Independently compared
Pick a password manager you can trust.
Independent comparisons of the best password managers. Straight answers on security, pricing, and what free really gets you.
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Bitwarden
4.7Open source, audited, and the best free plan around.
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The best password managers, ranked
Ranked on quality, ease of use and price.
- 4.7
From $1.65/mo
Free version available
- 4.4
From $1.99/mo
Free version available
- 4.4
From $1.49/mo
Free version available
- 4.3
From $4.99/mo
Independently compared
Honest comparisons based on security, ease of use, and price. No sponsored rankings, ever.
Security first
We look at zero-knowledge architecture, independent audits, and how a service handled past incidents.
Free taken seriously
Genuinely good free options exist. We tell you honestly when paying is unnecessary.
Kept up to date
Prices and plans change. We check ours regularly and date our reviews.
Compare the real price of every password manager
Our live index ranks all 9 password managers by what they actually cost.
Compare pricesLowest prices
liveReviews
Our independent verdicts, dated and sourced.
Bitwarden Inc.
“The free plan does everything most people need, the code is open source, and the audits are public. Our first recommendation for almost everyone.”Editorial team, via PasswordShortlist
AgileBits Inc.
“The most polished apps of this line-up, thoughtful family sharing, and an extra secret key on top of your master password. Slightly pricier since March 2026, but still the best overall experience.”Editorial team, via PasswordShortlist
Proton AG
“The free email aliases are a genuine invention: a different address for every store, so your real one never leaks. Swiss, open source, and generous for free.”Editorial team, via PasswordShortlist
Nord Security
“Modern, fast apps, and on a two-year plan one of the lowest prices among the paid managers. A solid middle road between free and premium.”Editorial team, via PasswordShortlist
Knowledge base
Practical guides and explainers to help you pick the right password manager.
The best free password manager
Genuinely free exists: these managers charge nothing and compromise nothing.
The best password manager for families
Shared vaults, recovery for forgotten passwords, and the whole household covered.
The best password manager for iPhone
Apple's own app or a dedicated manager? How to choose on iPhone.
The best cheap password manager
Maximum security for a couple of dollars: the best buys ranked.
The best LastPass alternative
Leaving LastPass? How to pick a successor and switch in fifteen minutes.
The best complete password managers
The managers with the nicest apps, family plans, and every feature you would expect.
How to choose a password manager
Run through these steps and you will know which manager fits you within five minutes.
Frequently asked questions
The questions people ask most, answered short and straight.
Is a free password manager safe enough?
Yes, as long as you pick the right one. Bitwarden and Proton Pass are free, open source, and independently audited. What you give up is mostly extras like advanced reports or more storage for attachments.
Why not just let my browser remember my passwords?
The built-in managers from Apple and Google are better than nothing and fine to start with. A dedicated password manager works across all browsers and devices, has better sharing features, and is not tied to an advertising company or a single ecosystem.
What happens if the password manager itself gets hacked?
With a proper zero-knowledge service, your passwords are encrypted with your master password, which the company itself never knows. Even if its servers are breached, your data stays unreadable, as long as your master password is strong.
What are passkeys and do I need them?
Passkeys replace passwords with a cryptographic key stored on your device, so there is nothing to phish or leak. Major sites support them already. Every manager on our shortlist can store passkeys; it is a box worth checking before you choose.
How is this site funded?
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