The Best Password Manager for All Your Devices

We've taken a closer look at the top password managers available on the market and narrowed it down to the most secure and most reputable.
Best features
Dashlane
Dashlane
  • pro
    Password generator
  • pro
    Free version
  • pro
    VPN Wi-Fi protection
Best easy-to-use
NordPass
  • pro
    Pass key authentication
  • pro
    Personal or business accounts
  • pro
    Data Breach Scanner
Best free version
LastPass
LastPass
  • pro
    Password generator
  • pro
    Free version
  • con
    No VPN Wi-Fi protection
Best security
1password logo
1Password
  • pro
    Password generator
  • con
    14-day free trial only
  • con
    No VPN Wi-Fi protection
Best customer support
Keeper
  • pro
    Password generator
  • con
    14-day free trial only
  • pro
    VPN Wi-Fi protection

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review. We may earn money when you buy through our links.

Between bank accounts, your favorite online stores, remote schooling, working from home, and social media, it’s hard to remember all your passwords. We took a closer look at password manager software like Dashlane that protect your data and the accounts they work with.

Dashlane has a price point and features for everyone. There’s something for individuals, families, businesses, and even a free subscription that gets you all the basics.

The program works with major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari as well as mobile platforms like iOS and Android. And with over 10 years in business and no data breach, it’s no wonder Dashlane boasts service for over 18,000 companies and 14 million users.

icon of the safewise owl icon with a banner saying deals
Nord Pass Winter Sale

🔥 Nord Pass is currently offering deals on 2-year plans and business plans:

  • Family plan — 58% off ($2.49/month).
  • Premium plan — 56% off ($1.20/month).
  • Teams plan — 25% off ($1.79$ per user/month).
  • Business & Enterprise plans — get 3 extra months with 1 and 2 year plans and 6 extra months for Enterprise plan!

Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.



Compare the best password managers

Brand
Max Annual Fee
Encryption
Form Autofill
Browser support
Learn More
AES-256
bulletYes
Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera, Brave
AES-256
bulletYes
Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari
AES-256
bulletNo
Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Brave
XChaCha20
bulletYes
Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Edge, Chrome, Opera, Safari
PBKDF2 with HMAC-SHA256
bulletYes
Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer
AES-256 with PBKDF2 SHA256
bulletYes
Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

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bullet
Did You Know?

According to a survey by Digital Guardian, more than 50% of the general population reuses passwords, with the worst offenders being those ages 18–24, and 64% of passwords are rated as "weak."

Best password manager reviews

1. Dashlane: Best features

Best features
Dashlane
Dashlane
Starting from
$0
/mo

Dashlane is easy to use and intuitive, but the additional features make it pricier than more basic password managers.

Here are some of our favorite Dashlane perks:

  • If you're switching to Dashlane from another password manager, Dashlane can import your passwords for a seamless switch.
  • Dashlane knows when you're shopping online and can automatically save your receipts.
  • Dashlane's user interface is well organized and intuitive. When you enter a credit card number for safekeeping, the site uses an icon that looks like the actual card to make it just like a digital wallet.
pro
Pros
pro Password generator
pro VPN Wi-Fi protection
pro Two-factor authentication
pro 30-day premium trial
pro Unlimited passwords
pro Touch and Face ID
con
Cons
con Limited auto-password changing
con Reports of high memory use

But it doesn't all come up roses.

The auto-change password feature is a great time-saver, but it only works on the most popular sites on the web.

And some users report that Dashlane uses up a lot of memory, which could cause your computer to run more slowly or limit valuable storage space on your handheld device.

Learn more in our full Dashlane review.

bullet
Pro Tip

A great way to create a stronger password is to use a series of words, like lyrics to a favorite song. This gives you a long string of characters that will be hard for a computer program to hack but easy for you to remember.

2. LastPass: Best free version

Best free version
LastPass
LastPass
Starting from
$0
/mo

LastPass password manager offers many of the same features as Dashlane, like a strong password generator and document storage, but at a lower price. It's not quite as user-friendly as some of the other password managers, and it doesn't have a great reputation for customer service. The service was hacked in 2015, but nothing was stolen and LastPass used the data breach as an opportunity to plug security holes.

LastPass allows you to sync passwords across all your devices. And it encrypts and decrypts data with 256-bit encryption only on your device, not through its servers.

pro
Pros
pro Inexpensive price
pro Secure input fields
pro Multiple device syncing
pro Machine level encryption
con
Cons
con Confusing features
con Glitches
con Price changes
con Limited automatic password changing

Best free password manager

While the LastPass free version limits you to one type of device (computer or mobile), you get quite a few features with LastPass premium.

