The Best Free Password Manager – Top 10 Compared for 2023

The best free password manager will allow you to store an unlimited number of passwords and files and secure them via top-class encryption and multiple-factor authentication without spending a penny. Although free versions aren’t as feature-rich as paid PW manager plans – some of which can be pretty affordable – they’re certainly worth considering.

That said, not all password managers offer effective free versions, which is why we’ve prepared this guide of the 10 best free password managers for you. We’ve prepared this list after carefully comparing and reviewing the top contenders across criteria like security, features, and the limits of their free plans. Read on to learn why we rate NordPass, Enpass, and 1Password so highly.

Top 10 Best Free Password Manager Apps Ranked

All of our chosen options have something unique to offer, and this quick roundup will offer some highlights of what each product has to offer:

1. NordPass – The best free password manager overall, with the ability to import and export passwords in bulk, autosave new passwords, and autofill them the next time you log in.
2. Enpass – The best free PW manager for desktop users who can create multiple vaults and store unlimited passwords offline. Paid plans come with a unique admin console for businesses.
3. 1Password – Highly recommended for those who’d like the option of discreetly sharing passwords. It doesn’t come with a free plan but offers a 14-day free trial, as well as a unique Travel Mode and various security certifications, making it a tempting pick.
4. RoboForm – A must-have free-forever plan that allows you to enjoy monitoring for password breaches, cloud backup, and secure sharing. It also doubles up as a TOTP authenticator, sending you OTPs for more secure access.
5. Keeper – A mobile-only free PW manager with two-factor authentication and live chat support. Paid plans come with support for other devices and class-leading features like BreachWatch and Secure File Storage.
6. Norton – An out-and-out free service with no paid plans. It’s easy to set up with a very user-friendly interface, and you’ll get everything on offer, including a password generator, a private browser, and biometric logins.
7. Avira – Top PW manager with a free plan offering multi-device sync and bank-grade encryption. Plus, it individually encrypts each password before uploading it for extra security.
8. StickyPassword – A portable, free password manager that allows you to download your StickyPassword account and all the passwords in it on a USB and use it on other devices. Comes with unlimited data storage, which is a huge plus.
9. Dashlane – Offers dark web monitoring for your master password, phishing attack alerts, unlimited secure sharing, and 1 GB of encrypted file storage on its free-forever plan.
10. LogMeOnce – One of the few free password managers that allows you to log in with a selfie. With security audits, activity reports, and access for unlimited devices, it offers a powerful free package.

What Will I Gеt With a Frее Password Managеr?

With a free password manager, you can expect to receive a range of features and benefits designed to help you securely manage your passwords and sensitive information, such as:

• Password Storage: Free password managers allow you to securely store your login credentials for various accounts, websites, and applications in one centralized location.
• Password Generation: Many free password managers include a password generator feature, which helps you create strong, unique passwords for each account.
• Autofill: These tools can automatically fill in your login information when you visit websites or apps, saving you time and reducing the risk of typing errors.
• Secure Encryption: Free password managers typically use strong encryption algorithms, such as AES-256 encryption, to safeguard your stored passwords, making it difficult for unauthorized users to access your data.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Many free password managers support 2FA, adding an extra layer of security to your account by requiring a second verification step, such as a code from a text message or an authentication app.
• Secure Password Sharing: Some free password managers allow you to share specific passwords with trusted contacts, which can be handy for shared accounts and emergency access.
• Basic Customer Support: Free versions often come with some limited customer support, such as email support and community forums.
• Cross-Platform Access: Most free password managers are accessible on various devices and platforms, including smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers.

Are Password Manager Free Solutions Secure?

Free password managers provide a secure way to safeguard your valuable online credentials. These free tools employ robust encryption technology – most notably, bank-grade AES-256 encryption – and secure storage protocols to protect your passwords from potential threats.

NordPass, meanwhile, uses the industry-leading XChaCha20 encryption algorithm, even for its free plan users.

Many free solutions also offer advanced features like multi-factor authentication (MFA), secure cloud storage, and even dedicated customer support. It may also be a good idea to opt for open source services, as you’ll be able to check the platform’s code and vulnerabilities first-hand.

