Best free password managers for 2023

Password managers are essential tools to enhance your online security. You get to safely store all your credentials, create strong passwords, and no longer bother about having to remember all of your logins. The best free password managers can offer all of this at no cost. In addition, some free versions even have data breach checkers to scan for any data leaks and multi-factor authentication methods to secure your vault.

However, if the free version of the premium subscriptions is not enough, then you might consider investing in the best password managers paid plans. Better yet, you can test them with a free trial or a money-back guarantee.

What truly matters is that you choose a reputable provider that applies essential top-notch layers of protection, such as unbreakable encryption.

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NordPass is a premium password manager that ensures advanced security measures and easy-to-navigate apps. Try it out for free for one month and get an additional 30-day money-back guarantee with premium plans.

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4.9 /5

• Excellent security
• Perfect for personal use
• Risk-free trial

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For this review, we popular free password managers to select the best free password managers that are based on a zero-knowledge architecture and other durable security measures. Continue reading and protect your passwords hassle-free.

Top 5 best free password manager apps:

1. NordPass – the best free password manager for 2023 overall
2. Keeper – free password manager app for iOS
3. RoboForm – user-friendly password management
4. 1Password – free password manager with premium tools
5. Dashlane – most versatile free password manager

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The best free password managers of 2023 – our curated list

To curate this list, we have tested all potential password managers regarding their free version conditions, security measures, privacy, ease of use, and also compared 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, 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.

Security. NordPass is one of the few password managers that uses the advanced next-gen XChaCha20 encryption with Argon 2 for key derivation. This is one the safest and most resistant encryption, up to 3 times faster than the AES-256 cipher that other providers on this list use. In addition, various MFA options ensure the maximum level of protection – we found biometrics to be very comfortable to use.

Privacy. Just like other top-rated providers, NordPass follows a strict zero-knowledge architecture. This means that your vault is only accessible to you with the master password. More so, this password manager is one of the few that has passed the SOC 2 Type 1 audit. However, it would be great to see the SOC 2 Type 2 audit as well, since it goes a bit deeper, something 1 Password has gone through already.

Features. The free NordPass plan offers the essential tools. You’ll get an unlimited password vault and integrated password generator that, different from any other password manager we’ve tested, can generate password phrases that are easier to remember. In addition, only NordPass and Dahslane include secure notes in their free plans. More so, you can also save your card information for easy autofill function 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, password health checker, and emergency access. However, none of the free plan password managers on this list offer these tools either. You must upgrade to a premium subscription to get these features and many more.

Application. 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 various browser extensions. Syncing between devices is also available, so you won’t have to worry about forgetting to make backups to the cloud.

NordPass Free is our top pick today to secure passwords without paying. Nevertheless, each extra feature it offers in its paid plan strongly adds up to a secure browsing experience. Hence, we recommend subscribing to it starting from $1.72/month and testing the premium app risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To find out more about this provider, read our in-depth NordPass review.

2. Keeper – free-of-cost password protection for iPhones

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Keeper is a reputable free password manager that offers highly personalized apps with all of its feature packages. While there is a completely free plan, it’s so bare that it’s pretty useless. Alternatively, the 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to safely test all that this password manager is capable of for free before committing to a long-term subscription.

Security. Keeper uses the industry-standard AES-256 encryption to secure your data. In addition, it ads PBDKF2 key derivation to strengthen the protection against dictionary or rainbow table password-cracking threats. We also enjoyed the various multi-factor authentication options, like KeeperDNA (biometrics).

Privacy. Keeper encrypts your data locally before sending it to Keeper’s cloud and works with zero-knowledge principles that are SOC 2 compliant. So you can be certain that your vault data is only available to you. More so, Keeper uses the Amazon AWS cloud server, which allows this password manager to benefit from its speed and security tools.

Features. Keeper’s unlimited free version is very limited since all it provides is unlimited password storage and a basic password generator (unlike NordPass’s version, which allows to generate phrases as passwords). We were disappointed that this version didn’t include the autofill feature. Alternatively, you can pick the 30-day money-back guarantee 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.

Application. You can get Keeper for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices. In addition, it works with various browsers. 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 it 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. The moment of wanting to use the autofill feature and other tools is quite inevitable in that case. But that’s okay, as Keeper prices start at only $1.46/month.

To find out more about this provider, read our in-depth Keeper review.

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

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RoboForm is one of the oldest password managers that has a solid, user-friendly free app on the side. Additionally, the provider could win medals if there were password auto-filling competitions among password managers.

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.

Privacy. Your passwords are encrypted locally (on your device) before syncing up with the cloud. In addition to the zero-knowledge approach, RoboForm was audited by Secfault Security; however, we’d like to see it follow NordPass and 1Password so it could also have the SOC 2 audit.

Features. RoboForm has much to offer, even on its free version. It can store unlimited logins, give you a detailed password audit, and generate strong passwords. 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. It gives insights into all of your passwords and whether they’re strong enough. And if someone you know locks themselves out of their account, an emergency access feature lets you access their vaults.

Nevertheless, 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.

Application. RoboForm no longer offers a dedicated app for Windows and macOS users. Instead, you have to use the browser version. The browser version 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 one day you decide to unlock its full potential, its prices start from as little as $0.99/month. Plus, you can try out premium features first using a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To find out more about this provider, read our in-depth RoboForm review.

4. 1Password – free password manager with premium features

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1Password is an excellent option to store your credentials safely, has extra security measures to ensure your data and vault protection, and can be used entirely for free.

Security. Just like RoboForm and Keeper, 1Password uses AES 256-bit encryption to keep all your passwords and other sensitive information safe. In addition, you can access your vault with a unique master password, and there’s a 2FA that supports YubiKey, Titan, and others.

Privacy. 1Password, just like NordPass, takes your data privacy especially seriously. Therefore, in addition to the zero-knowledge architecture, this provider also went through the SOC 2 Type 2 audit to confirm its privacy policy.

Features. Luckily, the trial period allows you to access all of 1Password’s features for free, including Watchtower, specifically designed for scouring the darknet for your stolen passwords. 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.

Application. You can get 1Password on any device you need; 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.

Unfortunately, 1Password doesn’t truly have a completely free version; there’s only a 14-day free trial, which is only good for testing this provider before committing to a subscription. Extending the risk-free trial is possible by benefiting from a 30-day money-back guarantee. Yet, you’re still framed with the free-use time restriction. For some, 44 days of free use is enough, but not having the forever-free plan is quite a big drawback compared to the password managers’ market.

Even though 1Password doesn’t have an actual free version, you still receive a reputable short-term solution to protect your credentials for free. And who knows, maybe you’ll end up liking it. Besides, the price isn’t that huge either – starting at just $2.99/month.

To find out more about this provider, read our in-depth 1Password review.

5. Dashlane – a super versatile free option

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Dashlane is a great free password manager for anyone who prefers working on the browser only. With no apps for desktop devices, the provider has mastered its web version to the fullest, even if you get it with a free plan.

Security. During the Dashlane free period, you’ll get all the same security features available. That includes high-grade AES 256-bit encryption, and it’s SOC 2 Type 2 compliant, meaning it certainly secures your data from outside breaches. More so, Dashlane offers two-factor authentication, yet we found it odd that the only option was to authenticate your login through your computer’s browser.

Privacy. Like all the previously mentioned password managers, Dashlane works on zero-trust architecture. This means that all the data in your vault can only be accessed by you with your master password. Dashlane doesn’t have access to those credentials.

Features. Dashlane’s free version allows storing unlimited passwords and login details. The service has an advantage over others on this list since the free version has security alerts informing you if it notices that your account got caught up in 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. However, these tools are available only with a premium account. But even then, the VPN is pretty basic, and if you intend to purchase a password manager with a VPN, we recommend the top-rated NordVPN, which you can purchase in a bundle with NordPass.

Application. 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, missing premium features are exactly those that make this password manager outstanding. Therefore, trying a paid version starting from $3.75/month is truly worth it. If you’re unsure, use a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free premium trial.

To find out more about this provider, read our in-depth Dashlane review.

6. Passwarden – simple but secure password management solution

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There are only a limited number of good free password managers, and Passwarden makes the list 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.

Security. Passwarden uses AES-256-GCM encryption, ensuring your data is unhackable. Plus, as an additional security layer, you can set up two-factor authentication and biometrics. Such standard but very necessary measures are crucial for protecting yourself from identity theft and cyber attackers.

Privacy. This password manager works with zero-knowledge infrastructure and has a strict privacy policy. However, we’d like to see an independent audit to confirm these claims, like other top-rated providers have gone through, for example, NordPass or Keeper.

Features. Passwarden is quite generous with its free version. It includes password importing, the autofill feature, which we tested and found that it works really smoothly, 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 phrases as passwords (only NordPAss on this list can do that).

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

If you want to use the account on numerous devices or use secure password sharing, the free version of Passwarden isn’t for you. More so, this password manager doesn’t help you track the health of your credentials, and you also 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.

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. If the free version ends up not being enough, the prices of Passwarden start from $1.66/month.

To find out more about this provider, read our in-depth Passwarden review.

How did we test free password managers

Choosing a free password manager can be a tough nut to crack, considering that it’s usually pretty limited. To help you out, we’ve tested dozens of free password managers.

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

• 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 would figure out your complex password, he’d be in your account as simple as that. That is, unless you’d have 2FA enabled, which adds a layer of protection if your master password becomes exposed.
• 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 great operating system and browser compatibility.
• Pricing. Although we are speaking of free providers here, upgrading to a premium plan is possible once you get to feel how these services ease your life. 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.

Finally, anything adding convenience for the user is obviously great to have. For instance, customer service even for free users or some additional features, including unlimited password storage.

Best free password managers compared

	NordPass	Keeper	RoboForm	1Password	Dashlane	Passwarden
Brand
Rating	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Free version	Yes	30-day trial	Yes	14-day trial	Yes	Yes
Advanced encryption	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Multi-factor authentication	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Secure notes	✅	❌	❌	❌	✅	❌
Unlimited password storage	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Customer support	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅

Winner

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Other password managers worth the spotlight

Although the detailed list of free password managers is already full of reputable options, we have tested a couple of providers that may catch your eye, too. 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 includes secure password sharing, password security audit, a TOTP generator, and even 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. By paying at least $0.83/month, you can build collections, send encrypted attachments, receive password health reports, and have emergency access.

Are free password managers safe to use?

Yes, using a free password manager is better than using no password manager. Some premium services have solid free versions which you can use to store your most crucial login credentials safely.

The only thing to keep in mind is that most of them lock many features behind a paywall to lure you into purchasing a subscription.

Aside from freemium options, there are also password managers that don’t have premium versions. We don’t recommend them because in such cases, you're risking security.

Since completely free password managers don’t make any profit from the product, you become the product. This means you’re either plagued with ads or your data could be shared without your knowledge.

So if you’re still considering a free password manager, better check the free plans of reputable premium providers.

Video review

If you're looking to watch a video instead of reading, check out our best free password manager review. 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, 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 that you cannot afford it.

Importing passwords from your browser takes seconds, and most password managers do it automatically. Besides, it's a lot safer than keeping your password saved in a browser.

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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