Best free password manager for 2024

People often think of password managers as organizational tools that make it easy to store all logins in one place. But the most important purpose of a reliable password manager is to keep your private data secure.

Password managers that have all the advanced security features are usually quite budget-friendly, but beginner users might hesitate to invest. Fortunately, premium password managers have free versions that offer basic password management functionalities, such as password autosave and autofill. Some also enable storing more than just your login data – for example, passkeys and payment card details.

To help you find the best free password manager that ensures security and offers such crucial features as a password generator, we tested 19 providers. Here’s our shortlist.

5 best free password manager apps

1. NordPass – best free password manager for 2024 overall
2. 1Password – secure and feature-rich free password manager
3. Dashlane – most versatile free password manager
4. RoboForm – user-friendly password management
5. Keeper – free password manager app for any device

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17

Password Managers Tested

6

Month Testing Cycle

2,400+

Hours of Extensive Testing

Can you trust free password managers?

You might mistakenly assume that free password managers are not safe. While they generally offer fewer functionalities than the premium versions, when it comes to security, they are pretty reliable. For one, both free and premium versions use strong encryption algorithms and support zero-knowledge architectures to keep your passwords private and secure.

In short, whether you use a free or a paid password manager, no one will be able to access your data, including service providers and their employees.

Here are the top reasons you can trust free password managers on the list curated by our experts:

• Encryption. Both free and premium versions of our top passwords use strong encryption to cipher your passwords and other private details.
• Zero-knowledge architecture. Our top password managers' providers and their employees cannot access your data whether you use free or paid versions.

Our top free password manager

With NordPass, you can save, organize, and protect your most complex passwords in one place. The free version comes with Secure Notes, strong encryption, as well as autofill and autosave features for ease of use.

cybernews® score

4.9 /5

• XChaCha20 encryption
• Multi-factor authentication
• Secure Notes feature

Protect passwords with NordPass

The best free password managers of 2024 – our curated list

To curate this list, we have tested 19 best password managers as well as their free versions. We evaluated security measures, privacy, and ease of use to compare the free plan to the paid one. Read on to find our insights about the most reliable free password management options.

1. NordPass – the best free password manager overall

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NordPass is the best free password manager, as it applies both strong data encryption and MFA (multi-factor authentication), autofills your passwords, allows storing sensitive notes, and more with its free plan. Moreover, you don’t need to provide your credit card details to enjoy the free version.

Free plan features. The free NordPass plan offers the essential tools. You get an unlimited password vault and integrated password generator that, differently from any other password managers we’ve tested – including 1Password or Dashlane – can generate password phrases, also known as passphrases. In addition, NordPass includes Secure Notes in its free plan. You can even save passkeys and your card information for easy autofill with a free plan.

On the other hand, we missed out on certain features that NordPass allows with its paid plans. That includes a data breach checker and emergency access. That said, none of the free plan password managers on this list offer these tools either.

Security. NordPass is one of the few password managers that use the advanced next-gen XChaCha20 encryption. This is one the safest and most resistant encryption, up to 3 times faster than AES-256 that other providers on this list use. In addition, NordPass enables you to use your fingerprint instead of a master password. This form of MFA is very easy to use and, more importantly, very safe.

Compatibility. NordPass is compatible with all popular OS – there are apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS users, and we had no issue trying to set up our apps on different devices. In addition, it also supports the most popular browser extensions, such as Chrome and Safari. Unfortunately, the free version of NordPass doesn’t allow you to stay logged in on unlimited devices, which is available for premium subscribers.

If you need more features, like weak password detection or data breach scans, you can always opt for a premium version. Pricing starts at $1.34/month, and you can test the premium app risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. 1Password – free password manager with premium features

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1Password is an excellent option to store your credentials safely. It uses zero-knowledge architecture and multi-factor authentication to ensure your data and vault protection. 1Password also includes data breach monitoring and secure password sharing. Unfortunately, 1Password doesn’t offer a truly free version like NordPass. Instead, you get a free 14-day trial to test out all premium features.

Free plan features. The trial period allows you to access all of 1Password’s features for free, including Watchtower, which monitors the websites you log into and checks for security issues. Another cool feature we really enjoyed was the Travel mode, which hides any sensitive information in case you lose your phone or it gets stolen while traveling. Plus, you can easily generate new complex passwords and securely share them with people you trust.

Security. Just like RoboForm and Keeper, 1Password uses AES 256-bit encryption to keep all your passwords and other sensitive information safe. While it is not as safe as NordPass’ XChaCha20 encryption, it’s still very secure. In fact, it’s used by governments and militaries across the world. In addition, you can access your vault with a unique master password, and among two-factor authentication (2FA) methods, you have YubiKey, Titan, and others.

Compatibility. You are likely to get 1Password on any device you need since it supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices. In addition, even with all the advanced features available, the apps are easy to use and navigate, even for beginners.

Even though 1Password doesn’t have an actual free version, you still receive a reputable short-term solution to protect your credentials for free. If you end up liking the password manager, the prices are very reasonable – from just $2.99/month.

