Best free password manager of 2024

The best free password managers make it simple and easy to manage online passwords without having to pay for a subscription.

Having the best password manager has become increasingly important to keep you safe and secure online, especially when you will likely need to deal with dozens of different passwords. Managing passwords can become even more challenging when you have to keep changing some of these passwords as well. 

The bottom line is that there's too much to remember, and it's not safe to write them down. Even if you're using one of the best password generators to create strong and unique passwords, you'll still want a manager to save and autofill them for you.

There is no shortage of password managers on the market right now and naturally, for the best of the best, you'll have to pay. Realize, though, that there are some very good free offerings if you don't want to spend any money, and if your needs are not particularly demanding, they just might get the job done for you.

We tested each of the managers on this list, taking into consideration their security posture, feature set, ease of use, and what exactly you miss out on as compared to their fee-demanding tiers and rival services. 

So, without further delay, let’s take a look at our top picks for the best free password manager. 

(Note that we've removed LastPass from this list as a precautionary measure in light of the serious data breaches it suffered).

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The best free password managers of 2024:

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Best free password manager for security

Website screenshot for NordPass

(Image credit: NordPass)
A good choice from a well known cybersecurity team

Reasons to buy

+
Good security
+
Available on most platforms
+
Supports passkey

Reasons to avoid

-
No team management settings

NordPass is a password manager built by the team behind the great NordVPN Virtual Private Network solution. As such, having stellar security features shouldn’t be much of a surprise to anyone. With end-to-end encryption for your password backups and data syncing, basically, the whole zero-knowledge approach is there.

The tool uses the XChaCha20 encryption algorithm, and there’s also an option to add biometric security where available, in addition to two-factor authentication.

Apart from passwords, NordPass can store credit cards and passkeys as well, which is a nice addition. Autosave and autofill for passwords are also there, and for the free tier, there’s a one-user limit.

Getting started with NordPass is very easy. All you need to do is download the app, create the account with a master password and you’re all set. You can import passwords from all major browsers or directly from a CSV file. In addition, you can import your passwords from other password managers.

NordPass is available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. On top of that, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Edge, Safari, and Brave browser extensions are available.

Using the password manager itself is a straightforward and very user-friendly process as the interface is polished and clear from the get-go. Every point is easily accessible, so even the utter newbies won’t have any issues figuring things out.

Read our full NordPass review.

Best free password manager overall

Website screenshot for Bitwarden

(Image credit: Bitwarden)
A superb example of quality free software

Reasons to buy

+
Sync unlimited passwords across unlimited devices 
+
Open source
+
Multi-platform support
+
Highly secure with zero knowledge and full encryption 

Reasons to avoid

-
Basic desktop app
-
Paid subscription still required for some features 
-
Limited to two users on free tier 
-
Limited direct support 

Bitwarden is open-source, user-friendly and highly secure. It includes almost everything consumers, teams, and businesses could want in a password manager. 

As you might expect, the free plan is only for consumers - the two tiers for business come at a price. Less expected, however, is that Bitwarden’s free tier has a surprisingly large number of features, including ones usually reserved for premium services. 

We also appreciate that it claims that the basic plan will be “free forever,” so you can have confidence in trusting Bitwarden with your passwords without any nasty financial surprises later on. 

Notable features of the free tier include accounts for up to two users, multi-device synchronization, free cloud hosting, unlimited devices and password storage, and the ability to share your vault items with another user.

There's also two-step login, better known as two factor authentication (2FA): an industry-wide recommended best security practice. Although the methods are limited to email or an authenticator app in the free version (the paid version adds support for YubiKey and FIDO2 security keys - which are among the best security keys - as well as the unique MFA solution from Duo), it's still a welcome additional security measure - and one you usually have to pay for.

Not particularly surprising for a free app, but be aware that support for Bitwarden is of the self-service variety. While there is a Help Center containing various documentation, as well as a community forum, the support portal for more direct support is limited to paid plans. Further, we did not find any phone or email contacts for direct support on any tier.

But when all is said and done, Bitwarden is not just one of the best free password managers available; it’s so advanced and feature-packed that it could put some paid password managers to shame as well.

Read our full Bitwarden review.

