5 Best Free Password Managers 2026 (Actually Free)

Most password managers dangle a “free” tier in front of you—then cripple it until you pay. Limited passwords, one device only, no sync. It’s a trial masquerading as a free product.

But a few genuinely useful free password managers exist. They give you unlimited password storage, cross-device sync, and real security without hidden limitations. We tested eight free password managers to separate the legitimately useful from the barely functional.

Here’s what actually works—and when the free options run out of road.

Quick Comparison: Best Free Password Managers

Password Manager	Password Limit	Device Sync	Devices	Best For
Bitwarden Free	Unlimited	Yes	Unlimited	Best overall free option
Proton Pass Free	Unlimited	Yes	Unlimited	Privacy-focused users
NordPass Free	Unlimited	Yes	1 active	Single device use
LastPass Free	Unlimited	One type only	Unlimited (mobile OR desktop)	Limited cross-platform needs
Dashlane Free	50 Plan discontinued	N/A	N/A	No longer available

Best Free Password Managers: Detailed Reviews

1. Bitwarden Free — Best Overall Free Password Manager

Bitwarden is the gold standard for free password managers. While competitors restrict device count or sync capabilities, Bitwarden gives you unlimited password storage across unlimited devices—phones, tablets, laptops, browsers—with full synchronization. No catches.

The service uses military-grade AES-256 encryption with a zero-knowledge architecture, meaning Bitwarden can’t access your passwords even if they wanted to. Your master password never leaves your device unencrypted. Independent security audits from firms like Cure53 verify these claims aren’t just marketing.

What you get for free:

• Unlimited passwords, notes, cards, and identities
• Unlimited devices with cross-platform sync
• All major browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Brave, Tor, DuckDuckGo)
• Mobile apps for iOS and Android
• Desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux
• Password generator with customizable rules
• Passkey support for modern passwordless authentication
• Two-user password sharing (vault items)
• Email alias integrations with services like SimpleLogin
• Data breach monitoring reports
• Two-factor authentication options (authenticator apps, email, YubiKey)
• Self-hosting option for advanced users

What you don’t get:

• Built-in authenticator for 2FA codes (requires Premium, $10/year)
• Emergency access for account recovery
• Advanced 2FA options like Duo or FIDO2
• Priority customer support
• 1GB encrypted file storage (Premium gets unlimited)
• Vault health reports (password strength auditing)

In our testing, Bitwarden’s autofill worked flawlessly across websites and apps. The browser extension spotted login fields accurately, and the mobile keyboard integration felt native on both iOS and Android.

The open-source advantage: Because Bitwarden publishes its code on GitHub, security researchers worldwide scrutinize every line. Vulnerabilities get discovered and patched quickly. Closed-source competitors ask you to trust them—Bitwarden lets you verify.

The bottom line: Bitwarden Free is the only password manager we’d recommend for permanent free use. It offers everything most users need without artificial limitations. The Premium upgrade ($10/year) adds nice-to-haves, but the free tier is genuinely complete.

2. Proton Pass Free — Best for Privacy-Conscious Users

Proton Pass comes from the team behind ProtonMail and ProtonVPN—Swiss privacy advocates who built their reputation protecting journalists and activists. That privacy-first philosophy extends to their password manager.

Like Bitwarden, Proton Pass offers unlimited password storage across unlimited devices on the free tier. But Proton adds a standout feature: 10 hide-my-email aliases that let you sign up for services without exposing your real email address.

What makes Proton Pass special:

• End-to-end encryption with zero-knowledge architecture
• Built on open-source code (auditable by anyone)
• Swiss jurisdiction—outside Five Eyes surveillance
• Two separate vaults with independent encryption keys (personal/work separation)
• Integrated 2FA with autofill for one-time codes
• Passkey support across all devices
• Password strength auditing
• Unlimited logins and secure notes
• Dark web monitoring for your master password (not other credentials)

The limitations:

• Free tier doesn’t include credit card storage (Premium only)
• Can’t store files or documents
• No offline access unless you upgrade
• Integrated 2FA authenticator requires Premium
• Dark web monitoring only covers your master password, not saved logins

Proton Pass entered the password manager market in 2023—much newer than Bitwarden (2016) or LastPass (2008). The core technology is solid, but it lacks the battle-tested reputation of older competitors.

