Lifehacker Faceoff: Best Password Managers Comparison

Posted on January 30, 2015 by resourcefulman

You have tons of options for password managers, but when it comes to your security, you need the best tool for the job. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular password managers and compare them side by side so you can choose the one that’s right for you.

Given the security required for a password manager , you have a surprising amount of options to choose from. We spent some time with all of them and then picked the next five because they hit the middle ground between reliability, features, security, and support (and unsurprisingly, the top five were who you all voted for in our last poll ) … However, we’ll talk about some of the other options at the end. So let’s start by looking at the basic feature set of our five:

Click the Expand button at the top for more details.

However, opportunities are not everything. This also applies to usability, support, and security. In a nutshell, let’s start by talking about the basics each of these password managers have:

Password Generation: The only secure password is one you can’t remember and you need a different one for every account you use, which means the password generator is very handy. So, all the password managers on this list will do it for you when you create a new account on the website.
Form Filling: Each password manager here will also automatically fill in your name, address, and other information on other sites. It’s not specifically related to passwords, but hey, it’s very handy.
Secure password exchange: Each of the password managers here maintains secure password exchange with other people . They each work differently, but if you need to share your password with a colleague or family member, this feature is one of the easiest (and most secure) ways to do it.
Secure Notes : If you want to store additional passwords for Wi-Fi networks or any personal information, all of these password managers include a secure notes section.

So let’s take a look at how each of these password managers are different to help you choose the one that’s right for you.

LastPass

LastPass has long been a favorite on Lifehacker , but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best manager for you. Let’s take a quick look at its feature set:

Browser Extensions and Dedicated Mac App : With Browser Extensions, you can use LastPass with almost any browser, without the need for an additional app on your computer. Once set up, your login information and password are securely stored on the LastPass servers and can be accessed from any computer that has the extension installed. The Mac app adds a few more features to extensions, including faster searches and a better way to see your passwords outside of the browser.
Mobile Apps: If you browse a lot on your phone or tablet, you can take your LastPass passwords with you. The apps themselves are free, but actual use requires a LastPass Premium account ($ 12 per year). LastPass is available on Android and iOS like everything else on this list, but you can get it on Windows Phone and Blackberry as well .
Password Audit: LastPass will scan your vault for weak passwords and help you create more secure passwords. It will also show you a good score on the screen so you can quickly see how secure most of your passwords are.
Automatic Password Change: After a site has been compromised, it is usually a good idea to change the password for this service (and any other service for which you have used the same password). LastPass keeps a database of hacks online and will alert you when you have an account that has been hacked. From there, you can change your password with one click.
Two-Factor Authentication: LastPass supports two-factor authentication through services such as Google Authenticator , Grid , YubiKey, and more .

Where LastPass fails : LastPass is free if you only use it on your computers, but additional features and mobile apps do cost $ 12 a year. It might sound promising for your life, but with a subscription system, you’re more likely to get more features and better support over the years. However, even after a much-needed update, the interface is still a little awkward and takes a while to get used to. Likewise, since LastPass stores your (encrypted) passwords in the cloud, which may be inconvenient for some , but they did it in a way that is secure enough to protect them from hackers. However, LastPass is very good at notifying users immediately if something happens, and if you have two-factor authentication, you should be safe in the event of a password breach.

Who is LastPass for : LastPass is a great one-stop solution for people who just want to keep their passwords safe. It has enough advanced features, even in the free version, to make it useful for most power users. The real beauty of LastPass is that anyone can start using it very quickly (assuming they can navigate the clunky user interface). With the exception of mobile access, most of the best LastPass features are available for free, so if you don’t need to retrieve passwords on the go, this is the best option. LastPass also has the widest mobile support of any password manager with apps on Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and Blackberry, so if you’re not an Android or iOS user, this is your best bet.

