Best free password managers 2023: Online security doesn’t have to cost a thing

You need a password manager. Data breaches now happen regularly, and that flood of stolen info has made cracking passwords even easier. Not just the “password12345” variety is at risk—it’s also any that use strategies like variations on a single password or substituting numbers for letters. Even if you’re using unique, random passwords, storing them in a document or spreadsheet leaves you vulnerable to prying eyes.

While paid password managers offer nice extras, a free password manager still protects you from the risks of using weak passwords (or worse, using the same one everywhere). You just have to remember one password to access a single, secure place where all your other passwords are stored.

And because free password managers come in different flavors and styles, you should be able to find one that fits your lifestyle. Even Google’s password manager, built into Chrome and Android, can soon double as a no-cost option after receiving some killer upgrades over the summer months. Down the road, you can always upgrade to a paid service if your needs grow.

Not sure what features you’ll need? Generally, you want a service that offers password generation, autoform filling, two-factor authentication, and allows you to move between different devices -and- device types. For more info, you can read our explanation of what you need to know about password managers.

Updated 04/11/2023: Check out our latest review of Enpass Password Manager. It’s a solid and easy-to-use password manager that’s free for desktop users and comes with a strong basic feature set and multiple secure syncing options.

3. Best free password manager for simplicity: Google, Apple, or Firefox

• Website: Google Password Manager, iCloud Keychain, Firefox Password Manager
• Devices: Varies
• Open source: No
• Two-factor authentication (2FA): Yes

Password managers within mobile operating systems and major browsers have come a long way. Just a few years ago, we wouldn’t have advised using them at all, but now they’ve shored up their security and features to become a viable (though basic) option.

But basic isn’t bad—when it comes to password managers, the best service is the one that you’ll use. For some people, using a dedicated password manager can be too much to keep track of. In those cases, leaning on Google, Apple, or even Firefox can help upgrade your password security with little extra effort necessary. Their built-in password management tools can do the heavy lifting of creating and remembering unique random passwords across the web, and you won’t need to switch to a different app to make it work.

Of course, you will lock yourself into those ecosystems by doing so, but if you live your whole life within those waters already, you won’t be bothered by that fact. Google probably will appeal to most people, as Chrome is ubiquitous, but those who worry about data privacy can instead turn to Firefox and its pledge to not sell your data. Apple also shares Firefox’s commitment to privacy, but it’s the hardest platform to leave, as the company doesn’t provide an easy method to export passwords. We advise choosing Google or Firefox for the widest reach across devices, and Apple if you own both MacOS and iOS devices (and don’t plan to leave). Microsoft’s password manager in Edge can also be worth a look for people deeply enmeshed in the Windows ecosystem.

Committing to Apple and iCloud Keychain? Follow these tips on how to set it up and make the most of it.

The one primary downside to using your Google, Apple, or Firefox account to store passwords is that they’re not as tightly safeguarded as with a third-party service. Even if you secure your account with two-factor authentication (and you absolutely should if you’re storing passwords in it!), Google, Apple, or Firefox tend to be more lax about accessing passwords from a device that’s logged in. Often they don’t ask for reauthentication to use a stored password, unlike most dedicated password managers—and that can be a security hazard on a shared device.

Why bother with a paid password manager if you can use a free one? Paid services provide premium features that enable more control over your passwords and how you secure them. For example, you’ll often gain access to password sharing (handy if your household members all need to know the Netflix password), support for YubiKey and other more “advanced” forms of 2FA authenticators, and alerts that tell you if your password turned up in a data dump. Some paid services even have a signature feature that makes them stand out from competitors—for example, 1Password has a “travel vault” feature that hides some passwords when you’re traveling, as an extra security measure when you might encounter aggressive airport screening or simply lose access to your devices due to theft or lost baggage.

If you need these kinds of features, check out our list of the best paid password managers to see which ones offer the best bang for your buck.

Author: Alaina Yee, Senior Editor