The email alias advantage: Services like SimpleLogin charge $30/year for email aliases. Proton Pass includes 10 for free, making it valuable even if you use another password manager for everything else.

The bottom line: Proton Pass competes directly with Bitwarden on the free tier. Choose Proton if you value privacy jurisdiction and want email aliases. Choose Bitwarden for a more mature ecosystem and self-hosting options.

3. NordPass Free — Solid Features, One Device Limit

NordPass takes a different approach: give you unlimited password storage with sync across all devices, but only let you stay logged in on one device at a time. Your data syncs everywhere, but you can’t use your phone and laptop simultaneously without logging out of one.

What sets NordPass apart:

• XChaCha20 encryption—newer and faster than the industry-standard AES-256
• Zero-knowledge architecture verified by independent audits
• Excellent autofill accuracy in our browser testing
• Clean interface that’s easier to navigate than Bitwarden’s utilitarian design
• Automatic password health monitoring
• Secure notes storage
• Credit card and personal info autofill

The device limitation explained: Install NordPass on your phone, tablet, and computer. Your passwords sync across all of them. But when you log in on your phone, you’re automatically logged out of your computer. To access your vault on the laptop, you’ll be logged out of the phone.

This makes NordPass Free practical for people who primarily use one device at a time—checking passwords on your phone when away from your computer, or vice versa. It’s frustrating for anyone who works across multiple screens simultaneously.

What you don’t get:

• Multi-factor authentication options (locked to Premium)
• Password sharing capabilities
• Emergency access
• Data breach scanner
• Priority support

The bottom line: NordPass Free works if you’re a single-device user or can tolerate logging in and out. The one-device-at-a-time limitation is a dealbreaker for anyone who juggles phone, tablet, and computer throughout the day. For $1.49/month, NordPass Premium removes the restriction and adds 2FA support.

4. LastPass Free — Mobile OR Desktop, Not Both

LastPass was once the free password manager to beat. Then in March 2021, they restricted the free tier to one device type: mobile (phones, tablets, smartwatches) OR computers (desktops, laptops, browsers)—but not both.

How it works: Your first login after creating an account locks you into either mobile or computer access. Choose wrong, and you get three opportunities to switch device types over the lifetime of your account. After that, you’re stuck unless you upgrade to Premium ($3/month).

This restriction makes LastPass Free suitable for narrow use cases:

• Exclusively mobile users who never access passwords on a computer
• Desktop-only users who don’t need phone access
• People testing password managers before committing

What you still get:

• Unlimited password storage within your device type
• Unlimited logins on your chosen platform
• Browser extensions for all major browsers
• Password generator
• Secure notes
• Autofill for passwords and forms

The security concerns: LastPass suffered data breaches in 2022 that exposed encrypted password vaults and unencrypted URL/username data. While passwords remained encrypted, the incident damaged trust in a company that promises to protect your most sensitive data.

LastPass operates under US jurisdiction and is owned by private equity firm Francisco Partners—a different security profile than Swiss-based Proton or open-source Bitwarden.

The bottom line: LastPass Free was competitive before the device-type restriction. Now it’s only worth considering if you’re genuinely committed to mobile-only or desktop-only use. Bitwarden and Proton Pass offer more for free without forcing you to choose between your phone and computer.

5. Dashlane Free — Plan Discontinued (Mentioned for Completeness)

Dashlane discontinued its free tier on September 16, 2025. Previously, the free plan allowed just 25 passwords on a single device—already restrictive compared to competitors.

What happened: Dashlane reduced its free offering from 50 passwords to 25 in November 2023, then eliminated it entirely in 2025. Existing free users were given until September 2025 to either upgrade to a paid plan ($59.88/year) or export their passwords elsewhere.

New users now get a 14-day trial of Premium features, after which they must subscribe or lose access to their vault (export-only mode).

