Best Password Manager for Strong, Secure Passwords

Best Overall Value
LastPass
4.8 out of 5 stars4.8
Pro Bullet Great free option
Pro Bullet Free sync across devices
Con Bullet Limited capabilities without a subscription
Best for Security
Keeper
4 out of 5 stars4.0
Pro Bullet 2-factor authentication
Pro Bullet Personalized folders
Con Bullet No free version
Best for Traveling
1Password
4 out of 5 stars4.0
Pro Bullet Travel mode
Pro Bullet Secret key security
Con Bullet No free version
Best for ID Protection
Dashlane
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5
Pro Bullet Free plan available
Pro Bullet ID theft protection
Con Bullet No family plan
Best Autofill Features
RoboForm
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5
Pro Bullet Easy form autofill
Pro Bullet Shared password folders
Con Bullet Complicated interface
We regularly review pricing and feature offerings and noticed an update to Keeper's pricing. This review has been updated to reflect that price change.

Overview
Strong passwords are a basic part of protecting your identity online, but the best passwords are often hard to remember. A password manager is an easy way to create and manage secure passwords for bank accounts, social media, and anything else with a password.

Most password managers have similar features, so we've dug into the best ones out there to find out what sets each apart.

Here are the best password managers of 2020

Compare password managers

Data effective 01/21/2020. Offers and availability subject to change.


Best overall value: LastPass

LastPass is our top choice because it offers users a highly secure password manager with premium features for free or inexpensive monthly costs.

LastPass
Our rating:
4.8 out of 5.0
4.8 out of 5 stars4.8
 
$0.00-$4.00
/mo.

    Tech specs

    OS
    Windows, Mac, Linux
    Mobile
    Android, iOS
    Browsers
    Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Edge, Opera

    LastPass pros and cons

    Pros
    • Pro BulletFree version that includes device syncing
    • Pro BulletFamily plan for up to 6 people
    • Pro BulletSupport for all major OS and browsers
    • Pro BulletMulti-factor authentication
    • Pro BulletSOC 2 and SOC 3 compliance
    Cons
    • Con BulletEmergency access and offline support only with subscription
    • Con BulletLimited password sharing without a subscription

    Why we recommend LastPass

    LastPass offers a free password manager that has all the essential features we look for, including a secure password vault, strong password generator, and two-factor authentication. LastPass also evaluates your current passwords for security and automatically fills forms with your stored information.

    What sets the free version of LastPass apart is that you can sync your saved passwords across all of your devices—a premium feature for most companies.

    That way, when you change a password on one device, it automatically saves on all devices. And with the LastPass app on your smartphone, you can securely log in to both websites and apps automatically.

    Other features included with the free LastPass:

    • Username generator
    • Secure notes for saving sensitive information
    • Updates about data breaches on any website you use
    • Password sharing with one person per password
    • Windows application
    • Browser extension
    • 30-day Premium trial
    Is LastPass secure?

    LastPass Sesame two-factor authentication is an extra way to make sure your information is protected. With a Premium subscription, you can use advanced multi-factor authentication like YubiKey and fingerprint or facial recognition.

    LastPass also encrypts your data locally on your device using the highest encryption standards (AES-256 bit) so all of your passwords (including your master password) are unreadable by anyone else, even LastPass.

    Finally, LastPass meets SOC 2 and SOC 3 compliance standards, which means a third-party auditor approved the security of its products and infrastructure. Not all password managers have this certification, so it’s a big deal.

    LastPass Premium subscription vs. Families subscription

    A Premium subscription is $3 per month. With it, you can share your passwords with multiple people and grant someone emergency access to your password vault. You get advanced multi-factor authentication options and priority tech support, and you can save up to 1GB of encrypted documents—that’s thousands of docs. LastPass Pocket gives you backup capability and offline access to your LastPass vault, so all extensions and apps have full offline support.

    LastPass also offers a family plan for $4 per month. With this plan, you get all the Premium features for up to six people (most other family plans cover only five) and can share unlimited passwords or password folders with everyone on the plan.

    >>Learn more: Read our full LastPass review

    ASecureLife’s recommendation: LastPass offers a free password manager that has all the essential features you need. While there are also paid versions that add features and users, LastPass is our favorite choice overall and the best option for the budget-conscious.

    >>View Plans


    Best for security: Keeper

    Keeper’s layers of security and two-factor authentication make is one of the safest password managers out there.

    Keeper
    Our rating:
    4.0 out of 5.0
    4 out of 5 stars4.0
     
    $2.49-$4.99
    /mo.

