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Best Overall
Best for Unique Features
If you're seeking a secure password manager, our rigorous testing showed that NordPass is the best overall password manager available. It offers advanced security, is easy to use, and can be bundled with other Nord Security software.
1Password is easily the second best because it includes unique features like Watchtower and Travel Mode for enhanced security. Bitwarden has the best free access, while Roboform offers users simplicity. Keeper Password Manager is a cloud-based solution that is best for high-end security. Finally, Dashlane is one of the most user-friendly password managers we've found.
All 6 password managers we evaluated offer browser extensions and mobile apps so you can easily create complex passwords, save new passwords, and log in on any platform. Read on to learn more about the best password managers and why we chose them.
NordPass: Best overall
1Password: Best for unique features
Bitwarden: Best free password manager
RoboForm: Best for simple password management
Keeper Password Manager: Best for high-end security
Dashlane: Best for user-friendliness
How to choose the best password managers
Do I need a password manager?
The best password managers FAQs
Bottom line: The best password managers
The best password managers 2025
So what's the hype about dedicated password managers? Password managers allow you to securely create, store, and manage passwords for your online accounts across all your devices and platforms. With built-in random password generators, you can say goodbye to weak passwords.
But good password management solutions go beyond these basic services and offer much more, like data breach notifications, reports on compromised passwords or reused passwords, biometric authentication, secure sharing, a private key (or strong master password), and more.
- NordPass: Best overall
- 1Password: Best for unique features
- Bitwarden: Best free password manager
- RoboForm: Best for simple password management
- Keeper Password Manager: Best for high-end security
- Dashlane: Best for user-friendliness
Top 6 password managers for 2025 compared
Password manager | Best Overall
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Star rating | ||||||
Starting price | Starts at $1.29/mo (billed every two years) | Starts at $2.99/mo (billed annually) | Starts at Free | Starts at $3.98/mo (billed annually) | Starts at $2.92/mo (billed annually) | Starts at Free |
Import/export tool | ||||||
Password sharing | ||||||
Encryption | XChaCha20 | AES-GCM-256 | AES-CBC 256-bit | AES-256 | AES-256 | AES-256 |
Two-factor authentication | ||||||
Password generator | ||||||
Password strength report | ||||||
Autofill | ||||||
Digital legacy | ||||||
Cloud storage | ||||||
Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Brave | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, Tor Browser, DuckDuckGo for Mac | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chromebook, Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Brave, Opera | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, other Chromium browsers |
Learn more | Get NordPass Read Our NordPass Review |
Get 1Password Read 1Password Review |
Get Bitwarden Read Bitwarden Review |
Get Roboform | Get Keeper Password Manager
Read Keeper Password Manager Review |
Get Dashlane
Read Dashlane Review |
How we test and rate password managers
We put every password manager through vigorous hands-on testing by downloading the software to our own devices. We test how the product works on both mobile and desktop, evaluating how well we're able to save, share, and use passwords across a variety of situations.
By taking a fine-tooth comb through all available features and settings, we carefully compare each product using our proprietary grading rubric. The star ratings take into account price, features, extras like cloud storage and data breach alerts, plus looks at security and privacy features like encryption levels and past data breaches.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full testing methodology here.
NordPass: Best overall
Who it’s best for
NordPass is an excellent solution for people who want to use a password manager to organize their important and confidential information. You can store your passwords, notes, credit cards, and personal information inside your NordPass vault.
NordPass also benefits those who need more guidance as they build their digital vault. NordPass walks you through the setup, and all of the elements are fairly self-explanatory, so you don’t have to search too hard to add any type of information. It also features seamless autofill and password generation capabilities.
NordPass also offers other solutions, like NordVPN and NordLocker cloud storage, so if you’re already using one of its other apps, you’ll likely understand the user interface pretty easily. These bundled security features are ideal for people who need more encrypted file storage.
What we liked
Simplicity: The first things that stood out to us were how simple NordPass was to set up and the prompts it gave us to add the browser extension and download the mobile app. It almost felt like someone was there walking us through how to get the most out of the password manager.
Design: The overall design of NordPass was also one of our favorites. It was easy to navigate through all the different categories, such as passwords, secure notes, and credit cards. We liked that you can attach files within each password, and it shows you the strength of your current password, too.