Why we’re not recommending it: Even before discontinuation, Dashlane Free was too limited—25 passwords and one device made it a worse option than Bitwarden or Proton Pass. With the free tier gone, Dashlane only makes sense for users willing to pay for its Premium features (VPN, dark web monitoring, breach alerts).

The bottom line: Skip Dashlane unless you’re prepared to pay. The free tier no longer exists, and the trial is too short to serve as a permanent solution.

Free Password Managers: Feature Breakdown

Here’s what you get (and don’t get) with the best free options:

Feature	Bitwarden Free	Proton Pass Free	NordPass Free	LastPass Free
Password storage	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Devices	Unlimited	Unlimited	1 active	Unlimited (one type)
Cross-device sync	Yes	Yes	Yes (1 at a time)	Within device type only
Browser extensions	All major browsers	Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari	All major browsers	All major browsers
Mobile apps	iOS, Android	iOS, Android	iOS, Android	iOS, Android
Passkey support	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Autofill	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Password generator	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Secure notes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
2FA storage	No (Premium)	Yes (limited)	No (Premium)	Yes (limited)
Email aliases	Via integrations	10 included	No	No
Password sharing	2 users	Unlimited users	No	1 recipient
Emergency access	No (Premium)	No (Premium)	No (Premium)	No (Premium)
Dark web monitoring	Email only	Master password only	No	No
File storage	1GB	No	No	No
Encryption	AES-256	AES-256	XChaCha20	AES-256
Open source	Yes	Yes	No	No
Audit reports	Public	Public	Public	Public

Understanding Password Manager Security

All reputable password managers—free and paid—use the same fundamental security principles. Here’s what protects your data:

AES-256 Encryption (The Industry Standard)

AES-256 is the encryption standard trusted by governments to protect classified information. It’s considered “unbreakable” with current technology—a brute-force attack would take billions of years.

Every password manager on this list uses either AES-256 or XChaCha20 (NordPass), a newer algorithm that’s even faster while maintaining equivalent security.

Zero-Knowledge Architecture

“Zero-knowledge” means the password manager company can’t access your passwords, even if they wanted to. Here’s how it works:

1. You create a master password
2. Your device uses that password to generate an encryption key
3. All your passwords are encrypted with that key on your device
4. The encrypted data syncs to the cloud
5. Only your master password can decrypt it

The critical point: Your master password never leaves your device in unencrypted form. The password manager company never knows it. If they get hacked, attackers receive encrypted vaults they can’t open.

The trade-off: If you forget your master password, no one can recover your account. There’s no “reset password” link because the company doesn’t know your password. Choose wisely and remember it.

Key Derivation Functions

Password managers don’t encrypt your vault directly with your master password. They run it through a key derivation function (KDF) like PBKDF2, Argon2, or bcrypt—algorithms designed to slow down brute-force attacks.

• Bitwarden: 600,000 iterations of PBKDF2-SHA256
• Proton Pass: Argon2id with 4 iterations and 64MB memory
• NordPass: Argon2 with custom parameters
• LastPass: 600,000 iterations of PBKDF2

These functions make it exponentially harder for attackers to crack your master password even if they somehow obtain your encrypted vault.

Independent Security Audits

Trustworthy password managers publish third-party security audits:

• Bitwarden: Audited by Cure53 (2020, 2022)
• Proton Pass: Audited by Securitum (2023, 2024)
• NordPass: Audited by Cure53 (2021, 2023)
• LastPass: Multiple audits, but marred by 2022 breach

Companies that refuse to publish audit results should raise red flags.

When to Upgrade to a Paid Password Manager

Free password managers handle the essentials perfectly. But certain features require payment—here’s when it makes sense to upgrade.

You Should Upgrade If You Need:

Family password sharing. Free tiers limit sharing to 1-2 people. Families need shared vaults for streaming accounts, wifi passwords, and household services.

• Bitwarden Families: $40/year for 6 users
• Proton Pass Family: $47.88/year for 6 users
• 1Password Families: $64.99/year for 5 users

Emergency access. If you become incapacitated, designated contacts can request vault access after a waiting period you define. Free tiers don’t include this.