      Tech specs

      OS
      Windows, Mac, Linux
      Mobile
      Android, iOS
      Browsers
      Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Edge, Opera

      Keeper pros and cons

      Pros
      • Pro BulletLots of two-factor authentication options
      • Pro BulletFingerprint and face ID authentication
      • Pro BulletRecord version history
      • Pro BulletEasy personalized organization
      • Pro BulletSupport for all major OS and browsers
      • Pro BulletSOC 2 compliant
      Cons
      • Con BulletNo free version

      Why we recommend Keeper

      We love that Keeper is one of the more secure password managers. Like LastPass, Keeper is SOC 2 compliant and uses the highest levels of encryption. It also offers a wide range of two-factor authentication options, including biometrics (fingerprint and face ID) for an added layer of protection to your account. All encryption happens on your device so not even the people at Keeper can see your data.

      Two-factor blues
      Protip

      Two-factor authentication can be both a blessing and a curse. For example, if you lose one of the two authentication devices, you may have a hard time accessing your accounts. Consider using one of the biometric options as a failsafe.

      All of the desktop, website, and mobile app versions of Keeper are similarly designed with pretty intuitive interfaces, so there’s very little confusion when switching between platforms.

      Additionally, Keeper has all the features we look for in a solid password manager, plus a few more:

      • Unlimited password vault
      • Strong password generator
      • Syncing across devices
      • Autofill for forms
      • Secure file storage
      • Easy organization and file personalization
      • Password sharing
      • Ability to restore old versions of your info
      Pricing: individual vs. family

      Keeper used to have a solid free plan, but now it’s a 30-day free trial only. The trial provides the basics—unlimited password, payment, and identity storage—but on only one device. Plus, the autofill feature is supported only on mobile devices.

      For just $2.49 per month, a non-trial subscription lets you use unlimited devices and syncs automatically between them. You can also grant emergency access to your account for up to five people, share passwords and documents, and get 24/7 support. That’s a lot of features for only a few dollars more than the free version.

      The Keeper Family plan gives up to five people all the benefits and features of the password manager for $4.99 per month.

      Add-ons
      Keeper offers a couple of add-ons that you can pay for separately or as a bundle with the password manager:
      • The Private Messenger plan is $19.99 per year and lets you keep messages and media private and secure on an unlimited number of devices.
      • The Max Bundle includes both services plus BreachWatch Monitoring for $4.99 per month ($9.99 for a family plan).
      >>Learn more: Read the full Keeper review

      ASecureLife’s recommendation: We like and recommend Keeper because of the confidence-boosting layers of security and solid features that the Premium subscription offers.

      >>View Plans


      Best for traveling: 1Password

      With multiple layers of security and the unique Travel Mode, 1Password is our top choice for those who travel often.

      1Password
      Our rating:
      4.0 out of 5.0
      4 out of 5 stars4.0
       
      $2.99-$4.99
      /mo.

        Tech specs

        OS
        Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS
        Mobile
        Android, iOS
        Browsers
        Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera

        1Password pros and cons

        Pros
        • Pro BulletTravel mode that removes or restores info with one click
        • Pro BulletSecret key to protect password vaults
        • Pro BulletEasy password organization
        • Pro BulletSupport for all major OS and browsers
        • Pro BulletSOC 2 compliance
        Cons
        • Con BulletNo free version
        • Con BulletSharing limited to the Family plan

        Why we recommend 1Password

        1Password is very similar to other password managers in price and features, but it’s set apart by its multiple security features and travel mode.

        Like other companies, you can use 1Password’s desktop and mobile password manager apps and web browser extensions on an unlimited number of devices. It also includes a password generator, checks for weak passwords, and gives you security alerts for websites you frequently use. Plus you can securely store payment info and organize passwords in different vaults.

        What makes 1Password safe?

        1Password is SOC 2 compliant and has several layers of security that make it virtually impossible for someone to break into your password vault.

        In addition to a master password and two-factor authentication, 1Password protects your account with a secret key that downloads directly to your device. You’re the only one who has it, and your passwords cannot be accessed without it. The flip side is that you have to know where it is on your device or you’ll be locked out.

        Travel Mode

        Travel Mode is a standout feature that removes sensitive info from your devices and makes 1Password ideal for world travelers.

        When you switch it on, only the password vaults that you mark safe for traveling show up; all other passwords and documents disappear. Once you’re done traveling, flip the switch to return all your data. You do have to open 1Password on each device you travel with and connect to the internet to make the switch, which makes this easiest to do on a smartphone (rather than a laptop).