Unlike Dashlane, LastPass offers free two-factor authentication using the Google Authenticator app or a texting option. 

LastPass doesn’t charge for other perks like Secure notes and access to your cloud vault either. The Free version also comes with unlimited password storage (not bad for free). 

While we understand the appeal of free (who doesn’t?) the paid versions of LastPass only total up to $4/month max. So it’s worth checking out or at least trying the trial. 

LastPass details and extras

To avoid keylogging threats, LastPass uses on-screen keyboards for you to enter in passwords and other important info by clicking rather than typing, protecting you from keyloggers.

Most password managers require you to completely wipe your system and start over if you forget your master password, but LastPass lets you create a password reminder and will let you reset your password.

Another great perk: LastPass Portable lets you install a version of the LastPass browser extension on a USB drive so you can take it with you and use it on other computers. The LastPass Pocket mobile app lets you sync different devices manually using a USB stick, so you never have to put your data online.

LastPass has a variety of categories for different types of information you may want to store, but some of the categories are unusual and probably unnecessary for most users. The overabundance can be confusing for new users.

What are the disadvantages of LastPass?

Watch out for glitches—some users report that LastPass tries to save passwords more than once, which results in duplicated or outdated information.

LastPass recently doubled its subscription rates. While the rate is still on the low end, the unexpected price hike was frustrating for some customers, and many question if it will happen again.

Dashlane limits the number of sites where passwords can be automatically changed. LastPass suffers from the same problem, but even more so—it includes just fifty popular sites on its list (versus Dashlane's 500).

3. 1Password: Best password security

Best security
1Password Password Manager Logo
1Password
Starting from
$4.99
/mo

1Password has an attractive interface, but it can be awkward to use. Its password security features are top notch, and although there's no dedicated phone support, its user forum is a great place to get answers to questions. It would be nice to see a free version of 1Password and more options for importing passwords.

pro
Pros
pro Client encryption
pro Clipboard management
pro Full transparency
pro Phishing protection
pro Command-only autofill
pro Travel mode
con
Cons
con Limited password import
con No free version
con No automatic password updates
con Clunky interface

1Password uses end-to-end encryption to secure files, which means that they are encrypted and decrypted on your device, so no one—not even 1Password—can access them without your master password.

There are times when you may need to copy and paste a password into an online field, which can leave that password exposed on your device's clipboard. 1Password detects passwords on your clipboard and clears them automatically.

It's easy to be fooled by fake sites posing as real ones, and hackers count on you not knowing the difference so they can steal your password and other information. 1Password checks a site's authenticity and will only fill in a password on the site where the password was created.

We also like that 1Password has an active and comprehensive support forum frequented by its own programmers. If you have any questions about your software or problems with it, you'll be able to easily and quickly find the help you need in the forum.

Downsides of 1Password

If you're switching to 1Password from another password manager, you'll want to import your passwords, but it may be difficult. 1Password can only import from Google Chrome, Dashlane, LastPass, and RoboForm.

Unlike Dashlane and LastPass, 1Password does not have an automatic password changing feature. Company representatives say the programming required would be cumbersome for their team and that changes in a website could affect the programming of this feature, leaving you locked out of your account.

4. NordPass: Most versatile

Best easlocal password storage
NordPass
Starting from
$2.99
/mo

NordPass helps you organize everything in your digital life, from passwords to credit cards. It uses pass keys, a new passwordless authentication standard that is more secure and convenient to use than traditional passwords. To reduce your risk of identity theft, Nordpass also has a data breach scanner and password health checks.

pro
Pros
pro Free option
pro Data breech scanner
pro Personal and business plans
con
Cons
con Cheaper price with 2-year plan commitment

5. Keeper Security: Best customer support

Best customer support
Keeper Security
Starting from
$35.00
/yr

    Keeper Security offers a free fourteen-day trial of their paid Keeper Backup program, and it has all the security features you’d expect from a password manager.

    But its interface isn’t quite as polished as other top products on the market. Its autofill feature can be tricky to use, and it doesn’t offer a password strength report for existing passwords like other password managers do. We do like its around-the-clock customer support, which is uncommon for many password managers.

    pro
    Pros
    pro Always free
    pro Virtually unhackable
    pro Full transparency
    con
    Cons
    con Too technical for some
    con No customer support line
    con No VPN
    con Limited browser support

    Other password managers we considered

    6. RoboForm: Best batch login

    Best batch login
    RoboForm
    Starting from
    $0
    /mo

    We like that the free version of RoboForm includes a mobile app, and the Batch Login feature allows you to log in to up to five sites at once, which is great for those who like to get a jump start checking email and messages in the morning.