What we didn’t like
Upcharge: NordPass offers quite a few additional features with its Premium plan, including the password health feature, data breach scanner, and emergency access. We think these are all beneficial tools to have available, so we don’t like that they’re an additional cost. Other than that, there wasn’t much we didn’t like about NordPass.
NordPass pros and cons
- Easy for beginners to set up and use
- Can be bundled with other Nord software
- Aesthetic design
- No free version
- Premium features cost extra
Get NordPass | Read Our NordPass Review
1Password: Best for unique features
Who it’s best for
1Password is an impressive password manager with a variety of bells and whistles to make it more convenient for all types of devices. Since malware and other malicious code can be hidden in websites, Watchtower scans where you go online to make sure none of that code makes it onto your machine. Travel Mode is an excellent feature that safeguards your passwords against thieves and pickpockets by removing entire folders of passwords from your device once it senses you've crossed a border.
What we liked
Customization: 1Password has some nice features that make it easy to organize passwords. You can create multiple vaults to house different passwords. From each vault, you can search for passwords, share individual passwords, or give someone access to the entirety of the vault. This highly customizable way of organizing your passwords lets you keep track of everything in conveniently labeled individual vaults. You can even customize which password vaults stay and which disappear when you're in Travel Mode. Don't worry, though, they're still there locked away and safe for when you return.
Performance: 1Password continues to improve, which means prior users who had a negative experience should give it another try. Updates offer more flexibility for reorganizing fields in iOS and Android, which keeps in theme with 1Password's commitment to customization.
Security: One of our favorite features of 1Password is Watchtower. Watchtower not only scans sites for malware but also allows you to check the overall health of your passwords and the security of your digital vault. 1Password almost gamifies the Watchtower portion and makes it fun to have a great score.
What we didn’t like
No free version: One downside to 1Password is that it doesn’t have a free version, so there's a monetary commitment to using it. 1Password offers a 14-day trial that you can use to test its password storage. Outside of having to pay for 1Password, there wasn’t much we didn’t like.
1Password pros and cons
- Dedicated to user experience through upgrades
- Unique features for added security
- Customizable password vaults
- No free version
- Plans start higher than some competitors
Get 1Password | Read Our 1Password Review
Bitwarden: Best free password manager
Who it’s best for
If you’re looking for a quality password manager that emphasizes security and ease of use while including a free tier, Bitwarden is worth considering. All Bitwarden plans are built on zero-knowledge encryption and allow you to save unlimited passwords on an unlimited number of devices.
On top of all this, Bitwarden is an open-source password manager, which means it’s constantly being tested and analyzed for potential vulnerabilities that are quickly patched and secured.
What we liked
Seamless integration: Bitwarden’s functionality effectively integrates well across the web. You can add passwords quickly, and Bitwarden pings to ask if you want it to remember a password when you’re on a site that isn’t already saved in your password vault.
Bitwarden offers some useful vault health reports about your passwords and their overall security as well.
Robust free plan: With the free plan, you can also receive a data breach report to see if your username has been involved in a breach. Bitwarden Premium includes reports that show whether you’ve had any exposed passwords or any reused or weak passwords. These password health reports can help ensure you’re using strong passwords and practicing good cybersecurity habits.
What we didn’t like
Password sharing: Bitwarden doesn’t make it easy to share passwords with people without a little bit of legwork. To share a password, you need to organize passwords into different categories, or as Bitwarden calls them, “collections.”
Once you’ve established a collection, you can share it with someone to give them access to the passwords inside. However, there isn’t the functionality to just share a one-off password outside of a collection. Setting up the collection isn’t difficult, but it is an additional step. The free and premium accounts limit you to two collections, but the Families plan allows you to have unlimited collections.
Signing in: Signing in to Bitwarden is also a bit unusual. First, you log in to your Bitwarden account, and then you have to enter a different master password. On the one hand, it’s added security, but on the other, it seems like an unnecessary step. We had to complete a captcha each time we logged in, too, which got a bit annoying.