It’s important to note that a password manager’s degree of security often depends on the specific solution chosen. In conclusion, it’s wise to research and select a reputable free option with a proven track record – such as those on our list.

Pros and Cons of Paid vs. Free Password Managers

First, we’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using free password managers:

Now, let’s look at the main benefits and shortcomings of paid password managers:

In conclusion, the difference between free and paid password managers is fairly clear. Free plans are quite basic, and while they can certainly do simple tasks – password storage and auto-filling – they might not be as secure and feature-rich as paid plans, which are excellent for all-around security.

That said, a feature that may be available in one PW manager’s free plan may not be available in another’s. For example, Enpass doesn’t come with 2FA, whereas NordPass and other tools do. Similarly, RoboForm reserves live chat support for its paid users, unlike Keeper.

All in all, if you don’t want to compromise and want all-out, bullet-proof security with top-of-the-line features, then paid password managers are going to be the best bet. It’s also worth keeping in mind that many tools – like NordPass, 1Password, and Keeper – are very affordable.

Comparing the Market’s Top Free Password Managers

Here’s a table highlighting the main differences between our top picks – and how to protect your passwords for free.

Top 10 Best Free Password Manager Apps Reviewed

We’ll now discuss each of the top 10 PW managers in detail, with a deep dive into their best features and their pros and cons. Ready?

1. NordPass — Best Free Password Manager App Overall

NordPass offers one of the most feature-rich free plans in the industry, which also comes with a 30-day free trial of its premium plan. Security-wise, NordPass may just be the best free service, thanks to its XChaCha20 algorithm, which tops the industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption.

Speaking of features, you can easily import and export your old passwords in bulk. This simplifies the setup process, and you can bid farewell to your previous password manager sooner rather than later.

You also get to store unlimited passwords and enjoy the benefits of Nord’s autosave and autofill features. When you create a new password, NordPass will automatically ask if you want to add it to your password manager vault.

Similarly, when you try to log back into that account, NordPass will send you a prompt, and then, with a simple click, it’ll fill in the password and credentials on your behalf.

On the free plan, NordPass can also sync your passwords on all devices simultaneously. For example, when you save your Facebook password on NordPass on mobile, the tool will be able to access this for your laptop.

Other key essentials, like generating unique passwords, multi-factor authentication, and payment card storage, can be found on NordPass’s free version. That said, its paid plan is just $1.49/month and comes with dark web monitoring, password auditing, and file attachments, and it’s great value for money.

A significant benefit of using NordPass’s paid plan is that you get to stay logged in while switching devices. That means you can simultaneously use NordPass on both your mobile and your desktop device without it logging you out. In fact, you can stay logged in on unlimited devices for an unlimited amount of time.

2. Enpass — Best Password Manager That’s Free for Desktop Users

Enpass is the best free password manager for desktop users – it has impressive compatibility and works on Windows, macOS, and even Linux devices. For no charge, you’ll be able to sync your Enpass account across multiple computers and store unlimited passwords with multiple vaults.

Mobile users will also be able to use its free-forever plan, although they’ll be limited to 25 items. Enpass is also an offline-first password manager, meaning all your data will be stored locally for maximum security – even the PW manager and its employees won’t have access to your data.

You’ll have the freedom to store your passwords and data on whichever cloud storage service you want – whether Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, Dropbox, or another service.

Enpass’s breach monitoring is a great feature to have. If someone tries to break into your online accounts, if there’s a suspicious login attempt on a device, or if a website you have an account on is breached, Enpass will notify you immediately.

This way, you can change your passwords in a timely manner and stop the attack in its tracks – or prevent it from occurring in the first place.

If 2FA is non-negotiable for you, you’ll find more value in Enpass’s basic plan, charged at $1.99/month, as it comes with additional benefits like premium support and the ability to add up to six users to the same account, whereas the free plan only supports one user.

Enpass’s Business plan comes with a unique Admin Console that makes Enpass one of the best business password managers on the market. With the Admin Console, you can manage individual access for employees, ensuring their passwords are secure, as determined by Enpass’s security audit.

