In certain instances, we may earn revenue when a reader makes a purchase or completes a form through our pages or on a partner’s website. We adhere to a strict A good quality free password manager can enhance your online security, especially if you’re on a budget or want to explore your options without committing. Given the rise in cyber threats, relying on weak passwords or reusing the same one is no longer sufficient to protect against data breaches, phishing, and credential theft.
Free password managers offer features like secure password generation and storage, along with convenient autofill options for quick logins. However, these free plans often come with limitations, such as restricted password storage, fewer advanced security features, no multi-device support, and no password-sharing capabilities.
Despite that, a free password manager is an excellent starting point for improving your online safety and privacy. In this guide, I will review some of the best free password managers to help you choose the right one for your needs.
- Show Full Guide
1Password – Best Free Trial Password Manager for Security-Conscious Users and Small Businesses
Total Password – Best Money-Back Guarantee Password Manager for Beginners
Best Free and Free Trial Password Managers at a Glance
- NordPass – Best free password manager overall
- Dashlane – Secure free password manager with comprehensive protection
- Keeper – Simple free password manager for mobiles
- 1Password – Best free trial password manager for security-conscious users and small businesses
- Total Password – Best money-back guarantee password manager for beginners
How Does a Free Password Manager Work?
Just like a paid password manager, free one too acts as a secure, encrypted vault for securely storing credentials to your online accounts. This way you don’t need to remember them. When you log into a website or app, the tool automatically and securely fills in the right credentials to save you time.
The key difference between free and paid password managers is their feature set. Unlike free plans, paid ones have no limitations regarding password storage and sharing, number of devices, autofill, security reports, and advanced monitoring and security features.
Paid versions are for users who need robust security for all their online accounts and sensitive information, while free versions are adequate for users with basic security needs.
The Best Free Password Managers Reviewed
In this section, I’ll discuss the best free password managers in terms of free security features, usability, and compatibility. After extensive testing, here are my findings:
1. NordPass – Best Free Password Manager Overall
| Cheapest Premium Price | $1.49/month |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | Free tier + 30-day premium trial |
| Max Devices | 1 device (free tier) |
| Password Storage | Unlimited (free tier) |
Why We Picked It
NordPass stands out among free password managers, providing unbeatable value with unlimited password storage, advanced security measures, and a simple interface.
Security
NordPass takes security seriously with the reputed XChaCha20 encryption, which is used by Cloudflare and Google. Additionally, its zero-knowledge model ensures no one, including NordPass, can see what’s in your encrypted vault.
The free plan also has credit card storage and supports passkeys across multiple operating systems and devices, enhancing security and convenience.
Free Plan Features
NordPass’ impressive free tier offers various features, including unlimited password storage, multi-factor authentication, and autofill capabilities for secure logins and smooth browsing. There’s also a reliable password generator. The only downside is that the free plan is limited to a single device.
Ease of Use and Compatibility
I found NordPass’s interface intuitive and beginner-friendly, with all the categories and tools lined up neatly on one side. I really enjoyed that there were no disruptive ads to upgrade to the premium plan and that the paid plan features were marked “Premium feature,” so I wouldn’t have to open a tool and be disappointed.
Lastly, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the app worked smoothly on all popular platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and browsers.
Who It’s Best For
NordPass is perfect for active internet users who have lots of accounts and passwords to protect. These users will appreciate NordPass’ powerful essentials, like unlimited storage, autofill, and robust security, being packaged in a simple app.
Pros
- Unlimited password storage
- Credit card storage and autofill
- Passkey support and multi-factor authentication
- Industry-leading XChaCha20 encryption
- Compatible with major platforms and browsers
Cons
- Free tier limited to a single device
2. Dashlane – Secure Free Password Manager with Comprehensive Protection
| Cheapest Premium Price | $4.99/month |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | Free tier + 30-day free trial |
| Max Devices | 1 device (free tier) |
| Password Storage | 25 passwords (free tier) |
Why We Picked It
Dashlane’s free password manager combines powerful security architecture with a beginner-friendly interface, presenting passwordless logins and passkey support.
