A password manager is any software application that stores and manages a user’s passwords for different online accounts. With a master password, password managers store passwords in an encrypted format and provide safe access to all password details.
Password Managers are very essential nowadays because they encapsulate important information, which may include:
- Sensitive information
- Data records
- Storage on a large scale
So in today’s world, password managers are the means of security to protect data. These protect data like a firewall protects a computer network, such as denying unauthorized access to third-party users.
In this article, we are about to learn about password managers, their importance in the technological world, and the best password managers to use in 2022.
Advantages of Employing a Password Manager
- No need to remember any of your passwords.
- Creates highly safe passwords automatically.
- Helps with digital inheritance. Whoever you appoint to manage your application, will have access to your password vault in the event of your death/unavailability.
- Saves you time. Most password managers auto-fill credentials for providing an easier way to access online accounts.
Few Reasons Why We Need a Good Password Manager
- Passwords are as inconvenient as they are necessary, and a good password manager can keep you safe while making it easier to use a plethora of passwords.
- Apart from using two-factor authentication, it keeps your OS and web browser up to date to increase your online security.
- You risk losing access to your accounts and data if any of your passwords are weak and easy to guess. A password manager ensures that you have a strong password.
Types of Password Managers
There are various types of password managers available in the market, each with its specific form of storage, encryption method, functionality, etc. Below listed are some major types of password managers:
- Desktop-based password managers: Desktop-based password managers keep your passwords in an encrypted vault on your computer, such as your laptop. You can’t access those passwords from another computer, because if you lose the device, you lose all the passwords it contains.
- Cloud-based password managers: Cloud-based password managers store your encrypted passwords on the network.
- Single sign-on (SSO) Password Manager: Unlike a desktop password manager, which saves separate passwords for each application, SSO allows you to use a single password for all applications.
Some Good Password Building Practices
- Passwords should not be reused.
- Make complicated passwords using special characters, alphabets, digits, etc.
- Don’t use common phrases as passwords, such as your date of birth and your spouse’s name.
Best Password Managers in 2022
1. LastPass
It is a password manager that stores encrypted passwords online for free. LastPass’s basic edition provides a web interface as well as plugins for different web browsers and applications for mobile platforms.
Features
- Platforms Supported: Android, Linux, Chrome OS, Windows, macOS, and iOS.
- Free-version restrictions: limited password sharing and few options.
- Two-factor authentication: Yes.
- Browser plugins: IE, Safari, Edge, Opera, Chrome, and Firefox.
- Form filling: Allowed.
- Mobile app PIN unlocks: Yes.
- Biometric login: Most Android and Windows fingerprint scanners, Face ID, Touch ID on iOS and macOS.
Pros
- Classic user interface.
- Offers an introductory tour of the vault.
- The LastPass Security takeover is one of the favorites.
- Features a password generator.
- Highly security-conscious.
- Supports syncing of multiple devices.
- Compatible with stable logins, such as those found on banking websites.
Cons
- There is no easy way to import databases.
- Won’t let you access your passwords.
- There is no live support available.
2. Keeper
It is a password manager and digital vault built by Keeper Security that uses zero-knowledge architecture, and two-factor authentication to store website passwords, financial records, and other sensitive documents with 256-bit AES encryption.
Features
- Platforms: Linux, Chrome OS, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
- Free-version restrictions: Single user.
- Two-factor authentication: Yes.
- Browser plugins: IE, Safari, Edge, Opera, Chrome, and Firefox.
- Form filling: Yes.
- Mobile app PIN unlocks: No.
- Biometric login: Face ID, Pixel Face Unlock, Touch ID on iOS and macOS.
Pros
- It is easy to use.
- 2-step authentication with your phone number.
- Passwords and login details are easy to save and retrieve.
- Syncs for all of your computers.
Cons
- The webform autofill will cause inconvenience to the user by popping up at the wrong place.
3. Dashlane
Dashlane has the best desktop interface for a password manager. It is a subscription-based cross-platform password manager and digital wallet utility for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Dashlane operates on a freemium model i.e. it comes with a free tier and a paid subscription.
Features
- Platforms: Chrome OS, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.
- Free-version limitations: single device; 50 maximum passwords.
- Two-factor authentication: Yes.
- Browser plugins: Edge, Chrome, Firefox, IE, and Safari.
- Form filling: Yes.
- Mobile app PIN unlocks: Yes.
Pros
- Have an intuitive GUI.
- Built-in VPN service with unlimited bandwidth.
- Optional identity protections.
Cons
- A little bit expensive.
- Limited web interface.
4. 1Password
1Password is the best password manager for macOS and iOS users. Created by AgileBits Inc, the password manager allows users to keep track of their passwords, software licenses, and other confidential data in a virtual vault protected by a PBKDF2-protected master password.
Features
- Platforms: macOS, iOS, Android, and Windows.
- Two-factor authentication: Yes.
- Browser plugins: Safari, Edge, Brave, Chrome, and Firefox.
- Form filling: Yes.
- Mobile app PIN unlocks: Yes.
Pros
- Contains bulk organizational tools.
- Secret Key encryption is available.
Cons
- The mobile experience is weak.
- Outdated design for desktop.