The interface is nicely segmented and easy to understand. For instance, you’ll find passwords that aren’t up to the mark under different sections like “Weak” and “Identical” under the heading “Password Audit” on the dashboard’s side menu.

3. 1Password — Free Password Generator with a Travel Mode and 14-Day Free Trial

1Password’s “free” offering is essentially a 14-day free trial, which will give you access to all it has to offer without taking on any risk. You’ll be able to cancel within the given time period and not lose a single penny.

However, given that it offers a feature-packed plan from the get-go for as little as $2.99/month, you’ll hardly have a reason to cancel.

With 1Password, you can temporarily share your passwords with people you trust in case of an emergency. Even better, these people don’t need to have their own 1Password account to access yours. This deserves special mention as many popular password managers, like Keeper, don’t allow password sharing for non-users.

We found 1Password’s organization to be spot-on – you can create tags, collections, and categories for your passwords. For instance, login credentials for your work and personal devices can be stored separately, so you’ll be able to easily find the password you need without scrolling and wasting time.

1Password also provides a Travel Mode, which you can use to hide vaults when you’re traveling, especially across borders. If you lose your phone or security agents ask for it, third parties won’t be able to access your confidential passwords even if they open the 1Password app on your device.

The fact that 1Password is both SOC II Type 2 certified and GDPR compliant qualifies how reliable and secure the service is. Simply put, these certifications are proof that 1Password handles user data in a secure manner and that it can be banked on.

4. RoboForm — Free Tool with Monitoring for Password Breaches, Cloud Backup, and Secure Sharing

RoboForm has a free-forever plan, which is everything you’d expect from an offering of its kind – simple and effective. With that said, a couple of its offerings make it slightly more comprehensive than its rivals.

For starters, while a lot of free PW managers offer 2FA, none of them offer the variety of TOTP apps that RoboForm does. Your options include SMS, email, Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, and Authy.

A TOTP authenticator generates unique OTPs for logins, giving you an extra security step to ensure that an unauthorized user doesn’t get access to your account.

Not only will you be able to store unlimited passwords on one device and securely share them with your trusted contacts if needed, but you’ll also enjoy cloud backup on RoboForm’s free plan.

You’ll be able to securely send individual items, too. It’s important to understand the difference between “sending” and “sharing” here. When you’re sending a password to someone, it’s a one-off thing, and the process ends there and then.

However, when you’re sharing a password, it’s a continuous event – like syncing – where the receiver gets access to your password and all the changes you make to it in the future for as long as you give them access. Note that secure sharing is only available on RoboForm paid plans.

We tested RoboForm, and although a major software update on our mobile device meant it took a reinstall to fall back on cue, it performed well overall and is more than enough to cater to your basic password management requirements.

That said, if you’re a security obsessive, the Premium plan, which costs a mere $1.99/month, will be the ideal pick for you since it comes with a local-only mode, wherein you’ll be able to deny syncing with a RoboForm server – all your data will be locally stored on your device.

This will better shield you from digital threats. What’s more, the paid plans also tag along with priority support and the ability to both grant and receive emergency access to the password vault.

5. Keeper — Best Free Android Password Manager with Two-Factor Authentication and Live Chat Support

Keeper’s free version is only available for one mobile device at a time, but it’s a great free option with plenty of features, including unlimited password storage, identity and payment storage, and two-factor authentication.

What’s more, while most free PW managers only provide email support on their free plans, Keeper offers live chat support, too.

Evidently, Keeper reserves a lot for its paid users – stuff like TOTP authentication, folder & record sharing, encrypted file storage, to name a few. The latter is available in Dashlane’s free version.

With that said, the absence of multi-device sync and the lack of a free desktop version – with no app or browser extension access – are major misses, which is why we recommend Keeper’s Personal plan at $2.92/month. It comes with a generous 30-day free trial, though, so you can try it out risk-free.

When it comes to paid offerings, you’ll have a fantastic range of add-ons, which put Keeper on our best password managers guide:

• A concierge service, where you get a product specialist who’ll help you set up Keeper on your device and train you on the best cybersecurity practices
• Secure File Storage, where you can save photos, videos, and other files
• BreachWatch — a special feature that notifies you if your stolen passwords show up on the dark web

It’s worth noting that NordPass offers dark web scans on its cheapest plan, and then there’s Dashlane that comes with dark web monitoring for your master password on its free-forever plan.

