Where does bitwarden saves it’s vault? On the user’s computer/device or on the server? I’m trying to choose between Bitwarden vs. 1password. For me it appears Bitwarden is a bit slower than of 1password (when I login) both on chrome extension and iPhone app.
Bitwarden stores its encrypted vault using Azure Datacentres in the US. https://bitwarden.com/help/data-storage/. Personally I have not had any issues logging in or any lag (I am in Europe). However if you live in Asia or southern hemisphere results may vary. I have not used 1password (although it’s a fine alternative but not open source which is the primary reason I stick with Bitwarden). I would like to add that only the encrypted vault is stored on their servers this is for cross device sharing so one change on one devices can sync to another device. However the vault is only ever decrypted on device with your secure (hopefully length) master password.
If you are experiencing slow down have you increased the iteration count on the PBKDF2 Algorithm? Having said that even if you have any modern device should be able to handle that.
Hi @Sincerity9661 Thanks for your quick response. Yes I’m from South Asia so the server location might causing the delay. Is there any way I can store the vault locally like lastpass used to do?
2, cmd+shift+N opening up incognito window for me (on Mac using chrome)
Thanks,
Ash.
Edit: Nevermind, I found the solution to lock the extension here: chrome://extensions/shortcuts
Once you have logged in the vault is stored locally. All that is happening is the encrypted vault is transferred to your computer when logging in. This at most should only be 1mb (mine is 300kb based on my exported backups and I have 650 vault items). In chrome you should find your vault data in ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Local Extension Settings/nngceckbapebfimnlniiiahkandclblb. To get there open Finder and in the Menu bar go “Go>Go To Folder>Paste in above directory”. If you are still having application issues I’d contact Bitwarden support as there is most likely an issue that isn’t typical to the Bitwarden experience.
Locking (instead of logging out) will keep the encrypted vault stored locally, while still erasing the unencrypted version from local memory, for quick access without needing to type in your master password each time.
Logging out will remove the encrypted vault locally AND wipe it from memory until you log in again.
I have used LastPassword, Bitwarden and 1Password recently and have not noticed one logging in faster than the other.
Trying locking, instead, and let us know if that helps.