Behind the Site

Bitwarden

bitwarden.com

Open source password manager and secrets management platform for individuals, teams and enterprises.

  • Cybersecurity
  • active
  • Founded 2015
  • Researched Sep 2026
Likely
Age11 yearsDomain registered 2015
Confirmed
Based inSanta Barbara, California
Likely
Employees201-500LinkedIn company size band (2026); PitchBook lists 257 total employees
Likely
Funding$100M raisedGrowth investment $100M · Earlier undisclosed round
Likely
PlatformsWeb, iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, Browser extension, API
Confirmed
FoundersKyle SpearrinFounder & Chief Innovation Officer

The story

Founded by developer Kyle Spearrin in 2015 as a hobby project responding to LastPass's acquisition by LogMeIn, Bitwarden grew into an open-source password manager used by millions, expanding into secrets management and passwordless/passkey tools for businesses. It took a $100 million growth investment from PSG and Battery Ventures in 2022, and in early 2026 underwent a leadership shakeup, installing a new CEO with a private-equity M&A background while Spearrin shifted from CTO to Chief Innovation Officer. It remains a private, Santa Barbara-based company serving individuals, teams, enterprises and developers.

Timeline

  1. Founded2015

    Kyle Spearrin starts Bitwarden

    Built as open-source alternative after LastPass's LogMeIn acquisition.

  2. Launch2016

    First public release

    Chrome extension, mobile app and web vault launched, built with Xamarin.

  3. Milestone2019

    New CEO and CFO join

    Michael Crandell (CEO) and Stephen Morrison (CFO) join company.

  4. FundingSep 2022

    $100M PSG-led investment

    Growth equity round led by PSG with Battery Ventures.

  5. New platformMay 2024

    Bitwarden Authenticator launches

    Standalone two-factor authenticator app released on iOS.

  6. MilestoneFeb 2026

    Leadership change

    Michael Sullivan becomes CEO; Spearrin moves to Chief Innovation Officer.

Founders

  • Kyle Spearrin

    Founder & Chief Innovation Officer

    Ex-software architect at iMobile3; started Bitwarden in 2015, was longtime CTO.

    linkedin.com

12 sourcesEvery fact above links back to these.
  1. About Us | Bitwardenbitwarden.com
  2. Bitwarden Announces $100 Million Growth Investment Led by PSGbusinesswire.com
  3. Remote Work Means More Demand For Privacy Tools, Bitwarden Is Answering The Calldot.la
  4. Bitwarden scrubs 'Always free' and 'Inclusion' values from its website as longtime execs step downfastcompany.com
  5. Q&A with Bitwarden Founder and CTO | Bitwardenbitwarden.com
  6. How Bitwarden's Founder Built an Open-Source Password Manager, and Why It Stays Freetwit.tv
  7. Bitwarden | LinkedInlinkedin.com
  8. Bitwarden 2026 Company Profile | PitchBookpitchbook.com
  9. Domain RDAP registration record (registrar: Cloudflare, Inc.), provided evidence
  10. Bitwarden Password Manager - App Storeapps.apple.com
  11. Bitwarden Authenticator - App Storeapps.apple.com
  12. Kyle Spearrin - Founder, Chief Innovation Officer at Bitwarden - LinkedInlinkedin.com
Suggest a correction