Top 12 Password Manager Apps 2020 – Choose the Best One for You!
I’m sure you have been there. You have to create a new password, and you type in the one you have been using forever, and the system tells you it’s not strong enough while making you “try again.”
You then add a number or extra symbol to the one you already put in. Still not strong enough. Sigh. How do you create great passwords that you can remember?
Easy: a password manager. A password manager is a hardware device or software application that helps you generate strong, complex passwords and stores them in encrypted databases.
This sounds great, but to be completely honest, there are a lot of poorly designed password managers out there. Shockingly, many reputable cybersecurity brands offer password managers that aren’t that great.
We realized that was unacceptable, which is why we started our mission: to find the best password manager apps for 2020.
We tested all the password managers we could find and evaluated them based on security, usability, value, and any additional features they offered.
Here’s how we decided on the best password managers on the market today:
Our Criteria for Finding the Best Password Managers in 2020
Security: Obviously, security is the most important factor when it comes to a password manager. We looked at the encryption settings that protect each password manager. 256-bit AES is the standard, and it’s excellent. We also looked for two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA), which strengthens the security.
Ease of Use: There’s no point in bothering with a password manager if the user interface is unorganized and hard to understand. We looked for password managers to see which ones are best for tech-savvy and average-technical knowledge users.
Extra Features: Some password managers offer extra security features, including file storage, web form filling, a VPN, web form filling, and dark web monitoring. We looked for brands that offer helpful extra features.
Value: Cost is an important factor in making any purchase decision. We looked for brands that offer good value for the money. If they didn’t, we didn’t include them.
Customer Support: There’s nothing worse than buying a product, needing assistance with said product, reaching out to customer service, only to hear…nothing. Each brand listed here offers excellent customer service in terms of helpfulness and response time.
Armed with our criteria, we conducted hours of research to test out the many password managers on the market. Here are the best ones out there:
Best Password Manager Apps 2020
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Dashlane: Most Secure Password Keeper
Dashlane is, hands down, one of the best when it comes to password managers. It’s easy to use, highly secure, and includes some great extra features:
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Supports standard 2FA apps such as Google Authenticator, and FreeOTP.
- Dark Web Monitoring: Scans the dark web for financial data, logins, and personal information to see if your identity has been breached. If this occurs, Dashlane will contact you with a recommended solution.
- VPN (Virtual Private Network): Includes a VPN that unblocks geo-restricted streaming services while keeping your internet speed fast.
- Password Changer: this feature replaces hundreds of passwords with a single click, saving hours of time and increasing security. Most of the competitors don’t offer this feature.
Dashlane offers three plans: Dashlane Free, Dashlane Premium, and Dashlane Premium Plus.
The free version provides the Password Changer, secure note sharing, and basic 2FA. There is, however, a 50 password limit, and you can only add the free plan to one device.
Dashlane Premium and Premium Plus offer unlimited passwords for unlimited devices: dark web monitoring, VPN, and even credit monitoring.
The cost is a bit higher than some of its competitors but well worth it. Plus, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you could at least try it out!
We know you won’t be disappointed. Afterall, Dashlane is one of the best-selling password managers on the market in 2020, and for good reasons.
Download Dashlane here.
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Keeper: Best Value for the Features
Keeper is a sophisticated password manager with a lot to offer, especially for those who want extra protection. Here’s what you will get with this password manager:
- Secure Audit Feature: Ranks password strength and allows quick, newly generated passwords
- Two-Factor Authentication: Includes two advanced options, including a proprietary biometric authentication and KeeperDNA, which lets you log in using a face or fingerprint.
- 10 GB of Encrypted Cloud Storage: This is a good amount of storage, and you can upgrade to 50 GB if you need more.
- KeeperChat: private, encrypted messaging app with extra security features
- BreachWatch: a dark web monitoring feature
Our favorite features, Keeper’s Security Audit and KeeperChat are excellent security tools that enhance password privacy. Keeper comes with more cloud storage than most others, which is another huge plus.
