'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
The best password managers you can buy: Expert tested
These days, it's not uncommon to have dozens of online accounts, each requiring a different login and password. Keeping track of all your accounts and their various credentials can be a difficult mess, especially given vendors' requirements to adopt complicated passwords consisting of numbers and special characters in their effort to improve security measures.
While passwords aren't a foolproof way of keeping information secure, there's likely to be some time before online services all transition to passwordless options -- if they ever do. However, keeping your sensitive information safe is more important than ever, and this is where a reliable password manager can be an effective solution to both security and password overload.
Also: The best antivirus software
What is the best password manager right now?
Our pick for best overall choice, 1Password, has a user-friendly interface and digital interface that makes storage simple.
ZDNET researched and tested the best password managers available considering security, storage, compatibility, and price, and we have also considered customer reviews and expert opinions. Read on to find out how other options stack up and best serve your password security needs.
Best password managers of 2024
- User-friendly
- Excellent features
- Account protection tools
- Digital vault
- Credit to switch
- No free plan
- Limited customer service
1Password is the best password manager overall, with its user-friendly interface and excellent features. You can store your credentials for online accounts and credit card information, and best of all, you only need to remember one password.
This app helps you create unique passwords that it believes are less susceptible to hackers and stores them for you so you don't have to remember complex passwords for multiple accounts. With its auto-fill feature, 1Password can automatically fill in information like your username, password, or credit card number. You can also share your information with trusted family or friends if needed.
The app is accessible across all your favorite devices, making access easy and secure. 1Password is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Browser add-ons are also available for Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Firefox.
Review: 1Password
Other notable features include a secure digital vault for stashing sensitive documents and notes, along with a feature that alerts you to weak, compromised, or repeated passwords. Passwordless authentication, including passkey storage, is now available. Furthermore, users of Watchtower can monitor SSH key security risks thanks to a recent update.
The only downside is that 1Password does not offer a free plan, but the app does provide a free, 30-day trial without even requiring your credit card information -- and the company will pay off any remaining time on your current bill if you're looking to switch (in credit). At the time of writing, the password manager costs $2.99 per month, billed annually, or $4.99 for a family pack. Business options are also available.
Overall, if you're looking for a reliable and easy-to-use password manager with great features and account protection tools, 1Password is a top choice. Users say the firm's approach to data security is top-notch with great customer support.
1Password features: Securely store credentials | Password generator | Multi-platform compatibility | Tag and folder organizer | Two-factor authentication | Watchtower feature to identify weak, reused, or compromised passwords | Secure digital vault | Trustpilot 4.7 rating | Passkey storage
- Secure sharing
- Health reports
- Useful business contact and team features
- Free version limited to a single device
NordPass is the best password manager for businesses, offering secure sharing, health reports, and multi-factor authentication. Created by the same team behind NordVPN, NordPass provides advanced encryption for added peace of mind when storing passwords and sensitive data.
NordPass offers business plans based on user numbers. Team plans with up to 10 users begin at $1.79/month per user. Features available include company-wide settings, Google Workspace SSO, a security dashboard, MS ADFS, and support for Okta user and group provisioning.
NordPass also includes a Data Breach Scanner, which ensures your information is safe and alerts customers if a stored password has been compromised in a third-party security incident. Contact information for colleagues and businesses can be stored in one place, allowing for quick and easy password sharing with the right people. Digital entry points can be assigned to teams for credential sharing and payment information.
The service can already store passkeys, and passwordless authentication is available and in early access for business users.
NordPass provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. A free trial is available for the home and business plans with no credit card required. You can sign up for a free account or a personal plan starting at $1.49 monthly.
If you're looking for a password manager that offers advanced security features and is designed with business in mind, NordPass is an excellent choice. Users say that the password manager is user-friendly, although the price can quickly add up.
NordPass features: Password generation and autofill | Two-factor authentication | Personal information and payment data storage | Password sharing and emergency access | Password breach scanner | Cross-device syncing | Biometrics | Trustpilot rating: 4.2 | Passwordless authentication on the way
- User-friendly
- Very fast uploads
- Smartphone-compatible
- Some auto-filling issues
Bitwarden is the best free password manager because it's open source and equipped with a user-friendly interface, fast uploads, and smartphone compatibility. You can use as many devices as you want without limitations, ensuring you always have access to your most sensitive information.
Bitwarden allows you to store as many passwords as you want, with no restrictions on the number or type of passwords that can be stored. Additionally, the app will help you create secure passwords across all plans, and you can safely share them with strong encryption.
You can choose between a free, limited option, or premium accounts for less than $1 per month ($10 billed annually). Alternatively, you can sign up for a family pack -- allowing up to six users -- priced at $3.33 monthly ($40 per year). Business pricing begins at $4 per user per month.
If you're looking for a reliable and free password manager, Bitwarden is an excellent choice. It offers advanced security features and compatibility with a wide range of devices.
