Websites, dating platforms, and excessive-security banking websites, among other services, often demand you create a user account and come up with a password. Human memory isn’t capable of maintaining an abundance of passwords. Don’t turn into a victim by using a password manager properly. You don’t need to remember difficult, unique passwords for all of your accounts if you use a password manager. The password manager saves them for you and even generates new, random passwords for you. All of the top password managers that we discussed in this post are paid, but if you’re on a budget, you can use some for free with certain restrictions. If you don’t want to spend money or accept limitations, we’ve got you covered with this assembled list of the best password managers of the year.
List of the Best Password Managers
- Dashlane – Best Free Password Manager
- 1Password – Best Password Manager for Families
- LastPass – Best Password Encryption
Dashlane
- Pros: AI Password changer, interface across any platforms saved, unlimited VPN service built-in
- Cons: Pricey for a password manager
- Pricing:
- Free service
- Premium: $59.99 per year
- Family: $89.99 per year
- Login Methods: Fingerprint, touch ID, face ID, Face Unlock for pixel
- Two factor Auth: Yes
Key Information
Dashlane has a feature, bulk password change, that can change hundreds of passwords at once, which has recently been updated (opens in a new tab). The password manager is well designed, simple to use, and suitable for filling in online forms.
You can use Dashlane to find old email accounts. To do so, you’ll need the Premium plan ($78 per year if you pay monthly). The free package is limited to 50 credentials, and you won’t be able to sync your passwords across devices. You won’t be able to sync your passwords across devices on the free plan. You can pay $36 per year ($4 per month) for Dashlane Essentials, but you’ll only be able to use two devices, which is not a good deal. Using a $36 per year ($4 per month) Dashlane Essentials plan is a better option, but it only allows you to use two devices. LastPass, Keeper, and 1Password all allow you to use their services on an unlimited number of devices, and they cost the same.
1Password
- Pros: Strong encryption, travel mode to prevent identity theft, a wide variety of tools, affordable
- Cons: Basic mobile features, no free version
- Pricing:
- $2.99 per month for the Single Plan
- $4.99 per month for the Family Plan
- Login Methods: Hello by windows, fingerprint, Face unlock by pixel, touch ID
- Two Factor Auth: Yes
Key Information
The non-Apple users of 1Password are no longer left behind. The Windows app has been upgraded to match its Mac counterpart, and the company’s first Linux application was released in early 2021. Android and iOS mobile apps are much easier to use than the various desktop interfaces, but they don’t offer as much versatility. They support autofill on both platforms. In addition to the Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari browser extensions, there are excellent stand-alone browser extensions for 1Password.
Now, 1Password is available on Chromebooks through the company’s website, as well as through the Brave browser. You can also access your 1Password account through the company’s website. To get the most out of 1Password, you must enable its Travel Mode (1Password, 2018). 1Password also provides excellent form-filling abilities and true two-factor authentication. You’ll be able to wipe sensitive data from your devices before you travel (it will be available again later) to prevent snooping border-control agents from finding it.
There is a new masking email address feature available on 1Password that is accessible through an alliance with the message provider Fastmail. You must sign up for both services to get this feature. (Please refer to 1Password’s masking email address feature for more information.) 1Password has also launched ‘Psst!’, a secure data-sharing service that enables users to share passwords and other data through a temporary link with anyone regardless of whether the recipient has 1Password installed. The newer $36 per year cloud-based 1Password subscription requires users to sign up. The free version of 1Password has been terminated as well as its stand-alone Mac syncing software.
LastPass
- Pros: User-friendly, consistent outline throughout site/app, high protection, browser extensions
- Cons: Unique features are different, the free version is not the same
- Pricing:
- $3 per month for the Premium plan
- $4 per month for the Family plan
- Login Methods: Fingerprint, Touch ID, Face ID
- Two Factor Auth: Yes
Key Information
Despite the fact that its once-superb free plan has been significantly reduced, LastPass is still our favorite password manager due to its ease of use, wide range of functions, and cross-platform functionality. Because of its reduced free tier, LastPass is no longer able to synchronize across all your devices, but you may still synchronize among your computers or phones, not both. It includes dozens of features, such as a password generator, an unlimited amount of passwords, and protection for your data. With the paid version, you can add unlimited device syncing, 1GB of online file storage, dark web monitoring of your accounts, and premium tech support, in addition to physical two-factor authentication keys and unlimited file storage.
LastPass does not require you to install anything on your computer; it is available as browser extensions and a full-featured web interface. Legacy desktop applications for Windows and Mac are still available, although there are some limits. The LastPass Pocket (opens in a new tab) option for Windows and Linux, which only connects to local networks, has been discontinued.
The LastPass browser add-ons for Windows 8.1 and later or macOS, Linux, or Chrome OS are available. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera all have browser extensions, as do Windows and macOS desktops and mobile apps for iOS (version 13 or later) and Android (version 5 or later). To run the LastPass web application, you must have a 2020 MacBook Air running macOS 10.15.7 Catalina or later. To test the LastPass web application, I used an iPhone XR with Google Chrome browser testing.
Other Highly Rated Password Managers
The following is a list of other highly rated password managers that we would suggest looking into:
Password Manager FAQs
What is a password manager?
A password manager is a service and browser extension that allows you to securely store all of your passwords in a single place. It also gives you the option to auto-populate login screens with your login credentials.
What is the best password manager?
The best password managers are LastPass, Dashlane, NordPass, and 1Password.
How does a password manager work?
A password manager works by securely storing all of your login credentials in an encrypted vault that can only be accessed by you.
Why use a password manager?
Password managers should be used since they hide your passwords, notify you of weak or breached passwords, and also give you the option to securely log into platforms thanks to their browser extensions. Password managers are the most effective way to securely store your login credentials.