When it comes to staying safe and protecting your personal information, nothing is more important than strong passwords. Most of us have multiple accounts across a wide range of sites and services, so it’s essential to use varied, complex passwords for each account.
But if you’re like most people, it’s difficult to remember unique passwords for all your accounts. So we’ve compiled a list of the best password management apps to help you keep track of all your passwords and generate new ones when needed.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Passwords
Protect your sensitive data with these powerful and simple tools
By MICHAEL KURKO
Updated February 26, 2022
Reviewed by THOMAS BROCK
Fact checked by KHARA SCHEPPMANN
We recommend the best products through an independent review process, and advertisers do not influence our picks. We may receive compensation if you visit partners we recommend. Read our advertiser disclosure for more info.
There was a time when most people could get by with a handful of easy-to-remember passwords. But with more and more personal and financial data being stored online, the need for complicated passwords and secure ways to store them has given rise to the password manager.
According to Keeper Security, 81% of data breaches are due to weak password security with the average cost of a data breach to a company coming in at $7 million.1 Password managers let users create hard-to-break passwords and automatically log in to websites without having to remember those passwords. Many also analyze the strength of passwords, monitor accounts for data breaches, and provide secure private browsing networks.
We looked at over a dozen password managers and chose the best based on reputation, ease of use, additional security features, quality of free plans, cost, and more. Here are our top seven picks.
The 7 Best Password Managers of 2022
Best Overall: LastPass
Best for Extra Security Features: Dashlane
Best Multi-Device Platform: LogMeOnce
Best Free Option: Bitwarden
Best for New Users: RememBear
Best for Families: 1Password
Best Enterprise-Level Manager: Keeper
Best Password Managers
LastPass
Dashlane
LogMeOnce
Bitwarden
RememBear
1Password
Keeper
What Is A Password Manager?
How Safe Are Password Managers?
Why Do Hackers Target Password Managers?
How Much Do Password Managers Cost?
Methodology
BEST OVERALL
LastPass
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We chose LastPass as the best overall because it offers a rich set of free features allowing most users to get everything they need without paying anything. It can be accessed on most browsers and virtually all smart devices and also offers more robust sharing features through its paid versions.
Pros
Easy to use
Feature-rich free version
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Cons
Outdated desktop apps
Can’t auto-fill some personal data types
Website hacked in 2015
LastPass was created in 2008 by four developers tired of having to encrypt and decrypt their password document every time they updated it. By the time it was bought by SaaS company LogMeIn in 2015, it had grown to seven million users supported by just 30 employees.
LastPass is a browser-based password manager with extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Edge as well as Android, iOS, and Windows phone apps. It uses the industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption and also offers multi-factor authentication (MFA) which lets users access their account using a smartphone or fingerprint.
LastPass’s free plan offers unlimited passwords, multiple device syncing, one-to-one encrypted password and information sharing, and a digital wallet that stores and automatically fills in credit card information. All of this makes it a robust option and our choice as the best overall password manager.
Users can choose a Personal plan for $3 per month, which includes password sharing on multiple devices and 1GB of encrypted file storage, or a Family plan for $4 per month that adds six additional sharing licenses. Both offer a 30-day free trial.
BEST FOR EXTRA SECURITY FEATURES
Dashlane
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We chose Dashlane as the best for extra security features because it offers dark web scanning for data leaks, a secure virtual private network (VPN), and a password changer option.
Pros
Easy syncing between devices
Built-in VPN
Dark web monitoring
Cons
50 password limit on free plan
Free plan limited to use on one device
Limited cloud storage
French-based company Dashlane launched its password manager in 2009 which has quickly risen to become a major player in the marketplace. It offers both a robust free plan and paid plans with additional security support for its customers.
Dashlane’s free plan is limited to 50 passwords and one device and offers the standard form and payment autofill as well as two-factor authentication and the ability to share up to five accounts. Dashlane offers apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS as well as access on Linux-based platforms and Chromebooks via browser extensions.
A personal Premium Dashlane account costs $59 for one year and offers unlimited passwords, unlimited devices, dark web monitoring that scans the web and alerts customers of leaked personal data, and a built-in VPN, giving this product the edge over other password managers when it comes to extra features.
Customers can also choose a Premium Family account for $89 per year which includes all of the features of the personal Premium account for five people with private accounts for each member and the ability to share an unlimited number of logins.