Security
Dashlane’s free plan prioritizes security. It implements a zero-knowledge model and uses AES-256 encryption to safeguard your data. There’s also a two-factor authentication for an extra layer of protection and passwordless functionality for greater security and efficiency.
Moreover, Dashlane sends personalized security alerts if any of your stored sites/apps experience a data breach and phishing alerts before using autofill on risky apps. Lastly, using a secure hashing method that doesn’t reveal your master password, it scans the dark web for your master password.
Free Plan Features
Compared to NordPass, Dashlane’s free plan is more limited. However, you still get passkey support, autofill, and 1 GB encrypted file storage, and you can store up to 25 passwords. There’s also a password generator and unlimited secure sharing, but the recipients you share with will need Dashlane accounts.
Ease of Use and Compatibility
When using it on my Android phone, I found Dashlane’s dashboard layout well-organized and easy to navigate. It also worked very smoothly across all popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
A noticeable difference from the other tools is that Dashlane only has a web app and no desktop app. That means there’s limited offline accessibility, and having multiple tabs open slows down the tool’s performance.
Who It’s Best For
Dashlane’s free plan is ideal for users who are looking for a highly secure and user-friendly password manager and aren’t phased with the provider’s 25 password limit.
Pros
- Personalized security alerts for data breaches
- AES-256 encryption and 2FA
- Passwordless login (PIN/biometrics)
- 1 GB encrypted file storage
Cons
- Limited to 25 passwords
- No desktop app
3. Keeper – Simple Free Password Manager for Mobiles
| Cheapest Premium Price | $2.92/month |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | Free tier + 30-day premium trial |
| Max Devices | 1 mobile device (free tier) |
| Password Storage | 10 (free tier) |
Why We Picked It
Keeper is one of the best free mobile password managers due to its simple and minimalistic phone apps and comprehensive security. While on a more basic side, the provider’s free plan is great for getting familiar with password managers.
Security
The Keeper’s free plan is guarded by AES-256 encryption and two-factor authentication. This further supported the company’s zero-trust and zero-knowledge architecture that follows strict ID verification protocols and keeps your data safe even if the company is breached.
Free Plan Features
When compared to NordPass and Dashlane, Keeper’s free plan is the most basic. You can store only up to 10 passwords, making it impractical for users with many digital logins. You’re also limited to a single mobile device, and there’s no autofill, password sharing, or unlimited password generation.
Ease of Use and Compatibility
Available on iOS and Android, Keeper has an appealing, easy-to-use, and minimalistic mobile interface. And while it did display a banner suggesting an upgrade, I didn’t find it too disruptive.
The app does feel quite limited, though, since most features are locked behind the premium plan.
Who It’s Best For
Keeper is suitable for mobile users who need an extremely basic but highly secure password manager to protect very few online account credentials (and nothing beyond that).
Pros
- Zero-trust and zero-knowledge architecture
- AES-256 encryption and two-factor authentication
- Clean interface
Cons
- Only 10 passwords on a single mobile device
- No autofill or password sharing
Best Password Managers With Free Trials Reviewed
Free trial password managers are a brilliant alternative to free versions, giving you full access to premium features with far fewer limitations. In this section, I’ll discuss their security measures and key features.
1. 1Password – Best Free Trial Password Manager for Security-Conscious Users and Small Businesses
| Cheapest Premium Price | $2.99/month |
|---|---|
| Free Trial | 14-day free trial |
| Max Devices | Unlimited |
| Password Storage | Unlimited |
Why We Picked It
1Password’s versatile password manager with a free trial, promising superb online account protection with unlimited password storage, a multi-tiered security system, and handy features for privacy and safety.
Security
1Password secures user accounts with zero-knowledge and AES-256 encryption, a master password and 128-bit secret key that work together, and multi-factor authentication. The Watchtower security dashboard actively monitors your passwords and gives actionable suggestions to enhance your online safety, too.
Additionally, users will appreciate card privacy and protection with Privacy Cards and a Travel Mode to hide important credentials from security surveillance when traveling.
