A password manager is simply the best tool we can recommend for increasing your online security. Indeed, the vast majority of cyberattacks now target online services, and using a single password is the best protection you can have. This ensures that, even in the event of a data breach, passwords available on the internet (for example, on Have I Been Pwned ) cannot be used to access your entire digital life.
Given the extremely time-consuming nature of remembering hundreds of passwords, password managers have become the ultimate weapon for protecting online access. With the widespread adoption of access keys (Passkey) , they have also become indispensable for easily logging into accounts from different devices.
The best free password managers
A good password manager doesn’t necessarily have to be a paid app. To start, we’ve selected a few tried-and-tested services that are offered for free.
Bitwarden
Bitwarden is a modern service that is also free, open source , and freemium. We’ve seen freemium versions of password managers before, but Bitwarden’s is particularly comprehensive, allowing you to save an unlimited number of passwords on an unlimited number of devices.
This manager also offers a Premium plan for less than one dollar per month or ten dollars per year. This plan provides access to more 2FA protocols, regular security reports, and priority customer support.
The service offers an application on most platforms and browsers, and syncs easily across all devices. Bitwarden provides end-to-end data encryption, meaning you’ll be the only one who knows the contents of the stored data. Even better, you can even host your own Bitwarden vault on your own server , ensuring your data security.
KeePass
KeePass is another popular and open-source solution originally designed for PCs. It is the only solution officially certified by ANSSI .
No synchronization is offered here; this is purely software that creates a secure vault file on your PC. To synchronize it with mobile devices, you’ll need to place this file on a cloud storage service (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.). You’ll also need to find compatible software or apps for each platform, such as KeePass2Android for Android or KeePass Touch for iOS . On PC, it’s best to use KeePassXC , with extensions for Chrome and Firefox .
Password, by Apple
Starting with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and visionOS, Apple offers its own password manager app, simply called Password. This free app is an effective solution for syncing passwords through native management directly within a native app on Apple devices.
Its strength is also its weakness, because as soon as you step outside the Apple ecosystem, the experience becomes much less intuitive. On Windows, even though it’s possible to import passwords via the iCloud app and associated browser extensions, the experience is far less successful than using a dedicated password manager. On Android, there’s simply no way to retrieve your passwords through this app.
Reserved for those who fully utilize the Apple ecosystem and who are satisfied with the autofill features and access key management.
The best paid password managers
Some password managers are available exclusively with paid subscriptions. Ranging from less than €2 per month to €4 per month, they often offer the best protection and user-friendliness, as well as additional guarantees offered in the terms and conditions of the various subscriptions, particularly regarding password confidentiality.
NordPass: the best-known password manager
NordPass is the password manager from NordSecurity, the company behind the well-known NordVPN . It comes in the form of an application available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, and as an extension for the vast majority of internet browsers.
NordPass’s strength compared to its competitors lies in its price : €1.49 per month, which includes the ability to log in on an unlimited number of devices, detect weak passwords, and use an anonymous email address to enter your credentials. Most importantly, and this is a significant drawback, common to all other password managers, you must absolutely keep your master password safe. This password protects your NordPass account and is ultimately the only password you need to remember.
The software also has a free version that doesn’t require you to enter your bank details and features automatic password filling as well as the storage of usernames and other access keys. It offers a basic password protection experience, but lacks the full synchronization that is a hallmark of password managers. It’s a must-try to experience the product firsthand.
As with NordVPN, each new subscriber benefits from a 30-day free trial, with a money-back guarantee. It’s even possible to install a browser extension for daily use of the password manager. The dashboard includes a directory containing saved passwords and installed maps.
Like most of its competitors, NordPass’s advantage is the ability to synchronize passwords between devices and to import access keys (passkey) and two-factor authentications in order to easily log in on different devices.
Finally, like all paid password managers, it offers advanced encryption for data stored on NordPass servers, in this case XChaCha20. In practical terms, even NordSecurity cannot access passwords that are only accessible once the vault is unlocked with the master password.
Proton Pass: the great rival of NordPass
ProtonPass is one of the latest products in Proton’s renowned suite, and therefore integrates seamlessly into its complete ecosystem (Drive, Mail, VPN, etc.). Its key strength is its native integration of email aliases , which allows users to potentially create a different email alias for each account (which redirects to their primary email address). This enables precise monitoring of email address usage and potential leaks, allowing users to track spam senders.
In addition to this advanced feature, ProtonPass includes everything you would expect from a modern password manager: synchronization between devices, passkey and 2FA management, secure vaults, etc.
ProtonPass is available from 2.49 euros per month , and is included in the subscription which includes all the services of the Swiss brand, Proton Unlimited, at less than 8.99 euros per month with a 12-month commitment.
Why use a password manager?
When discussing internet security, the most recurring topic is undoubtedly passwords. This is, in fact, one of the key sections of our guide to securing your smartphone , tablet, or PC.
To ensure the best possible security, you should choose both different passwords for each service and complex passwords. Following these two recommendations can be a challenge; that’s where a password manager comes in.
This device stores all your usernames and passwords in a secure vault, so you only need to remember one password: the vault password ( therefore, you must create a strong password to lock it). This type of solution is becoming increasingly popular due to its ease of daily use.
Password managers often allow you to automatically fill in login fields, which saves considerable time and improves convenience. On smartphones, they now allow you to replace entering your vault password with biometric authentication (fingerprint reader or facial recognition). For security reasons, it’s essential to choose the right password manager.
How do I access the Google password manager?
Google also has a password manager directly integrated into Chrome. Simply sign in to your Google account in Chrome and go to Settings, then to “Sign-in and security.” You will then have access to the password manager. However, no dedicated app currently exists. As we mentioned , this is clearly not the best solution.