Advanced 2FA options. Free tiers offer basic two-factor authentication (authenticator apps, email). Premium unlocks hardware keys (YubiKey, FIDO2), Duo integration, and biometric options.

Integrated authenticator. Instead of using a separate app for 2FA codes, premium plans store them in your password manager for one-tap autofill.

Dark web monitoring. Alerts when your email or passwords appear in data breaches. Free tiers offer limited monitoring; premium tracks all credentials.

Priority support. Free users get email support with 24-48 hour response times. Premium includes live chat and faster responses.

Unlimited file storage. Store encrypted documents, recovery codes, or secure files alongside passwords. Free tiers cap this at 1GB (Bitwarden) or don’t offer it at all.

Best Value Premium Upgrades

If you’ve outgrown free tiers, these offer the best value:

Service	Annual Price	Key Features	Best For
Bitwarden Premium	$10/year	Integrated 2FA, emergency access, 1GB storage	Solo users who want more features cheaply
Proton Pass Plus	$47.88/year	Integrated 2FA, unlimited aliases, dark web monitoring	Privacy-focused individuals
1Password	$35.88/year	Watchtower monitoring, travel mode, 1GB storage	Users who want polish and reliability
NordPass Premium	$17.88/year	Multi-device access, data breach scanner, sharing	NordPass free users removing restrictions

How to Choose the Right Free Password Manager

Match your needs to the right tool:

Choose Bitwarden Free if you want:

• The most complete free password manager
• Unlimited devices with no restrictions
• Open-source transparency
• Self-hosting options (advanced users)
• Proven track record since 2016

Choose Proton Pass Free if you want:

• Email alias protection (10 free aliases)
• Swiss privacy jurisdiction
• Part of the Proton ecosystem (Mail, VPN, Drive)
• Newer, modern interface
• Privacy-first company philosophy

Choose NordPass Free if you:

• Primarily use one device at a time
• Want the newest encryption (XChaCha20)
• Value interface simplicity over features
• Are already in the Nord ecosystem (NordVPN user)

Don’t choose LastPass Free unless:

• You’re committed to mobile-only OR desktop-only use
• You’re testing before potentially upgrading to Premium
• You have a specific reason to stay with LastPass despite better free alternatives

Common Questions About Free Password Managers

Are free password managers safe to use?

Yes—with the right ones. Bitwarden, Proton Pass, and NordPass use the same encryption and security architecture as their paid tiers. They’re not second-class services. The limitations are in convenience features (device count, advanced 2FA), not security.

Free password managers from unknown developers or companies with unclear business models should be avoided. Stick to reputable providers with published security audits.

How do free password managers make money?

Legitimate free password managers operate on a “freemium” model: the free tier attracts users, a percentage upgrade to paid plans for advanced features. This is sustainable because storage and sync costs are low while value-add features (family sharing, priority support, dark web monitoring) justify premium pricing.

Bitwarden’s business model is transparent: free users cost them very little, premium users and business plans fund development. They don’t sell your data or serve ads.

Can I trust a free password manager with my banking passwords?

Yes, if it’s Bitwarden, Proton Pass, or NordPass. These services use bank-grade AES-256 or XChaCha20 encryption with zero-knowledge architecture. Independent security audits verify their claims.

Your passwords are safer in a reputable password manager than reused across sites, written in a notebook, or stored in browser autofill.

What’s the catch with unlimited free passwords?

There isn’t one—for Bitwarden and Proton Pass. Password storage is cheap. The real costs are in bandwidth (minimal), customer support (free users get slower email support), and advanced features (dark web monitoring, breach scanning).

These companies bet that 5-15% of free users will eventually upgrade when they need family sharing, emergency access, or priority support. That’s enough to fund free tiers for everyone else.

Do I need different passwords for every account?

Absolutely. Password reuse is the #1 security mistake people make. When one service gets breached, attackers try your email/password combination everywhere—banking, email, social media.

Password managers solve this by generating unique random passwords for every account. You only need to remember your master password.

How do I import passwords from Chrome or Safari?