Features
1Password stores unlimited passwords and supports unlimited devices to keep all your digital accounts safe. The seamless autofill feature and passkey support are useful, and the highly configurable password generator is excellent for creating cryptographically strong passwords.
Small businesses will appreciate the security reports and unified admin dashboards to keep all team members safe and customize their credential accessibility. Moreover, Extended Access Management secures IT-managed and IT-unmanaged apps on all employee devices.
Ease of Use and Compatibility
I found 1Password’s interface to be well-organized, intuitive and easy to navigate. Best of all, you can get dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Who It’s Best For
1Password’s free trial is perfect for small teams and power users looking for a functional and very secure password manager, yet wish to test it out first before committing.
Pros
- Zero-knowledge architecture
- 128-bit secret key
- Unlimited password storage and devices
- Watchtower security dashboard
- Privacy Cards and Travel Mode
Cons
- No free tier
2. Total Password – Best Money-back Guarantee Password Manager for Beginners
| Cheapest Premium Price | $1.99/month |
|---|---|
| Free Trial | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Max Devices | Unlimited |
| Password Storage | Unlimited |
Why We Picked It
Total Password is a highly beginner-friendly password manager that you can try out risk-free with its money-back guarantee. It presents all the essential security features that newbies would appreciate without feeling overwhelmed.
Security
Total Password protects your stored passwords using AES 256–encryption, and enabling two-factor authentication makes your account safer. In case of a data leak, Breach Alerts notify you promptly to take action. Alongside secure infrastructure, Total Password also offers a unique security feature, Secure Me, which lets you remotely log out of websites on a device.
Features
Total Password gives you all the essential password protection tools – unlimited password storage, multi-device sync, password generation, autofill, and Secure Notes. You can also check the tool’s security reports and learn how many of your passwords need improvement or have been compromised. But as of January 2025, this is the only premium password manager that’s missing secure password sharing.
Ease of Use and Compatibility
I found Total Password had a simple and user-friendly layout that made it especially accessible for first-time users. And while there is no desktop app, the service is compatible with multiple platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, Android, and browsers.
Who It’s Best For
Total Password is a great tool for beginners requiring essential safety features that won’t overwhelm them. Best of all you can try it out for 30 days risk-free with its month-long money-back guarantee.
Pros
- AES-256 encryption and two-factor authentication
- Breach Alerts
- Remote log-out feature
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Unlimited devices and passwords
Cons
- No free trial or plan
- No desktop app
- No secure password-sharing
Best Free Password Managers Compared
After reviewing each free password manager’s features, let’s compare them side by side to determine which best suits your needs.
| NordPass | Dashlane | Keeper | 1Password | Total Password | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Overall | Comprehensive security features | Mobile users | Individuals and small teams | Beginners |
| Free Plan/Free trial | Free plan/ 30-day free trial | Free plan/ 30-day free trial | Free plan/ 30-day free trial | 14-day free trial | ❌, just 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Two-Factor Authentication | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Autofill | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Actionable Password Strength Report | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Secure Password Sharing | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Ads With the Free Plan | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Premium Price | $1.49/month | $4.99/month | $2.92/month | $2.99/month | $1.99/month |
How We Tested and Shortlisted the Best Free Password Managers?
To assemble this list of the best free password managers, I assessed the tools based on their password storage, security architecture, device support, and other crucial factors:
- Security – I examined providers’ security architecture and looked for features like powerful encryption standards, multi-factor authentication, zero-knowledge architecture, and breach monitoring.
- Password Storage – I evaluated the number of passwords the free plans supported. While the best tools had unlimited storage, typically free password managers offer a limited number of passwords.
- Features – Free password managers are bound to have limited features. Therefore, I evaluated and included options that had strong essentials, like autofill, password generation, secure sharing, and security reports.
- Ease of Use – To guarantee the best user experience regardless of their technical knowledge I looked for password managers that were easy to use and navigate. Ad-free interfaces on a free plan were an added perk.
