The Best Password Managers (2026)

Quick answer: 1Password is our top pick overall, running $2.99 per month for individuals on an annual promotional rate with polished apps and two-secret encryption. If you want something free, Bitwarden is the clear choice with unlimited devices and logins at zero cost, or just $19.80 a year for Premium. For privacy-focused setups, Proton Pass encrypts every metadata field including website addresses, with a free plan and a Plus tier listed at $35.88 per year.

The real split among password managers comes down to device freedom, pricing transparency, and audit history. Some tools let you sync everywhere without paying, while others lock basic multi-device access behind an annual bill. Before picking, decide whether you want cloud synchronization or a strictly local database, and whether you require passkey support across both desktop browsers and mobile operating systems.

How they compare

1. 1Password: Best overall

• Developer: AgileBits Inc.
• App Store: 4.7/5 (39,796 ratings)
• Passkeys: Yes - create, store and autofill passkeys
• Last updated: iOS 8.12.36, 2026-09-08

1Password takes our top spot because it balances everyday polish with serious vault architecture. Tom's Guide named it the best password manager overall in its 2026 guide, and iOS users give it a 4.7 out of 5 across nearly 40,000 ratings. Its dual-key setup pairs your master password with a unique 128-bit Secret Key stored locally on your hardware. If an attacker ever grabs your encrypted vault from the server, that file remains useless without the physical key. It supports passkey creation, autofill, and storage across Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS, and Android without friction.

The catch is that there is no free tier here, only a 14-day trial. The direct promotional price is $2.99 a month for individuals billed annually, but it jumps to the regular $3.99 a month afterward. In its 2026 roundup, PCMag gave it a 3.5 out of 5 score, which is lower than our other paid picks, and listed the personal plan at $59.88 annually. In addition, annual penetration test reports are no longer posted publicly on the web. They are now gated behind the company's Trust Center portal instead of open downloads.

Video review: HONEST 1Password Review | The Only 1Password Review & Tutorial You'll Need! (2026) by VPNpro

2. Bitwarden: Best free and best open source

• Developer: Bitwarden Inc
• App Store: 4.8/5 (32,668 ratings)
• Released: 2016 (iOS app, 2016-09-02)

Bitwarden is the choice for anyone who refuses to pay an ongoing software tax. Tom's Guide rated it the best free password manager in 2026, and its iOS App Store score sits at 4.8 out of 5 from over 32,000 reviews. The software is fully open source, and the company has published an exhaustive audit trail spanning 2018 through 2025 from firms like Cure53, Mandiant, and IOActive. The free tier gives you unlimited logins, passkey storage, and synchronized access across an unlimited number of desktop, mobile, and browser clients.

The paid tiers are just as fair. Bitwarden Premium costs $1.65 a month, billed annually at $19.80, which PCMag noted as the lowest-priced option on its list. That upgrade unlocks an integrated authenticator, 5 GB of encrypted file storage, emergency access, and vault health reports. You do make a slight trade in user experience to get those savings. Reviewers at Tom's Guide noted that specific features, particularly the browser autofill prompts, are not as intuitive to use as those in more expensive commercial rivals.

Video review: Bitwarden review 2026: Should you RELY on it today? by Cybernews

3. Proton Pass: Best for privacy

• Developer: Proton AG (Switzerland)
• App Store: 4.8/5 (8,177 ratings)
• Passkeys: Yes - included on the free plan
• Released: 2023 (iOS app, 2023-06-27)

Proton Pass is built for people who want zero readable metadata left exposed on remote servers. Developed in Switzerland, it encrypts usernames, web addresses, and item notes with 256-bit AES-GCM keys, not just the password string itself. That architecture prevents third parties from seeing which services you use. PCMag gave it a 4.5 out of 5 rating in its 2026 roundup, calling it an outstanding free pick, while Tom's Guide named it the best password manager for privacy. Independent security audits from Cure53 in 2023 and Recurity Labs in 2026 verify the code.

The free plan covers unlimited logins, passkeys, and devices, plus 10 hide-my-email aliases. Pass Plus unlocks integrated two-factor authentication, file attachments, and unlimited aliases. PCMag's 2026 roundup lists Pass Plus at $4.99 billed monthly, or $35.88 for a full year. That monthly rate is noticeably higher than competing entry tiers. The platform also launched in 2023, making it the newest manager on our list, and Tom's Guide notes that some features remain limited depending on the operating system you use.

Video review: Proton Pass review 2026 | Proton Pass security features tested! by Cybernews

4. NordPass: Best premium pick

• Developer: Nordvpn S.A.
• App Store: 4.6/5 (12,902 ratings)
• Passkeys: Yes - create and store passkeys
• Encryption: XChaCha20
• Released: 2019 (iOS app, 2019-11-17)

NordPass comes from the team behind NordVPN, and it earns this spot through a clean, modern interface and an independent security audit by Cure53. Reviewers at PCMag rated it 4.5 out of 5 and named it their top premium pick for 2026, while Tom's Guide highlighted it as the best option for iPhone users. Its iOS App Store rating sits at 4.6 across 12,902 reviews. The vault runs on XChaCha20 encryption, can create and store passkeys, and keeps the same clean layout whether you are working in a browser extension or on your phone.