One fancy feature we liked about Dashlane that few other services offer is a password changer that replaces hundreds of passwords with a single click.
BEST MULTI-DEVICE PLATFORM
LogMeOnce
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We chose LogMeOnce as the best for cross-platform support since it allows users to access their passwords and log in on just about any browser, computer, or mobile device with a photo, fingerprint, or PIN.
Pros
Cross-platform support
Encrypted storage
Highly customizable
Cons
Can be overwhelming to new users
Add-ons can get expensive
LogMeOnce has launched multiple security, network management, CRM, and security management companies and products since 1986. Its password manager offers cross-platform support, making it easy for users to access their passwords and logins on any desktop or mobile device and making this the top choice for multi-device platforms.
LogMeOnce offers a free ad-supported plan that includes unlimited passwords and devices, two-factor authentication, and 1MB of encrypted file storage. Users are limited in the number of secure notes, credit cards, and shared passwords and can expand each limit with add-on costs. Three paid plans ranging from $2.50 to $4.99 per month add additional storage and sharing as well as the ability to add up to six family members.
LogMeOnce boasts an impressive list of over 50 features, many of which are unique to their platform and allow for deep customization. Users can get a customizable dashboard, a snapshot of anyone who tries to hack their account or device, scheduled logins, photo logins, and more.
BEST FREE OPTION
Bitwarden
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We chose Bitwarden as the best free option because it beats out even LastPass’s free plan by offering all of the same features plus unlimited devices and sharing.
Pros
Unlimited passwords and sync in free version
Secure password generator
Cons
Some issues with Edge browser extension
Limited iOS support
Secure sharing costs extra
Bitwarden was originally launched as a password manager iOS and Android app in 2015. It is the only open-source password manager we reviewed and offers an impressive range of features in its free plan, giving it the edge over comparable password programs.
Bitwarden’s free plan includes syncing across devices, secure note and credit card storage, two-factor authentication, and the option to store passwords offline rather than in the cloud.
Bitwarden’s Premium plan costs only $10 for one year and includes 1GB of encrypted file storage, additional authentication options, password generator, and advanced support. Upgrading to the Family Sharing plan costs $40 and adds up to six users with unlimited collections and sharing as well as an extra 1GB of personal storage.
As an open-source platform, Bitwarden’s code is freely available for anyone to inspect, test, and fix, making it potentially more resilient than many other password managers that have to wait for developer updates. Bitwarden also regularly uses third parties to audit its platform for security.
Bitwarden is available as an app for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux, and offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, and more. However, some users have reported problems with the Edge extension.
BEST FOR NEW USERS
RememBear
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We chose RememBear as the best for new users because it offers a game-like interface, cute bear jokes, and a playful walkthrough to help non-technical users manage their passwords for a very affordable price.
Pros
Fun and easy to use
Good free plan
Simple master password recovery
Cons
Limited import options
No advanced security or encryption features
No password strength checker
RememBear was launched in 2017 by TunnelBear, which had previously created an intuitive VPN service for people with no technical knowledge. The company’s commitment to fun and simplicity resulted in it tackling the password management space with RememBear as the best for those who are new to password managers and just need the basics.
While most password managers focus on users looking for advanced security, RememBear caters to those who are brand new to password management with a fun, lighthearted, and easy-to-use interface. It’s available as an app for Windows and Mac computers, iOS and Android phones, and also offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
RememBear’s free plan is considerably less robust than free versions of other password managers, offering unlimited password, note, and credit card data storage on only one device. Users can also import data from 1Password and Chrome and enjoy two-factor authentication with fingerprint and face recognition.
RememBear Premium gives password managers 1Password or Dashlane a run for their money with highly-rated apps, secure backups, and priority customer service, all for just $6 per month.
BEST FOR FAMILIES
1Password
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We chose 1Password as the best for families because it offers a deep level of protection beyond simple password security that extends to the whole family and also makes it easy to manage and add individual users.
Pros
Travel mode
Web scanner
14-day free trial
Cons
No free version
Sharing limited to family plans
Originally developed as a password manager for Mac computers in 2005, 1Password currently offers apps for Windows, Android, and iOS as well as extensions for all major browsers and boasts over 15 million users worldwide.
