Dashlane Password Manager Review 2025: Is the Built-in VPN Worth It?

Dashlane is a popular password manager that aims to be an all-in-one solution for your online security needs. In addition to securely storing your login credentials, it offers extras like a VPN for online privacy, dark web monitoring to alert you of security breaches, and a digital legacy feature to pass on access after death.

As an industry veteran of over a decade, I wanted to take an in-depth look at Dashlane and especially put its built-in VPN powered by Hotspot Shield to the test. Is it a convenient and cost-effective way to get both a password manager and VPN in one? Or are you better off with separate, dedicated services for each?

Here are my findings after extensively testing Dashlane‘s apps and features:

Dashlane VPN Overview

The Dashlane VPN is a handy add-on included with the Premium and Family plans. It‘s powered by Hotspot Shield, a well-known VPN provider based in the US.

When you enable the VPN in Dashlane‘s apps, it will:

• Hide your real IP address and location from websites you visit
• Encrypt your internet traffic to block snooping by your ISP or hackers on public WiFi
• Let you access geo-blocked content by connecting to servers in 25+ countries

The VPN operates smoothly and provides speeds fast enough for everyday web browsing. Streaming and torrenting are technically supported but somewhat hit-or-miss compared to top standalone VPNs.

Dashlane VPN Pros and Cons

Compared to using a dedicated VPN service, Dashlane‘s built-in VPN has some advantages:

• Very easy to use – just toggle it on in the app or browser extension. No need to install and learn a separate app.
• Encrypted traffic shows as coming from Dashlane (not a known VPN provider) so it‘s less likely to be blocked by websites
• Likely cheaper overall than paying for a password manager and VPN separately

On the downside, Dashlane‘s VPN has some limitations:

• Server network is small with only 25+ countries. Standalone VPNs often have 50+ countries.
• No advanced features like split tunneling, multi-hop, or adblocking
• Hotspot Shield keeps logs of your real IP while connected. Others like ExpressVPN and NordVPN are no-log.
• Can‘t use it on devices that don‘t support Dashlane, like smart TVs and game consoles

So while the VPN will be sufficient for many users‘ needs, demanding users may prefer more advanced and private options. Let‘s look at pricing to help decide if it‘s worth choosing Dashlane to get VPN included.

Dashlane Pricing

Dashlane Premium, which includes VPN access, costs $6.49/month when billed annually. The Dashlane Family plan with VPN is $8.99/month for up to 6 users.

Hotspot Shield on its own costs $7.99/month, so you can potentially save quite a bit by getting it bundled with Dashlane if you also need a password manager. The savings are less clear compared to other VPNs that can be had for $2-3/month.

Note that Dashlane‘s free and Essentials plans do NOT include VPN access. You‘ll need to upgrade to Premium or Family to get it.

Privacy and Security

On the password manager side, Dashlane employs industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption and zero-knowledge architecture. Your data is encrypted locally before uploading to their servers. Not even Dashlane can access your passwords without your master password.

The VPN uses bank-grade AES-256 encryption and the speedy Hydra VPN protocol developed by Hotspot Shield. No IP or DNS leaks were detected in my tests.

One concern is the VPN operates under US jurisdiction (via Hotspot Shield). While Dashlane itself can‘t see your VPN browsing activity, it‘s unclear how Hotspot Shield handles the data passing through its servers. Their privacy policy states they don‘t log websites visited but do record your IP address while connected.

While this isn‘t unusual for a free VPN (which Hotspot Shield also offers), it‘s not as private as many paid standalone VPNs that keep no logs. If anonymity is critical for you, consider alternatives based in privacy-friendly countries like Panama or the British Virgin Islands.

Customer Support

Dashlane offers 24/7 email support and live chat during extended business hours. The support reps I interacted with were helpful and knowledgeable about both the password manager and VPN.

There‘s also an extensive knowledge base with clear guides covering all Dashlane‘s features. The apps are very user-friendly as well.

One minor downside is no phone support. Those who strongly prefer talking to a human will need to look elsewhere.

Bottom Line

Dashlane is an excellent password manager with a capable VPN as a bonus. The combo is convenient and can provide good value for users wanting an all-in-one security solution.

However, the VPN has some limitations in server network size, advanced features, and privacy. Users with more demanding VPN needs should consider separate, dedicated services that are more robust in those areas. Our top VPN picks include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark.

But for many users, Dashlane‘s VPN will more than suffice for adding a layer of online privacy on top of the secure password management. You can try Dashlane risk-free for 30 days to see if it‘s the right fit.