Best Password Managers for Online Security: Editor's Picks

Sections on this page

1. Best Password Manager Overall: LastPass
2. Best Free Password Manager: Bitwarden
3. Best Password Manager for Families: Dashlane
4. Best Password Manager for Small Businesses: NordPass
5. What Are Password Managers?
6. How Secure Are Password Managers?

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You’ve likely heard the advice to use strong passwords for your online accounts. We’ve heard it, too, but we understand maintaining a strong password isn’t as easy as some people might think. When passwords must be at least eight characters with letters, numbers, special symbols, and more, it becomes more difficult to remember your passwords, especially when you need different passwords for each account. Here’s where password managers come into play. They can help you create and store strong passwords to keep your accounts safe from hackers and malicious software.

Here are our picks for best passwords managers:

• Best Overall: LastPass
• Best Free: Bitwarden
• Best for Families: Dashlane
• Best for Small Businesses: NordPass

Best Password Manager Overall: LastPass

LastPass is our pick for the best password manager based on its ease of use, free and low-cost plans, family-friendly features, and small business or enterprise-level tools. LastPass has received top ratings by top tech publications, including PCMag and CNET. With a strong userbase consisting of 25.6 million individuals and 70,000 businesses, it's a solid choice. 

For more than a decade, LastPass has been one of the biggest names in the password management industry. LastPass is one of the most feature-rich password management apps on the market. LastPass features are suitable for individuals, families, small businesses, and enterprises. These features include form autofill, data breach monitoring, an online username generator, a secure password vault, dark web monitoring, a secure digital wallet, and an online password generator. LastPass also includes browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, and mobile apps for Androids, iPhones, and Google Play devices and accessories.

 Why we like it: Not only does LastPass offer free plan options, but their higher-level plans are all very affordable, making them great for families and businesses. 

Pros:

•  Free plan available
•  Two-factor authentication
•  Affordable premium plans
•  Browser extensions and mobile apps
•  Intuitive and user-friendly platform
•  Dark web monitoring tools

Cons:

•  Closed-source software
•  Free version limited to one device type
•  Two significant user data breaches
•  Reports of slow customer service
•  Lack of automated database import
•  Restrictions on form autofill

LastPass Plans and Pricing  

Best Free Password Manager: Bitwarden

Bitwarden is a free, open-source password management software that’s an excellent option for individuals, families, and teams. The plans include no limit on the number of passwords stored or devices used. This password manager is highly secure and handles basic password management well for users.

Bitwarden‘s features include end-to-end AES-256 bit encryption, cross-platform data sharing capabilities, vault health reports,  customer success agents, flexible integrations, and detailed event logs. In addition, you can Integrate Bitwarden directly into your favorite browser or download its mobile apps for iOS and Android.

Why we like it: Bitwarden is a bit more secure than LastPass since the code running the system is available online to the public, making it more secure as it can be (and has been) checked by numerous experts. Bitwarden’s free plan options also allows connection for more than one device (e.g., your computer and cell phone). 

Pros

•  Compatible with browsers
•  Easy-to-use open-source software
•  Two-factor authentication

Cons

•  No live chat or phone support
•  User interface isn’t aesthetically pleasing
•  Data is stored in 5 Eyes member countries

Bitwarden Plans and Pricing

LogMeOnce: Runner-Up Best Free Password Manager

LogMeOnce is a convenient, easy-to-use password management software with a comprehensive suite of features for total security. This company is considered one of the best free password managers because it's similar to platforms used by government agencies and large businesses at a much higher cost.

LogMeOnce’s features include encrypted password and file storage, password-less login, single sign-on, unlimited autofill, secure wallet, multiple password recovery options, two-factor authentication, fingerprint biometrics, secure backup and restore, mobile device management, and more. LogMeOnce has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Additionally, it offers a mobile app for users. 

Pros

•  Syncs across operating systems
•  Secure wallet fills credit card data
•  New, streamlined interface

Cons

•  Overwhelming nature of vast features
•  Inability to access the vault offline
•  SMS-based authentication costs money

LogMeOnce Plans and Pricing

mSecure: Runner-Up Best Free Password Manager

If you’re on the hunt for one of the best free password managers on the market, you should give mSecure a closer look. mSecure has an intuitive, easy-to-use interface and works seamlessly across all your devices. mSecure’s free plan also includes all the password manager essentials you’ll need to stay safe online, such as unlimited data entries and a password generator.

Security features of this password management software include a new user interface, a security center, batch editing for desktop, enhanced backup and restore, inline record editing, and more. mSecure also offers iOS 12 password autofill, iOS action extensions, Android login assist, and its mobile app mSecure 5.

Pros

•  Easy-to-use interface
•  Reliable security and frequent updates
•  Excellent mobile app interface

Cons

•  Desktop version not as good as mobile
•  Limited features on the free version
•  High cost compared to others

mSecure Plans and Pricing

 

Best Password Manager for Families: Dashlane

Dashlane is one of the most family-friendly password managers on the market. This password management software offers streamlined password management and sharing with a host of added security features. These include 256-bit AES encryption, zero-knowledge architecture, two-factor authentication, and a virtual private network. Plus, Dashlane is incredibly easy to use, even for non-tech-savvy parents. The family plan offers six premium accounts in one affordable sum.

Additional features of Dashlane’s password management services include unlimited password storage, syncing capabilities for all devices, autofill forms with a click, data breach alerts, and more. Dashlane also offers browser extensions in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Chromium-based browsers, and apps on macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android.