What’s more, Keeper is one of the few password managers to offer a 50% discount on its paid plans to all students and a 30% discount to first responders, military officials, nurses, doctors, and other hospital employees.

6. Norton — Best Free Password Keeper For Easy-to-Use Functionality

Norton is the only password manager on our list that’s completely free. There are no paid plans, which means you get to use everything that it has to offer without worrying about the company holding back on some exclusive features for paying users.

The first thing that caught our eye was Norton’s user-friendly dashboard and minimalistic color scheme – pretty similar to Avira in that the left-hand side menu houses all the options for easy navigation. We also tested the mobile app, which is easily available for download on the Google Play store.

Once inside, setting up takes less than a minute – all you have to do is create a Norton account and then a vault password. What’s more, you can also add hints for recovering your vault password. There’s also a handy password vault auditor, which makes sure that all your passwords are unbreachable and fully secure.

Norton also provides a customizable password generator. You can adjust the length of your password and choose whether you want to use letters, numbers, or special characters. It offers lots more customization features than Enpass.

If you’re still worried about hackers stealing your passwords or other credentials when you enter them online, use Norton’s Secure Browser. It’ll keep cybercriminals at bay alongside blocking ads and phishing attempts.

On the mobile version, this option is available at the bottom of the page. Click on it, choose a browser, and browse with an extra layer of protection from Norton.

7. Avira — Best Free Password Manager for Mac and iPhone with Multi-Device Sync and Bank-Grade Encryption

Avira uses bank-grade encryption and a zero-knowledge policy to keep your passwords secure. Encryption is the process that turns data (such as your passwords and files) into codes to make it inaccessible and unreadable to outsiders.

Zero-knowledge architecture, meanwhile, means that even Avira and its employees won’t have access to your vault data.

Avira’s free plan covers all the essentials of a PW manager, including a password generator, auto-filling on web pages, and syncing across devices, and while that’s a handsome package in itself, it becomes all the more worthwhile if you use it in tandem with Avira’s free antivirus solution.

It’s important to note that the autofill feature is only available for Android and iPhone devices – iOS 12, Android 8 (Oreo), and 9 (Pie) and upwards.

Avira is simple across the board – all options are neatly presented on the side menu. Plus, there’s also a “Get Started” option, which contains resource guides for understanding and using the platform to its fullest.

For extra protection, Avira encrypts each password individually before storing it on the cloud. This means that even if a hacker manages to break into your vault, your passwords will remain encrypted and out of their reach.

Avira’s paid plan is one of the most budget-friendly around and comes with a few extra features you won’t find on its free plan. For instance, it notifies you if one of your online accounts gets hacked so that you can be proactive and minimize damage.

Furthermore, it also points out passwords that are weak and need to be changed – interestingly, this paid feature of Avira is available for free elsewhere, such as Norton.

One of Avira’s key selling points is its Siri-blocker, which restricts Siri from accessing your conversations. This, combined with the anti-theft feature, makes Avira one of the best password managers for iPhone and iOS users.

The best part? Avira comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee, meaning you have ample time to try the service risk-free before committing to a mere $1.99/month subscription.

8. StickyPassword — Portable Free Password Manager

StickyPassword’s free-forever version boasts biometric authentication, which is otherwise a premium offer if we were to look at its peers. Biometric authentication allows you to use your Face ID and fingerprints as login methods for enhanced security.

On using StickyPassword first-hand, we noticed that its interface is slightly on the dull side, and in a world where you have NordPass and Enpass offering detailed blogs about every single one of their features, StickyPassword falls short.

In fact, it only has a single page dedicated to all its security offerings, and only in one or two lines each. That said, it might be the ideal pick for those on the hunt for simplicity and a PW manager who gets the job done without much clutter.

In addition to storing unlimited passwords and notes, StickyPassword’s free plan also comes with limitless data storage, which is a huge plus.

