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The best password managers: Expert tested
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What to Consider
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It's common to have dozens of online accounts, each requiring a different username and password. Keeping track of all your usernames and passwords can be difficult, especially given vendors' requirements to adopt complex passwords consisting of numbers and special characters in their effort to improve security.
We are now seeing passwordless options in beta and in small numbers available to the public, but for now, traditional password managers are still more effective than trying to recall every username and password combination you use. Keeping your sensitive information safe is more important than ever, and a reliable password manager can be an effective solution to both security and password overload.
Also: The best antivirus software
What is the best password manager right now?
Our pick for best overall choice, 1Password, has a user-friendly digital interface that simplifies credential storage. You only need to remember one password to use the service, and it comes with useful features, including autofill and a secure vault.
ZDNET researched and tested the best password managers available, considering security, storage, compatibility, and price. We also considered customer reviews and expert opinions. Read on to find out how other options stack up and best serve your password security needs.
Best password managers of 2024
1Password
Best password manager overall
1Password is the best password manager overall, with its user-friendly interface and excellent features. It allows you to store credentials for online accounts and credit card information, and best of all, you only need to remember one password.
This app helps you create unique passwords that should be less susceptible to hackers, and stores them for you so you don't have to remember complex passwords for multiple accounts. 1Password's autofill feature 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 your favorite devices, making access easy and secure. 1Password is compatible with Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Browser add-ons are also available for Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Firefox.
Review: 1Password
Other notable features include a secure digital vault for stashing sensitive documents and notes and a feature that alerts you to weak, compromised, or repeated passwords. Passwordless authentication, including passkey storage, is also available. Furthermore, users of Watchtower can also monitor SSH key security risks.
1Password does not offer a free plan, but the app does provide a free, 14-day trial that doesn't require inputting your credit card information.
1Password costs $2.99 per month, billed annually, or $4.99 for a family pack. Business options are also available. If you're looking to switch, the company will pay off any remaining time on your current bill and provide you with the difference in credit.
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. Users say 1Password's approach to data security is top-notch, and the company has great customer support.
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 rating: 4.7 | Passkey storage
NordPass
Best password manager for business
NordPass is the best password manager for businesses. It offers secure sharing, health reports, and multi-factor authentication.
Created by the same team behind NordVPN, NordPass provides advanced encryption for added peace of mind when storing passwords and sensitive data.
Team plans with up to 10 users begin at $1.79 per month per user. Features include company-wide settings, Google Workspace SSO, a security dashboard, MS ADFS, and support for Okta user and group provisioning.
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. You can store contact information for colleagues and businesses in one place, allowing for quick and easy password sharing with the right people. You can assign digital entry points to teams for credential sharing and payment information.
The service can already store passkeys, allowing passwordless authentication for business users. A new tool, Authopia by NordPass, allows organizations to add passkeys login options to their web domains.
NordPass offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. A free trial is available for home and business plans; no credit card is required. You can sign up for a free account or a personal plan starting at $1.49 per month. NordPass Premium subscribers receive three months of service for free.
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. Users say the password manager is user-friendly, although the price can quickly increase.
NordPass 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: 4.5 | Passwordless authentication
Bitwarden
Best free password manager
Bitwarden is the best free password manager because it's open-source, has a user-friendly interface, fast uploads, and smartphone compatibility. You can use it on 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 like, with no restrictions on the number or type of passwords that you can store. Additionally, the app can help you create secure passwords across all plans, and you can safely share them with strong encryption.
You can choose between a free, limited option (although all core functions are included), 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 per month ($40 per year). Business pricing begins at $4 per user per month.
If you're looking for a reliable and free password manager, Bitwarden is an excellent choice. It offers advanced security features and compatibility with a wide range of devices.
Users enjoy the transparent pricing model and say, "it just works." The extensions are excellent, although many would like to see changes to maintenance routines.
Bitwarden features: Open-source password manager | Free version with unlimited passwords | Two-factor authentication | Multi-platform support | Autofill and auto-login functionality | Emergency access for trusted individuals | Trustpilot rating: 4.6 | Passwordless features available
Dashlane
Best password manager for features
Dashlane is the best password manager based on its extensive feature suite, which includes 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. The number of passwords you can store is unlimited, and you can sync your data to all 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 you when your passwords have been compromised.
Dashlane has introduced passwordless authentication for new iOS and Android users, which removes the need for a master password, alongside passwordless logins for the web.
You can try out a basic personal account for free, whereas an advanced subscription with a VPN will cost you $4.99 per month, billed annually. A family plan with up to 10 accounts is $7.49 per month. Alternatively, you can opt for a business plan at $8 per seat, per month.
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. Users note that premium options are somewhat pricey, and while the features are worthwhile, this may deter some customers.
Dashlane 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 | ISO 27001 certified | Trustpilot rating: 4.4 | Passwordless authentication
Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault
Best password manager security
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 via 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 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.
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. Personal accounts start at $2.92 per month, whereas Keeper Business costs $2 per month per user for up to 10 seats.
If you are willing to use your email for self-verification, you can get a free trial without inputting your credit card information. Users report the UI is intuitive, but there can be a lack of customer support.
Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault features: Unlimited password storage | Advanced security features including 2FA, biometrics | Supports multiple devices and platforms, including Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and web browsers | Password generator | Emergency contacts record sharing | Encrypted vault for storing sensitive documents | Trustpilot rating: 3.7 | Passwordless features available
What is the best password manager?
The best password manager of 2024 is 1Password, which offers an affordable, easy way to store your passwords and personal data in a reliable, accessible manner. However, if you want to explore all of our top picks, below is an overview of the best password managers to see how they stack up against the competition.
Password manager | Price | Key features | Going passwordless? |
1Password | $2.99+ per month | User-friendly interface, auto-fill feature, and account protection tools. | Yes |
NordPass | Free / $1.49+ per user per month | Secure sharing, health reports, multi-factor authentication, and advanced encryption | Yes |
Bitwarden | Free / $1+ per month | User-friendly interface, fast uploads, smartphone compatibility, and other advanced security features | Some features available |
Dashlane | Free / $4.99+ per month | Generous storage, VPN protection, dark web monitoring, and Chrome integration, passwordless options | Yes |
Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault | $2.92+ per month | Multi-platform syncing, multi-factor authentication, available templates, and top encryption technology | Some features available |
Note: Prices and features may vary based on the plan selected.
Which is the best password manager for you?
Choose this password manager... | If you want... |
1Password | A family-friendly, one-stop-shop password manager. 1Password has features that allow you to easily share passwords with family members and manage multiple accounts. |
NordPass | A password manager suitable for work. Its features, such as secure sharing and centralized billing, make it a great choice for teams and small businesses. Its personal plans are also worth exploring. |
Bitwarden | A free password manager. Bitwarden is open-source and available for use on all platforms and will help you strengthen your online security, with free plans that include the software's core features. |
Dashlane | Multi-faceted features. Dashlane includes features like a VPN and dark web monitoring, which go beyond the typical functions of a password manager, with a focus on security and passwordless technologies. |
Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault | A security-focused solution. Keeper has features like secure file storage, making it an ideal choice for those who want to keep their data as safe as possible. Biometric access is a great additional feature. |
Factors to consider when choosing a password manager
There is a wide range of password managers on the market today. To help you make the right decision, consider these factors:
- Security: Security is the top priority when it comes to password managers. The most secure password managers offer advanced encryption and use safe protocols to protect personal information when transferring from the service to your device and vice versa.
- Storage: Another important consideration is storage capacity. While some password managers limit the number of passwords you can store, others offer unlimited storage so that you can add all your information without restrictions.
- Compatibility: It's also essential to check if your preferred device and operating system are compatible with the password manager. The best options offer cross-platform compatibility, allowing you to access your data from multiple devices, including your computer, tablet, and mobile device.
- Accounts: If you want to assign a person more than one identity or online account, consider whether the family (or business) accounts are worth the money.
- Features: You may like a data breach scanner, secure vault, autofill, or passwordless options. If the additional features of password managers interest you, see if the solution you are interested in offers them.
- Open source: Open-source options should be considered, when possible, as the software is open to outside auditing for security vulnerabilities and flaws. This can boost trust in a product.
How did we choose the best password managers?
In compiling this list of the best password managers, we examined 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 is.
When selecting the best password manager, several crucial factors must be considered. These are some of the key elements that determine the best options:
- Price: While some password managers are free, others may require a paid subscription to access all features. It's important to weigh the price against the benefits and select a password manager that meets your budget.
- Customer reviews: Customer experiences and feedback are very important. If usability is overlooked, it really doesn't matter how secure or exceptional a password manager is. We consider customer reviews and ease of use as one of our most important criteria.
- Company reputation: As you trust these organizations to manage your credentials securely, we only include reputable vendors that perform frequent security audits.
- Use cases: We wanted to include a range of password managers suitable for consumer and business use cases and purposes.
- Updates: We like to see password manager services providing frequent security and usability updates.
- Passwordless: While often still in the testing stages, in the name of longevity, we like to see services testing out these technologies.
How does a password manager work?
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 extremely difficult for hackers to decipher. Whenever you visit a site or use an app requiring 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 invaluable for anyone who wants to keep their online accounts safe and secure.
Do I need a password manager?
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 expose your information to the wrong eyes. Cybercriminals use various methods to gain access to your passwords, from phishing attacks to brute-force attacks. Using a password manager, you can create strong, unique passwords for each account, reducing the risk of being hacked. Alternatively, some browsers, such as Google Chrome, will offer built-in password managers.
Are password managers safe?
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.
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.
Can a password manager be hacked?
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.
Can I use a password manager on multiple devices?
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.
What are passwordless options?
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 (only you have the private key) to authenticate at the time of a sign-in request.
Do security experts recommend password managers?
Generally speaking, yes. You will find that many security experts consider password managers to be one of the best solutions for managing countless complex passwords. No solution is completely safe from cyberattacks, and so you need to be mindful of this if you use them -- but it is still a better option than using weak passwords to protect your online accounts.
What else could I use to protect my online accounts?
If you aren't keen on the idea of a password manager -- or a password manager alone -- we recommend that you purchase a physical security key. Physical security keys and dongles provide an additional layer of cryptographic protection for your online accounts, and unless an attacker has physical access to your key, it is challenging to compromise your credentials.
Are there alternative password managers worth considering?
While we've aimed to showcase the best password managers in 2024, 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.