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Password managers built into your web browser aren't as secure as third-party password vaults that use military-grade encryption. Unlike free password managers, premium password vaults boast ease of use, extra security features, multi-factor authentication through biometrics and authenticator apps, and cross-platform compatibility, so you can access your accounts anywhere you go.
Based on our in-house testing, we think NordPass, 1Password, and Keeper are standout password managers for Windows. Each option is user-friendly, comes with additional features on premium plans, and works with various web browsers. Our #1 pick is NordPass because it includes top-of-the-line security features at a good price point.
Learn about our firsthand experience with all three and what makes NordPass the best for Windows.
Weak passwords are one of the most popular ways hackers steal your personal data, with 81% of cyberattacks worldwide being executed through improperly secured credentials like passwords. Even if you have dark web monitoring alerts set up, data breaches happen at such an alarming rate that you may not be able to catch a breach of your online accounts before your sensitive data is accessed.
If you reuse passwords or use similar variations of passwords, your stolen credentials from one data leak can open the doors to all your online accounts.
A password manager helps you create, store, and manage passwords. Password managers save login information for all your accounts and integrate across various platforms, making password-sharing seamless. Whether you’ve never used one or are shopping for a new one, these options are solid and secure choices:
| Password manager |  Our Pick
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| Star rating | ||||
| Starting price | Starts at $1.49/mo (billed every two years) | Starts at $2.99/mo (billed annually) | Starts at $2.92/mo (billed annually) | Paid plans start at $0.83/mo |
| Free plan | ||||
| Encryption | xChaCha20 | AES-GCM-256 | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit |
| Password sharing | ||||
| Password generator | ||||
| Autofill | ||||
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Brave, Opera | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Brave | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Brave, Opera | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, Tor Browser, DuckDuck Go for Mac |
| Learn more | Get NordPass Read NordPass Review |
Get 1Password Read 1Password Review |
Get Keeper Password Manager Read Keeper Review |
Get Bitwarden Read Bitwarden Review |
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.
#1 ranked password manager with a strong history
Trusted Nord name backed by above industry standard encryption
Grab NordPass on its own or opt for a fully-featured security bundle
NordPass is best for anyone looking to bundle several services into one. Since NordPass comes from the Nord family, you’ll be able to bundle your VPN, password manager, and cloud storage into one unit. Everything is manageable from a single dashboard that’s compatible with multiple devices, so you can protect mobile and desktop devices from one place.
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User-friendly: We found NordPass to be intuitive and easy to use. During our installation process, we were able to download, install, and set up our NordPass quickly. It prompted us to input passwords from our browsers and made the transition experience seamless.
Customizable: There were also several settings we found helpful. The customizable auto-lock setting made it easier to use the app, so we didn’t have to enter our master password every 15 minutes. We also liked that we could decide how long a copied item stayed on our device’s clipboard. Overall, we found it to be a very useful tool.
Bundling: NordPass offers the option to bundle with NordVPN, which we think is the best virtual private network service on the market today. And if you need more cloud storage protection, there's the option to add on NordLocker.
Limited free version: If you decide to use the free version, you’ll be limited in what you can do. While we get that free versions don’t give you everything, we’d like to see some features or extra devices unlocked, especially if you purchase other Nord products like NordVPN. It’s still a great tool for saving passwords, even if you’re using the limited free version.
Secure password manager with no history of being hacked
Unique features, like Travel Mode
1Password is best for people who want advanced protection while traveling and robust password monitoring. With proprietary features like Travel Mode and Watchtower, 1Password stands out from the competition.
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Travel Mode: 1Password is the only vault that offers advanced protection for when you're traveling. If you travel internationally, your personal vaults will automatically be removed from your devices for your protection. Unless you deem the vault travel-safe, 1Password will keep your data private to prevent hackers or data theft.
Watchtower: Premium password managers typically offer a password health report, letting you know if your passwords are weak, reused, or compromised. 1Password takes this a step further and includes a built-in dashboard that comprehensively monitors your passwords. If a problem is detected, the software can help you quickly update the compromised credentials. Plus, 1Password can help streamline your login process altogether by recommending passkeys.
Price: 1Password is more expensive compared to other premium password vaults like NordPass. Although 1Password includes awesome proprietary features, you'll pay more for a subscription to access them.
