5 Free Password Managers That Can Save You from Getting Hacked

Password management is an essential security component that allows you to protect your systems, accounts, and other sensitive data/information from threat actors such as hackers. Robust password management solutions such as a password manager help you to generate a strong password that is secure and unique. 

Since these passwords are hard to remember, password managers provide secure storage, autofill functionalities, and easy retrievals. You only need to remember a master password. Password managers also allow you to store notes and credit card information and offer other nifty password management features.

Top 5 Best Free Password Managers

Free password managers are your go-to solution for managing your passwords without breaking the bank.  

Usually, they offer a subset of essential and limited premium features. This is to entice you to subscribe to the premium plans. Paid plans offer more features and convenient service.

When choosing a free password manager, you must consider essential features such as unique password generation, strong encryption and authentication, auto-filling, device syncing, and password sharing. To save you the trouble of combing through various password managers, below are the best five free password managers you can use.

Dashlane

Dashlane is renowned for its password management solutions for business and individual use.  The free password manager for individual use offers essential password management with a storage limitation of 50 passwords

The Dashlane apps are easy to use and compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari.

Highlights

• One device.
• Zero-knowledge security architecture.
• Personalized security alerts (data breaches).
• Two-factor authentication.
• Password health.
• Unique password generator.
• Autofill for forms and payments.
• Password sharing for up to 5 accounts. 

Bitwarden

Bitwarden is an open-source password manager that is secure and offers simplicity and convenience. The open-source approach allows for transparency and quick audits and minimizes vulnerabilities.

Bitwarden offers free plans (organization and individual) with all core password management features. Some free features are limited depending on the free plan  

Bitwarden provides native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It is also compatible with Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Vivaldi, Opera, Brave, Edge, and Tor browsers.

Highlights

• Unlimited device syncing.
• Zero-knowledge encryption.
• Unlimited vault storage.
• Two users and two collections for an organization.
• End-to-end encrypted sharing (Texts only).
• Two-step login via email or an authentication app.
• Email alias integration.
• Username data breach report.
• Self-host options on your network or server.
• Independently audited.

LastPass

LastPass is another popular password manager for both enterprises and individuals. The personal free plan offers a robust password management service with great features.

LastPass boasts superior premium features and compares itself to Dashlane and Bitwarden. This password manager is compatible with Windows, Macs, Android, and iOS. It offers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera browser extensions. 

Highlights

• One device per user
• Unlimited passwords.
• Password generator.
• Password-less login and multi-factor authentication
• Sync across all your devices.
• LastPass Authenticator.
• One-to-one sharing.
• Secure password vault.
• Strong encryption (AES-256-bit encryption and per-user salted hashes).
• Save and autofill passwords.
• Secure notes.
• Access to self-help resources and the LastPass community.

NordPass

NordPass is a password manager from Nord Security – the cybersecurity company behind NordVPN. NordPass’s free version offers basic password management features. Nonetheless, you can enjoy all premium features since the free plan includes a 30-day premium trial and doesn’t require a credit card. 

You can install NordPass on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It also offers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Edge browser extensions.

Highlights

• One account.
• Unlimited passwords.
• Import and export password.
• Unique password generator.
• Sync across all devices.
• Autofill and autosave.
• Store credit cards and notes.
• Multi-factor authentication.
• State-of-the-art encryption.

KeePass Password Safe

KeePass Password Safe is another open-source password manager that is entirely free. It is commonly referred to as KeePass. Unlike other free password managers, KeePass allows users to enjoy/recreate various features available on other premium password managers.

However, you must be tech-savvy to take advantage of all KeePass offerings. KeePass is officially compatible with Windows. It sports the old windows interface, which might not appeal to many.

Due to its open-source nature, the community has made apps (ports) for other platforms such as Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and browsers.

Highlights

• Strong security and protection.
• Integration with various plugins.
• Strong random password generator.
• Password groups.
• Multiple user keys and master password.
• Export to and import from various file formats.
• Password database transfer via single file.
• Secure clipboard handling, easy searching, and sorting.
• Portable, no installation required.

Conclusion

A password manager ensures proper password management across all your devices and accounts. Thus, it minimizes data breaches, fraudulent activities, and attacks that rely on weak passwords.