Business owners can use Keeper Business or Keeper Enterprise, both with extra security features geared towards businesses. Keeper offers its plans at a great cost for the value they offer, including the Family, Business, and Premium packages.
Plus, they are always offering deals. At the time of this writing, each package is 30% off its retail price.
Download Keeper here.
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RoboForm: Best for Form-Filling Capabilities
RoboForm is another password manager to check out. It offers excellent security and also includes impressive form-filling capabilities, which will save you tons of time. With RoboForm, you will get:
- Two-factor authentication
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Password generator
- Security center
- Form-filling security tool
We love RoboForm because of the way you can customize the security tools. For example, with eight different categories of information, including passport and credit card info, you can securely customize web forms, so you don’t have to keep re-entering your information.
The password generator is also unique in that it tests password strength automatically. This system keeps up with the latest hacking trends in order to best protect your passwords.
The unique bookmark function allows you to save and sync bookmarks from your desktop browsers to your device.
RoboForm is not as easy to navigate as Dashlane’s or Keeper’s, but the fact that it is so practical at a reasonable price makes it a great choice for a password manager.
There are four subscription options: Free, Everywhere, Family, and Business. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t check this one out.
Download RoboForm here.
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Sticky Password: Best for Local Wi-Fi Storage
With a name like Sticky Password, you know this company offers some good stuff! The free version includes password management features, like the automatic form-filling, a secure digital wallet, multi-factor authentication, and a portable password manager.
In addition, the free plan doesn’t restrict how many passwords you can store or how many devices you can cover! For a basic free plan, check out Sticky Password.
However, the Premium option is excellent and includes:
- Local Data Storage: your passwords are synced from your local Wi-Fi connection rather than the cloud.
- Secure Cloud Backup: easy to back up your data in the cloud where it is safe and secure
- Secure Password Sharing: You can securely share passwords with other users
Customer support is also a perk (for both plans), but premium users get 24/7 live chat support. Sticky Password offers a password manager and much more at a great cost.
Your passwords will be safe, web forms securely filled, and you can have peace of mind knowing that your passwords are synced with your local Wi-Fi. At the time of this writing, Sticky Password is offering its premium plan for 85% off!
Download Sticky Password here.
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NordPass: Best for Usability
“Get rid of password stress. Forever” is the slogan of NordPass, and they mean it! NordStress is a simple software that is easy to use. Customers who describe themselves as “non-tech savvy,” rave about how simple NordPass is to navigate. Here’s what you will get with this password manager:
- Built-in 2FA: uses email, fingerprint, or USB drive with the Master Password for extra security
- XChaCha20 Encryption: uses the same algorithm that Google uses to protect their data
- Zero-Knowledge Protocols: keeps data safe so no one, not even NordPass, can access it
The free version includes unlimited passwords, but only supports one device. If you upgrade to Premium, you will get unlimited passwords for up to six devices.
Unfortunately, NordPass does not offer many advanced features like a VPN, automatic form-filling, or dark web monitoring, but we believe they are headed in that direction.
However, NordPass features a highly effective password manager, and best of all, it’s super easy to use.
If you want a strong password protector, with secure encryption and zero-knowledge policies, then NordPass is worth checking out. NordPass offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s nothing to lose.
Download NordPass here.
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LastPass: Best Free Plan for Password Manager
From all the password managers we studied, LastPass offers the best free plan. First of all, there are no limits to not only the number of passwords you can store but the number of devices you can use. LastPass Free includes all of the following:
- Security Challenge: checks current password security and notifies you of passwords that need to be updated
- One-to-One Sharing: shares encrypted passwords and data with one user at a time
- Multi-Factor Authentication: syncs with the built-in LastPass Authenticator and Google and Microsoft Authenticator
- Digital Wallet: securely protects credit card and banking information
- Secure Notes: Stores private data in the cloud
LastPass offers paid options: the Premium plan, a Families plan, and four business plans. Paid users get 1GB of secure data, the ability to share between multiple accounts and priority customer support.
Still, the number of features available for the free account makes LastPast Free an excellent option.
Download LastPass here.
