Passwords still seem to be the most popular method of ensuring that the right person is using the right app or service, despite the slow adoption of passkeys, which are considered more secure. And because we should be using different ones for each device and/or app, the best way to track all of them is to use a password manager.
Some apps and operating systems come with their own password managers. For example, if you’re part of the Apple ecosystem, you can use iCloud Keychain; Google users have Google Password Manager, and Microsoft devices store passwords through its Edge browser and Credential Manager. Some apps that offer their own password managers (although at least one, Dropbox, recently announced that it was shutting down that service).
There are advantages to using an independent password manager. You aren’t limited to a single operating system or browser, and most of these apps offer a variety of other services. They not only save your passwords and drop them into apps when needed, but they generate new (and safer) passwords; save data such as credit card, contact info, and important files; share passwords with friends and family members; and alert you if a password has been part of a breach.
So, if you’d rather use an independent password manager, here are a few that are currently available.
Bitwarden is a well-known open-source password manager that offers a solid selection of features, including saving unlimited items, syncing across devices, and password generation. Unlike most of the other services listed here, almost all of its features are free. There are vaults for a variety of other data, such as credit cards, identity data, and SSH keys. You can also share files and data using end-to-end encryption. For no-cost day-to-day password usage, Bitwarden is a good choice.
You can find information on its security strategies here.
Other pricing: For $10 a year, a Premium account gives you access to an integrated authenticator, the ability to add file attachments, and receive security reports. For $40 a year, the Family account lets you share vault items with up to five other users (rather than one), share passwords and other data with an unlimited number of people, and store unlimited collections.
Dashlane, like Bitwarden, offers password generation, along with the ability to save credit card and other personal information, notes, and IDs. It also provides features such as secure sharing, phishing alerts, and includes a VPN. There is a limited free version that lets you store and autofill up to 25 passwords, but since most of us have more passwords than that, the best way to try it is to take advantage of the 30-day free trial.
You can find information on its security strategies here.
Other pricing: The Premium plan (which is actually the basic plan for personal use) costs $59.88 a year, while the Friends & Family plan offers password management for up to 10 people for $89.88 a year.
1Password includes secure places to save documents, notes, and IDs; it flags data breaches and weak passwords; and lets you safely share items with others. There are also some interesting new features, such as the ability to add a location to items so that they will appear in a Nearby tab, making them easier to find. It has a 14-day free trial.
You can find information on its security strategies here.
Other pricing: The Individual plan costs $3.99 a month or $35.88 a year. The Family plan, which lets you include up to five family members, is $6.95 a month or $59.88 a year.
LogMeOnce’s website talks about “Passwordless Password Management,” which it accomplishes using a system of QR codes. Its free Premium version provides unlimited passwords and use on unlimited devices, along with autofill, sync, password generation, 1MB of encrypted file storage, and two-factor authentication using email or Google Authenticator. You can also save up to three notes and three credit cards. LogMeOnce uses ads to fund its free version, so that could be a setback depending on your tolerance for advertising.
You can find information on its security strategies here.
Other pricing: The Professional version adds 1GB of encrypted file storage, emergency access, additional authentication methods, and more for $2.50 a month. The Ultimate plan, $3.25 a month, adds 10GB of storage, unlimited note storage, password sharing, and a customizable dashboard, among other features. And for $4.99 a month, the Family plan lets six family members use LogMeOnce.
The free version of NordPass includes unlimited passwords and multifactor authentication. Most other features — cross-platform compatibility, the ability to protect documents and file attachments, checking password health, data breach alerts, the ability to mask your email address, and secure sharing, among others — are only available with the paid Premium account, which you can try with a 30-day trial.
You can find information on its security strategies here.
Other pricing: The Premium version of NordPass costs $1.99 a month or $23.88 for the first year and $35.88 after that. The Family plan, which gives you six Premium user accounts, costs $3.69 a month or $44.28 for the first year and $71.88 after that.
Like several of the other apps mentioned here, Keeper has a free version, but one that won’t suit most people for long. In this case, you are limited to one mobile device, ten passwords or passkeys, and two-factor authentication. However, a 30-day free trial gives you unlimited password storage across devices, password sharing, and identity and payment storage, along with biometric logins and customer support.
You can find information on its security strategies here.
Other pricing: Keeper Unlimited (aptly named) costs $39.99 a year; Keeper Family, which includes five private data vaults and 10GB file storage, costs $84.99 a year.
LastPass has had a lot of setbacks over the last few years, including a couple of serious breaches in 2022. Since then, it has worked to improve its service and its reputation.
There’s a free version that includes a password vault, access on a single device type (in other words, only computer or mobile), a password generator, and a service that monitors the internet for security breaches, which is not often included with free versions, among other features. A Premium version lets you use it with more than one device type. You can check it out with a 30-day free trial.
You can find information on its security strategies here.
Other pricing: the Premium version costs $36 a year; the Family version, which includes six accounts, costs $48 a year.
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