Bitwarden pros and cons
- Variety of features on free plan
- Open-source framework
- Vault health reports
- Password sharing is cumbersome
- Signing in is overcomplicated
Get Bitwarden | Read Our Bitwarden Review
RoboForm: Best for simple password management
Who it’s best for
RoboForm is the most simplistic password manager we tested. It’s great for password management, but it’s focused on just that: managing credentials (though you can save a few other items, including contacts, personal information, and notes).
What we liked
Simplicity: We appreciated the simplicity of RoboForm. From inside the Chrome extension, you can find your passwords and form fills, generate passwords, and oversee your password manager vault. (Note: The password generator is indicated by a slot machine icon in the top right-hand corner of the window, which took us a second to figure out.)
RoboForm is bare-bones but functional, especially in its free version. If you want a simple password manager, you’ll be able to navigate this one easily. RoboForm also has a mobile app and browser extensions, which make it easy to use on any device.
Easy password sharing: While other password managers may make it overly complicated to share passwords, RoboForm doesn't. We found we could send a password to someone's email without too many hoops to jump through. You may think this isn't such an essential feature until your Mom texts you for the third time that week looking for the Netflix login. Trust us, it's a necessary feature.
What we didn’t like
Lack of 2FA on free plan: One aspect of RoboForm we didn’t like was that two-factor authentication is not available unless you have a paid plan. For a solution designed to keep your accounts secure, it seemed odd to have to pay extra for added security.
RoboForm pros and cons
- Simplicity
- Budget-friendly and offers free option
- Easy password sharing
- No two-factor authentication on free plan
- Somewhat dated design
Get RoboForm | Read Our RoboForm Review
Keeper Password Manager: Best for high-end security
Who it’s best for
Keeper Password Manager is a user-friendly password management tool that's dedicated to keeping your login credentials, credit card details, and other personal data secure. It uses military-grade encryption, has zero-knowledge architecture, and comes with plenty of useful security features.
What we liked
Advanced security: We liked that Keeper is dedicated to creating a secure product. It undergoes annual third-party audits and publishes compliance reports to share its progress. It uses AES-256 encryption, which is considered unbreakable, and zero-knowledge architecture, meaning that only you have access to your master password.
Password sharing options: Keeper also allows for secure password sharing, which helps shield your data, even while it's in transit. You can use one-time secure sharing, or you can add people and designate their level of security access. It even offers a self-destruct feature should any hackers try to log in to your digital vault too many times.
What we didn’t like
Functionality: During our testing, we found that Keeper had some struggles with autofill. When we tried to sign in to our online banking account, the Keeper only entered our password, not our username. Luckily, this was the only site that gave us issues.
Price: If you're seeking a budget-friendly password manager, Keeper is one of the more expensive products on the list, and some features must be purchased as add-ons (like BreachWatch for dark web monitoring).
Keeper pros and cons
- Advanced security comparable to NordPass
- Offers different ways to share passwords
- User-friendly interface
- Passwords may not always populate in fields
- Higher-priced than many competitors
Get Keeper | Read Our Keeper Review
Dashlane: Best for user-friendliness
Who it’s best for
Dashlane was one of the most user-friendly password managers we tested. When you open it for the first time, the tutorial explains in detail where all the features are located. It's aesthetically pleasing, allows you to store personal and financial information, and works seamlessly.
What we liked
Ease of use: We keep saying Dashlane is easy to use, and we can back that up with our testing data. In addition to a tutorial when you start, Dashlane is also a breeze to set up (after a flawless download experience). Even its help section is user-friendly, with guides written in plain language, so you don't have to be a tech expert to troubleshoot your password manager.
Simplicity: Other simple password managers may look outdated or glitch when used with updated browsers or operating systems, but we didn't find this with Dashlane. It's a simple, well-executed password manager with useful features. It does everything it says it'll do without overcomplicating the process.
What we didn’t like
Limits: The free version of Dashlane limits you to one user and 25 passwords. For reference, we currently have 772 passwords in our own password manager, so Dashlane can be limiting if you're looking to stick with the free version.
Password sharing: You can only share passwords with other Dashlane users, which could be a problem if your friends and family use other programs. Password recipients could always sign up for a free Dashlane account, which might get annoying.
