These days, it's not uncommon to have dozens of online accounts, each requiring a different login and password. Keeping track of all your accounts and their various credentials can be a difficult mess, especially given vendors' requirements to adopt complicated passwords consisting of numbers and special characters in their effort to improve security measures.
Also:Stop using your 4-digit iPhone passcode in public. Do this instead
And while passwords, unfortunately, aren't quite a fool-proof way of keeping information secure, there's likely to be some time before online services all transition to passwordless options -- if they ever do.
However, keeping your sensitive information safe is more important than ever, and this is where a reliable password manager can be an effective solution to both security and password overload.
researched and tested the best password managers available considering security, storage, compatibility, and price.
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Our pick for best overall choice, 1Password , has a user-friendly interface and digital interface that makes storage simple. Read on to find out how other options stack up and best serve your password security needs.
1Password features: Securely store credentials Password generator Multi-platform compatibility Tag and folder organizer Two-factor authentication Watchtower feature to identify weak, reused, or compromised passwords Secure digital vault Trustpilot 4.7 rating Passwordless authentication on the way
1Password is the best password manager overall, with its user-friendly interface and excellent features. You can store your credentials for online accounts, credit card information, and best of all, you only need to remember one password.
This app helps you create unique passwords that it believes are less susceptible to hackers and stores them for you so you don't have to remember complex passwords for multiple accounts. With its auto-fill feature, 1Password can automatically fill in information like your username, password, or credit card number. You can also share your information with trusted family or friends if needed.
The app is accessible across all your favorite devices, making access easy and secure. 1Password is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Browser add-ons are also available for Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Firefox.
Review: 1Password
Other notable features are a secure digital vault for stashing sensitive documents and notes, along with a feature that alerts you to weak, compromised, or repeated passwords.
With the promise of passwordless authentication on the way, your passkey will be stored only on your devices and will not be shared.
The only downside is that 1Password does not offer a free plan, but the app does provide a free, 30-day trial without even requiring your credit card information. At the time of writing, the password manager costs$2.99 per month, billed annually, or$4.99 for a family pack. Business options are also available.
Overall, if you're looking for a reliable and easy-to-use password manager with great features and account protection tools, 1Password is a top choice.
View now at 1PasswordDashlane features:Secure password storage and management Digital wallet for online payments and receipts Form autofill Dark web monitoring VPN for safe and private browsing Password changer to quickly update weak passwords Emergency contact access Browser extension Trustpilot 4.6 rating Passwordless authentication on the way
Dashlane is the best password manager based on its extensive feature suite, including generous storage, VPN protection, and dark web monitoring.
In addition to storing passwords, the web-first Dashlane platform securely stores your payments and personal information for easy input when you're on the web or logging into an app. There are no limitations to the number of passwords you can store, and you can sync your data to all of your devices, ensuring you never go without access to your most important sites and apps.
Features include 2FA compatibility, secure password sharing, emergency contacts, a VPN for safe browsing, form autofill, a digital payment wallet, a password generator, and an alert system to notify users when their passwords have been compromised.
Dashlane has adopted Argon2 to generate Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit keys to encrypt and decrypt data.
And within the next few months, Dashlane is expected to introduce passwordless authentication, hopefully removing the need for a master password.
Right now, basic personal accounts are free, whereas an advanced subscription on an annual basis will cost you the equivalent of$2.75 per month, increasing to$4.99 per month for a family plan. Business accounts begin at$2 monthly, rising to$5 or$6 ($2 discount) per seat, depending on what features you need.
The plans can get pricey compared to other options, and there are limitations on the number of devices you can use with your account. Nonetheless, if you're looking for a password manager that offers advanced security features like VPN protection and dark web monitoring, Dashlane is an excellent choice.
View now at DashlaneNordPass features: Password generation and autofill Two-factor authentication Personal information and payment data storage Password sharing and emergency access Password breach scanner Cross-device syncing Biometrics Trustpilot rating: 4.4 Passwordless authentication on the way
NordPass is the best password manager for business, offering secure sharing, health reports, and multi-factor authentication. Created by the same team behind NordVPN and earning a Trustpilot rating of 4.4, NordPass provides advanced encryption for added peace of mind when storing passwords and sensitive data. With multi-platform syncing, you can access your encrypted vault from all your favorite devices, whether it's your computer or mobile device.