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1Password: Best for Families
1Password’s slogan is, “Go ahead. Forget your Passwords,” which gives me peace of mind because I tend to forget mine regardless! This company has an excellent Families plan for a great value.
The Families Plan covers up to five users, and you can invite new members for a minimal fee.
Here’s how it works: Each family member gets both a Private Password Vault and a Shared Password Vault.
The shared vault is for storing passwords and notes, which comes in handy so you can easily access the Wi-Fi password, Netflix login, and other passwords that your whole family also needs.
The private vault is for each family member to store their private passwords information and is not shared with anyone else.
The Limited Sharing Function is for parents who want their kids to have access to the login information, but the kids won’t be able to change the password.
In addition to these features, you will also get the following features with 1Password:
- Built-in 2FA: Designs a one-time password to log into your password vault
- Watchtower: a useful tool that notifies you if any of your passwords have been breached. Also accesses password strength and helps you generate new passwords.
- Local Data Storage: Using a WLAN server, securely syncs your computer with your iOS or Android device.
- Travel Mode: A great security tool that deletes private information from your device when you travel and then restores it when you return home.
1Password is an excellent password manager for families at a low-cost. Plus, you can get a free 30-day trial to check it out and see if it’s right for you.
Download 1Password here.
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Bitwarden: Best Open-Source Program
Bitwarden is an open-source program, meaning that every line of code is freely available to anyone online. This is actually a plus because it means the company cannot spy on any user’s private information.
The developers of Bitwarden are working to optimize the software’s performance, which also means it is much cheaper than its competitors.
The free version is one of the best free password managers. With this program, you will get unlimited passwords for multiple devices, and saves notes, credit cards, and identities.
You will also get two-factor authentication, keeping your private information secure and an online password vault where you can access all your passwords from any browser.
Honestly, Bitwarden Free is almost as useful as Bitwarden Premium. With the premium version, you will get all that the free version offers, plus the following:
- Password strength tools
- 1 GB encrypted storage
- Built-in 2FA and USB compatibility
- Priority customer support
While Bitwarden is the only open-source program that made our list, it is also the least expensive.
The incredible features such as the zero-knowledge protocol, local data storage, built-in 2FA, and online password vault make this password manager well worth your time.
You may even want to try it for free with the 30-day free trial!
Download Bitwarden here
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Enpass: Best Offline Access with Lifetime One-Time Purchase
Enpass is the only password manager we reviewed that offers a one-time purchase option where you can get this product for life.
This is a good deal! However, if you don’t want to make the one-time purchase, Enpass also offers a yearly subscription that’s not bad. Their free version is pretty good too, although you can only save 25 passwords.
Another thing that sets Enpass apart from others is that they only offer local data storage, which keeps your information safe. In contrast, most companies offer cloud storage or local storage.
Choosing one or the other depends on the user, as there are pros and cons to both storage methods.
Enpass doesn’t have many extra features, but it does include the basics: strong passwords, autofill options, and build-in 2FA. Here are a few other things they offer:
- Enpass Portal: install Enpass on a USB device to sync data across multiple devices
- Biometric Support: log into Enpass using your fingerprint, face, or eye.
- Smartwatch sync: You can connect Enpass to your smartwatch and access data from there
Enpass is a good option for those who don’t want a reoccurring subscription charge. Enpass can be yours for the rest of your life for a one-time free. Even though Enpass doesn’t offer many “extras,” it offers enough to keep your passwords secure.
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True Key: Best Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
McAfee Antivirus owns True Key, which means it comes from a reputable company dedicated to online security. True Key excels in their multi-factor authentication feature by making you verify your identity two different ways before accessing your password vault.
True Key uses the following authentication methods:
- Master password
- Alternative device
- Fingerprint
- Face
- Windows Hello
In addition, the Facial Recognition feature includes two levels of security: convenient and enhanced. The convenient setting will accept a picture of your face, but the enhanced setting will require you to move your face from side to side in order to get into your password vault.
While True Key asks for a Master Password, you can use the “go password-free” option for your mobile device, so you don’t have to keep entering your password.
