Should You Use the Firefox Password Manager?

Mozilla Firefox, like most modern browsers, offers a built-in password manager that’s convenient and reasonably secure. If you’re not using a password manager at all, it can be a great entry-level option. However, it’s not perfect, and if you want to take your online security seriously, you should consider using a dedicated password manager instead.

In this article, we’ll run through the pros and cons of the Firefox password manager and explore how to use it. We’ll also offer some alternatives for users ready to invest in their security.

Is the Mozilla Firefox password manager secure?

The Mozilla Firefox password manager is secure. It encrypts your passwords so that no one — not even Mozilla — can see them.

The Firefox password manager, like most built-in web browser password managers, has convenience going for it. After all, it’s built right into the browser. It’s also almost certainly better than not using any password manager at all, which is a practice that can encourage reusing simple (AKA hackable) passwords to make them easier to remember.

However, browser password managers have a couple of big downsides compared to dedicated password managers, and Firefox is no exception.

Specialization

The Firefox password manager is part of the Firefox web browser. This means the team working on it is ultimately responsible for a lot more than just password security (this is also true of other browser password managers, like the Microsoft Edge password manager).

On the other hand, dedicated password managers specialize in keeping your passwords secure across devices and platforms, leading to greater security and a better overall experience.

Vendor lock-in

Browser password managers are tied to their specific browsers. If you’re forced to use a different one, you may have a hard time accessing your passwords. And if you ever decide to switch to a different browser, you need to transfer your sensitive passwords, which can be a hassle. A dedicated password manager works across multiple devices and platforms for maximum convenience.

How to manage your Mozilla Firefox saved passwords

Using the Firefox password manager is simple. When you enter a username and password for a website, the browser will prompt you to save it. The next time you visit that website, Firefox will automatically enter that username and password for you.

You can also view, change, and delete passwords directly within Firefox. Here’s how to do each one:

How to view saved passwords on Firefox

1. Click the toolbar's hamburger menu button (three horizontal lines) to open the Firefox menu.
2. Click Passwords.
3. Your saved passwords will be in the pane on the left, while details about the currently selected password will be displayed in the pane on the right.

How to change passwords on Firefox

1. Click the toolbar's hamburger menu button (three horizontal lines) to open the Firefox menu.
2. Click Passwords.
3. Click on the password you want to change in the left-hand pane.
4. Click the Edit button in the password details pane.
5. Enter the new details and click Save.

How to delete passwords on Firefox

1. Click the toolbar's hamburger menu button (three horizontal lines) to open the Firefox menu.
2. Click Passwords.
3. Click on the password you want to delete in the left-hand pane.
4. Click the Remove button in the password details pane.
5. Click Remove in the pop-up to confirm your choice.

How to disable Firefox password manager

If you’re using a dedicated password manager, it’s possible to disable Firefox’s password manager to prevent possible interference (and annoying pop-ups asking to save your passwords).

Just follow these simple steps:

1. Click the toolbar's hamburger menu button (three horizontal lines) to open the Firefox menu.
2. Click Settings.
3. In the left-hand pane, select Privacy & Security.
4. Scroll down until you see the “Passwords” section.
5. Uncheck the box next to “Ask to save passwords.”
6. Close the settings page to save your changes.

The best password managers for Firefox

Our top-tested picks for the best password managers are NordPass, RoboForm, and Keeper. NordPass is our favorite overall password manager, with an excellent feature set at a reasonable price. RoboForm is a simpler option that’s very user-friendly. Keeper offers excellent security and a ton of optional extra features.

FAQs

Bottom line

Firefox’s password manager is convenient and a solid choice for users who aren’t currently using any password manager. It’s fully encrypted, utilizes a primary password, and is built right into the browser. However, it lacks the focus and feature set of dedicated password managers, and using it will lock your passwords into the Firefox system, which can be inconvenient.

If you want to reclaim your digital security and ensure your passwords are safe and accessible no matter what browser you use, a dedicated password manager is worth the investment. Get started by checking out our favorite password managers for Firefox.