It also doubles up as your secure digital wallet – you can store your debit and credit cards or even PayPal information so that the next time you shop online, your details will be quickly and automatically filled out for maximum convenience.

StickyPassword is portable, so you can create a copy of your account with all your passwords and documents and save it on a USB, external hard drive, or memory card. Plug it into another device, and you’re ready to go. If you’re traveling and need your passwords on a different device, this feature is ideal.

Although the lack of priority support on the free plan is understandable, the fact that it doesn’t come with cloud and local Wi-Fi sync across all your devices means that its Academic plan, costing $1/month, is a better value for money proposition.

Once you move up to a paid plan, you get an exciting range of security tools such as dark web monitoring, secure password sharing, emergency access, and, of course, priority support. Plus, you’ll also be able to use it on all your devices and even browsers.

It’s appreciable that a portion of what you pay for a StickyPassword premium plan goes towards a noble cause – saving manatees, which are rapidly disappearing from the face of the Earth. If you’re a wildlife and nature enthusiast, this is an added bonus.

9. Dashlane — Free Secure Password Manager with Master Password Dark Web Monitoring

Dashlane’s free plan is one of the very best we’ve come across, and its dark web monitoring really stood out for us – it’s the process of searching and tracking the dark side of the internet for your lost credentials and data.

If and when Dashlane comes across your master password on a shady site, it’ll notify you immediately so that you can take timely action.

Yes, you read that right – with the free plan, you’ll only get dark web monitoring of your master password, and everything else, from your stored credit card details to multimedia files, will only be scanned for on the dark web with a paid plan.

Another benefit of using Dashlane is you get real-time phishing attack alerts. Phishing is a common tactic used by hackers wherein they use a fake email address, social media account, or phone number to lure victims into sharing their personal information.

With Dashlane, you’ll be alerted if you accidentally land on a website that looks like the Dashlane website but is actually fake.

A great offering on the free plan is 1 GB of encrypted storage, which will allow you to store sensitive files for extra protection – a lot of tools, including NordPass and LogMeOnce, don’t offer this on their free versions.

What’s more, free plan users will also benefit from live chat support, account recovery options, and Dashlane’s own authentication tool for 2FA logins.

And while you can only use Dashlane Free on one device at a time – as is the case with pretty much every other free PW manager – you’ll be able to store an unlimited number of passwords, IDs, payment information, and more.

10. LogMeOnce — Secure Password Manager That Allows You to Log in with Selfies

Although the LogMeOnce dashboard has a retro vibe, the company’s three key offerings, including identity theft protection, cloud encryption, and a free password manager – which we’ll discuss today – make it one of the most advanced security solutions on the market.

The free feature that stood out the most for us was the Passwordless Login. As the name suggests, you’ll be able to configure your account so that the only way inside it is with your own selfie – codes and numbers aren’t as foolproof as your picture.

If you don’t find selfies safe, you can also opt for QR-based passwords. You’ll just have to scan your unique patented QR code with your mobile to get in. Both of these techniques allow you to go passwordless.

A benefit of LogMeOnce’s free plan is the ability to give another person access to certain apps in case of an emergency without a drop in the security of your digital assets. The free plan also comes with security audit and audit reports – a huge plus as this is seldom found in free plans.

While the free plan is a perfect choice for individuals who want to store passwords and passwords alone – it comes with a mere 1 MB of file storage – the Professional plan, priced at just $2.50/month, offers a lot more, with 1 GB of encrypted file storage, MFA, a live password tracker, and more.

One of the key misses of the free plan – although there’s not much to complain about – is the limited number of 2FA options. You can only employ Google Authenticator or use your email for 2FA purposes, and the very reliable SMS message and TOTP are exclusive for paid users only.

Plus, you’ll also be able to securely store the details of any number of credit cards as opposed to the free plan that limits it to three credit cards.

All the paid plans come with a generous 7-day free trial, so you can try them out without putting any money on the line – consider it a time-sensitive free plan.

How Wе Rankеd thе Bеst Frее Password Managеr Solutions?