        Pricing

        1Password’s major drawback is that there’s no free version outside of 30-day trials of its Premium and Family subscriptions.

        A Premium plan costs $2.99 per month and gives you unlimited password storage, two-factor authentication, up to 1 GB of document storage, and a saved password history for one year. If you want to share passwords, you need a family plan.

        A Family plan costs $4.99 per month for up to five people, and you can add more people for $1 per person. In addition to the Premium features, Family plan users can share passwords with and recover each other’s locked-out accounts, and the main plan owner can manage each person’s account from the dashboard.

        >>Learn more: Read our full 1Password review

        ASecureLife’s recommendation: With high levels of security and the unique Travel Mode, we’re confident that 1Password is the best option for frequent travelers.

        >>View Plans


        Best for identity protection: Dashlane

        Dashlane lets customers change hundreds of passwords at a time. And at a higher price, it offers identity theft protection services.

        Dashlane
        Our rating:
        3.5 out of 5.0
        3.5 out of 5 stars3.5
         
        $0.00-$9.99
        /mo.

          Tech specs

          OS
          Windows, Mac
          Mobile
          Android, iOS
          Browsers
          Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Edge, Opera

          Dashlane pros and cons

          Pros
          • Pro BulletAbility to change multiple passwords at once
          • Pro BulletOffline account access
          • Pro BulletUser-friendly interface
          • Pro BulletSupport for all major OS and browsers
          • Pro BulletSOC 2 and SOC 3 compliance
          Cons
          • Con BulletMore expensive price
          • Con Bullet50 password limit on free version
          • Con BulletNo family plan

          Why we recommend Dashlane

          Dashlane is our favorite password manager for changing lots of passwords at once. You can change multiple (even hundreds) of passwords at one time or use the password generator for individual sites. It’s also got all the expected features of a good password manager, including offline access.

          Dashlane also has identity theft protection and monitoring that no other password manager offers. Depending on your subscription, you get dark web monitoring, the option of a secure VPN, credit monitoring, and identity theft insurance.

          It’s also worth noting that the Dashlane app has thousands of reviews and some of the highest ratings we’ve seen for password apps.

          Pricing: Premium vs. Free

          The free version of Dashlane is pretty limited, so we can’t recommend it. It stores up to only 50 passwords and autofills forms on only one device, and there’s no remote account access.

          You do get security alerts and password sharing with five other accounts, and it supports two-factor authentication.

          Instead, we recommend the Premium Dashlane subscription for $4.99 per month even though it’s more expensive than other services. You get lots more than the free version:

          • Unlimited passwords on unlimited devices
          • Automatic syncing of passwords on every device
          • Unlimited number of people you share passwords with
          • Autofill feature on more than one device
          • Sensitive file storage
          • Remote account access
          • Password generator
          • Bulk password changer
          Premium Plus

          Premium Plus is $9.99 per month, which is much more than the other password manager subscriptions on our list. But it combines all the Premium Dashlane features with credit monitoring and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. We strongly recommend using a dedicated identity theft protection service, but you may appreciate the option to protect your passwords and identity with one master password.

          >>Learn more: Read more in our Dashlane review

          ASecureLife’s recommendation: If you want to change multiple passwords or want an extra layer of identity protection, Dashlane is your best option in spite of the higher price.

          >>View Plans


          Best autofill features: RoboForm

          For quick, automatic form filling, RoboForm is the best option.

          RoboForm
          Our rating:
          3.5 out of 5.0
          3.5 out of 5 stars3.5
           
          $0.00-$3.98
          /mo.

            Tech specs

            OS
            Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS
            Mobile
            Android, iOS
            Browsers
            Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Edge, Opera

            RoboForm pros and cons

            Pros
            • Pro BulletAutomatically fills in forms and applications
            • Pro BulletAutomatically saves passwords as you use them
            • Pro BulletUnique identities for different types of forms
            • Pro BulletManages bookmarks
            • Pro BulletPassword organization
            Cons
            • Con BulletComplicated user interface
            • Con BulletLimited two-factor authentication options

            Why we recommend RoboForm

            RoboForm stands out from the competition with its robust autofill features. RoboForm automatically fills forms on the web, as well as in individual applications. You can create unique identities with specific information, such as one for making payments with your credit card info. RoboForm also automatically saves your passwords as you log into apps and websites, so you don’t have to do anything other than log in.