Users enjoy the transparent pricing model and say that 'it just works' and the extensions are excellent, although many would like to see changes to maintenance routines.
Bitwarden features: Open-source password manager | Free version with unlimited passwords | Two-factor authentication | Multi-platform support | Auto-fill and auto-login functionality | Emergency access for trusted individuals | Trustpilot 4.0 rating | Passwordless features
- Generous storage
- VPN protection
- Dark web monitoring
- Plans can get pricey
- Device limitations
Dashlane is the best password manager based on its extensive feature suite, including generous storage, VPN protection, and dark web monitoring.
In addition to storing passwords, the web-first Dashlane platform securely stores your payments and personal information for easy input when you're on the web or logging into an app. There are no limitations to the number of passwords you can store, and you can sync your data to all of your devices, ensuring you never go without access to your most important sites and apps.
Features include 2FA compatibility, secure password sharing, emergency contacts, a VPN for safe browsing, form autofill, a digital payment wallet, a password generator, and an alert system to notify users when their passwords have been compromised.
Dashlane has adopted Argon2 to generate Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit keys to encrypt and decrypt data.
Dashlane recently introduced passwordless authentication for new iOS and Android users, which removes the need for a master password.
You can try out a basic, personal account for free, whereas an advanced subscription with a VPN will cost you $4.99/month, billed annually. A family plan with up to 10 accounts is $7.49/month. Starter business plans are $20/month for 10 seats, or you can opt for an advanced business plan at $8 per seat, per month.
if you're looking for a password manager that offers advanced security features like VPN protection and dark web monitoring, Dashlane is an excellent choice. Users note that this option is pricy, and while the features are good, this may deter some customers.
Dashlane features: Secure password storage and management | Digital wallet for online payments and receipts | Form autofill | Dark web monitoring | VPN for safe and private browsing | Password changer to quickly update weak passwords | Emergency contact access | ISO 27001 certified | Trustpilot 4.5 rating | Passwordless authentication on the way
- Syncing across multiple platforms
- Multi-factor authentication
- Templates available
- Autofill delays
- Some features require paid plan
- Some users report customer service, cancellation problems
Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault is the best password manager for security, with its multi-platform syncing, multi-factor authentication, and available templates. Keeper takes security seriously, using leading encryption technology (AES 256-bit encryption and PBKDF2) to protect your sensitive data from ransomware and data breaches.
You can store as many passwords as you want in your personal vault, with easy access using biometrics, a record organizer, and automatic syncing. Keeper also allows you to import existing credentials or easily share your vault records with trusted friends while still keeping them safe from hackers. When it comes to 2FA, Keeper supports TOTP, SMS, Fingerprint (e.g. Touch ID), Face ID, and WebAuthn security keys. Additionally, the software is FIPS 140-2 validated.
If you are willing to use your email for self-verification, you can get a free trial without inputting your credit card information.
There is 24/7 customer support, and business users can take advantage of Keeper working out-of-the-box with platforms including Okta, Azure AD, Ping Identity, and Google Workspace. However, some features require a paid plan. Personal accounts start at $1.46/month, whereas Keeper Business starts at $2 per user, per month.
Users report the UI is intuitive but there can be a lack of customer support.
Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault features: Unlimited password storage | Advanced security features including 2FA, biometrics | Supports multiple devices and platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and web browsers | Password generator | Emergency contacts record sharing | Encrypted vault for storing sensitive documents | Trustpilot rating: 3.7 | Passwordless features available
ZDNET contributor Lena Borrelli also contributed to this story.
What is the best password manager?
The best password manager of 2024 is 1Password, which offers an affordable, easy way to store your passwords and personal data in a reliable, accessible manner. To see how it stacks up against the competition, this is an overview of the best password managers.
Here is a chart comparing the price, key features, and platform availability of the best password managers.
Password manager | Price | Key features | Going passwordless? |
1Password | $2.99+ per month | User-friendly interface, auto-fill feature, and account protection tools. | Yes |
NordPass | Free / $1.49+ per user per month | Secure sharing, health reports, multi-factor authentication, and advanced encryption | Yes |
Bitwarden | Free / $1+ per month | User-friendly interface, fast uploads, smartphone compatibility, and other advanced security features | Some features available |
Dashlane | Free / $4.99+ per month | Generous storage, VPN protection, dark web monitoring, and Chrome integration | Yes |
Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault | $1.46+ per month | Multi-platform syncing, multi-factor authentication, available templates, and top encryption technology | Some features available |
Note: Prices and features may vary based on the plan selected.
Which is the best password manager for you?
Here are suggestions to help you find the best password manager for your needs. We have covered the most frequent use cases for password managers, including price, features, level of security, and whether or not a password manager is best suited for home life or work.