Password manager with ample security features
The extension works with almost any browser
Keeper is committed to keeping your data secure. It undergoes annual third-party audits, uses military-grade encryption, and offers plenty of options for logging in to your vault.
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Advanced security: We like the fact that Keeper has many options for two-factor authentication (2FA) and passwordless authentication. This includes biometrics like Face ID and fingerprinting, time-based one-time password (TOTP) codes, authenticator apps, and more. It uses AES-256 encryption, which is the industry standard, and it has zero-knowledge architecture, meaning that you're the only person with the ability to encrypt and decrypt your Keeper data.
Security extras: Keeper's premium plans include unlimited password storage, devices and sync, secure password sharing, and identity and payments. It also has additional security features, like emergency access and secure record sharing.
Some features cost more: Keeper offers a bunch of neat features, but some of them come at an additional price. BreachWatch, the dark web monitoring tool, and secure file storage are add-ons that don't come with a Keeper plan. Keeper Family does come with 10GB of secure file storage, at least, but it's not offered at all with the personal plan.
Read Our Keeper Password Manager Review
Fully functional free plan
Open-source software
If you’re looking for a free password manager that offers great features and organizes your passwords, Bitwarden may be for you. Its free product is fully functional, and it offers some cool features.
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Usability: We really enjoyed testing Bitwarden, an open-source password manager. Both the web portal and mobile app were easy to use. We found the help section to actually be helpful.
Categories: We were huge fans of the ability to organize our passwords into categories, and the email alias feature was particularly impressive.
Password sharing is extra: Free products usually aren’t fully loaded, so we were surprised when Bitwarden was. However, you’ll need the paid plan to share passwords. This isn’t great if you want to send your mom the login for Hulu for the thousandth time.
Aura is an identity theft protection service that offers a robust password manager. With Aura, you can quickly import all your passwords from your preferred browser or another password manager. This big name in ID theft protection scans your imported credentials for weak, reused, and compromised email addresses and passwords. The service includes an automated password change function that works with most websites, allowing you to replace weak passwords with strong ones in seconds. Plus, Aura will let you know if your credentials have been a part of any data breaches so you can act fast. It’s also one of the most trusted products in the industry, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not your data is safe.
#1 rated ID theft protection service with a full suite of monitoring tools
Includes up to $1 million in ID theft insurance for up to five adults
Protect your children with robust parental controls and gaming alerts
Yes, Windows 10 has a password manager that’s called Credentials Manager. It’s located in the settings, so you have to search for it. Unfortunately, there are several reports that, like Google’s proprietary password manager, it isn’t secure.
The passwords stored in Microsoft Edge are not safe. Edge uses Windows Credentials Manager, too, which is not a trusted password storage system. It’s much better to use a secure password manager with AES-256-bit encryption and third-party independent testing.
Yes, you should really use a password manager. It’s possible to keep track of all your unique passwords with one of these tools. Poor password hygiene, such as weak passwords or reusing the same password, is one of the largest reasons for identity theft in our modern world. It can also lead to online harassment, fraud, and financial abuse.
The best free password managers for Windows are definitely Bitwarden and NordPass. They’re both fully functional, free password managers that can keep track of all of your unique passwords that you definitely don’t reuse.
We chose NordPass, 1Password, and Keeper as the best password managers for Windows because they’re trusted, offer a lot for either free or a nominal monthly fee, and have secure encryption. They all have unique properties that add value to the paid plans and help you create and keep unique passwords safe on your Windows devices.
Overall, NordPass is our #1 pick. It offers zero-trust security, can be bundled with other top-of-the-line security software like NordVPN, and makes creating, storing, and sharing passwords easy.
| Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
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Starts at $1.49/mo (billed every two years) | Best for online security | Get NordPass Read NordPass Review |
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Starts at $2.99/mo (billed annually) | Best for features | Get 1Password Read 1Password Review |
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Starts at $2.92/mo (billed annually) | Best for premium security | Get Keeper Password Manager Read Keeper Password Manager Review |
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Paid plans start at $0.83/mo | Best free password manager | Get Bitwarden Read Bitwarden Review |
#1 ranked password manager with a strong history
Trusted Nord name backed by above industry standard encryption
Grab NordPass on its own or opt for a fully-featured security bundle
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