The top 8 password managers of May 2024.

To manage the numerous passwords for your online bank, investment, credit card, email, and other accounts, cybersecurity experts suggest using a password manager instead of writing them down on sticky notes or keeping them in easily accessible notebooks.

Account information, including usernames, emails, and passwords, can be securely stored by password managers and safeguarded from unauthorized access. These tools can also assist in generating strong passwords and synchronizing them across all devices. Additionally, many password managers offer extra features such as dark web monitoring, secure password sharing, and email masking.

We evaluated numerous password managers and identified our top picks based on eight criteria. Our selected password managers employ 256-bit AES encryption or stronger, are compatible with multiple devices and browsers, utilize a zero-knowledge system, and have not experienced a significant data breach in the past two years. For more information on our selection process, please refer to our methodology.

Best for paid features

What is 1Password known for?

1Password's paid version includes a unique Watchtower program that tracks account breaches, weak passwords, and other potential security issues across the internet to keep your information safe.

Best for encryption strength

NordPass is a great option for those seeking an enhanced level of encryption.

NordPass offers an additional layer of security with its use of XChaCha20 encryption, which is considered a step above the standard 256-bit AES encryption.

Best for VPN users

An ideal password manager to pair with a virtual private network (VPN) service is Dashlane.

Dashlane offers a unique combination of a VPN and a password manager subscription, making it a standout choice for users looking to enhance their internet security.

Best for free users

For whom is Bitwarden suitable? Bitwarden is an excellent choice for users seeking a comprehensive free password manager.

Bitwarden is an open-source password manager that offers a premium version with enhanced reporting features and access to Bitwarden Authenticator, which helps with two-step logins. Its open-source code allows for quicker identification of security issues.

Best for beginners

This password manager is suitable for new users due to its quick-start guides and comprehensive educational content.

Keeper is a password manager that allows you to import passwords from 22 other managers, securely share unlimited passwords, and supports biometrics with its paid plan. Additionally, it offers a BreachWatch tool as an add-on to monitor the dark web for any leaked information.

Best for offline storage

For those seeking greater control over their password storage, Enpass is an excellent password manager.

Enpass offers the option to store encrypted data locally on devices or through supported cloud providers such as Google Drive or iCloud, without storing it on their servers.

Best for user experience

What is RoboForm? It is a password manager that offers a more streamlined approach to data management and user experience for users who prefer it.

One of the standout features of RoboForm is its ease-of-use and form-filing capabilities.

Best for small businesses

For businesses and larger organizations seeking password managers, Zoho Vault stands out.

Zoho Vault provides numerous security features tailored to businesses, including IP address-based access restrictions, integration with help desk services, and the ability to generate application-specific passwords.

1Password

1Password offers a user-friendly experience and advanced features, but it's the only service on the list that doesn't provide an unlimited free version, only a 14-day free trial.

Price

Individual plan: $2.99 per month
Family plan: $4.99 per month
Business plan: $7.99 per month

All prices are per month with annual billing selected

Security

1Password employs a 256-bit AES encryption, end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, and a 128-bit Secret Key that is combined with your password to permit logins only from approved devices.

Additional features

Securely generate and share passwords, autofill payment information, and store sensitive data with Watchtower, as support for Passkeys continues to grow.

NordPass

NordPass provides enhanced security through XChaCha20 encryption and additional features such as secure sharing, password strength monitoring, and Data Breach Scanner. While its free version focuses solely on password storage, it restricts many other benefits and allows for use on only one device.

Price

The first-year cost of an individual plan is $1.99 per month when billed annually, while the monthly cost is $2.99.
The monthly cost of the family plan is $5.99, while the annual billing option offers a discount of $3.69 for the first year.
Business plans: $1.79 - $3.59 per month

Security

XChaCha20 encryption security, multi-factor authentication support, and biometric protection are provided by NordPass to its customers.

Additional features

The program includes autosave and autofill features for passwords, syncing across multiple devices, a desktop application for both Windows and Mac, and email masking for some paid versions.

Dashlane

Dashlane offers a VPN in addition to its password management features, but its premium features come at a higher cost and there is no standalone desktop app.

Price

Individual plan: $4.99 per month, includes VPN
Family plan: $7.49 per month
Business plan: $8.00 per month

All prices are per month with annual billing selected

Security

Dashlane provides two-factor authentication, AES-256 encryption, personalized security alerts, biometric support, and Dark Web Monitoring with its paid plans.

Additional features

While Dashlane's free and premium versions share many features such as autofill, secure sharing, and Dark Web Monitoring, the free plan is restricted to one device and a maximum of 25 passwords.

Bitwarden

One of the top free password managers available is Bitwarden. Its free plan allows for unlimited password storage, device syncing, sharing features, and data breach reports, among other benefits.