While True Key excels in multi-factor authentication and keeps passwords, credit cards, and notes safe, it is missing some key features like password sharing between users, password auditing, and auto form-filing.
The free version offers storage for 15 passwords, while the Premium version stores unlimited passwords for just $19.99 a year, which is pretty good.
True Key’s MFA features are amazing, and they are especially beneficial for international travelers. The user interface is easy to use, and McAfee offers great security products at reasonable prices.
Download True Key here.
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Password Boss: Best for Extra Features
Password Boss has a ton of great features, which is why it made our list. Their Dark Web Scan scans the dark web for all logins from your password vault.
Its Secure Browser feature keeps your online finances secure with its secure DNS service, along with the fact that your cookies and temporary files are deleted when you are browsing online.
Here’s what you will get with Password Boss:
- Two-factor authentication
- Web form-filling
- Emergency Access
- Cloud storage
- Digital Wallet
- Password analysis strength
The only thing we don’t love about Password Boss is that customers have complained about the customer support team taking around two days to respond to questions or issues.
While that’s not a terrible wait time, most companies respond quicker. Still, with all the features you get with Password Boss, it’s worth checking out.
Password Boss offers Business and Personal subscriptions, all at a reasonable value. You can also take advantage of the 30-day free trial to see if it is the right fit for you.
Download Password Boss here.
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RememBear: Best Simple Design
RememBear is a nicely designed password manager with easy-to-use features. This password manager is best for those who want something simple. Advanced users may want to look elsewhere.
However, if you want an easy-to-use password manager with a sleek design, check out what RememBear offers:
- Autocompletion: Remembers user credentials and enters them into a site
- Encryption: All passwords are saved on the cloud using military strength AES256 encryption
- Password Vault: Safe place to store passwords and divided into saved logins and secure notes
- 2FA Support: Makes logins more secure by adding a one time-synchronized password (OTP)
In addition to its powerful security features, RememBear offers a great value with both a free option and a Premium option at just $3/month, with a 15-day money-back guarantee.
You can also take advantage of the three-year plan, where you pay a one-time fee of $63, which makes your monthly payment only $1.75.
This company also has a great team of “support bears” as they call themselves, AKA customer support representatives that are ready and available to answer your questions and help you with anything related to your account.
If you want a highly simple, yet powerful password manager at an excellent value, then RememBear is worth checking out.
Download RememBear here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use a password manager?
Password managers have a ton of useful benefits, and they are extremely important to use to ensure your online security. Here are some of the top reasons why you should use a password manager:
Security: Password managers present keyloggers and screen loggers from watching you type your passwords onto the screen. Some password managers also monitor the dark web for security breaches, and keep your account information safe.
Convenience: I don’t know about you, but I have spent hours forgetting my passwords, only to have to reset them. It’s an annoying, time-consuming issue, and password managers fix all that.
Password generator: A password manager includes a password generator, which creates strong, hard-to-hack passwords for you. These passwords are unique, strong, and best of all, you won’t have to remember them since your password manager will do that for you.
Can my Password Manager be hacked?
It’s not likely that your password manager will ever be hacked. Coupled with the strong 256-bit AES encryption method, a hacker would need a supercomputer to steal your information, and even if that happened, it would be extremely difficult to steal your information.
Do Password Managers track my information?
Sometimes, but let me explain. The best password managers have a zero-knowledge protocol, meaning that your private data is encrypted before it’s even stored on their servers.
In this case, they won’t be able to read your password. The companies that offer local data storage ensure that your passwords never leave your network.
What’s the Bottom Line?
With online threats every day, password managers are essential to keep your data safe. They provide robust protection against hackers with strong encryption and other security features.
You will have security, convenience, and peace of mind with a password manager. With many great options out there, it’s time to choose the best one for you.
Our twelve recommendations are the best password managers on the market today. Whether you want a simple, easy-to- use one, or one with extra features, you will find one that is perfect for you on our list.
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- Which Are The Best Passwords Managers for Windows?
- Dashlane Password Manager Review 2020: Is It The Best?
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