Dashlane

Where LastPass falls a bit short on the basic interface, Dashlane really stands out. It’s packed with features and incredibly easy to use, even if you’re not the most computer savvy. Here’s what you get with Dashlane:

Browser Extensions, Windows and Mac Applications : Dashlane runs primarily from its desktop applications, but browser extensions also allow this data to be integrated into your browser. This means you can set up Dashlane to store your data and sync online if you want, or store it locally if you don’t want those passwords to be shared anywhere. Unlike LastPass, you need Windows or Mac apps installed to use browser extensions.
Mobile Apps: If you want to use free mobile apps, you’ll have to shell out money for a subscription. Dashlane’s costs $ 40 a year.
Password Audit : Dashlane has a handy Security Score screen where you can check for weak or duplicate passwords and then automatically change them with one click if a breach is reported. Likewise, Dashlane will alert you if a security breach is reported.
Automatic Password Changer : One of the most killer features of Dashlane is the password changer. Just log into your Dashlane account, check the boxes next to any passwords you want to change, and Dashlane will automatically change them on every single site, all at once.
Two-Factor Authentication: Dashlane supports two-factor authentication via Google Authenticator .
Digital Wallet : Dashlane digital wallet stores all your credit card information and then automatically saves receipts and screenshots of your online purchases. If you use mobile apps, you will also have this information.

Where Dashlane Fails: If you want features like sync and web passwords, Dashlane is very expensive at $ 39.99 per year. However, you do get a lot of money for your money, and the app is constantly updated with new features and security improvements.

Who is Dashlane for: If you’re willing to pay $ 39.99 a year for Dashlane , this is definitely one of the easiest password managers to use. Violation notifications, a consistent user experience, and a range of features make it a better entry-level password manager than LastPass if you’re willing to shell out the money. Auto Bulk Password Changer also makes it a great choice for those who don’t want to waste time changing passwords.

KeePass

KeePass is the only truly free option that can be useful, and it’s open source that attracts a lot of people right away. However, KeePass works differently than some of the more modern options. KeePass stores all your passwords locally and does not have a sync service, although you can sync your passwords via Dropbox using a plugin. Other than that, the feature set is drastically different from your other options.

Official applications for Windows, Mac and Linux: KeePass is officially available for Windows, Mac and Linux. It integrates with your system to enter passwords not only on the Internet, but everywhere on your computer. KeePassX is a clone that slightly changes the look of the original if you’re looking for something different.
Unofficial Mobile Apps: Officially, the KeePass team does not create any mobile apps, but since it is open source other people do. You can find a massive list of different ports for IOS, Android, Blackberry and many more here . Just remember that you need to manually sync passwords to your mobile device as KeePass won’t do it for you.
Portability : KeePass does not need to be installed on your system, which means you can easily transfer it on a USB stick from computer to computer.
Plugins add a ton of features : in addition to being free and open source, a truly unique feature of KeePass is its plugin support. With these, you can completely change how KeePass works. This includes adding sync through services such as Google Drive orDropbox , adding advanced search , generating password strength reports, and more .

Where KeePass Fails: KeePass is clearly a more practical password manager than the other options presented here, which means it’s not as simple as something like Dashlane. In other words, it would be difficult to recommend KeePass to anyone who doesn’t own a computer, even if it’s the only truly free option. KeePass also lacks the handy security alerts and auto-change password features that some other paid options have.

Who is KeePass for: If you’re willing to put in the effort to customize it, KeePass is incredibly powerful and well supported. Since it offers offline access and gives you complete control over your encrypted passwords, it’s ideal for those who also don’t want to store their data on a third-party server. If you love tinkering and truly customizing your software, you should definitely give KeePass a try.

