Greatest password managers 2025: 6 reliable choices

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Persons are unhealthy at passwords. Most don’t hassle with the distinctive, advanced phrases or character strings that make a very good password. Worse, they’ll carelessly share weak passwords with others.

The most effective password managers repair these issues, as they create and retailer distinctive, advanced logins for you. They allow you to share passwords securely, too. These functions defend your passwords by encrypting your login information in a digital vault (both domestically or within the cloud), solely permitting entry with a single grasp password. Many provide further safety features past that.

All of our high picks for password managers help quite a lot of working techniques akin to Home windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, in addition to the most important browsers. And all will allow you to sync your knowledge throughout a number of units, although you might have to pay additional for that privilege. You possibly can study extra about how we consider password managers under our picks.

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Dashlane – Greatest password supervisor total

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Charges your passwords’ power

Auto-fills internet kinds through private profiles

VPN and Darkish Net scanning accessible with paid plan Cons

Costly premium tiers

Free plan restricted to at least one machine

Worth When Reviewed: Free I Superior: $2.75/mo I Premium: $4.99/mo I Associates & Household: $7.49/mo

Who can purchase Dashlane?

Dashlane pulled forward of shut competitor LastPass after the latter’s huge knowledge breach, and for good purpose: As a full-service password supervisor, it provides quick access to your logins, safe notes, fee knowledge, and different info, all via its elegantly designed internet portal or through certainly one of its browser extensions for Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Opera, or Safari.

Most significantly, its password sport is robust, making it straightforward to generate and retailer advanced, distinctive passwords and safely maintain delicate fee and private knowledge at your fingertips. With autofill deployed, Dashlane doesn’t simply make sure you use greatest password practices, however that doing so is virtually easy.

Dashlane: Additional Concerns

Dashlane is free for a single machine, however if you'd like syncing throughout a number of units you’ll want a paid plan: The Superior plan prices $33 yearly or $2.75 per 30 days, and provides darkish internet monitoring, to warn you whether or not your private knowledge is getting used nefariously. The Premium account subscription prices $59.88 per yr or $4.99 per 30 days and contains all of the options of the earlier tiers and provides a VPN. The Associates and Household plan extends Premium plans to as much as 10 accounts for $89.88 per yr or $7.49 per 30 days.

These costs are a little bit greater than among the opponents (certainly, that was certainly one of LastPass’s small benefits), however Dashlane provides a premium product and has supplied a dependable service for years.

Learn our full Dashlane assessment

NordPass – Greatest worth

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Straightforward-to-use interface

Premium options embrace e-mail masks

Helps common working techniques and browsers

Inexpensive pricing Cons

Free model permits just one logged-in machine at a time

Cumbersome course of for logging in Who can purchase NordPass?

Arguably, the worth champion is Bitwarden—which not solely reigns as our decide for greatest free password supervisor, but in addition one way or the other manages to supply a ton of options for simply $10 per yr. However Bitwarden’s one weak spot is its extra utilitarian interface. That’s how NordPass swoops in with an edge, providing a sexy, streamlined password supervisor that efficiently balances simplicity with flexibility. It’s a greater match for us normies, who want a smoother guiding hand when utilizing an app.

Obtainable for all main browsers, Android, iOS, Home windows, macOS, and Linux, NordPass enables you to rapidly create vault entries with out being overwhelmed by a number of kind fields, whereas nonetheless having the choice so as to add customized fields when you want. And its premium options embrace e-mail masks, which may also help protect your privateness and thus bolster your safety on this age of fixed knowledge breaches.

NordPass: Additional Concerns

NordPass can really feel cumbersome to make use of in case you have greater than a few units to log into. Its sign-in course of requires two separate passwords: One to realize entry to Nord Safety’s total ecosystem (which grants entry to different subscriptions you might have with the corporate, like NordVPN), then one other to unlock your NordPass vault.

Nonetheless, when you snag the service at $36 for 2 years (the present ongoing sign-up promotion), you’re popping out far forward of competing companies that cost double that for only one yr.

Learn our full NordPass assessment

Keeper – Most security-minded

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Exceptionally sturdy safety

Seamless expertise throughout platforms

Straightforward-to-use internet interface Cons

Customers could discover some safety features inconvenient

Free model extra restricted than opponents’

Worth When Reviewed: $34.99

Who can purchase Keeper?