3. Dashlane – a super versatile free option

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Dashlane is a great free password manager that is entirely web-based. The free Dashalne plan includes advanced security, up to 25 password storage, and secure password sharing. It is perfect for anyone who prefers working on the browser only.

Free plan features. Dashlane’s free version allows storing up to 25 passwords and login details. The service has an advantage over NordPass, 1Password, and others on this list since the free version has security alerts informing you if it notices your account is affected by a data breach. It also includes password sharing with 5 people, a password generator, and a password health tool, which we found very useful during testing since it detected all our weak passwords.

One of the perks of Dashlane is the additional security features, like a VPN and dark web monitoring, along with the password manager. However, these tools are available only with a premium account.

Security. Dashlane offers high-grade AES 256 encryption. Moreover, it offers two-factor authentication, yet we found it odd that the only option was to authenticate your login through your computer’s browser.

Compatibility. As mentioned, Dashlane has forgone their desktop apps and instead has gone browser only. We found it a bit odd since an app can be more comfortable. On the other hand, mobile users can still enjoy Dashlane mobile apps that are intuitive and very easy to navigate.

Putting it all together, Dashlane offers one of the most flexible free versions among the competitors. Nevertheless, if you need such features as VPN for Wi-Fi protection or live chat support, consider upgrading to a premium plan. Plans start from $3.75/month, and you can use a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. RoboForm – intuitive and free password auto-filling tool

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RoboForm is another great password manager that comes with a solid, user-friendly free app. It has a great auto-filling function, as well as unlimited login storage on 1 device, secure password sharing, and a strong password generator.

Free plan features. RoboForm has much to offer, even on its free version. The free version monitors for compromised passwords, offers 2-factor authentication, provides cloud backup, and enables you to receive Emergency Access for account recovery and securely send logins to other RoboForm users. We especially enjoyed that you can share your passwords via email even with a free plan, unlike NordPass, which only allows it with the premium plan.

Although RoboForm allows you to store unlimited logins, with the free version, you can do it on one device only. When testing RoboForm, we could not access our vault on a few devices simultaneously and on the browser. Receiving encrypted passwords from other users was also impossible. Plus, the credentials could only be stored on the provider’s servers, while paid users can choose to store their data locally on a device.

Security. While testing RoboForm, we noted that our passwords were protected with a market-leading AES-256 cipher. The data is uploaded to their servers encrypted, and only a unique master password can unlock it. To enhance your security with the free plan, you can also set up 2FA via email, SMS, or authentication apps. RoboForm has been audited by Secfault Security.

Compatibility. RoboForm no longer offers a dedicated app for Windows and macOS users. Instead, you have to use the browser version. It is updated more often; however, we enjoyed other providers like NordPass and Keeper options to manage and navigate the desktop apps better. Alternatively, the mobile apps still work really well and are easy to navigate.

Overall, RoboForm is a great password manager, even as a free version. But if you want to access passwords on multiple devices, have your data stored locally instead of on RoboForm’s servers, or utilize Secure Shared Folders for sharing data with other users, then you should consider a premium version. RoboForm’s premium plans start at $0.99/month. As per usual, you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

5. Keeper – basic free-of-cost password management

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Keeper is a free password manager that offers highly personalized apps. While there is a completely free plan, it doesn’t offer a lot in terms of features and functionalities. However, there’s a 30-day free trial that allows you to safely test all that this password manager is capable of for free before committing to a long-term subscription.

Free plan features. Keeper’s free version is very limited. All you get are the very basics: store unlimited passwords and other sensitive information on one device, generate passwords, protect your account with 2FA, and export passwords. Even these features are highly simplified. For example, the password generator is limited to passwords, unlike NordPass that also allows generating passphrases. We were also disappointed that this version didn’t include the autofill feature.

Alternatively, you can pick the 30-day free trial version, which allows you to test the password manager for free for a limited time. Then, you’ll get all the features, including secure password sharing (we found it very easy to use), autofill, emergency access, and others.

Security. Keeper uses the industry-standard AES-256 encryption to secure your data. The password manager also offers various multi-factor authentication options, like a hardware key, RSA token, fingerprint, retina scan, or facial recognition.

Compatibility. You can get Keeper for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices. In addition, it works with various browsers, such as Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, Firefox, Opera, and Brave. Based on our tests, we’ve found that it’s a bit easier to use Keeper on a desktop device and navigate the app. The mobile version is quite a bit different and requires a bit of time to figure out.

All in all, Keeper is a great free password manager if you use its unlimited 30-day free trial. But things get worse if you decide to stay with a completely free plan that lacks such basic features as autofill or multi-device sync. Fortunately, Keeper prices start at only $1.46/month.

6. Passwarden – simple but secure password management solution

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Passwarden makes the list of free password managers thanks to its generous free plan. It includes most of the features that its premium plans offer and is a great choice if you want a password manager for two of your devices.

Free plan features. Passwarden is quite generous with its free version. It includes password importing, the autofill feature – which worked really smoothly during our tests – and the duress mode to protect your sensitive data with another security layer. You can even use its password generator to create strong and unbreakable credentials. However, it’s limited in a way it won’t generate passphrases (only NordPass on this list can do that).