Although 1Password doesn’t offer a free plan, users do get a 30-day free trial with any paid plan.
The 1Password plan costs $2.99 per month billed annually and includes unlimited passwords and device syncing, 1GB of secure document storage, a digital wallet, and 24/7 email support.
The 1Password Family plan costs $4.99 per month billed annually and adds the ability to share passwords and data with five family members and easy account recovery. Users can also set different permissions for each family member, and add more users for $1 each, making it the most cost-effective solution for big family needs.
Additional features for both plans include 1Password Watchtower, which scans the web for potential security breaches, and a travel mode that lets users delete sensitive data from their devices before they travel and restore it later with just a click.
BEST ENTERPRISE-LEVEL MANAGER
Keeper
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We chose Keeper as the best enterprise-level password manager because it offers advanced levels of security for teams of all sizes with additional security add-ons that allow businesses to customize their security based on their needs.
Pros
Advanced security
Secure password sharing and inheritance
Full password and file history
Cons
No free version
No quick access PIN
Keeper was created in 2008 by two developers who were frustrated by the lack of password managers for mobile devices at the time. Today, the company offers advanced password management and security for individuals, families, and businesses.
Although Keeper doesn’t offer any free plans, a 14-day free trial is available for its Business level service. Keeper Business costs $45 per user per year and includes an encrypted vault for every user, shared team folders, unlimited device access, security auditing, activity reporting, and team management. It’s big business solutions are more robust compared to other password managers, helping it win the enterprise-level category.
Keeper Enterprise has a single sign-on (SAML 2.0) authentication, automated team management, and advanced two-factor authentication. Both plans also include an admin console, role-based access, version control and record history, and secure file storage.
Keeper offers plugins for every major browser, plus apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. Users can also pay for add ons, including an encrypted chat messenger, advanced reporting and alerts, dedicated onboarding and training, and dark web and security breach monitoring.
What Is a Password Manager?
A password manager simply allows users to generate complex passwords for online accounts on the spot and store them securely for later use. Most are zero-knowledge platforms that store passwords and personal information locally on a device encrypted with 256-bit AES encryption keys, the same used by the U.S. military and government.
Password managers exist as either a smartphone or desktop app or as a browser extension that automatically fills in the username and password on saved sites. Nearly every password manager uses two-factor authentication, which requires users to confirm their login using two different methods, such as a password and code sent to a device.
Since many large corporations have suffered crippling data breaches that compromised the security of their customers, many password managers also offer additional security features. These include scanning both data breach records and the dark web where many cyber hackers roam looking for evidence of user data.
How Safe Are Password Managers?
In many ways, password managers are safer than the companies that actually store their customers’ data and passwords. Since each password is encrypted on a user’s device, password manager providers don’t actually keep any lists of passwords. This means that if they get hacked, while some customer data may be compromised, no passwords will be stolen.
From a personal standpoint, password managers allow users to come up with as many complicated passwords as they want and lock them all behind one master password. Users can often bypass the need to remember that one by activating multiple authentication features like fingerprint or facial recognition.
Why Do Hackers Target Password Managers?
Because password managers don’t actually store passwords, hackers can’t access them by breaching their databases. Instead, most try to access customer emails to try and trick them into revealing their master password.
With that said, some major password managers have suffered data breaches in the last five years, including LastPass, Dashlane, 1Password, and Keeper. Hackers were unable to break each company’s encryption keys, and instead targeted vulnerabilities in browser extensions and apps to access customer data to get users to enter their password. All vulnerabilities were quickly fixed by each company.
How Much Do Password Managers Cost?
Most of the top password managers offer free plans that are perfectly adequate for the average user. All offer tiered pricing that offers syncing across multiple devices and more advanced security features.
Most of the password managers we reviewed cost around $3 per month for a personal plan and around $5 for a family plan that allows multiple users to share passwords and data. Many offer annual pricing models with the lowest at $10 per year and the highest at $179.99.
How We Chose the Password Managers
We looked at over a dozen password managers for this review. At the top of our list were providers who were widely used and trusted with no critical security issues. Ease of use was also important as was the ability to share data across multiple devices and platforms.
We also looked for password managers with a good set of features in their free plans. We only included a few that didn’t offer a free plan because of the quality of features in their tiered paid plans.
