Greatest password managers: 6 reliable choices

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

The most effective password managers repair these issues. For starters, they create and retailer sturdy, random passwords for you. Additionally they can retailer passkeys and securely share credentials. These apps shield your passwords by encrypting your login data 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. And it doesn’t value a lot for this service, particularly throughout this season of vacation offers.

All of our prime picks for password managers help a wide range of working programs similar to Home windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, in addition to the foremost browsers. Every permits syncing of your information throughout a number of units, too. You may study extra about how we consider password managers beneath our picks.

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Dashlane – Greatest password supervisor total <img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" class="product-chart-item__image" alt="Dashlane - Best password manager overall" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_3900.jpg?quality=50&strip=all" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Execs Charges your passwords’ power

Auto-fills internet kinds through private profiles

VPN and Darkish Internet scanning obtainable with paid plan Cons Costly premium tiers

Value When Reviewed: Free I Superior: $2.75/mo I Premium: $4.99/mo I Mates & Household: $7.49/mo Greatest Costs At the moment:

Retailer Value

Dashlane $4.99 View Deal Examine Value comparability from over 24,000 shops worldwide

Product Value Value comparability from Backmarket Who can purchase Dashlane?

Dashlane pulled forward of shut competitor LastPass after the latter’s huge information breach, and for good cause: As a full-service password supervisor, it affords easy accessibility to your logins, safe notes, cost information, and different info, all by way of its elegantly designed internet portal or through one in every of its browser extensions for Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Opera, or Safari.

Most significantly, its password recreation is powerful, making it simple to handle advanced, distinctive passwords, retailer passkeys, and safely maintain delicate cost and private information at your fingertips. It additionally supplies darkish internet monitoring, which alerts you in case your private info is being overtly shared amongst hackers. With autofill deployed, Dashlane doesn’t simply make sure you use finest password practices, however that doing so is virtually easy.

Dashlane: Additional Concerns

Dashlane solely provide paid plans now—its free plan is being discontinued in September 2025. The Superior plan prices $33 yearly or $2.75 monthly, whereas the Premium account subscription prices $59.88 per 12 months or $4.99 monthly and consists of all of the options of the earlier tiers and provides a VPN. The Mates and Household plan extends Premium plans to as much as 10 accounts for $89.88 per 12 months or $7.49 monthly.

These costs are a bit larger than a number of the rivals, however Dashlane affords a premium product and has offered a dependable service for years.

Learn our full Dashlane evaluate

NordPass – Greatest worth <img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" class="product-chart-item__image" alt="NordPass - Best value" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_3887.jpg?quality=50&strip=all" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Execs Straightforward-to-use interface

Premium options embody electronic mail masks

Helps widespread working programs and browsers

Inexpensive pricing Cons Free model permits just one logged-in system at a time

Cumbersome course of for logging in

Greatest Costs At the moment:

Retailer Value

NordPass $1.29 View Deal Examine Value comparability from over 24,000 shops worldwide

Product Value Value comparability from Backmarket Who can purchase NordPass?

Arguably, the worth champion is Bitwarden—which not solely reigns as our choose for finest free password supervisor, but in addition someway manages to supply a ton of options for simply $10 per 12 months. However Bitwarden’s one weak point 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.

Out there for all main browsers, Android, iOS, Home windows, macOS, and Linux, NordPass enables you to shortly create vault entries with out being overwhelmed by a number of type fields, whereas nonetheless having the choice so as to add customized fields for those who want. And its premium options embody electronic mail masks, which may help protect your privateness and thus bolster your safety on this age of fixed information 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 could have with the corporate, like NordVPN), then one other to unlock your NordPass vault.

Nonetheless, for those who 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 12 months.

Learn our full NordPass evaluate

Keeper – Most security-minded <img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" class="product-chart-item__image" alt="Keeper - Most security-minded" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_3895.jpg?quality=50&strip=all" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Execs 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 rivals’

Value When Reviewed: $34.99 Greatest Costs At the moment:

Retailer Value

Keeper Safety $17.49 View Deal Examine Value comparability from over 24,000 shops worldwide

Product Value Value comparability from Backmarket Who can purchase Keeper?

