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Bitwarden Blog

Giving a password manager gift with PayPal

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authored by:Gary Orenstein
updated :

During the season of giving, people often ask about gifting Bitwarden Password Manager to friends and loved ones. Giving a password manager gift is a way to show love and care, making it a thoughtful and meaningful present. One easy way to do this is via PayPal.

Of course, one of the most valuable gifts individuals can give is their time and attention to others who might need help organizing their digital lives. This can be achieved by giving the easiest gift of all: a recommendation to use Bitwarden Password Manager, with the basic free plan for individuals. The Bitwarden free plan offers unlimited passwords and is accessible cross-platform across unlimited devices. It enables users to create, manage, and store strong passwords, empowering them to take control of their digital security.

Those who feel more generous could also share a PayPal contribution towards a premium account for individuals at just $10 for one year. Premium accounts offer the built-in Bitwarden Authenticator, encrypted file attachments, vault health reports, and priority support.

For a gift that truly extends its reach, consider a Bitwarden Family Organization for up to 6 people. At just $40/year, the Bitwarden Family Organization is the perfect gift for families who want to stay secure together. It provides sharing among up to 6 people and includes premium features and unlimited passwords for each person’s individual vault. Managing passwords can be hard, but no matter what plan you choose, a password manager makes it much easier.

There are two main steps to gift Bitwarden with PayPal:

  1. Send the recipient payment via PayPal.

  2. Direct the recipient to sign up for the suggested account at bitwarden.com.

Please note that these are two independent steps. Completion of step 2 is dependent on the recipient.

Directions to gift the Bitwarden password manager with PayPal

Pick an amount and share it with PayPal

The first step is to gift the recipient the right amount of money via PayPal — for example, $10 for a premium account for one year, or $50 for a premium account for five years. Similarly, $40 for a Family Organization for one year, or $200 for five years. The recipient can use the funds to purchase the subscription directly.

Some states in the U.S. charge sales tax on software, so individuals may want to add 10% on top of the gift to ensure the recipient has enough to cover all expenses associated with the password manager.

PayPal may also add transaction fees, so please consider that when calculating the recipient's cost.

Be sure to check the Bitwarden website for the latest pricing and feature information.

Direct the recipient to sign up for Bitwarden Password Manager

In conjunction with sending money via PayPal, the gift giver can suggest the recipient sign up for a new Bitwarden account. After signing up, the recipient will need to set up their account and device(s) to manage their passwords securely. There is no need to worry, as the process is straightforward and the instructions are designed for any person, regardless of technical skill. The most important advice to give to a new Bitwarden user is to pick a strong master password, and perhaps write it down and store it in a safe place so they can avoid getting locked out of the password manager.

Follow steps for paying with PayPal

Here are the steps to complete a Bitwarden signup with PayPal if signing up for premium account features for an individual user. This process lets the person complete the purchase securely.

Select Go Premium to subscribe to a premium account for $10/year.

Premium features include support for encrypted files, enhancing secure storage and management of sensitive information.

Choose PayPal as a payment option.
Complete your Premium Membership.

If signing up for a Family Organization

Choose a Family Organization.

Following this step, a similar process to pay via PayPal appears.

Recurring billing

Both the premium account for individuals and the Family Organization operate with annual recurring billing, so users maintain access to the features and sharing capabilities.

When payment is configured for Bitwarden with PayPal, it will recur annually unless changed. Therefore, Bitwarden recommends that the gift giver be explicit with the recipient that billing will happen again in one year if the subscription is not cancelled.

In case the subscription is not needed or has already been purchased, the recipient can request a refund. The recipient can also cancel any subscription at any time; the subscription will remain active through the current billing cycle, but will not renew.

Why give a password manager as a gift?

With so much of people’s lives connected to the internet — email accounts, social media, banking, and more — helping loved ones protect their sensitive information is a thoughtful and practical way to show care.

A password manager brings peace of mind in an age where cyber threats are everywhere. Instead of worrying about forgetting passwords or falling victim to hackers, users can generate and store unique and strong passwords for all their accounts, making it much harder for anyone to gain unauthorized access.

One of the greatest advantages of a password manager is its ability to store unlimited passwords and work seamlessly across unlimited devices. Whether recipients use computers, smartphones, or tablets, they’ll have secure access to their important information wherever they go. This convenience means no more writing passwords in notebooks or reusing weak passwords across multiple sites.

Giving a password manager means giving the gift of control and security. Users can safely store passwords, credit card details, and other sensitive data, all in one secure place. This helps them avoid the stress of forgetting login details or dealing with the aftermath of a hacked account.

A password manager is also a gift that lasts. As recipients continue to use the internet and sign up for new services, their password manager will be there to keep their data safe, giving them ongoing protection and peace of mind for years to come.

Sharing safety and security during the holiday season and throughout the year

Sharing one’s time and attention with friends and family remains the most important approach to promoting better security. Privacy is also crucial, and Bitwarden helps protect it by keeping sensitive data safe from unauthorized access. The Bitwarden Free Account empowers everyone with basic password management for free. Bitwarden provides robust security measures, such as end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication, to help with securing online accounts. Using advanced tech, Bitwarden protects users from hackers who try to crack passwords and compromise accounts.

Happy holidays and cheers to a safe and secure new year!

Get started with Bitwarden today.