5. RoboForm Password Manager
It is a simple, efficient, and low-cost form creator. RoboForm has been around since 1999, but its web interface and smartphone apps have recently been updated to make them more modern and interactive. The desktop app is still a little clumsy, but it maintains RoboForm’s well-known form-filling capabilities.
Password exchange, two-factor authentication, and a password generator are only a few of RoboForm’s features. It doesn’t have as much functionality as some other password managers, but it’ll get the job done.
Features
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
- Two-factor authentication: Yes.
- Browser plugins: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Brave.
- Form filling: Yes.
- Mobile app PIN unlocks: Yes.
Pros
- Robust form filling.
- Relatively inexpensive.
- Attractive mobile apps and web interface.
Cons
- Unintuitive desktop app.
- Features not up to par with rivals.
6. Blur
Blur does a good job with password management and excels at privacy protection. The password manager comes with a privacy security program. It works well as a browser-based desktop password manager, but it’s pricier than LastPass, Keeper, and 1Password. Its smartphone applications are also outdated and difficult to use.
Blur provides one-time-use credit card numbers for online transactions, separate email addresses for each online service you join, and even a second phone number if you don’t want to share your real one.
Features
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android (via browsers).
- Two-factor authentication: Yes.
- Browser plugins: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Brave.
- Form filling: Yes.
- Mobile app PIN unlocks: Yes.
- Two-factor authentication: Yes.
Pros
- Comes with a feature that supports a unique privacy-protecting policy.
- Excellent privacy features.
- Strong autofill.
Cons
- Unreliable password import.
- Delivers poor mobile app experience.
- Expensive for a password manager.
7. KeePass
It is a fantastic password manager. KeePass is potentially the most efficient and customizable password manager available, and it’s completely free. However, you’ll have to bring together a lot of the pieces yourself.
KeePass’s main desktop application is written for Windows, but it can be run on macOS and Linux with a little tuning. You can use a Dropbox account or OneDrive account, or similar online accounts to sync your computers, or you can share files on your home network.
Features
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android (unofficial), iOS, and Chrome OS.
- Form filling: Yes.
- Mobile app PIN unlock: Depends on the 3rd-party app.
- Biometric login: Via plug-ins.
- Browser plugins: 3rd-party extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, and Safari.
Pros
- It is free and open-source
- Complete control over the data.
Cons
- Very inconvenient.
- Applications are third-party-based for platforms other than Windows.
8. Enpass
Enpass’s free desktop applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux are powerful and unrestricted, but the ones for Android and iOS are restricted to 25 passwords. Unlimited coverage on all platforms is available at $15.99 for six months, $23.99 for a year, or $55.99 for a lifetime subscription.
Enpass does a good job with the basics, but you’ll have to sync your own devices with various accounts like Dropbox and OneDrive because Enpass doesn’t have any cloud-syncing capabilities. (This could be seen as a security advantage by some users.)
The desktop user interface is simple but efficient, and the mobile apps are well-designed. To some extent, they all support biometric logins.
Features
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Chrome OS.
- Free-version restrictions: 25 passwords on the web; no biometric login on desktop.
- Two-factor authentication: No.
- Browser plugins: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, and Vivaldi.
- Form filling: Yes.
- Mobile app PIN unlocks: Yes.
- Biometric login: Touch ID on iOS and macOS, Windows Hello, supports most Android fingerprint readers.
Pros
- The desktop version is free.
- Easy to maintain the offline data.
Cons
- Features are limited and syncing is less efficient.
- Two-factor authentication is not enabled.
9. Zoho Vault
Individual use is completely free for this password manager. While Zoho Vault is part of a wider package of paid business software, the password manager is available for free for personal use. Families can sign up for group plans that start at $12 per user per year.
With Zoho Vault, you won’t find user-friendly specifications like personal data form filling or a massive password changer, but all of the basics are present and functions properly. It will make use of its servers to sync your passwords, and there’s no charge to sync any of your desktop, laptop, and mobile devices.
Features
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.
- Two-factor authentication: Yes.
- Browser plugins: Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
- Form filling: No.
- Mobile app PIN unlocks: Yes.
Pros
- The family plan is inexpensive.
- Free individual use.
Cons
- Mobile apps use is very limited.
- Poorly-handled Google login.
10. True Key
With an attractive and user-friendly interface, good support for sensor registrations, and multi-factor authentication, True Key was one of the most impressive and futuristic password managers of 2015.
The issue is that True Key hasn’t been changed in a long time, and some password managers have outlasted it. Its $20 annual subscription fee has remained unchanged.
Although True Key’s macOS and Windows desktop applications have been swapped with browser user interfaces, the features it has, such as note-taking and ID record-keeping, work well. The mobile apps perform admirably.
Features
- Platforms: Windows and macOS (via browser extensions), Android, and iOS.
- Free-version restrictions: Single device.
- Two-factor authentication: Yes.
- Browser plugins: Edge, Firefox, and Chrome.
- Form filling: None.
- Mobile app PIN unlocks: Not allowed.
- Biometric login: Face ID, Touch ID on iOS and Windows.
Pros
- Reasonably priced.
- Supports extensive multi-factor authentication.
Cons
- Not updated in many years.
- Limited features.
Conclusion
In the above article, we discussed what password managers are and what are the advantages of using them. Also, we discussed the top 10 password managers that you should consider using in 2022.
We certainly hope that you will now be able to understand the importance of password managers and be able to choose the right one for yourself.
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