    But, like most free password managers, the free version of RoboForm only lets you store ten passwords, and the autofill doesn’t work on mobile apps. And if you have a Mac, you won’t be able to import passwords.

    pro
    Pros
    pro Free version works on mobile
    pro Two-factor authentication
    pro Secure password sharing
    pro Affordable
    con
    Cons
    con Only 10 passwords with free version
    con Annual payments only

    7. KeePass

    Best batch login
    KeePass
    Starting from
    $0
    /mo

    KeePass is a cross-platform, open-source, free password manager that’s popular with self-proclaimed computer geeks. It has solid security features, and it keeps its database in a single file that you can store locally on your computer or sync to Dropbox.

    But the interface is dated. There’s also no customer support except for online tutorials created by users, so it’s not for the casual computer user.

    pro
    Pros
    pro Free version works on mobile
    pro Two-factor authentication
    pro Secure password sharing
    pro Affordable
    con
    Cons
    con Only 10 passwords with free version
    con Annual payments only

    8. bitwarden

    bitwarden
    Starting from
    $0
    /mo

    Bitwarden is a budget-friendly open-source password manager with some limitations in terms of convenience and user-friendly features. Bitwarden offers users the ability to generate, sync, manage, consolidate, and share their passwords securely. It uses strong end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication, Users can choose from cloud-hosted or self-hosted plans, including affordable subscriptions and a free account option with unlimited passwords and devices.

    pro
    Pros
    pro Mobile apps for iOS and Android
    pro Biometric unlock
    pro Password generation, auditing, and breach monitoring features
    pro End-to-end encryption
    con
    Cons
    con Clunky auto-fill feature
    con Limited desktop app
    con No automatic backups

    Final word

    Logging into your favorite accounts shouldn’t leave you worrying about your data or take forever to do. Password managers like Dashlane, NordPass, and 1Password meet in the crossroads between convenience and security. 

    FAQs

    Security experts agree that not using a password manager puts you and your data at high risk for identity theft. But if you put all of your eggs in one basket, make sure that basket's built like a tank.

    A password manager is like a digital vault where you can store all the passwords you use for different online accounts, like banking, email, online shopping, social media, and more. You only need one master password to access that digital vault, so it's important to memorize it or keep a hard copy in a safe location.

    Most password manager apps act as browser extensions so they can assist you in creating new passwords, changing old passwords, and auto-filling online forms with your name, address, phone number, and even credit card information.

    If you're security-minded, it may feel counterintuitive to put all of that sensitive information in one place, but reputable password managers encrypt your information, making it impossible for even the password management provider to access it.

    Some password managers include additional security features like multi factor authentication to keep your information extra safe from hackers.

    Start with your most sensitive accounts, like banking, credit cards, and email. Use your password manager to create a complex, unique password for each of those accounts first. 

    Because password managers do not have access to your files or your master password for security reasons, most password managers will require you to wipe your account and start over. For this reason, it’s important to memorize your master password or keep it in a safe location.

    Two-factor authentication (sometimes called multi factor authentication) adds an extra layer of security to a password-protected account by requiring an additional password, PIN, or action on the part of the user.

    Usually, this involves using a device you own, like a mobile device, to authenticate your identity. While hackers may be able to crack a password, it’s unlikely they’ll also have access to your phone.

    Reading reviews is helpful, but once you’ve narrowed it down, search for videos of your top picks. It’s important to choose a password manager that’s easy and intuitive to use, or you won’t use it. Watching videos of password managers in use can give you a feel for the user interface and help you decide which one will be most comfortable for you.

    How we chose the best password managers

    To review the best password managers on the market, we studied each program's features, strengths, and weaknesses. We learned more about the pros and cons of each from security experts and users, and we compared our findings to write the top-ranked password managers. To learn more, check out our methodology.

    Kasey Tross
    Written by
    Kasey Tross
    Kasey is a trained Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member and a freelance writer with expertise in emergency preparedness and security. As the mother of four kids, including two teens, Kasey knows the safety concerns parents face as they raise tech-savvy kids in a connected world, and she loves to research the latest security options for her own family and for SafeWise readers.

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