All password managers support CSV import:

1. Chrome: Settings → Password Manager → Export passwords (saves .csv file)
2. Safari: Use a third-party tool like iCloud Keychain export
3. Edge: Settings → Passwords → Export
4. Firefox: about:logins → three-dot menu → Export

Then import that CSV file into your password manager through its settings menu.

Bitwarden, Proton Pass, and NordPass all have built-in importers that recognize dozens of formats—from Chrome, Safari, LastPass, 1Password, and more.

Will a password manager slow down my browsing?

No. Modern password managers use minimal resources—typically under 50MB of RAM for browser extensions. Autofill happens instantly, often faster than manual typing.

In our testing, Bitwarden’s extension had zero noticeable impact on page load times or browser responsiveness. Proton Pass and NordPass performed similarly.

What happens if the password manager company goes out of business?

Your passwords remain accessible because they’re stored locally on your devices in encrypted form. If Bitwarden shut down tomorrow:

1. Your passwords would still work on all your devices
2. You could export your vault to a CSV or encrypted backup
3. You could import that data into another password manager

For extra security, periodically export encrypted backups. Store them offline (USB drive, encrypted cloud storage) as insurance.

Can I share passwords with family or coworkers on free tiers?

Limited sharing:

• Bitwarden Free: Share with up to 2 users
• Proton Pass Free: Unlimited sharing
• NordPass Free: No sharing
• LastPass Free: Share with 1 person

For extensive family sharing, you need a paid family plan. But basic sharing (sharing Netflix with a partner, wifi password with a roommate) works on most free tiers.

Should I use my browser’s built-in password manager instead?

Browser password managers (Chrome, Safari, Edge) are better than nothing but have limitations:

Pros:

• Built-in, no installation needed
• Free with zero setup
• Sync across devices if you use the same browser

Cons:

• Locked to one browser ecosystem
• No cross-platform support (Chrome passwords don’t sync to Safari)
• Limited password sharing
• No password strength analysis
• Weaker encryption than dedicated password managers
• No secure notes or file storage

Dedicated password managers work everywhere—across all browsers, apps, and devices. They’re a better long-term solution.

How We Tested Free Password Managers

We evaluated eight free password managers over six weeks of real-world use:

Security verification: Checked for AES-256 or equivalent encryption, zero-knowledge architecture, published security audits, and business model transparency.

Practical testing: Used each password manager daily for browsing, form filling, and app logins on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.

Autofill accuracy: Tested password autofill success rates across 50 popular websites including banking sites, social media, e-commerce, and SaaS platforms.

Import/export process: Imported 200+ passwords from Chrome and tested export to verify data portability.

Cross-device sync: Measured sync speed when saving passwords on one device and accessing them on another.

Support responsiveness: Submitted support questions to free-tier email support and measured response times.

We did not accept payment or premium accounts from any password manager company.

Final Verdict

Best free password manager overall: Bitwarden Free. Unlimited passwords, unlimited devices, full cross-platform sync, and open-source transparency make it the only free password manager we’d recommend for permanent use. The Premium upgrade ($10/year) adds nice features, but most users won’t need them.

Best for privacy-conscious users: Proton Pass Free. Competitive with Bitwarden on core features, with the bonus of 10 email aliases and Swiss privacy jurisdiction. Choose this if you value privacy and already use the Proton ecosystem.

Best for single-device users: NordPass Free. The one-active-device limitation is frustrating for multi-device households, but the interface is polished and XChaCha20 encryption is cutting-edge. Works if you primarily use one device at a time.

Avoid: LastPass Free. The mobile-OR-desktop restriction makes it impractical when Bitwarden and Proton Pass offer more without forcing you to choose. Recent security breaches add to the concerns.

When to upgrade: If you need family password sharing, emergency access, or integrated 2FA codes, a paid password manager makes sense. Bitwarden Premium ($10/year) offers the best value. 1Password ($35.88/year) provides the most polished experience.

Free password managers from reputable companies offer genuine value—not crippled demos. Start with Bitwarden or Proton Pass, use them for as long as they meet your needs, and upgrade only when you actually need advanced features.