A password manager helps you create, store and manage passwords. Having a secure password vault eliminates the need to write or memorize all your passwords. It also reduces the possibility that you’ll settle for a weak password or re-use the same password, ultimately boosting your security online. In this article, we’ll highlight what makes a good password manager and tell you about five of the best password managers.
How We Selected the Best Password Managers
Not all password management tools are the same. Each provider has its pros and cons. Depending on your needs, some password managers may be better suited to you. We tested several password managers extensively to determine the top five providers. We assessed their features, security, ease of use, price, and performance. Note: We review new password managers and update our rankings regularly, so our top five list is subject to change.
The Best Password Managers of 2023: Features and Quick Comparison
The table below contains an overview of the five best password managers, highlighting their features. The rest of this article details our experience with each password manager.
The Best Password Managers of 2023
Based on our rankings, the best password manager at the moment is NordPass. It is followed by Keeper, 1Password, Dashlane, and RememBear, respectively. All these password managers are pretty good, but some are a bit better than others.
1. NordPass
NordPass is an excellent password manager that offers a pretty good free plan.
Good encryption and security Free version available Priced competitively if you subscribe for a longer period Works with macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux devices Browser extensions available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Vivaldi, Edge, and Brave
NordPass is a password manager created by the same people behind the popular virtual private network (VPN) service, NordVPN. It’s available for free, but premium users enjoy more features. You can use the free version on one device at a time, but you can use the paid version on multiple devices simultaneously. The premium version of NordPass allows you to sync passwords between devices. While NordPass is generally easy to use, it can be tricky to save a password (or update one) using the browser extension. This makes it less suitable for families or teams. NordPass uses zero-knowledge architecture and protects passwords using XChaCha20 encryption with 256-bit keys. You can secure your password vault with biometric data to prevent unauthorized access. NordPass also monitors the dark web for leaked credentials. While it doesn’t support file storage, NordPass allows you to store your WiFi passwords, bank details, and other important information with its Secure Notes feature. You can also scan and store your credit/debit cards with its built-in OCR scanner. NordPass is audited annually by independent firms. In 2021, German firm Cure53 audited NordPass, and in 2022, the company completed a Systems and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2) audit by an independent firm. NordPass is relatively inexpensive. A two-year subscription costs $2.49 monthly. This provider also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. NordPass final rating: 8.8 NordPass is the best password manager at the moment. This versatile password manager offers a lot of extra security features. It is easy to use and relatively affordable. NordPass also has the best free password manager in our books.
2. Keeper
Solid password manager, but you have to pay extra for many of its features.
Excellent security features 30-day free premium version that automatically converts to a limited free subscription Packages available for families and businesses Secure chat feature that may be useful for businesses Additional security features (charged separately) Works with macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android devices Browser extensions available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Internet Explorer, and Opera
Keeper isn’t only available for free, but you can enjoy all the features premium users get for 30 days at no charge. Its app and browser extension are both user-friendly and come with several features. Keeper provides excellent security. Your password vault is protected with multi-factor authentication. You can even use your fingerprint or Face ID to unlock accounts. Keeper comes with an array of add-on features, including secure file storage, secure messaging, compliance reporting, dark web monitoring, and more. The downside to Keeper is that you have to pay extra for almost everything. The free version is quite limited. Even for features such as synchronization and encrypted file storage, you need to pay extra. Also, Keeper is somewhat intrusive with its advertising of these extra features. Keeper final verdict: 8.7 Although Keeper charges so much for the same features that other password managers offer for free, it is one of the best password managers. Keeper is a great choice, especially for companies; it’s a secure password manager that offers some useful extra options.
3. 1Password
A perfect password manager for both individuals and businesses. It’s also priced competitively.
User-friendly Suitable for individuals, families, and businesses High level of security and add-on security options Allows you to store files securely Free trial is available without having to submit your payment details Works with macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, and Chrome OS Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Brave
1Password is one of the most popular password managers in the world. It offers users a high level of security. 1Password works with one master password and two-factor authentication, including biometric logins. You can unlock 1Password with your fingerprint on mobile devices. 1Password also uses 256-bit encryption to secure your data. 1Password’s Watchtower feature gives you an additional layer of security. This feature tracks if any of the websites you use have suffered a security breach. In the event of a data breach, 1Password will alert you so you can change the password associated with that website. You can try 1Password for free, and you don’t have to provide any payment details. You can log in to remove your stored passwords even after the trial period has ended. For teams, 1Password is an excellent option. You can store unlimited passwords, manage multiple password vaults, and share a password vault with members of your team. This allows groups of people to access shared accounts easily. Of course, each user can also have a personal password vault that is not shared with others. 1Password final rating: 8.5 1Password is one of the best password managers; it is easy to use and allows you to create and manage multiple password vaults. Also, 1Password is relatively affordable. There are cheaper password managers out there, but for its level of security and the features it provides, 1Password’s price is unmatched.
