Best Password Managers in 2025

What “Best” Means in 2025

The term “best password manager” refers to a service that delivers strong performance across several key areas rather than excelling in only one. In 2025, meeting these criteria is more important than ever:

• Security model and encryption: A top manager uses zero-knowledge, end-to-end encryption so the provider can’t see your data. They use strong algorithms (AES-256, or modern equivalents) and solid key derivation (PBKDF2, Argon2). Additional security measures, such as multi-factor logins or an authenticator app, add an extra layer of security
• Passkey / passwordless readiness: Passkeys—cryptographic logins—are rapidly gaining traction. In 2025, support for storing, syncing, and falling back to passwords is a must. The FIDO Alliance reports growing consumer pressure to adopt passkeys
• Cross-platform and sync: The manager should work on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, and have browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). Sync should be seamless and secure
• Usability and user experience: You should be able to add, retrieve, and share credentials easily. Recovery options (if you lose your master password) must be reliable. A clunky UI kills adoption
• Extras and value: Breach monitoring, password health audits, secure file storage, emergency access, and secure sharing are all critical for added real utility
• Fair pricing and tiers: A good free plan, a reasonable price for individuals, family, or business tiers. No hidden spikes
• Transparency and trust: Open source or audited code, public security reviews, and clear policies. You want to trust them with your digital keys

A password manager that performs well across all these areas can be considered among the “best.”

Top Password Managers for 2025

Here are the leading options, what they offer, and when you would pick each.

Bitwarden

Bitwarden remains a standout. It’s open source, supports unlimited devices, and offers a capable free plan. It includes passkey support, and its reputation for security and value is high; many reviewers call it the “best overall”, especially for grassroots users. Moreover, for $10/year, you unlock features like encrypted file storage and enhanced two-factor options.

Strengths

• Transparent (open source)
• Strong free/low-cost offering
• Broad platform support
• Good balance of features

Trade-offs
The UI is more utilitarian than slick competitors. Some advanced features require the paid tier.

Choose Bitwarden when you want trustworthy security on a budget.

1Password

1Password emphasizes a polished user experience, family sharing, and helpful extras. It supports multiple OSes and browsers. 

One unique feature is Travel Mode, which removes certain vaults from your devices while traveling so that if your device is searched, sensitive data isn’t exposed.

Strengths

• Excellent UX and polish
• Family and team sharing done well
• Travel Mode for added privacy
• Strong reliability

Trade-offs
No permanent free plan. Higher cost for the full feature set.

Pick 1Password if you care about ease of use and shared vaults.

Dashlane

Dashlane is making a strong push into passkeys, reporting a 400% increase in passkey adoption during 2024. Passkeys are stored in a secure, hardware-backed enclave, and the service also offers extras such as dark web monitoring and a built-in VPN on some plans. Its autofill features are among the most advanced in the industry, capable of filling and submitting login forms automatically in many cases.

Strengths

• Early leader in passkey adoption
• Nice extras (VPN, dark web alerts)
• Polished UX

Trade-offs
Full features are more expensive, and desktop access relies mainly on the web app instead of traditional native software.

Choose Dashlane if you want to get ahead with passkeys now.

Keeper

Keeper is known for its security add-ons and admin capabilities. These include modules like BreachWatch (dark web monitoring) and secure file storage. In mid-2025, they reached SOC 3 compliance, underscoring their commitment to security standards.

Strengths

• Strong security extras
• Good for business/team usage
• Modular architecture

Trade-offs
Some advanced modules cost extra; the core plan may feel less generous.

Keeper is for you if you want a vault plus extras and strong admin control.

NordPass

NordPass was among the first managers to adopt passkey support. They use XChaCha20 encryption, a modern algorithm designed for speed and security. Their interface is clean and accessible. Moreover, they offer password health, breach monitoring, and simple sharing features. 

Strengths

• Modern encryption choice
• Clean UI, simplicity
• Passkey support built in

Trade-offs
Provides a simpler feature set and lacks some of the advanced options available in more robust password managers.

Choose NordPass if you value a clean design and solid core security.

Proton Pass

Proton Pass is built by the team behind Proton Mail and VPN. It’s open source, supports passkeys on all plans, and integrates with Proton’s privacy ecosystem. They offer a generous free plan and have recently introduced emergency access, full passkey support, and more flexible vault management.

Strengths

• Privacy and transparency-focused
• Strong free tier
• Good cross-platform support

Trade-offs
Fewer niche functions (at least initially) than longtime players.

Pick Proton Pass if privacy is your core concern, or if you already use Proton products.

Apple Password Manager

With iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, Apple separated Passwords into a standalone app. It supports passwords, passkeys, 2FA codes, and health alerts.

For users fully invested in Apple’s ecosystem, this is a free, built-in solution. However, it lacks the advanced sharing options, cross-platform support, and enterprise features offered by third-party password managers.

How to Pick the One That Fits You

Here’s how to narrow it down:

• open-source transparency + low cost: Bitwarden or Proton Pass
• family or team accounts: 1Password or Keeper
• lead in passkey adoption: Dashlane or Proton Pass
• modern encryption and a clean interface: NordPass
• Apple ecosystem: Apple Passwords
• security add-ons and admin control: Keeper

Test the free or trial versions to see how each service performs. Evaluate autofill on your most-used sites, check how well it syncs across your devices, and review the recovery process in case the master password is lost. Taking time to compare these details will help you choose a manager that matches both your security needs and your daily habits.

Final Thoughts

Password managers are no longer optional. The risks of password reuse, phishing, and credential leaks are too high. In 2025, with passkeys gaining ground, selecting a manager who keeps up is crucial.

Bitwarden, 1Password, Dashlane, Keeper, NordPass, Proton Pass, and Apple Password Manager all deliver secure vaults, but each has its strengths. Match those strengths to your goals (cost, privacy, sharing, passkeys) and test a few before choosing. For a broader look at what’s available, explore our full reviews in the password managers category, use our comparison tool to view top choices side by side, and browse our educational articles for deeper insights into features and pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are password managers truly secure?
Yes, when they use zero-knowledge, end-to-end encryption. This means only you can unlock the vault, not the provider. Your safety still depends on creating a strong master password and keeping your devices protected.

What exactly is a passkey?
A passkey is a FIDO-based authentication (public-private key pair) that replaces passwords. It’s resistant to phishing and doesn’t require remembering credentials.

Can I migrate later?
Generally yes. Most allow export/import (CSV, JSON). Passkey migration is trickier as some systems may not move cleanly.

What if I lose my master password?
Many managers offer recovery methods (emergency contacts, recovery keys, account recovery). Always set one up when starting.

Is the built-in Apple manager enough?
If you use only Apple devices and don’t need sharing or cross-platform use, yes, it might suffice. Otherwise, a full third-party tool gives more flexibility and features.