With so many password manager options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. CNET has thoroughly tested dozens of password managers over the years, and we’ve developed a pretty good idea of the kinds of things to look for in a quality service. Here are the most important things to consider when choosing a password manager:
Safety
You’re trusting your password manager to keep your logins safe, so the security of the service should be your primary concern. Look for a password manager that operates on a zero-knowledge basis and secures user vaults with industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption. Independent security audits can also help strengthen confidence in a password manager. While you’re researching password managers, it’s important to consider the company behind the service. Has the company been involved in any security incidents that have potentially compromised user data? If so, you’re better off looking elsewhere.
PRICE
Pricing for password managers can vary from provider to provider, so you’ll want to choose a service that fits your needs and budget. Most password managers have pricing plans for individuals, families, and businesses. Pricing for family and business plans is more expensive than individual plans, but family and business plans cover multiple users, while individual plans are limited to a single user. Many password managers also offer free tiers, but they almost always come with feature or device permission limitations. Some services, like Bitwarden, allow unlimited vault logins on unlimited devices on their free plan. Most password managers also offer a free trial or a money-back guarantee, so you can try them risk-free.
Cross-platform compatibility
One of the most important aspects of using a password manager is its availability on all the devices you use. Before you buy a subscription to a password manager, make sure it’s compatible with all the devices, operating systems, and browsers you use regularly. The password manager should also automatically sync your passwords and other vault items across all your devices. This helps ensure that you can access your passwords at any time from any of your devices.
Features
Make sure your password manager has standard features like multi-factor authentication, a password generator, secure sharing, and automatic syncing. Other useful features to look out for include secure file storage, login auto-completion, vault health reporting and data breach and dark web monitoring. Many password managers also allow you to store things like credit card numbers, bank account numbers, health data, PIN codes, and secure notes, in addition to storing your online login credentials.
Secure sharing capabilities
It’s never a good idea to share passwords or other highly sensitive information via email or SMS, but most password managers include secure sharing features that allow you to securely share vault items with others. Some password managers allow secure sharing only with other users of the same service, while others allow secure sharing with anyone, regardless of whether they use a password manager. Secure sharing features are also usually customizable and allow you to set limits on how often a shared vault item can be accessed or for how long. If you’re planning to share some passwords with family members, friends, or colleagues, it’s a good idea to check the password manager’s secure sharing capabilities to make sure they fit your security needs.
Secure file storage
Some password managers offer secure file storage options that allow you to securely store documents such as health records, bank statements, insurance documents, and title deeds. Some allow 1 GB of secure storage, while others may offer up to 10 GB. Depending on whether you need to store files and how much space you’ll need, it’s a good idea to look at the secure file storage capabilities and permissions of the password manager you’re considering.
Family plan compensation
If you want to share a password manager subscription with family or friends, it’s a good idea to choose a password manager family plan. With a family plan, one subscription fee covers anywhere from five to 10 individual accounts, depending on the provider. A family plan is a convenient and cost-effective option for anyone who wants to easily and securely share vault items with trusted contacts.