Finally, we looked at cost. Although most offered strong free plans, we made sure to include options that provided additional security features, accessibility, and users (like families) for a reasonable price. In the end, paying for a password manager is an investment in a company dedicated to protecting sensitive customer data from the onslaught of cyberattacks and a small price for peace of mind.
best free password manager app
After testing every free password manager I could find, there are only a few that I think are actually decent.
A lot of free password managers are really bad — some of them are super buggy, some of them are ineffective, and some of them are actually just spyware designed to steal all of your passwords. And built-in password managers from Apple and Chrome might be convenient, but they don’t have high levels of security and they don’t offer multi-platform support.
Many of the best password managers offer free versions, but most of them hit you with so many paywalls that they basically become useless. The unfortunate truth is that if you’re looking for the best features, the strongest security protections, and the most helpful customer support, you’ll have to spend a little bit of cash.
Personally, I would never leave my sensitive data on a free password manager. If you’re like me and don’t want to deal with the hassles and limitations of a free password manager, a low-cost premium password manager like Dashlane is always the better choice.
However, there are some really good free password managers which offer powerful password security, good user interfaces, and some nice extra features. I spent the last month testing out free password managers on my PC, iPhone, MacBook, and Android to find the best free password managers in 2022.
Quick summary of the best free password managers:
🥇1. Dashlane — #1 overall password manager in 2022. The free plan limits you to 50 passwords on 1 device, but it also provides extras like auto-filling, password sharing, and password auditing. Dashlane Free comes with a 30-day free trial of Dashlane Premium, and all purchases are backed by a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
🥈2. 1Password — Secure, easy to use, feature-rich, and comes with a 14-day free trial. It offers low-cost plans for both individuals and families, and it’s the only password manager that lets you add an unlimited number of users on the family plan.
🥉3. LastPass — Unlimited passwords on unlimited devices, but you need to choose between mobile or desktop devices. Includes auto-save and auto-fill, secure notes, password sharing, and a built-in authenticator.
- Avira Password Manager — Unlimited storage on unlimited devices, plus an intuitive interface. Also comes with good 2FA compatibility, a built-in authenticator on iOS and Android, and password auditing (but it’s very limited).
- RoboForm — User-friendly with an excellent form filler. Provides unlimited logins on 1 device, bookmarks storage, and password auditing. Also has limited emergency access.
Plus 2 More Free Password Managers!
Comparison of the Best Free Password Managers in 2022.
How to Choose the Best Free Password Managers in 2022.
Risks & Disadvantages of Using a Free Password Manager.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut.
Frequently Asked Questions about Free Password Managers.
🥇1. Dashlane — Best Overall Password Manager in 2022
🥇1. Dashlane — Best Overall Password Manager in 2022
Dashlane is my favorite password manager in 2022. It’s secure, comes with more features than most competitors, and is easy to use across all devices, operating systems, and browsers. Its free plan has many of the features included in the premium plan, but it only lets you store up to 50 passwords on 1 device.
However, Dashlane Free includes a better set of extras than most competing password managers, including:
Autosave and auto-fill. Dashlane securely auto-fills both login forms and payment information.
Password sharing. Allows you to share up to 5 passwords with other Dashlane users.
Password auditing. Shows which of your saved passwords are weak, reused, or compromised. I especially like that you can exclude some of your passwords from the overall password security score, which is useful if you want to only audit specific logins.
Breach notifications. Provides immediate alerts if any of your saved logins show up in a data breach.
Emergency access. Grants a trusted user access to your account in case you lose your master password or are unable to log in for any reason. Dashlane is the only password manager on this list that includes full emergency access on its free plan.
TOTP authenticator. Generates and stores time-based one-time (TOTP) passwords for accounts with two-factor authentication (2FA).
Dashlane’s free plan is very good, but upgrading to Dashlane Premium brings you unlimited password storage, multi-device sync, dark web monitoring, an automatic password changer, and even a virtual private network (VPN). Dashlane is the only password manager on the market with a bundled VPN, which is secure, fast, and works with streaming sites like Netflix.