- Platform Compatibility – I checked how well the tools worked across popular operating systems. The best free tools had smooth apps for mobile (iOS and Android), desktop (Windows, macOS, and Linux), and browsers.
Are Free Password Managers Safe?
Whether the free password manager is safe, largely depends on the provider. Reputable free password managers can effectively manage passwords free-of-charge but it is crucial to evaluate their security features critically.
First, free password managers are still safer than storing your passwords in notes or notebooks. Free managers often incorporate sophisticated protocols and two-factor authentication, which protect your sensitive information. Moreover, most services employ zero-knowledge architecture, ensuring that only you have access to your passwords. In addition, some may implement a zero-trust framework that requires stringent identity verification, further enhancing security.
Beyond password storage, these tools can also aid users in recognizing potential vulnerabilities by providing detailed security reports.
However, there are also potential risks to using free password managers. The free plans typically limit the available password storage, allowing to store only a few passwords. Additionally, essential security features, like autofill, multi-factor authentication, password sharing, and monitoring, are often available with paid plans.
Therefore, it is vital to use free password managers from well-established providers with strong reputations in the industry. That way you can better safeguard your online credentials.
Free vs Paid Password Managers – What Are the Differences?
Free and paid password managers both help secure your online accounts, but they have many differences. Here’s a breakdown of how they compare:
| Free Password Managers | Paid Password Managers | |
|---|---|---|
| Password Storage | Limited or capped storage | Unlimited password storage |
| Number of Devices | Limited to a single device and missing device sync | Unlimited device support and sync |
| Security | Strong encryption and two-factor authentication (in some cases) | Advanced security like breach alerts, dark web monitoring, multi-factor authentication, passkey support, and email masking |
| Features | Limited or zero additional features beyond standard security | Autofill, password health dashboard and reports, card privacy and protection, travel protection, and VPN |
| Password Sharing | Typically none | Unlimited |
| Platform Compatibility | Restricted | Apps for different operating systems for desktop, mobile, and browser |
| Interface | Basic, with limited functionality and ads | Clean and ad-free |
| Cost | None | Monthly subscriptions that are paid annually |
How to Choose the Best Free Password Manager?
When choosing the best free password manager for your needs, consider:
- Security and Encryption – Make sure your chosen password manager uses powerful encryption standards (like AES-256 or XChaCha20) and zero-knowledge or zero-trust architecture to ensure your data is fully protected.
- Password Storage and Generation – Check how many passwords the tool allows you to store. Providers like NordPass allow unlimited passwords, but others have restrictions. Similarly, a tool that generates cryptographically strong passwords will exponentially enhance your online security.
- Password Autofill – A handy autofill function for logging in to apps and browsers will save you lots of time in the long run.
- Device Compatibility – Verify that the free password manager will run on the devices you plan to use it on. Popular tools are generally compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and browsers, but some may be restricted to mobiles only.
- Community Trust – Look for positive reviews from established reviewers and general users, open-source options, or transparent audit reports to verify credibility.
How to Use a Free Password Manager?
Visit the NordPass Website.
Navigate to the NordPass page and download the software.
Install NordPass.
Open the “NordPassSetup.exe file” and follow the setup wizard to complete the installation.Create an Account.
Click “Create Account” and set up your profile. You’ll also need to create a secure master password to log in to the NordPass app.
Import Passwords.
Sign in to the app and click the “Settings” icon at the top left. Then, scroll down and click “Import items” under “Import and Export” and follow the suggested steps to import your passwords to NordPass.Add New Items.
To manually add items, click “All Items” under “Categories” on the left-hand panel. Next, click “Add Item”, select an option from the dropdown menu, and fill out the details.
Conclusion – What’s the Best Free Password Manager?
Free password managers are an excellent entry point for improving your online security with zero expense. However, it’s important to remember that free password managers have limitations and lack some crucial security features.
After extensive testing, I deemed NordPass to be the best free password manager. Unlike most free providers, it comes with unlimited password storage, strong multi-tiered security measures, autofill, and a remarkably user-friendly interface that works flawlessly across major platforms.