NordPass also includes a Data Breach Scanner, which ensures your information is safe and alerts customers if a stored password has been compromised in a third-party security incident. Contact information for colleagues and businesses can be stored in one place, allowing for quick and easy password sharing with the right people. Digital entry points can be assigned to different teams for credential sharing and payment information.
The service is already able to store passkeys, and passwordless authentication is in the works. Device authentication and biometrics will feature in these future solutions.
You can sign up for a free account or a personal plan starting at$1.49 per month during the summer sale. NordPass for business begins at$3.99 monthly or you can query the company for custom plans. You can also explore the platform with a free trial.
The free version is limited to a single device, and the paid plans can be on the pricier side compared to other options. But if you're looking for a password manager that offers advanced security features and is designed with business in mind, NordPass is an excellent choice.
View now at NordPassBitwarden features: Open-source password manager Free version with unlimited passwords Two-factor authentication Multi-platform support Auto-fill and auto-login functionality Emergency access for trusted individuals Trustpilot 4.2 rating Passwordless features
Bitwarden is the best free password manager because it's open source and equipped with a user-friendly interface, fast uploads, and smartphone compatibility. You can use as many devices as you want without limitations, ensuring you always have access to your most sensitive information.
Bitwarden allows you to store as many passwords as you want, with no restrictions on the number or type of passwords that can be stored. Additionally, the app will help you create secure passwords across all plans, and you can safely share them with strong encryption.
Drawbacks include some frustrations surrounding auto-filling issues and limited storage in comparison to other options on this list.
You can choose between a free, limited option, or premium accounts for less than$1 per month ($10 billed annually). Alternatively, you can sign up for a family pack -- allowing up to six users -- priced at$3.33 monthly ($40 per year). Business pricing begins at$3, per user, per month.
If you're looking for a reliable and free password manager, Bitwarden is an excellent choice with its advanced security features and compatibility with a wide range of devices.
View now at BitwardenKeeper Password Manager & Digital Vault features:Unlimited password storage Advanced security features including 2FA, biometrics Supports multiple devices and platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and web browsers Password generator Emergency contacts record sharing Encrypted vault for storing sensitive documents Trustpilot rating: 3.9 Passwordless features available
Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault is the best password manager for security, with its multi-platform syncing, multi-factor authentication, and available templates. Keeper takes security seriously, using leading encryption technology (AES 256-bit encryption and PBKDF2) to protect your sensitive data from ransomware and data breaches.
You can store as many passwords as you want in your personal vault, with easy access using biometrics, a record organizer, and automatic syncing. Keeper also allows you to import existing credentials or easily share your vault records with trusted friends while still keeping them safe from hackers. When it comes to 2FA, Keeper supports TOTP, SMS, Fingerprint (e.g. Touch ID), Face ID, and WebAuthn security keys. Additionally, the software is FIPS 140-2 validated.
If you are willing to use your email for self-verification, you can get a free trial without inputting your credit card information.
There is 24/7 customer support, and business users can take advantage of Keeper working out-of-the-box with platforms including Okta, Azure AD, Ping Identity, and Google Workspace. However, some features require a paid plan, beginning at$2.92 monthly for a personal account.
View now at KeeperThe best password manager of 2023 is 1Password, which offers an affordable, easy way to store your passwords and personal data in a reliable, accessible manner. To see how it stacks up against the competition, this is an overview of the best password managers.
Here is a chart comparing the price, key features, and platform availability of the best password managers: 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane, Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault, and NordPass.
Password manager | Price | Key features | Going passwordless? |
---|---|---|---|
1Password | $2.99+ per month | User-friendly interface, auto-fill feature, and account protection tools. | Yes |
Bitwarden | Free /$3.33+ per month | User-friendly interface, fast uploads, smartphone compatibility, and other advanced security features | Some features available |
Dashlane | Free /$2.75+ per month | Generous storage, VPN protection, dark web monitoring, and chrome integration | Yes |
Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault | $2.92 /$6.25 per month | Multi-platform syncing, multi-factor authentication, available templates, and top encryption technology | Some features available |
NordPass | Free /$1.49+ per user per month | Secure sharing, health reports, multi-factor authentication, and advanced encryption | Yes |
Note: Prices and features may vary based on the plan selected.