You can get Dashlane Premium at a 25% discount if you enter SAFETYD25 at checkout, so it’s only $4.99 / month, which is a pretty good deal for such a functional password manager. Families should check out Dashlane Family, which adds up to 6 users for $7.49 / month. All of Dashlane’s premium plans include a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Dashlane is the best password manager in 2022. While its free version is limited to 50 passwords on a single device, it still provides more features than most other brands include in their paid versions, including password sharing, emergency access, and breach notifications. Dashlane Free comes with a 30-day free trial of Dashlane Premium, and all purchases are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Dashlane review >
🥈2. 1Password — Feature-Rich & Great for Families (But It’s Not Free)
🥈2. 1Password — Feature-Rich & Great for Families (But It’s Not Free)
1Password has a ton of high-security features, an intuitive dashboard, and affordable plans for both individuals and families. Unfortunately, 1Password doesn’t actually have a free version like Dashlane or the other password managers on my list. But it has a 14-day trial, so you can test all of its features risk-free and see if it’s right for you.
1Password is one of the most feature-rich password managers on the market, and all of its features are easy to use and work as promised.
I really like 1Password’s Watchtower feature, which analyzes the entire password vault for weak or repeated passwords and also monitors the dark web for breached logins. I also like 1Password’s unique Travel Mode, which lets you hide one or more of your logins when crossing borders.
And I think 1Password has some of the best 2FA options on the market — it integrates seamlessly with one-time password apps like Google Authenticator and USB keys like YubiKey, it’s compatible with biometric scanners, and it has a built-in 2FA authenticator.
At $2.99 / month, 1Password for individuals is a really good value, costing less than what most top competitors charge for fewer features — but it’s a shame the plan lacks emergency access, an advanced security feature Dashlane includes in its free plan. And 1Password Families is one of my favorite family password managers, covering up to 5 members for $4.99 / month and allowing you to add as many new members as you want for a really small fee (no other password manager offers this kind of flexibility for families).
Bottom Line:
1Password has a ton of high-security features inside an intuitive user interface, but it’s not free. However, 1Password is one of the best-value password managers on the market, and it offers very affordable plans for individuals and families. You can try out all of 1Password’s features with a risk-free 14-day trial and see if it’s right for you.
Read our full 1Password review >
🥉3. LastPass — Unlimited Passwords on Either Desktop or Mobile
🥉3. LastPass — Unlimited Passwords on Either Desktop or Mobile
LastPass is one of the rare password managers that provide unlimited logins and unlimited devices on its free plan — but you have to choose between syncing passwords on computers or mobile devices. If you want to sync all of your passwords across all of your desktop and mobile devices, you’ll need to upgrade to the paid version.
That said, you get lots of good features with LastPass Free. It has good auto-filling capabilities, a built-in authenticator, and 2FA compatibility. I especially like its built-in authenticator (called LastPass Authenticator), which lets you log into accounts with 2FA instead of having to sign into a separate authenticator app.
It’s also great that LastPass’s free plan comes with one-to-one password sharing, which allows users to share passwords, notes, and credit card information with one other LastPass user. There’s also password auditing, which lets you check how secure your stored passwords are.
Unfortunately, LastPass Free doesn’t come with emergency access — Dashlane includes it in its free plan, and 1Password includes it in its 1Password Families plan (which comes with a 14-day free trial).
While LastPass Free provides just about everything you could want in a password manager, upgrading to LastPass Premium adds some pretty good features. For just $3.00 / month, you get unlimited access across all devices, biometric MFA, one-to-many sharing, emergency access, and dark web monitoring.
Bottom line:
LastPass’s free plan provides unlimited password storage on unlimited devices, but you have to choose between device type (desktop or mobile). It also includes a wide range of extra features, including one-to-one password sharing, 2FA, a built-in authenticator, and password auditing. Upgrading to the premium plan gets you syncing across both desktop and mobile devices, one-to-many password sharing, and emergency access.
Read our full LastPass review >
- Avira Password Manager Free — Unlimited Password Storage Across Unlimited Devices
- Avira Password Manager Free — Unlimited Password Storage Across Unlimited Devices
Avira Password Manager Free allows users to sync unlimited passwords across unlimited devices — so it’s perfect for people with tens or hundreds of passwords and tons of devices. The free plan also has 2FA compatibility (including biometric logins), and there’s also a good built-in authenticator.
While Avira Password Manager’s free version is pretty limited when compared to Dashlane or LastPass, it’s one of the most intuitive options on the market. During my tests, the app was able to generate passwords, save logins to my vault, and auto-fill saved logins with just a few clicks. I was able to easily import my saved passwords from Chrome to Avira, and the app automatically synced all of my passwords between my desktop and mobile devices.