It’s a shopper’s market on the subject of password managers. Whereas we have now our clear favourite above, Keeper is a really sturdy contender in its personal proper. Its emphasis on safety past that of different password managers make it a good selection for uber-vigilant customers. For example, it eschews an computerized password replace function as even this course of would require short-term entry to your credentials.

Keeper: Additional Concerns

Whereas Keeper’s security-above-all-else mindset makes it among the best, prior to now it has come on the expense of issues some customers prize akin to ease-of-use and aesthetics. To its credit score, Keeper appears to acknowledge this and has taken strides to constantly replace its interface to be extra trendy and user-friendly. Whereas security-minded customers stand to get probably the most out of Keeper’s strong options set, even the on a regular basis consumer will probably be safer for utilizing it.

Learn our full Keeper assessment

LogMeOnce – Greatest for alternate login strategies

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No want to recollect a fancy grasp password

Strong safety features

Straightforward-to-use internet interface Cons

Paid plans required to share various passwords and information

Variety of options may be overwhelming

Worth When Reviewed: Premium: Free I Skilled: $2.50/mo I Final: $3.25/mo I Household: $4.99/mo

Who can purchase LogMeOnce?

Whereas most password managers require a grasp password to entry your password vault, LogMeOnce relieves you of getting to recollect even that. It uniquely provides the choice of a PIN, biometric, or picture login to entry your vault. This function offers LogMeOnce a singular edge over different password managers and makes it a very good match for customers who need that flexibility.

Aside from this distinctive function, LogMeOnce operates equally to its friends. It means that you can retailer and sync passwords and bank cards throughout your units with end-to-end encryption.

LogMeOnce: Additional Concerns

LogMeOnce additionally contains different options akin to dark-web and cyberthreat monitoring, however these will come at a little bit of a further value. Nonetheless, its distinctive options make LogMeOnce one of the vital handy password managers we’ve examined.

Learn our full LogMeOnce password supervisor assessment

Bitwarden – Greatest free password supervisor

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Free plan provides limitless vault entries and machine syncing

Paid plan is 70% cheaper (or extra!) than rival companies

Helps two-factor authentication

Ship function means that you can securely share notes and information with others Cons

Has occasional bother capturing and filling credentials on web sites

Requires extra handbook setup than many paid password managers Who ought to use Bitwarden?

Bitwarden’s free plan is right for customers on a finances. It runs laps round options like Google and Apple’s built-in password managers, in addition to zero-cost subscriptions from rival third-party companies. You get a lot of the similar options as a paid service, with limitless vault gadgets and syncing throughout a number of units included free of charge. It’s a refreshing change from the standard heavy restrictions on free customers.

Bitwarden: Additional concerns

Bitwarden’s one weak spot is its extra bare-bones interface, which some could discover much less consumer pleasant. However it’s not onerous to adapt to. It's also possible to improve to get extra superior options for simply $10 per yr—however its free tier contains a lot that you simply may not want the rest.

Learn our full Bitwarden assessment

KeePass – Greatest password supervisor for complete management

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Free to make use of

Extremely customizable

Supplies full consumer management of knowledge Cons

Requires the next diploma of technical proficiency than trendy password managers

Dated interface

Core program lacks auto seize and replay, and different fundamental password administration options Who ought to use KeePass?

KeePass is the password supervisor for individuals who like to manage and tweak every little thing. It’s an open-source program, and lacks the type of polished, complete UI different password managers provide, and thus could delay the typical consumer. However tech-savvy tinkerers will love all the customizable settings. In the meantime, the security-minded will love that every little thing is saved domestically, so that you don’t need to danger placing your passwords within the cloud.

KeePass: Additional Concerns

By itself, KeePass is already a really strong program, however to really notice its potential you have to to have some technical proficiency to make the most of add-ons. Sound too overwhelming? An analogous however less complicated various like KeePassXC could match the invoice simply as properly.

Learn our full KeePass assessment

Different password managers examined

One notable service lacking from our checklist is LastPass, which skilled a serious breach in 2022. Between that lapse and its unreliable export course of (problematic when you ever determine to go away the service), it not makes our checklist of high picks.