Best cross-platform free password manager

Website screenshot for LogMeOnce

(Image credit: LogMeOnce)
A password manager... without a password

Reasons to buy

+
Cross-platform support
+
Passwordless login
+
Unlimited password storage and devices
+
Two-factor authentication 

Reasons to avoid

-
Only 1MB of encrypted file storage
-
Direct technical support limited to support portal requests 
-
Displays ads on free tier 

LogMeOnce is a password management solution that offers cross-platform support, including Android and iOS devices. Regardless of the device you use, whether desktop or mobile, your passwords and logins are still accessible at all times. 

Unusually, LogMeOnce eliminates the need for a master password, instead letting you access your vault by scanning a QR code or taking a selfie. That way, you can't get locked out of your account if you forget your credentials. Two-factor authentication is present as well (only via email and Google Authenticator, though).

LogMeOnce also offers additional security features, such as the ability to encrypt your data via AES and store your logins online to help with accessibility. There is also support for two factor authentication (2FA), a password generator, and a feature called App Beneficiary, which allows trusted people to access pre-chosen apps in case of an emergency. 

The free version, unlike some others, isn't too restrictive, coming with unlimited password storage, autofill, cross-platform availability and synchronization. There is also some encrypted file storage and the ability to store up to three credit cards. It supports secure password sharing for a generous five users, again more than is offered by other free managers.

LogMeOnce is built to provide Single Sign-On functionality as well, given that it is also an identity management platform, so once you've logged in to LogMeOnce, you won't have to sign into your other compatible software and services too.

With so many features, we think LogMeOnce is a worthy choice, but we did find some drawbacks. Ads are displayed on the free tier, and while there is at least some encrypted storage available, it is limited to just 1MB, which is hardly worth it (paid plans have a more reasonable 1GB capacity). Finally, tech support on the lowest tier has but one option: email, and not the priority email you get with paid tiers. There is a searchable database of articles for a self help, though. 

Overall, we think that it's cross-platform and SSO functionality, combined with its passwordless login capabilities, make LogMeOnce a great choice for those who use multiple devices.

Read our full LogMeOnce review.

Best free password manager for form filling

Website screenshot for RoboForm

(Image credit: RoboForm)
Best password manager for form filling

Reasons to buy

+
Stores data online or locally
+
Multi-platform support
+
Unlimited logins
+
Password audit 

Reasons to avoid

-
No free device syncing
-
No cloud backup 
-
No two-factor authentication 
-
Mostly self help for support 

RoboForm is another versatile password manager, with plugins for all the major browsers and mobile apps for both iOS and Android. It offers a free tier, along with an upgraded plan and a family plan.

The free version is superb in our view, providing you with a secure vault for your logins and the option to store it on your device only rather than the cloud. An auditing tool to help identify weak or duplicated passwords is also included, along with a password generator for replacing them with strong, nigh on uncrackable strings of numbers, letters, and special characters.

The service also allows you to store an unlimited number of logins, and after the data is saved, you can just log back into sites with a single click. There is also multi-platform support, the ability to manage bookmarks, the option to securely send logins, and an autofill which we think is great, making it a good choice for those who regularly need to complete online forms.  

However, we don't like the fact that the free version of RoboForm doesn't sync your passwords across multiple devices. It is also missing 2FA, and on the free tier support is merely a knowledge base with no phone or email contact for a more direct connection.

Read our full Roboform review.

Best free password manager for a single device

Website screenshot for Dashlane

(Image credit: Dashlane)
A solid free offering from a household name

Reasons to buy

+
Good security
+
A solid number of features
+
Easy to use
+
Unlimited passwords 

Reasons to avoid

-
One device only

Dashlane is one of the most popular password managers in the world, and for good reason. When it comes to the free version, though, there are a couple of things worth mentioning. 

For starters, while Dashlane's free plan formerly capped the capacity to a mere 50 passwords, it has since lifted that significant restriction, and thankfully it now supports unlimited passwords. 

However, like a few other competitors, Dashlane still imposes a single device limit, which is an issue as most users have multiple devices, and the whole point of password management software is to have your passwords available on whatever device you are using.

That said, we did find some good features on offer with the free plan. The always welcome autofill capability is present, which not only works for passwords but also other information such as contact details and delivery addresses. We also like the password generator for the creation of strong passwords, and the ability to organize and search your passwords.