Here are suggestions to help you find the best password manager for your needs. We have attempted to cover the most frequent use cases for password managers, including price, features, level of security, and whether or not a password manager is best suited for home life or work.
Choose this best password manager... | If you want... |
1Password | A family-friendly password manager. 1Password has features that allow you to share passwords with family members and manage multiple accounts with ease. |
Bitwarden | A free password manager. Bitwarden is open-source and available for use on all platforms. |
Dashlane | Multi-faceted features. Dashlane includes features like a VPN and dark web monitoring. |
Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault | Keeper has features like secure file storage, making it an ideal choice for those who want to keep their data as safe as possible. |
NordPass | A password manager suitable for work. NordPass has features like secure sharing and centralized billing, making it a great choice for teams. |
In putting together this list of the best password managers, we looked at third-party reviews and opinions from security experts. We also have hands-on experience with these password management tools, because that's the only way to really get to know how usable a service like this actually is.
When it comes to selecting the best password manager, there are several crucial factors to consider. These are some of the key elements that determine the best options:
Password managers are digital tools that can help you keep track of all your passwords and other sensitive information in a safe and organized manner. Once you create an account with a password manager, you can add your login credentials, credit card details, and other personal data into the password vault. You can add this information all at once, or over time as you use different websites or apps.
The password manager will then store all your data in an encrypted format, making it virtually impossible for hackers to decipher it. Whenever you visit a site or use an app that requires login credentials, the password manager can automatically fill in your username and password for you. This feature can save you a lot of time and hassle, especially if you have many different accounts to manage.
Another feature of the best password managers is the ability to generate strong passwords. These passwords are typically long and random, making them more difficult to guess or crack. Password managers can create and store these complex passwords for you, making it much easier to keep your accounts secure.
Password managers can be an invaluable tool for anyone who wants to keep their online accounts safe and secure.
In today's digital age, almost everything we do requires a password, from social media to online banking, and it can be challenging to remember all the different passwords we create. The best way to manage these passwords is by using a password manager. Not only does it store your passwords in a central location, but it also provides strong encryption to keep your data safe from cybercriminals.
Using a password manager can also help prevent attacks and data breaches that can expose your information to the wrong eyes. Cybercriminals use various methods to gain access to your passwords, from phishing attacks to brute-force attacks. By using a password manager, you can create strong, unique passwords for each account that you have, reducing the risk of being hacked. Alternatively, some browsers will offer built-in password managers, such as Google Chrome.
Yes, password managers are safe as they use advanced encryption algorithms to protect your login credentials. When you use a password manager, your passwords are stored in an encrypted form, which means they can't be accessed by anyone without the correct password or passphrase.
However, it is important to choose a reputable password manager and use a strong, unique password or passphrase to protect your account. You should also remember there's no such thing as a 100% secure service, and on occasion, even the best password managers may have to patch and fix security vulnerabilities.
While no system is completely invulnerable to hacking, the best password managers use strong encryption algorithms and other security measures to protect your data. They also require a strong master password or passphrase to access your account. It is important to use a unique and complex master password and enable two-factor authentication to increase security further.
Yes, most password managers allow you to use your account on multiple devices, such as your computer, smartphone, or tablet. This means you can access your passwords and other login credentials from anywhere, at any time.
Passwords may, one day, become a thing of the past, although we have a long way to go. Passwordless authentication systems are linked most commonly to the FIDO Alliance, which promotes an open standard of passwordless authentication using passkeys. Passkeys are encrypted, safer than passwords, and use a key pair to authenticate at the time of a sign-in request: of which only you have the private key.
While we've aimed to showcase the best password managers in 2023, it isn't possible to highlight every worthy option on the market. In our search, we've also found other password managers that did not make the top list but are certainly worth exploring, as listed below.
LogMeOnce offers advanced security features like anti-theft protection and multi-factor authentication. It has a free option and plans up to$4.99 per month, with a 50% off discount for students.
View at LogMeOnceExpressVPN Keys is built into the popular VPN service ExpressVPN.
View at ExpressvpnKeePassXC is an open-source password manager that allows users to store passwords and other sensitive information locally.
View at KeepassXCNorton is a simple-to-use extension, mobile app, and vault. Remember to write down your vault password, though.
View at Norton