How we take a look at password managers

A superb password supervisor not solely simplifies on-line safety, however makes following greatest practices straightforward, too. To see if a service or standalone app lives as much as these expectations, we pay attention to the next qualities and the way properly they carry out whereas utilizing it:

Platforms: Are you able to simply use the password supervisor throughout completely different units with completely different working techniques? (e.g., Home windows, Linux, Android, iOS)

Apps: Are devoted apps accessible on desktop and cellular?

Web site: Are you able to handle and use your passwords via an online interface?

Browser extension: Are you able to entry your passwords proper inside Chrome, Edge, or Firefox?

Consumer interface: How straightforward is it to create new passwords? Are you able to simply fill in password fields on web sites or apps? How rapidly can you discover saved passwords or completely different settings? Does the app or extension mean you can view passwords in massive textual content? (This final level is helpful if you must manually enter a password, and it’s lengthy—tiny textual content could be a actual ache to precisely retype.)

Safety features: Moreover the flexibility to generate passwords or passphrases, can it additionally generate random consumer names? Does it help multi-factor authentication, passwordless login, and/or passkey storage?

Sharing: Can you securely share your passwords with different accounts? How about with anybody?

Import/export: Is the info that you simply add from one other password supervisor precisely pulled in? And is the info correct once you obtain it as an export? (This could be a actual nightmare for transferring companies if both of those two options don’t work precisely.)

Additional options: Does the password supervisor provide different options, like emergency contact entry? Do distinctive ones dwell as much as their guarantees?

Our very high picks for password managers present multiplatform help, together with browser extensions, with clear interfaces which might be intuitive. And at minimal, they provide multi-factor authentication as an additional safety function, in addition to sharing capabilities. Different high picks that concentrate on extra particular wants, like offline-only entry, could compromise a bit extra on interface polish or function set, however nonetheless provide dependable safety and straightforward use.

Why it is best to belief PCWorld for password supervisor evaluations

PCWorld has examined pc {hardware}, software program, and companies for many years—since 1983. As customers of PC {hardware} and software program, we put all merchandise via rigorous testing, with loads of hands-on analysis and benchmarks (when the later is relevant). We don’t advocate gear or apps we wouldn’t use ourselves.

Who curated this text?

Michael Ansaldo is a veteran shopper and enterprise know-how journalist, and previously PCWorld’s Small Enterprise Editor. Alaina Yee is PCWorld’s safety editor, with over 15 years of shopper tech journalism expertise spanning PC {hardware}, software program, and on-line safety protection.

How to decide on the very best password supervisor

At their most elementary, password managers seize your username and password—normally through a browser plugin—once you log in to an internet site, after which robotically fill in your credentials once you return to that web site. They retailer all of your passwords in an encrypted database, also known as a “vault,” which you defend with a single grasp password.

After all, most password managers do rather more than this and lots of lengthen safety past your login credentials to different sorts of private knowledge. We narrowed it down to a couple important options that we seemed for and it is best to too:

Password technology

You’ve been reminded advert nauseam that the strongest passwords are lengthy, random strings of characters, and that it is best to use a special one for every web site you entry. That’s a tall order. That is what makes password technology—the flexibility to create advanced passwords out of letters, numbers, and particular characters—an indispensable function of any good password supervisor. The most effective password managers will even be capable of analyze your current passwords for weaknesses and improve them with a click on.

Autofill and auto-login

Most password managers can autofill your login credentials everytime you go to a web site and even log you in robotically. Thus, the grasp password is the one one you ever need to enter. That is controversial, although, as browser autofill has lengthy been a safety concern, so the very best managers will even allow you to toggle off this function when you really feel the chance outweighs the comfort.

Safe sharing

Typically you should share a password with a member of the family or coworker. A password supervisor ought to allow you to accomplish that with out compromising your safety.

Two-factor authentication

To an enterprising cybercriminal, your password supervisor’s grasp password is as hackable as another password. More and more, password managers help multi-factor authentication—utilizing a second technique akin to a PIN, a fingerprint, or one other “trusted machine” for extra verification—to mitigate this danger. Select one which does.

Safety for different private knowledge

Due to how incessantly we use them on-line, bank card and checking account numbers, our addresses, and different private knowledge may be securely saved in lots of password managers and accessible to autofill into internet kinds after we’re buying or registering an account.