The free plan is bare-bones: it covers one account and essential autosave, but it excludes multi-device access, breach alerts and file attachments entirely. PCMag's 2026 roundup lists paid Premium at $35.88 per year and the 6-account Family plan at $71.88, both backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Paid tiers unlock breach reports and emergency access, but setup is slightly clunky. As Tom's Guide pointed out, getting started requires creating a general Nord Account on top of your NordPass vault, and PCMag noted personal plans lack premium trials.

Video review: NordPass review 2026 | Is this the best password manager? by Cybernews

5. Keeper: Best for hardened security

• Developer: Callpod Inc. (Keeper Security)
• App Store: 4.9/5 (230,515 ratings)
• Certifications: SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001/27017/27018, FedRAMP High, GovRAMP

Keeper is built for anyone who prioritizes serious compliance and hardened architecture over sleek design. It holds FedRAMP High certification, alongside SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001, making it uniquely qualified for strict government or enterprise environments. Tom's Guide named it the best password manager for security in 2026, and its iOS App Store rating is a towering 4.9 across 230,515 reviews. Vault data is protected by AES 256-bit encryption with 1,000,000 PBKDF2 iterations, which is the highest published count among these picks. It also supports passkeys across every client.

The free tier is effectively just an evaluation, because it restricts you to a single mobile device without desktop access. PCMag's 2026 roundup lists the personal plan at $42.99 annually and the Family tier at $91.99, which matches the iOS App Store in-app pricing. What frustrates here is the nickel-and-diming: dark web monitoring through BreachWatch runs an extra $26.99 per year, and secure file storage costs extra too. There is also past baggage, notably a 2017 lawsuit Keeper filed against an Ars Technica reporter over vulnerability reporting.

Video review: Keeper password manager review and tutorial | How to use it RIGHT by Cybernews

6. Dashlane: Best for a built-in VPN

• Developer: Dashlane
• App Store: 4.8/5 (106,974 ratings)
• Passkeys: Yes - passkey storage
• Released: 2012 (iOS app, 2012-05-21)

Dashlane is aimed at people who want an all-in-one security bundle rather than just a credential vault. PCMag gave it an Excellent 4.0 rating in its 2026 roundup, naming it the best option for VPN access, while its iOS App Store rating stands at 4.8 across 106,974 reviews. It secures logins with AES 256-bit encryption backed by Argon2d password stretching, supports passkey storage, and includes phishing alerts alongside dark web monitoring. The flagship perk is a bundled virtual private network on personal plans, giving you encrypted browsing without buying a separate subscription.

Dashlane is no longer an option if you want free software. Dashlane's blog confirmed it discontinued the free plan entirely on September 16, 2025, leaving only a 14-day trial. Pricing is steep: PCMag noted plans start at an eye-watering $64.99 annually, matching the App Store rate for Premium, while Friends and Family costs $97.49 for up to 10 members. Security.org lists the monthly equivalents at $4.99 and $7.49 billed annually. Unlike rivals, Dashlane's security page lists no published third-party audit, relying instead on a bug bounty program.

Video review: Dashlane Review and Tutorial | Should you use Dashlane in 2026? by Cybernews

7. KeePassXC: Best fully offline option

• Developer: KeePassXC Team
• License: GPLv3
• Latest version: 2.7.12, released 2026-03-10

KeePassXC is an offline password manager for anyone who refuses to trust a hosted cloud vault. The desktop app stores encrypted KDBX files locally on Windows, macOS, or Linux, using AES-256 or Twofish encryption. Nothing ever touches a remote server. It earned this spot because it offers verifiable local security, backed by a formal First-level Security Certification from France's cybersecurity agency ANSSI in November 2025. You also get built-in TOTP generation, SSH agent support, and hardware key integration without signing up for an account.

The price is zero dollars. KeePassXC is open source under GPLv3, with no paid tiers, no ads, and no recurring subscriptions. That complete lack of cloud infrastructure is also the main catch. Syncing your database between computers is entirely your problem, and there is no official mobile app for iOS or Android. Passkey support also requires the desktop browser extension. An independent 2023 security review noted that secrets could linger in memory after database locking, so operational hygiene is left up to you.