It’s a shopper’s market on the subject of password managers. Whereas now we have 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. As an 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 top-of-the-line, previously it has come on the expense of issues some shoppers prize similar to ease-of-use and aesthetics. To its credit score, Keeper appears to acknowledge this and has taken strides to repeatedly replace its interface to be extra fashionable 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 person might be safer for utilizing it.

Learn our full Keeper evaluate

LogMeOnce – Greatest for alternate login strategies <img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" class="product-chart-item__image" alt="LogMeOnce - Best for alternate login methods" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_3896.jpg?quality=50&strip=all" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Execs 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 could be overwhelming

Value When Reviewed: Premium: Free I Skilled: $2.50/mo I Final: $3.25/mo I Household: $4.99/mo Greatest Costs At the moment:

Retailer Value

LogMeOnce Free View Deal Value comparability from over 24,000 shops worldwide

Product Value Value comparability from Backmarket 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 affords the choice of a PIN, biometric, or picture login to entry your vault. This function provides LogMeOnce a novel 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 permits you to retailer and sync passwords and bank cards throughout your units with end-to-end encryption.

LogMeOnce: Additional Concerns

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

Learn our full LogMeOnce password supervisor evaluate

Bitwarden – Greatest free password supervisor <img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" class="product-chart-item__image" alt="Bitwarden - Best free password manager" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_3903.jpg?quality=50&strip=all" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Execs Free plan affords limitless vault entries and system syncing

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

Helps two-factor authentication

Ship function permits you to securely share notes and information with others Cons Has occasional hassle capturing and filling credentials on web sites

Requires extra guide setup than many paid password managers

Value When Reviewed: $0 Greatest Costs At the moment:

Retailer Value

Bitwarden Free View Deal Value comparability from over 24,000 shops worldwide

Product Value Value comparability from Backmarket Who ought to use Bitwarden?

Bitwarden’s free plan is good for customers on a price range. It runs laps round alternate 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 identical options as a paid service, with limitless vault objects and syncing throughout a number of units included free of charge. It’s a refreshing change from the same old heavy restrictions on free customers.

Bitwarden: Additional concerns

Bitwarden’s one weak point is its extra bare-bones interface, which some could discover much less person pleasant. But it surely’s not exhausting to adapt to. You too can improve to get extra superior options for simply $10 per 12 months—however its free tier consists of a lot that you simply may not want anything.

Learn our full Bitwarden evaluate

KeePass – Greatest password supervisor for whole management <img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" class="product-chart-item__image" alt="KeePass - Best password manager for total control" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_3908.jpg?quality=50&strip=all" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Execs Free to make use of

Extremely customizable

Offers full person management of information Cons Requires the next diploma of technical proficiency than fashionable password managers

Dated interface

Core program lacks auto seize and replay, and different primary password administration options

Greatest Costs At the moment:

Retailer Value

KeePass Free View Deal Value comparability from over 24,000 shops worldwide

Product Value Value comparability from Backmarket Who ought to use KeePass?

KeePass is the password supervisor for many 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 postpone the typical person. However tech-savvy tinkerers will love the entire customizable settings. In the meantime, the security-minded will love that every little thing is saved domestically, so that you don’t must danger placing your passwords within the cloud.

KeePass: Additional Concerns

By itself, KeePass is already a really strong program, however to actually notice its potential you will have to have some technical proficiency to benefit from add-ons. Sound too overwhelming? An analogous however easier different like KeePassXC could match the invoice simply as properly.

Learn our full KeePass evaluate

Different password managers examined

One notable service lacking from our listing is LastPass, which skilled a serious breach in 2022. Between that lapse and its unreliable export course of (problematic for those who ever determine to depart the service), it now not makes our listing of prime picks.