Ranking the best free password manager solutions involved carefully evaluating various factors to determine their effectiveness in helping users securely manage their passwords and sensitive information. Here are the key criteria we considered when looking at free password apps and password managers:

Feature-Rich Free Versions

Our ranking of the best free password manager solutions was primarily determined by their features. We assessed each solution’s ability to offer essential functionality such as password generation, secure storage, auto-fill, and password-sharing capabilities.

Storage Capacity

We assessed the maximum number of passwords and devices that could be stored or connected to the free version.

Solutions offering more generous storage were given higher rankings, as they better catered to users with extensive password management needs, ensuring that you can securely store many passwords and connect multiple devices without constraints.

Compatibility

We assessed their ability to seamlessly integrate with various operating systems, devices, and browsers. Solutions that demonstrated broader compatibility, catering to users on multiple platforms and web browsers, received higher rankings.

Compatibility with different operating systems and devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, was also a key consideration. The more platforms and browsers supported, the more versatile the solution.

Security

Our ranking of the best free password manager solutions prioritized security above all else. We assessed encryption protocols, the strength of master passwords, and the availability of two-factor authentication (2FA).

Additionally, we considered each provider’s reputation and track record in safeguarding user data. Solutions with robust security measures, trustworthy practices, and a history of prioritizing user data protection received higher rankings in our evaluation.

Cost to Scale

Some free password managers may offer limited functionality and encourage users to upgrade to a paid plan for more features. Our evaluation considered how cost-effective it would be for users to upgrade to premium versions to accommodate their growing password management needs.

Solutions that offer competitive pricing and scalable options for users to easily transition to premium tiers were prioritized.

Password Storage Location

The location where user data is stored, whether on the user’s device, in the cloud, or on the provider’s servers, was a critical aspect of our evaluation.

We favored solutions that employed secure, encrypted local storage or relied on reputable and trusted cloud providers known for their stringent security practices. By prioritizing password storage location, we aim to ensure your sensitive information remains well-protected and inaccessible to unauthorized parties.

Ease of Use

An easy-to-use solution enhances the overall user experience and accessibility without unnecessary complexity or confusion.

Our assessment considered the simplicity of setup, the intuitiveness of the interface, and the overall user experience.

Solutions that offered straightforward onboarding, clear navigation, and efficient password management processes were ranked higher, as ease of use is a critical factor in ensuring that you can quickly and confidently adopt and benefit from the password manager.

Customer Support

We assessed the availability and responsiveness of support channels provided by each service. While free versions may offer limited customer support, it’s worth considering the level of assistance available in case you encounter issues.

We considered the availability of customer assistance channels, such as email, chat, or forums, and the quality and speed of their responses. The effectiveness of support in addressing user queries and issues played a crucial role in our ranking, ensuring that you can rely on prompt assistance when needed.

Updates and Maintenance

Frequent, timely updates and responsive maintenance were key criteria in determining the rankings, as they play a crucial role in addressing potential vulnerabilities and providing users with a secure and up-to-date experience.

We assessed the regularity of software updates, security patches, and ongoing maintenance efforts. Our evaluation considered how well each provider maintains its service to ensure the security and functionality of the password manager.

Our Other Key Password Manager Guides

Here are some of our other in-depth guides that’ll help you meet your needs when it comes to passwords and personal data storage and management:

• Best Password Managers Compared
• Best Business Password Managers
• Best Password Manager Reddit Users Recommend
• Best iPhone Password Manager
• Best Password Manager for Android
• Best Mac Password Managers
• Best Password Keepers for Windows

Conclusion – What is the Best Free Password Manager to Use in 2023?

Our guide contains free password managers of varying capabilities, features, and depth. We’ve picked them very carefully so that if a feature is absent from one of them, you’ll more than likely find it with another recommendation.

Out of all the tools we looked at, NordPass is the best free PW manager, thanks to its feature-rich free-forever plan, which comes with XChaCha20 encryption, multi-device sync, MFA, and the ability to import and export passwords in bulk.

What’s more, its free plan also includes a 30-day free trial of Nord’s Premium plan, which comes with a lot of advanced features like file storage, dark web monitoring, and secure sharing. It’s priced at just $1.49/month and will give you fantastic value for your money.

Password Managеr Frее FAQs