Handling dozens of passwords inside your head is less than ideal, especially with all the inputs of information our minds perceive every day thanks to the internet and our fast-paced society. With everything going on in our minds, we’re bound to not retain as much information.
There have even been studies backing up how we have started using technology as our brain’s external memory. What this means is that we have stopped forcing ourselves to remember the information given to us but rather remember where we have stored it on our digital platforms. In other words, we can find the file of the information we need easier than remembering the info.
One feasible option is to write your passwords down into your notes app, though that is a safety hazard in and of its own, and writing them on paper means you will most likely lose that paper or it will be thrown away, two less-than-ideal outcomes.
Why do you need a password manager?
Password managers come in handy for everyone who has an internet presence as an average user. These services tend to keep your passwords extremely safe and can even generate new passwords on a whim if needed. Not just that, but these managers can also secure your credit card information and other such things for ease of access when paying online.
What features to look for
When trying to find the right password manager to suit your needs, it is important to know your priorities before spending money on a service every month (or simply giving them your details). Below you will find details to look out for to find yourself the best password manager you can. It is important to get it right on the first go since switching can become a pain.
Security
First and foremost, security is the most important feature to pay attention to when searching for a password manager since that is exactly what a password intends to accomplish. If you want the top password manager with the highest security, you will most likely want it to have 256-bit AES encryption and two-factor authentication. A bonus is a zero-knowledge protocol.
Easy information filling
A basic need for password filling is that the platform can generate new passwords easily and can easily identify what username and website needs which password.
Support on different platforms
Your passwords are most likely needed on all your devices which is why it is extremely important to have versatility when using a password manager. By versatility, we mean the ability to use it on different operating systems and web browsers.
Let’s take a look at the different password management options you may have.
NordPass
NordPass is a password manager that is often advertised on social media platforms such as Youtube since it has become so popular. This password management tool does everything you want it to thanks to being made by the team at NordVPN, proving how technology is a good career path thanks to its relentless growth.
If you want an almost all-inclusive password manager, this is the best choice in the password management market. It includes saving and storing unlimited passwords, generating passwords, scanning vulnerabilities regarding your passwords, security using biometrics and MFA, easily recovering your lost account, and keeping notes as well as card information safe.
The pricing of NordPass ranges from free to premium, family, business, or even an enterprise package. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with their platform.
LastPass
LastPass is also a popular password manager amongst many internet users, thanks to its platform-wide support and dark web monitoring tools. