An online password manager is a must in this day and age. In 2018, 2.5 billion accounts were hacked. That’s 6.85 million accounts every day or 158 accounts every second. And in 2020, 99.9% of accounts were hacked because people used easy-to-guess passwords.
Sensitive information, such as passwords, important documents, and photos could be stolen or used maliciously against account holders. Having a password manager does not promise the account to be hack-proof, but it adds an additional layer of protection for files and passwords.
Here are five of the best online password managers based on the following criteria: features, customer support, and value for money.
1. LastPass: Free Password Manager
LastPass is free and will remain free, regardless of the number of passwords or devices used. It stores data using AES-256 bit encryption with PBKDF2 SHA-256 and a secure password vault for password management.
Aside from passwords, it also stores the following: credit card details, delivery addresses encrypted notes, documents, and shared folders. LastPass has a security dashboard, multi-factor authentication, and a security challenge to further secure the account.
LastPass has advanced security features, but they require a Premium and Families subscription worth $3 and $4, respectively. There are also four different plans for businesses and startups. These are competitively priced and offer superior security layers, such as dark web monitoring, encrypted file storage, and fingerprint authentication.
2. Dashlane — All-Around Password Manager
Dashlane has two-factor authentication, such as Authy, Google Authenticator, and FreeOTP, and fingerprint authentication with YubiKey. It also scans the dark web for unauthorized logins and financial data. If Dashlane detects any breach, it will notify the user immediately and give a solution.
Aside from password management, Dashlane also has a virtual private network (VPN) that masks a device’s internet protocol (IP) address, making it untraceable. It will also unlock region-locked content on streaming websites.[3] It won’t store the user’s browsing data and will work with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Dashlane can also replace hundreds of passwords with just one click. Regarded as its defining feature, Password Change saves accounts from falling into the wrong hands as well as time. This is available for both free and premium users.
3. Bitwarden – Open Source Password Manager
Bitwarden is an open-source password manager that supports Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android. It can also run on internet browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Safari, enabling the user to secure more devices.
Setting up a Bitwarden account is painless. For only $10 per year, the user gets two-step authentication, a gigabyte of encrypted storage (for file attachments), Time-based One-time Password (TOTP), and data breach reports. Bitwarden also has a handy password generator that creates different passcodes per login.
Other features make this open-source software competitively priced versus other options in the market: multi-device synchronization, optional self-hosting, and unlimited online storage. Storage can be upgraded at $4 per gigabyte annually.
4. Keeper – Sharing encrypted files
Keeper will notify the user if a password is weak, used in other accounts, or part of a data breach. The program will create a strong replacement passcode if ever these happen.
Keeper has plugins for major browsers and operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows, Linux). It has biometric authentication on mobile devices and can synchronize across an unlimited number of devices.
There’s also secure record sharing and encrypted messaging with the family plan. This lets members send secure files and messages with one another without using third-party apps.
Although Keeper does not have a free version, it has a 30-day, no-commitment trial.
5. 1Password – Family Password Manager
1Password is a password manager for individuals and groups, especially the family, with its shared password protection system. It has breach protection from local and internet threats, like keyloggers and phishing. It will only run on verified browsers.
1Password also has a digital wallet that saves logins and credit card information, sticky notes, and wireless network passwords. It is so secure that developers are offering $100,000 to anyone who could hack it.
The software has two main service provisions: single-use (individual) or family (up to five people). It protects people’s logins, protecting businesses as well as teams working from home.
Although 1Password doesn’t have a free version, the subscription allows users to sync local files via Dropbox and iCloud. The service is $4 a month if it’s billed annually and $5 for a family plan, which covers up to five computers and is one of the best value for money password managers.