How we take a look at password managers

An excellent password supervisor not solely simplifies on-line safety, however makes following finest practices simple, too. To see if a service or standalone app lives as much as these expectations, we be aware of the next qualities and the way nicely they carry out whereas utilizing it:

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

Apps: Are devoted apps obtainable on desktop and cellular?

Web site: Are you able to handle and use your passwords by way of an internet interface?

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

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

Safety features: Apart from the flexibility to generate passwords or passphrases, can it additionally generate random person 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 if you obtain it as an export? (This is usually 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 reside as much as their guarantees?

Our very prime 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 prime 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 opinions

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

Who curated this text?

Michael Ansaldo is a veteran shopper and enterprise expertise 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 most effective password supervisor

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

After all, most password managers do far more than this and plenty of lengthen safety past your login credentials to different forms of private information. We narrowed it down to some important options that we seemed for and it is best to too:

Password era

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 website you entry. That’s a tall order. That is what makes password era—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 may also 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 website and even log you in mechanically. Thus, the grasp password is the one one you ever must enter. That is controversial, although, as browser autofill has lengthy been a safety concern, so the most effective managers may also allow you to toggle off this function for those who really feel the danger outweighs the comfort.

Safe sharing

Generally you could 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 every other password. More and more, password managers help multi-factor authentication—utilizing a second technique similar to a PIN, a fingerprint, or one other “trusted system” for extra verification—to mitigate this danger. Select one which does.

Safety for different private information

Due to how steadily we use them on-line, bank card and checking account numbers, our addresses, and different private information could be securely saved in lots of password managers and obtainable to autofill into internet kinds once we’re procuring or registering an account.

No on-line safety measure is one hundred pc foolproof, however most safety specialists agree that password managers are nonetheless the most secure approach for individuals 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 suitable 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 finest password supervisor?

Dashlane is our choose for the most effective password supervisor. It supplies full, easy accessibility to your logins, in addition to notes, cost data, and different info you wish to retailer securely in a password supervisor. Creating and managing sturdy passwords may be very easy in Dashlane. Equally vital, the corporate retains tempo with altering safety practices with common updates and additions to its options.

2. Are password managers secure?

Whereas nothing could be stated to be one hundred pc secure and safe, password managers do an ideal job of offering enhanced safety features that you simply wouldn’t in any other case have. Usually talking, password managers encrypt the entire information you retailer with them. Whereas cybercriminals may be capable of someway hack the password supervisor, it's extremely unlikely they are going to be capable of decrypt your information to see the contents.

Nonetheless, a lot of the safety of your password supervisor comes all the way down to the power of your one grasp password. In case you are involved in regards to the security of this one password, then it will be price it to decide on a password supervisor that shops your grasp password on a special server from the remainder of your encrypted passwords—including an extra layer of safety.

3. Is it price paying for a password supervisor?

This can come all the way down to what options you want in a password supervisor. Free companies usually are restricted to 1 system on which to save lots of and sync your passwords. They are going to generate sturdy passwords to be used, provide primary compromised-password alerts, and can retailer saved bank card and tackle info.

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

If you happen to solely have one system and don’t want any of the flamboyant further options, then there actually isn’t a have to pay for a premium service. Nevertheless, premium password managers are just a few {dollars} monthly so that they received’t break the financial institution for those who ever determine to change.

4. What if the password supervisor will get hacked?

If you happen to suspect that you've 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 may determine this out with a easy Google search. If they don't seem to be claiming to have been hacked, then it might be that your individual information 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 might be encrypted so hackers received’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 could appear a bit disconcerting to entrust the safety of all of your passwords to 1 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 best 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 information on separate servers. This isn’t foolproof, but it surely does add an extra layer of safety.

6. What are passkeys? Do I would like a password supervisor if I exploit 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 a web site. To log in, it's a must to approve the try and see if the keys pair. Main tech corporations like Google, Apple, and Microsoft are pushing to see passkeys broadly adopted throughout the online, as they’re easier and safer than passwords.

Whereas most mentions of passkeys discuss storing them on a smartphone, you'll be able to 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 just some 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 might be very helpful.

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