            RoboForm also manages your bookmarks and personalizes the organization of your folders and information. And in the RoboForm app, you can pin your favorite apps to make them easier to access and use. While the extra control over your passwords is great, it does make the RoboForm interface more complicated.

            Also, many users have reported that importing passwords from another service (rather than logging in directly to each website/application) is difficult to do. That said, RoboForm has lots of articles about importing and customer service that can help.

            Like the other password managers on our list, RoboForm identifies weak passwords and generates strong ones, but you don’t need an account to take advantage of these features. You can use RoboForm’s random password generator directly on the website and check the strength of your existing passwords.

            Also like other password managers, RoboForm encrypts your information locally, so even your master password is kept safe on your devices.

            Pricing: Free vs. Everywhere vs. Family

            The free version of RoboForm has pretty standard features—password audit, password generator, autofill, password sharing, and a bookmark manager. You can save an unlimited number of passwords, but on only one device, and there are no two-factor authentication options with this plan.

            RoboForm Everywhere is the upgraded version that includes the features we look for, like syncing across devices, two-factor authentication, and offline access. You can also share an entire folder of passwords with others instead of just one password at a time. At $1.99 per month, it’s one of the least expensive options out there.

            The Family plan gives up to five users all the features of the Everywhere plan, and at just $3.98 per month, it’s a good deal for more than two people.

            >>Learn more: Read our full RoboForm Review

            ASecureLife’s recommendation: For quick autofill features, RoboForm is the best for both websites and individual applications. The user interface is a bit complicated, but customers have lots of personalization and organization options.

            >>View Plans


            Dashlane vs. LastPass vs. 1Password

            LastPass vs. Dashlane

            LastPass has a free plan that includes syncing across devices and an inexpensive Premium plan, making it best for budget-conscious users. Dashlane is more expensive, but it includes more identity protection and lets you change big batches of passwords at one time.

            Data effective 01/21/2020. Offers and availability subject to change.

            Dashlane vs. 1Password

            Dashlane has more options for monitoring and protecting against identity theft than 1Password, so it’s best for anyone who wants to combine their password manager and ID protection services. 1Password has better security features, including a Travel Mode that is excellent for frequent travelers.

            Data effective 01/21/2020. Offers and availability subject to change.

            Other password managers we considered

            Sticky Password

            If you have a less-common web browser, Sticky Password might be the right fit. It supports 16 different browsers on both Windows and Mac OS. There’s a free version of Sticky Password with most of the essential features. And with a Premium plan ($2.49 per month), you can share passwords and choose how your passwords sync—over the cloud, over local Wi-Fi, manually, or not at all. Some of the features are less expansive than other password managers, but it’s worth a look.

            >>View Sticky Password Plans

            KeePass

            KeePass is an open source password manager, which means all the code and security measures are available for anyone to see. We definitely appreciate this kind of transparency. The KeePass user interface is less intuitive, and while it has all the features you’d expect, many of them require individual downloads. It’s all completely free (though donations are requested) but best for tech-savvy users; otherwise, we’d recommend one of our other options.

            >>View KeePass Plans


            How do password managers work?

            Password managers remember your passwords whenever you log into a website or application. They’re usually a web browser extension that tracks online passwords or a desktop or smartphone app that runs on your computer or phone. You might already use a password manager if you save your passwords and payment info in Google Chrome or iCloud Keychain.

            The advantage of a dedicated password manager is that you can manage your passwords from one place. If passwords are weak, you can change them or have the password manager generate new ones for you. You can also securely save sensitive information like tax documents and Social Security numbers. All of this information is encrypted to protect it, and all you have to remember is the master password to log into your account.


            What makes a good password?

            The best passwords are long, unique (no common words or phrases), and include a variety of letters, numbers, and symbols. A long string of words (like a quote or song lyrics) works well, especially if you substitute numbers or symbols for some of the letters. Use a different password for each login whenever possible.


            What is SOC 2 compliance?

            SOC 2 compliance means that a company has been rigorously tested for security and privacy and you can be sure that your information is safe with them.

            SOC 2 is a set of requirements that cloud-based services must meet and pass to ensure security and privacy for their consumers. It requires companies to create, document, and follow security policies. Third-party auditors evaluate if companies comply with requirements, follow through with security procedures, and protect customers from malicious activity.


            What’s the best password manager?

            It’s important to safeguard your information online, and a password manager is a crucial step. Our top choice is LastPass for the strong security and premium features it offers for free, but any of the options on this list will secure your passwords and make managing them more convenient.

            >> For the overall best value, download the free version of LastPass.