4. Dashlane
Dashlane is a secure password manager with a built-in VPN.
Strong encryption Easy to use Unlimited devices for premium users Built-in VPN for premium users Only available as a web app Doesn’t support updates to its desktop apps anymore Available as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Opera, Edge, and Brave
Dashlane is a highly-rated password manager, and rightfully so. Dashlane, like 1Password and NordPass, is user-friendly. It uses 256-bit encryption. You can change your passwords for some sites from within the Dashlane app. However, this does not work for all websites. Recently, Dashlane became only available as a web app; it doesn’t have a mobile or desktop app anymore. This apparently makes the app even faster and allows the company to push automatic updates, which improves security. The downside, however, is that you cannot use Dashlane without the internet. So, it’s not a good offline password manager. You can use the free version of Dashlane on one device at a time. It allows you to store up to 50 passwords. Premium users can install the password manager on an unlimited number of devices and store an infinite number of passwords. You also get a VPN with the premium version of Dashlane. Dashlane final rating: 7.5 Dashlane is quite similar to NordPass and 1Password in terms of its features. It is a very user-friendly password manager with good security, but it is more expensive than most password managers. And it’s only available as a web app.
5. RememBear
Disclaimer: RememBear has announced it is discontinuing its password manager. Users can no longer purchase a subscription or create new accounts. If you already have a RembemBear account, you can use the password manager until July 18, 2023. This gives existing users some time to find a new password manager. RememBear is a remarkable password manager with a lovely user interface.
Unique and easy-to-use design Excellent free version High level of security Comparatively expensive Works with macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android Browser extensions available for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari
If you are looking for a password manager with a user-friendly design, RememBear is worth checking out. RememBear is a secure password manager created by VPN provider TunnelBear, and it arguably has the best password manager app. RememBear has everything the average user needs. You can store and generate strong passwords. RememBear uses 256-bit end-to-end encryption. Unfortunately, you should not expect too much from RememBear in terms of features. For the relatively high price, you get a good password manager and not much else. The free version of RememBear is where its strengths lie. The paid plan is relatively expensive and offers fewer functionalities than some other password managers. RememBear final verdict: 7.5 RememBear is a decent password manager that does everything a dedicated password manager should. We recommend the free version of RememBear. If you want to go for a paid password manager, consider one of the other options above.
How to Choose a Password Manager?
If you’re looking for the best password manager, these are some things to consider:
Free vs. Paid Password Managers
Are you considering using a free password manager? While it may seem appealing, free password managers are usually unsafe. There are higher chances that free password managers can share your data with third parties, like marketing agencies, to generate revenue. Free password managers are also more likely to show a lot of ads, which can disrupt the user interface and may expose users to adware. We recommend using a premium password manager. Thankfully, some of the best password managers aren’t very expensive. Premium password managers have a wide range of advantages compared to free ones. For example:
You can easily get in touch with customer service if something isn’t working the way it’s supposed to. Many password managers allow you to store unlimited passwords in your password vault. You can use the password manager (and its browser extensions) on different devices. You can synchronize passwords between these devices. Free password managers often show you ads and may share your data with third parties. You’re less vulnerable to being scammed if you choose a premium password manager. Free password managers may expose you to malware.
Your privacy is priceless. That’s why we recommend choosing security over saving a few dollars. It only takes one password leak to compromise your privacy and possibly cost you a lot of time and money. Using a password manager reduces this risk significantly. If you still want to try out a free password manager, check out the top picks in our guide to the best free password managers. Many browsers, like Safari, Firefox, Chrome, and Edge, have built-in password managers. Want to know if these browser password managers are safe? You can find out more in our article on browser password managers.
The Best Password Managers of 2023
There are many password managers available today, each with its unique features, pros, and cons. The options we’ve highlighted above are the very best password managers among the lot. For more information about these password managers, check out our in-depth reviews below:
NordPass Review: A Cheap But Great Password Manager Keeper Review: A Secure Password Manager with Many Extensions 1Password Review: Strong Security and Suitable For All RememBear Review: A Very User-Friendly Password Manager
Interested in learning more about passwords and internet safety? Here are some insightful articles to help you get started:
How to Create a Secure Password: The Ultimate Guide How to Be Safe Online: 8 Cyber Hygiene Tips to Keep You Safe The Five Best Cybersecurity Tools to Protect Yourself The Best Ad Blockers: Get Rid of Those Annoying Ads! What Is 2-Factor Authentication and Why Is It So Useful
