Too Complicated

I retired last summer. I still have plenty of reasons to continue using and supporting 1Password, but I think 1Password has moved pretty far in the direction of supporting the enterprise. At the same time, Apple has been improving its iCloud Keychain tools for passwords (now including 2FA support) such that iCloud Keychain and the built in Notes application for random info (including secure notes) will be able to replace 1Password for people who are students or post-career.

This is not meant to disparage 1Password at all. Dave and his company made a decision to go after enterprise, and that drives complexity. That's where the cash is. If they saw or see in the future a way to either create a 1Password Lite product for less, or install a button in 1Password that toggles features (even if price is the same), they may appeal more to folks like us.

If I pull out my crystal ball, I have to say that I think passwords will soon be going the way of the dodo. Already my most recent employer moved almost everyone to passwordless authentication, and I see many other places going the same way. It's true that those without a cellphone or equivalent equipment won't be served by this (and I deeply appreciate the economic justice arguments), but for a large swath of the population, in several years's time, passwords will be replaced by a biometric measurement (stored in a Secure Enclave so your fingerprint or whatever is not transmitted away from you) coupled with tokens tied to something you have.