Video review: How to Use KeePassXC - Full Beginner Tutorial (2026) by ZacsTech

8. Apple Passwords: Best built-in option for Apple users

• Developer: Apple Inc.
• App Store: 4.7/5 (799,171 ratings)
• Released: 2024 (App Store listing 2024-06-10)

Apple Passwords is the default credential manager for anyone already living on Apple hardware. Introduced as a standalone app on iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and visionOS 2, it consolidates logins, passkeys, verification codes, and saved Wi-Fi passwords. It earns this spot on sheer convenience and strong baseline cryptography. Apple lists passwords stored in iCloud Keychain among 15 data categories encrypted end-to-end by default under standard data protection. With an App Store rating of 4.7 out of 5 across nearly 800,000 ratings, user satisfaction is exceptionally high.

The app costs nothing and includes no subscriptions or upsells. Your Apple Account handles the setup automatically. The obvious downside is platform lock-in. Android users get no access at all, and Windows support is confined to a browser extension inside Chrome or Edge via iCloud for Windows. Apple Passwords also lacks the granular vault-sharing models found in dedicated family plans. In late 2024, researchers found the app fetched site icons over unencrypted HTTP for nearly three months before Apple patched it.

Video review: Apple Password Manager | Is it worth it? by Cybernews

How we picked

We ranked these tools by analyzing published expert verdicts from outlets like PCMag and Tom's Guide, examining App Store ratings, and reading live terms and prices directly off vendor pricing pages on September 22, 2026. We conduct desk research and evaluate published security audits and technical documentation. We do not run the software ourselves.

Frequently asked questions

Is it actually safe to put all my passwords in one app?

Every pick here encrypts your vault locally on your device before sending anything across a network. 1Password uses AES-GCM-256 with a 128-bit Secret Key, Bitwarden applies AES-256-CBC with up to 600,000 PBKDF2 iterations or Argon2id, Keeper runs 1,000,000 PBKDF2 iterations, Dashlane uses Argon2d, and NordPass relies on XChaCha20. Proton Pass encrypts every field with 256-bit AES-GCM, KeePassXC stores encrypted KDBX files purely offline, and Apple Passwords protects iCloud Keychain records with default end-to-end encryption.

What actually happened with LastPass?

In August 2022, an intruder compromised LastPass development systems, which TechCrunch reported in December 2022 led to the theft of customer vault backups alongside customer contact details using stolen cloud storage keys. LastPass cautioned that attackers might attempt to brute-force master passwords to decrypt the stolen vaults. The incident exposed that website URLs were left unencrypted inside those vaults, highlighting why managers like Proton Pass encrypt all metadata fields. LastPass is excluded from this guide.

Which password managers support passkeys?

All eight picks in this guide support passkeys. 1Password, Bitwarden, Proton Pass, NordPass, Dashlane, and Keeper let you create, store, and autofill passkeys across major platforms. Bitwarden supports them in its extension and on iOS 17+ or Android 14+, Keeper added WebAuthn biometric login to Chromium extensions in August 2025, KeePassXC introduced passkey management in version 2.7.7, and Apple Passwords handles them natively.

Which ones have published independent security audits?

Bitwarden publishes audits spanning Cure53, ETH Zurich, Unit 42, Fracture Labs, IOActive, and Mandiant from 2018 through 2025. Proton Pass has published audits from Cure53 and Recurity Labs, NordPass completed a Cure53 audit with all findings resolved, and KeePassXC holds an ANSSI CSPN certification alongside a 2023 code review. 1Password now routes annual pentests through its Trust Center, Keeper relies on SOC 2 and FedRAMP certifications rather than public pentest reports, and Dashlane's site names no external third-party security audits.

What is the best free password manager in 2026?

Bitwarden is the strongest free pick because its free tier includes unlimited items and passkeys across unlimited devices without artificial caps. Proton Pass Free is another strong alternative, giving you unlimited logins, passkeys, and 10 email aliases, earning a 4.5/5 score from PCMag. NordPass restricts free accounts to a single device, Keeper limits its free tier to one mobile device, and Dashlane ended its free plan in September 2025.

Do I still need a password manager if I use Apple Passwords?

Apple Passwords is built into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and visionOS 2, offering free end-to-end encrypted storage for credentials, Wi-Fi codes, and passkeys. However, cross-platform support is weak: there is no Android app, and Windows access requires an iCloud extension for Chrome or Edge. Security researchers at Mysk also reported that the app fetched web icons over unencrypted HTTP for nearly three months after its launch before Apple patched it in iOS 18.2.

What about a small team rather than a family?

Bitwarden offers Teams for $4 per user monthly billed annually with directory sync, alongside Enterprise at $6 per user monthly for SSO. NordPass Teams costs $23.88 per employee annually in PCMag's 2026 reporting, bundling a complimentary personal account for each seat. Keeper sells a Business Starter plan for 5 to 10 users, while 1Password lists Teams at $299.99 annually in the App Store. KeePassXC and Apple Passwords do not provide team management features.

A Walking City has no affiliate relationship with any software in this post, and nobody paid to appear here. Prices are what each vendor’s pricing page listed on September 22, 2026, and they change.