The best password managers to protect your online accounts

A reliable password manager can be a major life hack; after all, 69% of Americans report being overwhelmed by the number of passwords they need to keep track of. This guide compares the best password managers for securely storing your login credentials and boosting your online security — saving you from the frustrating cycle of forgetting and resetting increasingly convoluted passwords.

Read on to learn more about the security features and pricing of top password managers like Norton Password Manager, 1Password, Apple Passwords, Bitwarden, Dashlane, and Avira Password Manager.

1. Norton Password Manager

Pricing: Free

Norton Password Manager is a reliable, free solution from the Cyber Safety pioneer behind Norton 360, an all-in-one cybersecurity suite that sets a new standard for digital protection.

Perhaps the best password manager available that’s totally free, Norton Password Manager helps users generate strong passwords and manage their login credentials across their devices. Users’ passwords and other data are stored securely in an online vault featuring bank-grade encryption that can be unlocked using biometric data. Two-factor authentication adds another layer of protection to the password vault.

Auto-fill technology automatically inputs login credentials, credit card information, and addresses so users don’t need to record or remember long, complicated passwords manually.

Features:

• Strong password generator creates complex, hard-to-break passwords, helping protect users from brute force attacks.
• Encrypted vault stores your passwords and personal information securely.
• Safety Dashboard monitors password health and suggests improvements, informing you if passwords are weak, duplicated, or old.
• Cross-device and cross-browser syncing allows easy access to your accounts wherever you use them.
• Mobile biometric support helps ensure easy vault access.
  

2. 1Password

Pricing: from $3.99 to $24.95 when paid monthly, depending on the plan. An enterprise version is also available.

1Password is a password manager known for its security features and relative ease of use. It offers users a centralized vault to store passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive data, protected by end-to-end encryption. 1Password is syncable across devices and browsers, making it easy to access your credentials wherever you log in.

Features:

• Password generator helps you create strong, secure passwords.
• Breach monitoring with Watchtower alerts you to data breaches and weak or reused passwords.
• Travel Mode removes vaults from your devices when you travel, securing your passwords from inspections.
• Secret Key adds another layer of security to your account.
• Multi-factor authentication protects your password vault.
• Emergency kit provides you with a PDF document containing key account information.

3. Apple Passwords

Pricing: Included free with Apple devices.

Apple Passwords is Apple’s built-in password manager, integrated across macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and Safari. It provides a seamless way to save, autofill, and sync your passwords across all Apple devices.

Security is handled through Apple’s ecosystem, including Face ID, Touch ID, and device-level encryption. For users invested in Apple products, this tight integration makes it a convenient and secure choice.

Features:

• End-to-end encryption keeps your data confidential.
• Biometric authentication via Face ID/Touch ID makes login easy and secure.
• Password sharing with family or teams using Apple devices adds convenience.
• Cross-device sync within the Apple ecosystem using iCloud Keychain is helpful for Apple-only users.
  

4. Avira Password Manager

Pricing: Free plan available; premium plan is $2.99/month.

Avira Password Manager offers a well-rounded password management solution with a free tier that includes core features like strong password generation and cross-device syncing. The premium version adds enhanced security features like data breach monitoring

Features:

• Password generator creates strong, unique credentials.
• Auto-sync works across devices and browsers, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.
• Mobile authenticator app allows you to secure your accounts with MFA.
• Password check assesses the strength of your stored credentials (premium).
• Website check warns you about unsafe websites (premium).
• Account check alerts you if your accounts have been hacked (premium).
• Data breach monitoring scans for compromised emails and accounts (premium).

5. Bitwarden

Pricing: Free plan available, but premium plans are $10/year and family plans are $40/year. Business plans are also available.

Bitwarden is a cross-platform password manager that offers both free and paid tiers. An open-source tool, its code is publicly available for review, which appeals to users who prioritize transparency and control.

Though the interface is functional, it may feel more technical than some alternatives: according to a product review on Cyber Insider, Bitwarden “isn’t particularly beginner-friendly.” Bitwarden supports all major operating systems and browser extensions.