Users looking for additional security features can upgrade to Avira’s paid app, which also includes data breach monitoring, password vault auditing, and priority customer support, for just $2.67 / month. If you also need a good antivirus, you can bundle Avira Password Manager with Avira’s premium antivirus software. All Avira purchases come with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Avira Password Manager Free is secure, intuitive, and provides unlimited password storage across multiple devices. Avira has 256-bit AES encryption, a zero-knowledge policy, and offers biometric login for mobile devices and a built-in TOTP authenticator. Upgrading to the paid version of the app brings you vault security auditing and data breach monitoring.
Read our full Avira Password Manager review >
- RoboForm — Easy to Use with an Excellent Form Filler
- RoboForm — Easy to Use with an Excellent Form Filler
RoboForm Free is secure, intuitive, and comes with the best form filler on the market — most password managers store and fill simple web forms, but RoboForm’s form filler is able to fill out even the most advanced web forms with perfect accuracy.
RoboForm Free also offers unlimited password storage and includes password auditing, bookmarks storage, and emergency access. But, unlike Dashlane, RoboForm’s emergency access only lets you receive emergency access, not grant it to others.
Unfortunately, RoboForm Free only covers a single device, and it’s missing 2FA options. To get access to multi-platform support, 2FA, cloud backup, and a secure folder for sharing logins, you need to upgrade to RoboForm Everywhere ($1.16 / month). Families should take a look at RoboForm Everywhere Families that covers up to 5 users for $33.40 / year. Both of RoboForm’s paid plans are significantly more affordable than competing brands with a similar set of tools.
Bottom Line:
RoboForm is easy to use and it has the best form filler around, which consistently auto-fills both simple and complex web forms without errors. It’s also got password auditing, bookmarks storage, and unlimited password storage — but only for a single device. It’s a great choice for new password manager users looking to cover a phone or a laptop, but I’d like to see RoboForm offer multi-device sync in its free version, like LastPass and Avira Password Manager do.
Read our full RoboForm review >
- Sticky Password — High Browser Compatibility + Portable USB Version
- Sticky Password — High Browser Compatibility + Portable USB Version
Sticky Password Free offers unlimited password storage on unlimited devices, but it doesn’t sync between devices, like LastPass and Avira Password Manager do. That said, unlike most password managers that are only compatible with the most popular browsers, Sticky Password works on 10+ browsers, including specialized ones like Pale Moon and Seamonkey.
On Windows, Sticky Password Free also includes USB portability — you can download your vault to a USB drive to access Sticky Password on any Windows PC. This is especially valuable for students and travelers who need to access their online accounts on different computers.
I also like that the free plan includes biometric logins, so you can use a fingerprint or face scan to access your password vault on any device that supports biometric scanning.
On the other hand, Sticky Password’s free plan doesn’t include password sharing. Dashlane’s free version lets you securely share 5 logins with friends, family, or work colleagues.
Upgrading to Sticky Password Premium ($29.99 / year), adds syncing between multiple devices, password sharing, secure cloud backup. Plus, a portion of every purchase goes to a non-profit dedicated to saving manatees!
Bottom Line:
Sticky Password Free offers unlimited password storage on unlimited devices. It also supports 15+ browsers, comes with biometric logins, and includes USB portability on Windows, which is perfect for travelers and students. But it doesn’t provide emergency access and secure password sharing. Upgrading to Sticky Password Premium gets you multi-device sync and password sharing for a pretty low price.
Read our full Sticky Password review >
- Bitwarden — Open-Source Option with Unlimited Password Storage
- Bitwarden — Open-Source Option with Unlimited Password Storage
Bitwarden Free provides unlimited password storage and covers an unlimited number of devices. Avira Password Manager is the only other 100% free password manager on this list that also does that (LastPass also lets you store unlimited passwords, but only on mobile or desktop devices).
Bitwarden is open-source, which means that its source code is freely available online, so anyone can inspect it to make sure it’s free of vulnerabilities. It’s also great that Bitwarden has been independently audited and verified — it makes it easy to trust this provider.
But Bitwarden isn’t very user friendly, so it’s not great for beginners. While it’s much harder to use than competitors like Dashlane and 1Password, it may be a good option for tech-savvy users looking for a highly customizable password manager.
