The best password managers make it easy to stay secure online. The concept is simple: all of your passwords are stored in an encrypted online vault, which can only be unlocked with your private master password. Once you’ve entered this password, the password manager uses the appropriate credentials to log you into which ever site or service you want to access. While most web browsers have built-in password managers, they’re not as flexible or secure as a dedicated app.
The password managers on test this month aren’t just for individual users. Many of these products are also offered in business-friendly versions (albeit for higher prices). With the widespread adoption of hybrid and remote working, users are increasingly storing business-sensitive passwords on their devices, and IT departments should take a hard look at the security hole this leaves.
On these pages we focus on six of the best premium password managers, honed down from a long list of 30 products that have been put through their paces in terms of security, privacy, storage, compatibility, synchronisation and – of course – price.
Group test
ON TEST…
1PasswordBitwardenDashlaneKeeperNordPassRoboForm
How do they compare?
NordPass
A well-balanced password manager, combining a good set of features with a very reasonable price.
Individual, US$1.79 per month | nordpass.com
NordVPN is rated highly by us – and the company’s password manager is just as impressive. It boasts all the important features, including secure sharing, autofill for passwords, credit cards and login details, and single-click saving of new credentials.
Unusually, you can even start using the service without paying a cent. Free users can store an unlimited number of passwords, and access them from anywhere, but they’re only allowed one signed-in session at a time – so if you alternate between your phone and your computer, you’ll have to log in again each time you change device. The free edition also won’t detect weak or