Price

Individual plan: $0.83 per month
Family plan: $3.33 per month
Business plans: $4.00 per month for teams, $6.00 for enterprises

All prices are per month with annual billing selected

Security

Bitwarden is an open-source password manager that offers two-factor authentication, regular security audits, end-to-end encryption, and GDPR compliance.

Additional features

Bitwarden's free version provides a comprehensive set of features, including an unlimited number of passwords on an unlimited number of devices, secure password sharing, and Passkey support. However, to access more advanced security reports or the authentication app, you'll need to upgrade to the premium plan.

Keeper

The password manager system provided by Keeper includes features such as password generation, unlimited storage, and secure sharing.

Price

Individual plan: $2.92 per month
Family plan: $6.25 per month
Business plan: $2.00 - $3.75 per month

All prices are per month with annual billing selected

Security

Keeper provides biometrics, two-factor authentication, and one-time password sharing, and has a bug bounty program that financially rewards those who identify security vulnerabilities.

Additional features

Keeper's paid version provides a comprehensive set of password manager features, including the ability to store an unlimited number of passwords across all devices and automatically fill in passwords and payment information. In contrast, the free version of Keeper is limited to one mobile device, 10 passwords, and many features such as unlimited password generation, sharing capabilities, and more have been removed.

Enpass

A password manager that is affordable yet powerful, Enpass enables users to securely store their encrypted password information in the cloud or offline, whichever is more convenient for them.

Price

Individual plan: $1.99 per month
The cost of the family plan is $2.99 per month for the initial 12 months, followed by $3.99.
Business plans: $2.99 to $9.99 per month

All prices are per month with annual billing selected

Security

Enpass does not store your data on their servers, employs 256-bit encryption, and offers biometric authentication.

Additional features

Enpass offers features such as autofill, password generation, and users can create multiple profiles to separate work from personal items. However, since your data is stored locally, Enpass doesn't use traditional multi-factor authentication, and syncing your passwords across devices could be slightly more complicated.

RoboForm

A password management system that emphasizes intuitive software and a streamlined user experience is RoboForm.

Price

Individual plan: $2.49 per month
Family plan: $3.98 per month
Business plans: $22.95 - $39.95

All prices are per month with annual billing selected

Security

RoboForm undergoes routine security audits, employs 256-bit encryption, offers two-factor authentication for premium users, and its free version checks for compromised passwords and supports multi-factor authentication.

Additional features

The premium version of RoboForms offers a local-only mode and unlimited device support for sending and receiving items and folders, while the free version is more limited with only one device allowed and restricted sharing options.

Zoho Vault

While Zoho Vault provides password management options for individuals, its true power lies in its business offerings.

Price

Standard plan: $.90 per month
Professional plan: $4.50 per month (minimum 5 users)
Business plans: $7.20 (minimum of 5 users)

All prices are per month with annual billing selected

Security

The program provides support for multi-factor authentication, IP address-based access restrictions, application-specific passwords, and fine-tuned security measures for teams or businesses.

Additional features

Zoho Vault's robust password-sharing system enables administrators to approve and revoke user access while tracking every user action in real-time. This feature is ideal for businesses of all sizes, but individuals may not utilize many of them.

Bottom line

Keeping your personal information safe online requires secure passwords. A password manager can help you generate, store, and share your passwords from one central location. With free or paid options and additional features like dark web monitoring and email masking, a password manager is a great way to keep your data secure and accessible on popular operating systems and browsers.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our goal is to deliver top-notch service journalism and in-depth consumer advice to help our readers make informed financial decisions. Each password manager review is the result of thorough reporting by our team of expert writers and editors, who possess extensive knowledge of password management tools. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content independently, without any input from our commercial team or external third parties. We uphold the highest journalistic standards and ethics. For more information on our methodology, please refer to our website.

Our methodology

To identify the top password managers, CNBC Select evaluated and compared numerous password-management tools. Our focus was on individual and small business-oriented password managers, rather than enterprise-level tools, and assessed them based on the following criteria:

A password manager should prioritize the safety of their user's data by using a 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption or better, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and support for biometric security like fingerprint readers or face-scanning.
Password managers typically provide monthly, yearly, or multi-year subscription options. In addition to cost, we evaluated whether the service offers a free trial, limited free version, or money-back guarantee to test the product. The prices listed are accurate at the time of publication.
Password managers should be accessible on any device or operating system, with applications available for PC and Mac, as well as browser extensions and downloadable apps for iOS and Android users.
Users should be able to quickly grasp password managers with ease and simplicity.
Users should be able to easily and securely share their passwords with other trusted individuals.
Password managers should prioritize unlimited storage to prevent users from being restricted by the number of passwords they can save.
Password managers can provide additional value, such as dark web monitoring and a virtual private network (VPN).

We limited our ranking to those that use a 256-bit AES encryption, are accessible via the web or a desktop or mobile app, have browser extensions for Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox, use a zero-knowledge system, and have not experienced a major data breach of user information in the past two years.

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