That said, Bitwarden’s auto-save and auto-fill are pretty inconsistent. I spent a lot of time editing my password vault and manually entering new logins because Bitwarden had trouble properly saving and auto-filling my passwords.
Upgrading to Bitwarden’s premium version, which costs just $10.00 / year, gives you access to some great security features — biometric 2FA, password auditing tools, and encrypted storage.
Bottom Line:
Bitwarden Free is a secure, open-source password manager that provides unlimited password storage on unlimited devices. It’s definitely the least easy-to-use password manager on my list, and its auto-save and auto-fill can be pretty inconsistent. However, if you don’t mind getting into the nuts and bolts of your password manager, Bitwarden is a great choice.
Read our full Bitwarden review >
Comparison of the Best Free Password Managers in 2022
Password Manager Starting Price Free Trial/ Money-Back Guarantee Number of Passwords Number of Devices Password Auditing Emergency Access
1.🥇Dashlane $3.99 / month 30-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee 50 1 Yes Yes
2.🥈1Password $2.99 / month 14-day free trial Unlimited (paid version) Unlimited (paid version) Yes (paid version) Yes (paid version)
3.🥉LastPass $3.00 / month 30-day free trial Unlimited Unlimited (either desktop or mobile) Yes No
- Avira Password Manager $2.67 / month 30-day money-back guarantee Unlimited Unlimited Yes, but it’s limited No
- RoboForm $1.16 / month 30-day money-back guarantee Unlimited 1 Yes Yes, but you can only receive it, not grant it
- Sticky Password $29.99 / year 30-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee Unlimited 1 Yes No
- Bitwarden $10.00 / year 30-day money-back guarantee Unlimited Unlimited No No
How to Choose the Best Free Password Manager for Your Needs in 2022
Security. I only recommend free password managers that use 256-bit AES encryption, have two-factor authentication (2FA) support, and provide zero-knowledge architecture.
Features. Password managers usually hide their best features behind a paywall, but all of the password managers on my list have free plans that include basic password management features like secure password generation and auto-save and auto-fill. And some even have extra features like password auditing, password sharing, and biometric logins.
Ease of use. If a password manager is hard to use, then it’s not good. The products on my list make it easy to detect and save new passwords, auto-fill saved logins, generate passwords, and edit password vault settings.
Customer support. All my top picks provide friendly and responsive support through email or live chat and come with helpful support guides.
Risks & Disadvantages of Using a Free Password Manager
I usually recommend avoiding free password managers because most aren’t safe to use — they usually lack strong encryption, have exploitable security flaws, and don’t have zero-knowledge protocols (which means the password manager could access your password).
But there are also good free password managers out there, like the ones on my list. They all provide industry-standard features like bank-grade encryption, auto-save and auto-fill capabilities, and secure password generation.
But most of them also lack important extra features like password sharing (lets you securely share logins with trusted contacts), password vault auditing (checks how strong your passwords are and if they were leaked), and dark web monitoring (alerts you if your accounts were leaked in a data breach).
While all of the free password managers on this list are good, they still have noticeable limitations — for example, Dashlane Free only stores 50 passwords on 1 device, and Avira Password Manager Free doesn’t include comprehensive password security audits or account breach alerts.
If you’re looking for the best protection for all of your passwords, you’ll need to pay for a premium password manager. But the good news is that high-quality password managers are pretty affordable — for instance, Dashlane Premium is available for only $4.99 / month, and 1Password Personal only costs $2.99 / month. Plus, most top password managers come with a free trial or a generous money-back guarantee (Dashlane has a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, and 1Password provides a free 14-day trial).
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
RememBear. RememBear is very secure and easy to use, but I don’t like how bare-bones its free plan is — you get unlimited password storage on 1 device and a password generator, but that’s it. And upgrading to the paid plan won’t get you extra features like data breach monitoring and password auditing because RememBear doesn’t have them.
True Key. True Key is a decent password manager, but its free plan only lets you store 15 passwords, which is not enough for me (or anyone, really). I also don’t like that True Key is missing a password sharing feature.
KeePass. KeePass is free and open-source, but its official version is only available on Windows and I found its app very difficult to use. Also, you need to use additional plugins to use KeePass with your browser, which is extremely inconvenient.