There is also a strong emphasis on security, as Dashlane states that it has never suffered a data breach, and it doesn't actually see any of your data. Furthermore, it also indicates that you can take your passwords and data when you leave, such is the confidence it has in its service.

Overall, we think Dashlane is a useful free password manager for those that can work within its single device limit.

Read our full Dashlane review.

We've also listed the best business password managers.


Best free password manager FAQs

How to choose the best free password manager

When deciding which free password managers to use, first consider what your actual needs are, as free versions may only provide basic features, so if you need to use advanced tools you may find a more expensive password manager is better suited to you. Additionally, higher-end software can usually cater for every need, so do ensure you have a good idea of which features you think you may require from your password manager.

What is the difference between free and paid for password managers?

Plenty of password managers offer both free and paid subscriptions for their service. Mostly, the level of security and protection you get will be the same, using the same encryption processes, etc. However, the differences will usually come down to storage and/ or device allowance, as well as the number of extra features you get. 

For instance, some password managers will only let you use their client on a single device on free plans, whilst paying subscribers may get access to the manager across an unlimited number of devices. Similarly, some free tiers may also restrict the number of credentials you can store in their vault, while again, paying customers will have no limits in this regard.

Common additional features that may be omitted from free password managers include dark web monitoring - which informs you if any of your credentials have appeared in a data breach - storage for items beyond passwords, and direct customer support.

One of the key reasons we picked Bitwarden as our best free password manager overall is because of its unrivaled feature-set for non-paying users.

What are the risks of using a free password manager?

As far as we are aware, none of the password managers in our round-up compromises on its security posture for free users - a company that did that would certainly be stooping low. 

Instead, there will likely be an absence of more advanced features, such as dark web monitoring or a VPN, which can help protect your privacy as well as your safety. However, these will likely be no match for the best VPN services around.

Having said that, not all free password managers have two-factor authentication (2FA), which adds an extra layer of protection to your master password, to make sure it is really you who is trying to access your vault. This is certainly a recommended feature to activate if the option is there, but most essential of all is to make sure that your master password is as strong and unique as possible, whilst also being memorable to you.

What is the safest free password manager?

Again, all the password managers featured in this list have a great safety record, and wouldn’t think to compromise a user’s safety just because they aren’t paying. 

One of the biggest contributors to the safety of a password manager is whether encryption is used and what kind. Because if the worst were to happen and the vendor suffers a breach, then hackers would still not be able to gain access to your vault; they would need to be able to crack your master password first, which is why it is so important to come up with a strong one. 

Using a string of three memorable words is a good tactic, as this would be easy to remember yet hard to crack. Single and common words can be guessed by powerful machines in a matter of seconds in some cases (and please, whatever you do - don’t use ‘password1234’!)

With end-to-end encryption, only you can decrypt your vault and see your items using your master password (or biometric data if supported). The password manager will not know your password and will store it in an encrypted form so no one at the company or a hacker will know what it actually is. 

There are different methods of encryption, but all the free password managers featured in this guide use a strong kind that comply with industry standards, as far as we are aware.

Password managers compared

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell - Column 0 BitwardenLogMeOnceRoboFormDashlane
Password limitUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
Device limitUnlimitedUnlimited11
Multi-device syncYesYesNoNo
2FAYesYesYesYes
Password sharing2 users5 send and receiveSend onlyUnlimited
Extra featuresData breach reports, email alias supportPasswordless unlock, beneficiary access, security auditsBeneficiary access, dark web monitoring, TOTP authenticator1GB encrypted file storage, dark web monitoring, phishing alerts, beneficiary access

How we test the best free password managers

To test for the best free password managers we first set up an account with the relevant provider, then we tested the service to see how the software could be used for different purposes and in different situations. The aim was to push each password manager to see how useful its basic tools were and also how easy it was to get to grips with any more advanced tools.

Read more on how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar.

We've also listed the best VPN for business.

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Barclay Ballard

Barclay has been writing about technology for a decade, starting out as a freelancer with ITProPortal covering everything from London’s start-up scene to comparisons of the best cloud storage services.  After that, he spent some time as the managing editor of an online outlet focusing on cloud computing, furthering his interest in virtualization, Big Data, and the Internet of Things. 



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