If you want to use the account on numerous devices or use the secure password-sharing feature, the free version of Passwarden isn’t for you. Moreover, this password manager won’t help you track the health of your credentials, and you will receive no reports about data leaks. Meanwhile, NordPass or Dashlane do offer these tools, and, based on our tests, the data reports with NordPass and Dashlane are detailed and helpful to prevent leaks in the future.

Security. Passwarden uses AES-256-GCM encryption, ensuring your data is virtually unhackable. Plus, as an additional security layer, you can set up two-factor authentication and biometrics (fingerprint, face scan, or voice recognition). Such standard but very necessary measures are crucial for protecting yourself from identity theft and cyberattackers.

Compatibility. No matter what device you’re using – Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS – there’s a Passwarden app for all of them. Not to mention it also has browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

To conclude, Passwarden can be a good option for those users who have no experience with password managers. The free app is easy to use and shows nearly everything you could get with a paid plan. However, if you want to add accounts to your plan or syn passwords across multiple devices, you can easily upgrade – Passwarden prices start from $1.66/month.

How did we test and rank free password managers?

Choosing a free password manager can be a tough nut to crack, considering that they're usually pretty limited. To help you out, we’ve tested over a dozen of free password managers.

Here are the criteria we used to determine the best ones:

• Free features. Free password managers tend to offer limited features. With this in mind, we looked for those providers that include more than password storage in their free plans. The inclusion of such features as a password generator, secure sharing, data breach monitoring, and password health checker helped us make the final shortlist.
• Free version conditions. Even though free plans are common among password managers, not all of the providers apply the same conditions to them. When testing the services for this list, we prioritized completely free password managers first. Then, we looked into free trial options and money-back guarantees as alternatives to free plans.
• Encryption. Password managers should protect your data and login credentials, so it’s important that they’re encrypted with some of the most secure ciphers, such as AES-256 or XChaCha20.
• Multi-factor authentication. If a cybercriminal could figure out your master password, they could easily breach all of your accounts. That is, unless you have 2FA enabled, which adds a layer of protection if your master password becomes exposed. Thus, we looked for password managers with plenty of MFA options.
• Compatibility. It’s important that whichever device you use, you can use the password manager on it. That’s why we looked for providers that ensure compatibility with various operating systems and browsers.
• Pricing. Although we are speaking of free providers here, upgrading to a premium plan is possible if you suddenly require more features. That’s why we have reviewed each password manager’s prices to ensure it offers a fair price-to-quality ratio after you switch from a free plan.

Note: Although not a top priority, we also looked into additional features and functionalities that may improve user experience. For instance, if we found the free plan to offer customer support or enable other advanced features, such as unlimited password storage, for free, we took that into consideration as well.

Best free password managers compared

	NordPass	1Password	Dashlane	RoboForm	Keeper	Passwarden
Brand
Rating	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Free version	Yes	14-day free trial	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Advanced encryption	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Multi-factor authentication	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Secure notes	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌
Unlimited password storage	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅
Customer support	✅	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅

Winner

Visit NordPass

Other free password managers worth the spotlight

Although the detailed list of free password managers is already full of reputable options, we have tested a few other providers that may catch your eye. We would have liked to test LastPass as well; however, due to its multiple security breaches and very limited free version, it didn’t make our list at all.

• Enpass. A free plan allows you to access your vault on unlimited desktop devices and one mobile device. The free Enpass plan includes secure password sharing, password security audit, a TOTP generator, and a biometric login option. Nevertheless, if you want to use data breach monitoring, 2FA, or have unlimited items on all devices, you’d need to subscribe to the paid plan starting from $1.99/month.
• Bitwarden. Unlike many free providers, Bitwarden doesn’t limit the possibility of accessing your vault on multiple different devices. You can also store as many logins, notes, and other data as you want. Apart from that, you receive a password generator, Bitwarden Send for text, a self-hosting option, 2FA, and, of course, unbreakable encryption. For just $0.83/month, you can build collections, send encrypted attachments, receive password health reports, and have emergency access.

Free vs paid password managers

Free password managers are great, especially those with a lot of features. However, premium password managers often offer a lot more than just password storage. Here’s how free password managers compare to paid providers:

Keep in mind that some free providers will include more features than others. The table above offers a general comparison and does not necessarily represent every single free password manager.

Video review

If you prefer watching a video instead of reading, check out our best free password manager review on YouTube. You'll learn everything about the top free solutions – from features to interface, value, and more.

Are free password managers worth getting: wrap-up

If you want to increase your online security, employing a free password manager is the easiest first step you should take. Even the premium providers have a free option, so there's no excuse not to use one.

Importing passwords from your browser takes seconds, and most password managers do it automatically. Besides, it's a lot safer than keeping your passwords saved on a browser, a notes app, or, worst of all, a sticky note on your screen.

Our top picks are NordPass and 1Password. They both offer trustworthy free versions, that can help you protect your logins using industry-leading security practices. Moreover, they are easy to use, making it comfortable to autofill your passwords whenever you want.

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