The 2 Best Password Managers of 2024
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Almost everyone should use a password manager. It’s the most important thing you can do—alongside two-factor authentication—to keep your online data safe. We’ve evaluated dozens of paid and free password managers, and we’ve concluded that 1Password offers the best combination of features, compatibility, security, and ease of use. You don’t have to pay for a good password manager, but if you can, 1Password is worth the $36 per year. If you prefer free software, Bitwarden does everything you’ll need and doesn’t cost anything.
Our pick
1Password has easy-to-use, polished apps that work on Windows PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, iPhones, iPads, Android devices, and the major web browsers. The Watchtower feature helps you identify and change weak, reused, or compromised passwords, and 1Password walks you through correcting these problems in clear, digestible language. 1Password uses strong encryption and good security practices, which sometimes leads to tedious interactions.
Budget pick
The free version of Bitwarden covers all the basics of a good password manager and doesn’t cost anything. But features like advanced security reports and encrypted file storage cost extra.
The free version of Bitwarden gets the basics right and doesn’t cost a thing, but it lacks a few features that make 1Password such a standout option. Many of those features, such as password checkups and 1 GB of encrypted storage, are available with Bitwarden’s reasonably priced, $10-per-year premium plan. Bitwarden isn’t as polished overall and lacks the in-app guidance of 1Password, which makes it harder for beginners to get the hang of. But the free version of Bitwarden offers the core features you need in a password manager, including the ability to sync as many passwords as you want across as many devices as you own, support for software multi-factor (or two-factor) authentication, and sharing between two people with separate logins using a two-person organization. Bitwarden works on the same devices as 1Password, so you can use it with any computer, phone, tablet, or browser.
Regardless of the password manager you use, it’s important to protect your data with a strong master password—we have advice for how to do that below.