1 Password

Like LastPass and Dashlane, 1Password takes a simpler-better approach to password manager and offers the most beautiful software suite in the bunch . While at first glance it might look just like everything else, it has its own special twist on the password manager that some will like more than others. It includes:

Windows and Mac apps with built-in browser extensions: 1Password works in a similar way to Dashlane: you need to install a desktop app, but you can easily integrate it into your browser with extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera . The beauty of 1Password is that you can only use it locally or sync to the Internet if you want to use it across devices. You can sync via Dropbox, iCloud, Wi-Fi, or network shares. You will need to download one desktop application license for a one-time $ 50 fee.
Mobile Apps: 1Password offers free apps for iOS and Android . What’s unique is that you can download and use these apps for free without a desktop companion, but you won’t get the sync functionality.
Password Audit : 1Password will check all of your existing passwords and then check them for duplicates, weak passwords, and old passwords. More importantly, Watchtower will track your passwords and alert you to any violations that require you to immediately change your password.
Two-Factor Authentication: Instead of supporting many two-factor authentication services, 1Password acts as a native authenticator if you’re a paid app user. This allows one-time passwords to be generated for various services. However, it doesn’t support two-factor authentication to access your 1Password account, which is a pretty big drawback.
Digital Wallet: 1Password includes a digital wallet that organizes and securely stores any personal information you want. You can set it up to store credit cards, IDs, social security numbers, and more.

Where 1Password Fails: While it’s the only password manager here to offer a one-time payment option, the $ 50 sign-in fee for using 1Password is a bit high for some people. Luckily, there is a demo if you just want to check it out. While most people only use Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, the lack of support for other operating systems limits their use a little. The lack of a two-factor authentication method is also a rather large security hole and a serious disadvantage compared to other options.

Who is 1Password for: If you’re a fan of good design, 1Password is the prettiest password manager on this list. More importantly, it gets updates and new features all the time, so you know your $ 50 is well worth it. If the thought of paying for an annual Dashlane or LastPass subscription isn’t your thing, 1Password is the way to go.

Roboform

Roboform has been around for a long time, and while it’s not the most innovative password manager, it does its main job very well. She has:

Applications for Windows, Mac and Linux : Roboform is available on all major platforms , including a USB stick, making it easy to transfer from PC to PC. The apps themselves integrate right into Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. Like 1Password, you can sync your password in the cloud, or only store passwords locally.
Mobile Apps: Roboform is available for free for Android , iOS and Windows Phone .
Start Page: If you tend to visit the same sites every day, Roboform has a handy start page where you can easily login to several different sites at the same time.

Where Roboform Fails: Roboform is the least feature-rich on this list, and at $ 9.95 in the first year and $ 19.95 a year thereafter , it’s hard to justify why you chose Roboform over something like LastPass. If you’re only interested in the desktop version and not the sync functionality, you can get Windows or Mac apps for a one-time fee of $ 29.95. However, Roboform has been around for a long time and has an incredibly good history of reliable protection. This is very important for a password manager.

Who is Roboform for: Roboform’s lack of advanced features has one very important advantage: it’s incredibly easy to use. It generates passwords, registers you on sites and that’s it. There is no unnecessary nonsense here, no need to waste time checking the security of the password (assuming you are already ready) or anything else. If you’ve been using strong passwords for a while, Roboform is a good option for simple applications that does exactly what it’s supposed to do and nothing else.

Other lesser known options

As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, there are many different password managers out there. Most of these don’t stray too far from the feature set of the above five, and are often constrained by pricing models or platform availability. That said, if none of the above works for you, it might be worth checking out:

Password Safe : Password Safe was created with the help of security technologist Bruce Schneier , so you know this is one of the most secure password managers out there. Since these things tend to go, it comes at the expense of convenience. The free version of Password Safe is only available on Windows ( a Mac clone costs $ 14.99 ) and does not integrate with browsers. Heck, it doesn’t even create passwords for you, it’s just storage. But this is a very reliable storage.
Keeper : Keeper performs the basic functions of a password manager and also adds a convenient file storage. The price is slightly higher, with one device costing $ 10 per year and multiple devices at $ 30 per year .
PasswordBox : PasswordBox is a free password manager that has all the expected features, but is hard to recommend at the moment as they are in a transition period after Intel Security bought out . This sounds good on paper, but it’s hard to gauge what the software support will be like from now on.

Whichever one you choose, just remember that it doesn’t really matter which one you choose, just pick one . If you don’t use a password manager, you are more vulnerable than you think .

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