Frequently Asked Questions — Best Free Password Managers
Doesn’t my device/browser already have a free password manager?
Are free password managers good enough?
Are third-party password managers safe?
How do accounts get breached?
Doesn’t my device/browser already have a free password manager?
Browsers like Chrome and Firefox as well as mobile operating systems like Android and iOS have free built-in password managers, but they just aren’t as useful as third-party password managers. All third-party password managers provide better features and security than the ones already built into Chrome, iOS, and Android.
Free third-party password managers include a variety of unique features that aren’t on built-in password managers, like:
Password auditing. If your passwords are simple and repetitive, it’s super easy for a hacker to crack your logins. Password auditing scans your entire vault for simple and repeated passwords — Dashlane has a password auditing tool that works as promised and is very intuitive.
Two-factor authentication (2FA). Many password managers, like Dashlane and 1Password, are compatible with third-party authenticators which use a one-time password to verify your identity. This means that your password vault stays secure, even if your Master Password gets stolen.
Secure encryption. Password managers use 256-bit AES encryption, which is the same encryption used by banks and militaries around the world. Many built-in password managers don’t have as good encryption.
Built-in authenticator. Products like LastPass and Avira Password Manager include a built-in authenticator, saving time when trying to log into 2FA-enabled websites.
Are free password managers good enough?
Free password managers have a lot of great features, but every free password manager has some limitations that will affect your user experience and security.
For example, Dashlane Free limits you to 50 passwords, which might not be enough for everyone. And LastPass Free doesn’t include emergency access, which means that no one else can access your account in the event of a crisis.
Paid password managers aren’t very expensive, and the best ones include dark web monitoring, encrypted chat and storage, unlimited password sharing, and emergency access in case you’re unable to access your account. Dashlane Premium even provides a surprisingly fast VPN!
Free password managers may be good enough for some people, but I still recommend paying a few bucks a month for a high-quality premium password manager.
Are third-party password managers safe?
Password managers are designed to protect all of your passwords, as well as credit card information and private notes. It can be scary to trust all of this sensitive information to one program, but password managers actually make you safer online. Here’s how:
Secure encryption. Most password managers store your vault on their servers, which makes it easy to sync between devices. Before your data leaves your device, it’s encrypted using end-to-end 256-bit AES encryption, which scrambles your data so thoroughly that it’s impossible to decipher.
Zero-knowledge architecture. Good password managers are built using zero-knowledge architecture, meaning only you can access your stored data. Not even the password manager company or its developers can view your stored passwords or payment card details, which means even if the password manager company’s systems were hacked, no one could view or steal your information.
Auto-fill. Hackers often steal user passwords using screen logging and keylogging spyware — this dangerous malware can record what’s happening on your screen, as well as every keystroke on your keyboard. By auto-filling your passwords, password managers keep your login data from being seen on your screen or entered into your keyboard.
Password generators. If you aren’t using a password manager, then your passwords are probably easy for you to remember and easy for a hacker to crack. Password generators are built into every password manager, and they create completely random and complex passwords with tons of symbols, numbers, and letters that your password manager can easily remember, but which are super difficult to crack.
Password managers increase your security by protecting you from screen loggers, generating hyper-complex passwords, and protecting your data behind secure encryption. It’s much safer to use one of these password managers than to try and juggle all of your passwords on your own.
How do accounts get breached?
Password breaches most frequently happen because of user error. Passwords can be stolen using keylogging malware or cracked through brute force attacks — which throws thousands of passwords in the login field until one of them clicks.
LastPass allows you to protect your password vault using authenticator apps like Authy, which generate a temporary one-time password — you need both the one-time password and your Master Password to log into LastPass. This means that anybody using your Master Password to hack your vault remotely can’t do it without also having your physical device with the authenticator app on it.
Large websites can also succumb to data breaches — hackers will break into a company’s servers and release all of their users’ login information to the dark web. Hackers can then access your account on the breached site and use the information from your account to crack into more and more of your accounts. This is why it’s so important to use a password manager that provides breach notifications — like Dashlane, 1Password, and LastPass.
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Tim Mocan
TIM MOCAN
Lead Contributor
UPDATED ON: April 1, 2022
About the Author
Tim Mocan is a cybersecurity journalist who has been writing about the VPN industry for the past 5 years. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, eating good food, video games, using VPNs (yes, really!), and watching anime.
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