A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Oct. 01, 2024
Stop struggling to remember dozens of passwords—or, worse, using the same password on multiple sites. The best free password manager can help relax your brain and give you peace of mind.
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In a world where everything is online, it can be difficult to remember all your login credentials, especially if you use good passwords that are unique and complex, instead of recycling the same common words that show up on hackers’ passwords list. You can protect your online security and stop wondering if your computer has been hacked by downloading one of the best free password managers, in addition to the security apps you already use (right?).
The top password managers allow you to generate and store strong passwords that include upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols, and they can synchronize passwords across different devices. Then, when you need to log in to a website, you can simply copy and paste your password from the password manager into the web page. The only thing you’ll need to remember is one master password (and yes, it needs to be strong!) to open the password manager.
We rounded up five of our favorite password managers. Which is the best? As you’ll see below, it really depends on your individual needs and preferences, though you’ll definitely want to make sure the one you choose has a few important safety features.
via 1password.com
According to Denyer, 1Password’s strength is family sharing. The family version allows you to share your account with up to five family members from any household. It also allows you to recover accounts for locked-out family members and offers good parental controls. The family version is free for two weeks but then you have to pay $4.99 a month. However, given this password manager’s other strengths, it might be worth it. You also get unlimited passwords, 1GB document storage and travel mode, which removes sensitive data from your devices when you cross borders, then restores access with a click when you arrive. In addition, it provides 24/7 support and 365-day item history. 1Password uses a combination of cloud-based and on-premise storage.
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via dashlane.com
Browser-based Dashlane offers security alerts in its free version, along with a password generator, password health indicator, two-factor authentication, form and payment autofill and the ability to share passwords between up to five accounts. However, it limits users to one device and 50 passwords. If you upgrade to the premium version ($6.49 a month), you get additional top-notch security features such as dark web monitoring for up to five email addresses, an automatic password changer, VPN for Wi-Fi protection, secure notes, 1GB of encrypted file storage and unlimited devices and passwords, as well as easy syncing between devices. When you sign up for the free version, you get a 30-day free trial of the premium version. For $8.99 a month, the family version provides up to six premium accounts managed under one plan—and family members do not need to live at the same address.
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via bitwarden.com
The free version of cloud-based Bitwarden comes with a broad range of core features, plus basic two-step login and free sharing for two users. Core features include the ability to generate and store unlimited passwords, plus user names, notes, credit cards and identities. You also get email alias integration and username data breach reports. And with zero-knowledge encryption, nobody—not even the app developers—can see the data you store. You can use and sync the app across an unlimited number of devices, using either your browser or dedicated mobile and desktop apps.
Because Bitwarden relies on open-source software, you can easily customize your personal vault by adding credit card details, passwords, identity data such as Social Security numbers and more for secure storage. Additionally, you can move your most-often-used data to your Favorites for easy access when you need it. You can even create two separate “Organizations,” so you can share some personal data such as WiFi passwords and credit card numbers with your family, and other data—including sticky notes, documents and more—with your business.
If you opt for the premium subscription, you get all the core features plus advanced two-factor authentication, emergency access, 1GB of encrypted personal data storage, Bitwarden’s authenticator tool for added security at login, security reports and a self-hosting option for less than $1 per month.
The family package is priced at $3.33 per month, offering access for an additional six users, unlimited collections and 1GB of encrypted organizational data storage, along with the premium features.
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via passwords.google.com
Google’s Chrome browser-based password manager is easily accessible from desktops and mobile devices.
“It is free with a Google account and allows users to store their passwords and update them as they are using the internet. It is considered safe, as Google has a secure multifactor password authenticator, which makes it difficult to hack,” says Berardinelli.
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via nordpass.com
