted vaults, the crippled free plan (mobile OR computer, not both), price hikes, and repeated security incidents have pushed thousands of users to look for something better.

Bitwarden is the most popular destination for good reasons. It's open source, independently audited, and its core features are free — no device-type restrictions, no hidden limits. The paid plan (Premium) costs $10/year, which is less than $1/month. Compare that to LastPass's $3/mo Premium or 1Password's $2.99/mo, and you see the value.

This guide covers everything: what to back up, the actual migration steps, gotchas to avoid, and what to do after you've moved. We'll also link to a full LastPass vs Bitwarden comparison and the best LastPass alternatives if you want to explore other options.

Before You Start: What to Back Up

Migration is straightforward, but you should prepare:

1. Export your LastPass vault — This is the only way to get your data out. Do it while you still have access.
2. Check for items that won't transfer — Form fills, secure notes with attachments, and some custom fields may not map perfectly. We'll cover this later.
3. Have your master password ready — You'll need it to decrypt the export file.

Important: LastPass exports are in CSV format. CSV is plain text. Once exported, delete the file securely after import. Never store it unencrypted.

Step 1: Export Your LastPass Vault

1. Log in to your LastPass vault (web extension or vault.bitwarden.com).
2. Go to Advanced Options > Export.
3. Enter your master password when prompted.
4. Click Export. A CSV file will download.

Note: If you have a LastPass Free account, you might need to use the desktop app to export. The web export option is sometimes hidden.

Step 2: Import into Bitwarden

1. Go to vault.bitwarden.com and create a free account. Use a strong master password — Bitwarden doesn't know it, can't reset it.
2. Once logged in, click Tools (left sidebar) > Import Data.
3. Under Format, select LastPass (CSV).
4. Choose your exported CSV file.
5. Click Import Data.

That's it. Your logins, notes, and credit cards should appear in your vault. Bitwarden will warn you if any items couldn't be imported.

Step 3: Verify and Clean Up

After import, check:

• All logins present — Browse through folders (Bitwarden calls them Collections).
• Folders created — LastPass folders become Bitwarden collections. If you had nested folders, they might flatten.
• Secure notes — These import as notes. Attachments (files) in secure notes do not transfer via CSV. You'll need to manually reattach them.
• Form fills — LastPass form fill profiles don't export. You'll need to recreate them in Bitwarden's Identity templates.

Common Gotchas

• Duplicate items — If you run the import twice, you'll get duplicates. Bitwarden doesn't auto-dedupe. Delete the extras manually.
• Special characters in URLs — Some URLs with & or ? may cause parsing issues. Check a few random entries.
• TOTP tokens — If you used LastPass Authenticator (TOTP), those seeds don't export. You'll need to re-enable 2FA on each site and scan new QR codes into Bitwarden Authenticator (Premium feature, $10/year).
• Credit card expiry dates — LastPass exports dates in MM/YYYY format. Bitwarden expects MM/YYYY too, but check a few cards to be safe.

Post-Migration Checklist

Once everything looks good:

1. Change your master password on Bitwarden — just a good habit.
2. Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Bitwarden account. Use an authenticator app (Authy, Google Authenticator) or a hardware key. This is critical.
3. Install Bitwarden browser extensions on all your devices. Log in and sync.
4. Test logins — Pick 5-10 random sites and log in via Bitwarden's autofill. Fix any that fail.
5. Delete the exported CSV — Securely delete it (use file shredder or at least empty trash).
6. Cancel your LastPass subscription — If you're on Premium, log into LastPass and cancel. You can keep the free account for a while, but don't rely on it.
7. Uninstall LastPass browser extensions — Remove them to avoid confusion.

Why Bitwarden Over Other Alternatives?

Bitwarden isn't the only option. 1Password ($2.99/mo) has a polished UX; Dashlane ($4/mo) bundles VPN and dark web monitoring; Proton Pass is free and privacy-focused. But Bitwarden's open-source code, low price (free for most), and full-featured free tier make it the best value. Check the full LastPass alternatives list to compare.

FAQ

Q: Will Bitwarden import my LastPass folder structure? A: Yes, folders become collections. Nested folders may flatten into a single level.

Q: Can I import my LastPass shared folders (Family or Enterprise)? A: Shared folders export as regular items. You'll need to recreate sharing in Bitwarden's Organization setup.

Q: What about my LastPass emergency access? A: Bitwarden has an Emergency Access feature (Premium). You'll need to set it up manually.

Q: Is Bitwarden safe after LastPass's breaches? A: Bitwarden has a clean security record, is open source, and undergoes regular third-party audits. No system is perfect, but they've been transparent.

Q: How long does the migration take? A: The export and import take 15 minutes. Verification and cleanup can take an hour depending on vault size.

Q: Can I keep LastPass installed while testing Bitwarden? A: Yes, they can coexist. Just be careful not to mix up autofill. Uninstall LastPass when you're confident.

Moving from LastPass to Bitwarden is one of the smartest steps you can take for your digital security. The process is simple, the cost is right (free!), and you'll sleep better knowing your vault is in open-source hands. If you hit any snags, Bitwarden's community forums are active and helpful.