No on-line safety measure is 100% foolproof, however most safety specialists agree that password managers are nonetheless the most secure approach for folks to handle their myriad logins, and we agree that the advantages far outweigh the dangers. Simply select your password supervisor fastidiously after researching all of the choices beginning with this information.

When you’ve discovered the proper password supervisor on your wants, head over to our information on mastering your password supervisor to be sure you’re getting probably the most out of your software program.

FAQ 1. What's the greatest password supervisor?

Dashlane is our decide for the very best password supervisor. It supplies full, quick access to your logins, in addition to notes, fee information, and different info you wish to retailer securely in a password supervisor. Creating and managing sturdy passwords could be very easy in Dashlane. Equally necessary, the corporate retains tempo with altering safety practices with common updates and additions to its options.

2. Are password managers secure?

Whereas nothing may be mentioned to be 100% secure and safe, password managers do an amazing job of offering enhanced safety features that you simply wouldn’t in any other case have. Usually talking, password managers encrypt all the knowledge you retailer with them. Whereas cybercriminals may be capable of one way or the other hack the password supervisor, it's extremely unlikely they may be capable of decrypt your knowledge to see the contents.

However, a lot of the safety of your password supervisor comes right down to the power of your one grasp password. If you're involved concerning the security of this one password, then it might be value it to decide on a password supervisor that shops your grasp password on a special server from the remainder of your encrypted passwords—including a further layer of safety.

3. Is it value paying for a password supervisor?

It will come right down to what options you want in a password supervisor. Free companies usually are restricted to at least one machine on which to avoid wasting and sync your passwords. They are going to generate sturdy passwords to be used, provide fundamental compromised-password alerts, and can retailer saved bank card and handle info.

Premium password managers, which you must pay to make use of, provide all the similar options as their free counterparts, but in addition mean you can sync and retailer passwords and knowledge throughout a number of units—and even between members of the family. Additionally they have further particular options akin to darkish internet scanning and emergency contact entry, amongst others.

When you solely have one machine and don’t want any of the flowery further options, then there actually isn’t a must pay for a premium service. Nevertheless, premium password managers are only some {dollars} per 30 days so that they gained’t break the financial institution when you ever determine to modify.

4. What if the password supervisor will get hacked?

When you suspect that you've got been hacked, you will need to first determine if it’s simply you or in case your password supervisor’s database has been compromised. Respected password managers ought to put out some type of public launch if they've been hacked. You possibly can determine this out with a easy Google search. If they aren't claiming to have been hacked, then it could be that your individual knowledge has been compromised another approach.

If it seems your password supervisor’s database has been hacked, it’s as much as you whether or not to proceed with that service. Fortunately, all of your passwords will probably be encrypted so hackers gained’t be capable of see the contents even after they've been stolen.

5. Is utilizing one grasp password on your password supervisor actually secure?

It may appear a little bit disconcerting to entrust the safety of all of your passwords to at least one grasp password on a password supervisor. It’s true that the power and security of your grasp password can decide the safety of your password supervisor itself. Subsequently it's preferrred to create a really sturdy grasp password.

The excellent news is that password managers usually retailer your grasp password and your different encrypted passwords and knowledge on separate servers. This isn’t foolproof, nevertheless it does add a further layer of safety.

6. What are passkeys? Do I want a password supervisor if I take advantage of passkeys?

Passkeys are a brand new type of account authentication. It’s a system that makes use of a set of encrypted keys, with a personal one that you simply maintain and a public one given to an internet site. To log in, you must approve the try to see if the keys pair. Main tech firms like Google, Apple, and Microsoft are pushing to see passkeys broadly adopted throughout the net, as they’re less complicated and safer than passwords.

Whereas most mentions of passkeys speak about storing them on a smartphone, you possibly can retailer them in different methods, too, like on a {hardware} key or (as you may need guessed) a password supervisor. A number of password managers have added help for passkeys, with Dashlane, NordPass, and 1Password only a few of the companies that may now retailer them. And whereas passkeys appear to be the way forward for on-line safety, passwords probably will stick round for some time. Utilizing a service to maintain monitor of each sorts of authentication will probably be very helpful.