Why we like it: Built-in private network for extra security and affordable plan for a family of up to six at just $8.99/month. 

Pros

•  Offers built-in VPN protection
•  Scans Dark Web for personal data
•  Automatic password changer

Cons

•  Premium tier is expensive
•  Free plan doesn’t sync across devices
•  Has trouble with multipage logins

Dashlane Plans and Pricing

1Password: Runner-Up Best Password Manager for Families

1Password is another great password management option for families. 1Password has a super easy-to-use and family-friendly interface. This password management software lets families create both personal and shared vaults. Plus, vaults come with permission controls, so you can choose who can use, manage or edit logins. The 1Password family plan provides coverage for up to five users and doesn’t limit the number of licenses you can add to your family plan.

1Password features include unlimited passwords, two-factor authentication, 24/7 email support, a digital wallet, alerts for compromised websites and vulnerable passwords, advanced encryption, and travel mode to cross borders safely. You can download the 1Password mobile app or browser extension on macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, and Chrome OS. 

Pros

•  Intuitive password organization
•  Simple, secure onboarding and set up
•  Two-factor authentication

Cons

•  Sharing features limited for family plan
•  Autofill features can be problematic
•  Lacks password-inheritance feature

1Password Plans and Pricing

Keeper: Runner-Up Best Password Manager for Families

If you want highly secure password management software for your family, you should consider Keeper. This top-rated, feature-rich password manager can keep your family’s passwords and private information safe from hackers.

Keeper’s password management features include random password generation, folder sharing, delegated management, cross-platform compatibility, and live support. Keeper also offers powerful add-ons for added security, such as BreachWatch^® Dark Web Monitoring and its Cloud Security Vault™. Keeper has desktop applications, browser extensions, and mobile apps on Google Play and the app store.

Pros

•  User-friendly interfaces
•  Secure file and photo storage
•  The zero-knowledge model increases security

Cons

•  Inconvenient autofill experiences
•  Free plan offers limited value
•  Slow customer service and support

Keeper Plans and Pricing

 

Best Password Manager for Small Businesses: NordPass

If you want a simpler and safer online experience for your business, consider trying NordPass. NordPass is a proprietary password manager with autosave and autofill capabilities so that you can access your data on any device. NordPass for Business also allows you to instantly share protected passwords and other important information with other team members or departments.

NordPass offers an array of industry-leading features for password managers, such as password storage, automatic login, instant import, cross-platform syncing, a built-in password generator, a data breach scanner, a password health tool, and more. NordPass has browser extensions available on Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Edge, Brave, Opera, Safari, and mobile apps currently available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Why we like it: Built-in data breach scanner and a free account for those who aren’t ready for the additional expense.

Pros

•  Free version has plenty of features
•  Data breach scanner and health report
•  Straightforward, streamlined approach

Cons

•  Limited options for organization
•  Not as many advanced features
•  More expensive than competition

NordPass Plans and Pricing

RoboForm: Runner-Up Best Password Manager for Small Businesses

If you’d like to protect your business, you should consider RoboForm for secure and automated password management services. RoboForm is a secure, intuitive, and easy-to-use password management solution for businesses. This company offers a powerful and robust management console that helps make employee onboarding a breeze.

You can manage passwords like a pro with a comprehensive list of security and convenience features on RoboForm. These include one-click logins, cross-platform functionality, secure cloud storage, offline access, easy-to-manage folders, strong search functionality, and more. This password management software is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, supporting all their respective major browsers, including Microsoft Edge.

Pros

•  Reasonably priced plans
•  Digital inheritance and secure sharing
•  Identifies weak and duplicate passwords

Cons

•  Poor import capabilities
•  User interface isn’t very intuitive
•  Limited two-factor authentication

RoboForm Plans and Pricing

Password Boss: Runner-Up Best Password Manager for Small Businesses

Password Boss is another popular option for business and personal password management. Each of the business plans comes with a free 30-day trial and includes a five-user minimum. With an advanced business plan, you’ll benefit from an active directory connector and a backup of all business items.

Password Boss includes AES 256-bit encryption with secure cloud storage. Password Boss’ password management features include two-factor authentication, role-based access, remote control integration, secure password sharing, multi-layered security, centralized dashboards, a built-in dark web feature, and more. Browser extensions for Password Boss are available on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and more. Plus, you can download Password Boss on your mobile device.

Pros

•  Supports data import
•  Autofill, password sharing, and more
•  Good security and encryption features

Cons

•  No automated password updates
•  No online access to stored passwords
•  Inflexible configuration settings

Password Boss Plans and Pricing

What Are Password Managers?

A password manager is a piece of software designed to manage and store all your account usernames and passwords. This software encrypts your online credentials in a vault locked with a master password. Benefits of having a password manager include auto-generated, highly secure passwords, security alerts on potential phishing websites, identity theft protection, and auto-fill credentials for quicker access.

According to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report 2021, 61% of breaches involved login credentials. Furthermore, with an increase in remote work due to the coronavirus pandemic, phishing and ransomware attacks increased by 11% and 6%, respectively. These astonishing numbers make it even more important to have strong passwords that you can keep track of through password managers.

How Secure Are Password Managers?

Cybersecurity specialists agree that password managers are one of the most secure ways to protect your passwords. According to CyberNews, most password managers use AES 256-bit encryption for its exceptional military-grade strength. Password managers also use zero-knowledge architecture, meaning you’ll be the only person who knows what’s stored in your password vault. Furthermore, password managers offer several features to protect your passwords, such as making you change the passwords regularly or scanning the dark web for any of your online credentials.