Choose this password manager... | If you want... |
1Password | A family-friendly, one-stop-shop password manager. 1Password has features that allow you to share passwords with family members and manage multiple accounts with ease. |
NordPass | A password manager suitable for work. NordPass has features like secure sharing and centralized billing, making it a great choice for teams and small businesses. |
Bitwarden | A free password manager. Bitwarden is open-source and available for use on all platforms and will help you strengthen your online security. |
Dashlane | Multi-faceted features. Dashlane includes features like a VPN and dark web monitoring, which go beyond the typical functions of a password manager. |
Keeper Password Manager & Digital Vault | Keeper has features like secure file storage, making it an ideal choice for those who want to keep their data as safe as possible. Biometric access is a great additional feature. |
Factors to consider when choosing a password manager
There is a huge range of password managers on the market today. To help you make the right decision, you should consider the factors below.
- Security: Security is the foremost priority when it comes to password managers. The most secure password managers offer advanced encryption and use secure protocols to protect personal information when transferring from the service to your device and vice versa.
- Storage: Another important consideration is storage capacity. While some password managers limit the number of passwords you can store, others offer unlimited storage so that you can add all your information without restrictions.
- Compatibility: It's also essential to check if your preferred device is compatible with the password manager. The best options offer cross-platform compatibility, allowing you to access your data from multiple devices, including your computer, tablet, and mobile device.
How did we choose the best password managers?
In compiling this list of the best password managers, we examined third-party reviews and opinions from security experts. We also have hands-on experience with these password management tools because that's the only way to really get to know how usable a service is.
When selecting the best password manager, several crucial factors must be considered. These are some of the key elements that determine the best options:
- Price: While some password managers are free, others may require a paid subscription to access all features. It's important to weigh the cost against the benefits and select a password manager that meets your budget.
- Customer reviews: Customer experiences and feedback are very important. If usability is overlooked, it really doesn't matter how secure or exceptional a password manager is. We consider customer reviews and ease of use as one of our most important criteria.
- Company reputation: As you will be trusting an organization to provide a secure lockbox for your credentials, we only include reputable vendors who perform frequent security audits.
- Use cases: We wanted to include a range of password managers suitable for consumer and business use cases and purposes.
How does a password manager work?
Password managers are digital tools that can help you keep track of all your passwords and other sensitive information in a safe and organized manner. Once you create an account with a password manager, you can add your login credentials, credit card details, and other personal data into the password vault. You can add this information all at once or over time as you use different websites or apps.
The password manager will then store all your data in an encrypted format, making it extremely difficult for hackers to decipher. Whenever you visit a site or use an app requiring login credentials, the password manager can automatically fill in your username and password for you. This feature can save you a lot of time and hassle, especially if you have many different accounts to manage.
Another feature of the best password managers is the ability to generate strong passwords. These passwords are typically long and random, making them more difficult to guess or crack. Password managers can create and store these complex passwords for you, making it much easier to keep your accounts secure.
Password managers can be invaluable for anyone who wants to keep their online accounts safe and secure.
Do I need a password manager?
In today's digital age, almost everything we do requires a password, from social media to online banking, and it can be challenging to remember all the different passwords we create. The best way to manage these passwords is by using a password manager. Not only does it store your passwords in a central location, but it also provides strong encryption to keep your data safe from cybercriminals.
Using a password manager can also help prevent attacks and data breaches that expose your information to the wrong eyes. Cybercriminals use various methods to gain access to your passwords, from phishing attacks to brute-force attacks. Using a password manager, you can create strong, unique passwords for each account, reducing the risk of being hacked. Alternatively, some browsers, such as Google Chrome, will offer built-in password managers.
Are password managers safe?
Yes, password managers are safe as they use advanced encryption algorithms to protect your login credentials. When you use a password manager, your passwords are stored in an encrypted form, which means they can't be accessed by anyone without the correct password or passphrase.
However, it is important to choose a reputable password manager and use a strong, unique password or passphrase to protect your account. You should also remember there's no such thing as a 100% secure service, and on occasion, even the best password managers may have to patch and fix security vulnerabilities.
Can a password manager be hacked?
While no system is completely invulnerable to hacking, the best password managers use strong encryption algorithms and other security measures to protect your data. They also require a strong master password or passphrase to access your account. It is important to use a unique and complex master password and enable two-factor authentication to increase security further.
Can I use a password manager on multiple devices?
Yes, most password managers allow you to use your account on multiple devices, such as your computer, smartphone, or tablet. This means you can access your passwords and other login credentials from anywhere at any time.
What are passwordless options?
Passwords may, one day, become a thing of the past, although we have a long way to go. Passwordless authentication systems are linked most commonly to the FIDO Alliance, which promotes an open standard of passwordless authentication using passkeys. Passkeys are encrypted, safer than passwords, and use a key pair to authenticate at the time of a sign-in request, of which only you have the private key.
Are there alternative password managers worth considering?
While we've aimed to showcase the best password managers in 2024, it isn't possible to highlight every worthy option on the market. In our search, we've also found other password managers that did not make the top list but are certainly worth exploring, as listed below.