Features:

• End-to-end encryption keeps your data confidential.
• Secure password sharing allows you to share sensitive files and passwords over email or chat more safely.
• Zero-knowledge encryption means even the password manager can’t access or decrypt your data.
• Vault health reports alert you to weak, reused, or exposed passwords.
• Encrypted file attachment allows you to send up to 1GB of encrypted data as an attachment (premium).
• Emergency access allows you to designate a contact who can request access to your accounts in case of emergency (premium).
  

6. Dashlane

Pricing: The premium plan is $4.99/month, and the friends and family plan is $7.49/month. Business plans are also available.

Dashlane is a password manager that includes standard features like autofill, password storage, and password generation, along with additional tools such as a password health report and phishing alerts. It also has cross-device and cross-browser functionality.

A free version is available, but it only covers 25 passwords. Paid plans include extras like dark web monitoring and a built-in VPN. While these tools are helpful, consumers who take cybersecurity seriously and want more than just password management may prefer a more robust, comprehensive solution like Norton 360 Deluxe.

Features:

• Phishing protection helps alert users to potential scams.
• Zero-knowledge architecture with Secure Cloud keeps passwords secret — even from Dashlane itself.
• Passwordless login with biometrics makes login simple and secure.
• Dark web monitoring alerts users if their personal information is found to be exposed on the dark net (paid plans).
• Built-in VPN helps users encrypt their internet connection (premium).
  

How do password managers work?

Password managers work by helping you generate strong, unique passwords, storing them securely in a digital vault, and autofilling your credentials when you log in to a site. By helping you avoid reusing passwords, they reduce your vulnerability to account takeovers and protect your personal information.

Usually, password managers rely on a single master password or your biometric data for sign-in. This means you only need to remember one secure password instead of a unique password for every online account you have.

Dedicated password managers are generally more secure than browser-based options, which can be vulnerable to network injection attacks and malware that exploits browser autofill. Plus, dedicated password managers typically offer more advanced features, like password health reports, breach monitoring, and secure file sharing.

How to choose the best password manager

Selecting the best password manager means prioritizing robust security features alongside ease of use. Look for a solution that offers strong encryption, MFA, biometric login options, and a password generator.

Here’s a rundown of features you should look for in a good password manager:

• Encrypted vault: A secure, encrypted storage space that protects your passwords and sensitive data from unauthorized access.
• Strong password generator: A tool that creates complex, random passwords designed to resist brute-force and dictionary attacks.
• Biometric login:  Allows you to unlock your password vault using fingerprints or facial recognition for added convenience and security.
• Cross-device and cross-browser functionality: Enables seamless access to your credentials across different devices and web browsers.
• Multi-factor authentication: Adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, like a code or authentication app, alongside your master password.

Take control of your online security

Protecting your accounts starts with stronger passwords — and remembering them shouldn’t be a struggle. Norton Password Manager makes it effortless to generate, store, and autofill unique logins for every site. By reducing the risk of takeovers and data breaches, it keeps your digital life simpler, safer, and stress-free.

FAQs

Are password managers safe?

Yes. Password manager security is built on strong encryption and secure storage practices to protect your sensitive information. While no tool is completely invulnerable, reputable password managers use advanced safeguards to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.

Can password managers be hacked?

Although most password managers use strong security measures, such as ultra-secure AES-256 encryption, they are not completely immune to hackers. Past breaches of password managers demonstrate the importance of enabling two-factor authentication and keeping your software up to date for optimal protection.

Are there any free password managers?

Yes, some password managers, like Norton Password Manager, are totally free. Meanwhile, several paid password management tools offer free tiers with more limited features.

Should I no longer use LastPass?

Concerns around a data breach involving LastPass have prompted some users to reconsider the password management provider. While major cybersecurity incidents generally prompt organizations to strengthen their digital safeguards, it’s understandable that consumers may want to choose a tool with a cleaner record.