Dashlane pros and cons
- Easy to use and includes a helpful tutorial
- Offers a free option
- Plain language Help Center
- Free plan has restrictions
- Can only share passwords with other Dashlane users
Get Dashlane | Read Our Dashlane Review
How to choose the best password managers
Choosing the best password manager depends on your individual needs and how you plan to use it. Here are some questions to ask to help narrow down exactly what you need from a password manager.
- Would you like to save other information besides passwords?
- How often and with how many people will you share passwords?
- How much money do you want to spend on a password manager?
- Would you like the flexibility to organize your passwords based on the type of account or other qualifiers?
- Do you want the ability to give emergency access to a family member?
These are only a few aspects to consider when picking a password manager. It’s best to find the solution that works best for you and your family. Since many password managers offer a free version, you can try a few to see which one works best with your lifestyle.
Do I need a password manager?
If you’re still writing down your passwords on a sticky note or saving them in a Google Doc, you definitely need a password manager. In some cases, someone having access to your confidential passwords could give them access to every facet of your life, including bank accounts, social media accounts, and medical information, to name a few. Password managers can help keep this information secure.
If you’re using a built-in password manager like Google’s, you may want to consider switching to a dedicated password manager so you can ensure your data is encrypted and safe. Google Password Manager isn’t safe since it gives someone access to all your passwords if they have access to your Google account.
Password managers work by providing a guarded place to store passwords. It's also a good way to leave a digital legacy for your family in the event that they need to access your passwords in an emergency. You don’t want a family member rifling through your house looking for a colored Post-It note with the password to your life insurance policy, right?
FAQs
What’s the most trustworthy password manager?
Are password managers easily hacked?
Your password manager can be hacked — this happened to LastPass in 2022. In the case of a major data breach, all of your passwords may be compromised and would need to be updated. However, a password manager adds an extra layer of security that you don’t get if you’re not using one at all.
Some cloud-based password managers, like NordPass and Keeper, use zero-trust architecture. This means the password manager and its company don’t have access to your passwords — and may not have access to your master password either. If the password manager is compromised, hackers can’t gain access to your passwords or master password.
Is Google Password Manager better than 1Password?
No, Google Password Manager has limited functionality outside of being in Chrome and poses a security threat if your Google account is hacked. 1Password gives you the ability to autofill your passwords in apps throughout your computer or mobile device. 1Password also has more features and functionality that Google Password Manager does not offer.
What can I use instead of LastPass?
There are many LastPass alternatives to consider, including NordPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, RoboForm, Keeper, and Dashlane. When searching for a LastPass alternative, consider key features like military-grade encryption, two-factor authentication (or multi-factor authentication like NordPass and Keeper offer), and master password access. These advanced security measures will help secure your data and protect against hackers.
Do security experts recommend password managers?
Yes, security experts recommend that you use a password manager, and so do we. They provide better security for your passwords and other personal information. However, you can’t just use a password manager. It's also important to follow security guidance on overall password strength and security by using built-in password generators and checking password health reports to fix weak or reused passwords.
Bottom line: The best password managers
NordPass is the best overall password manager, with bundling potential, usability, and security being some of its key selling points. Nord Security is a leading name in cybersecurity software, and it's hard to top any of its offerings.
1Password, Bitwarden, RoboForm, Keeper, and Dashlane are all strong contenders as well, with a variety of features, functions, price points, and aesthetics that may be exactly what you need.
Each has a built-in password generator to help you create strong and unique passwords, which is usually the biggest reason an account is hacked. By setting up a password manager today, you can strengthen your online security and never be locked out of an account again.
Six best password managers 2025
Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
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Starts at Free | Best overall | Get NordPass
Read NordPass Review |
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Starts at $2.99/mo (billed annually) | Best for unique features | Get 1Password
Read 1Password Review |
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Starts at Free | Best free password manager | Get Bitwarden
Read Bitwarden Review |
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Starts at $2.49/mo (billed annually) | Best for simple password management | Get Roboform Read Roboform Review |
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Starts at $2.92/mo (billed annually) | Best for high-end security | Get Keeper Password Manager
Read Keeper Password Manager Review |
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Starts at Free | Best for user-friendliness | Get Dashlane
Read Dashlane Review |
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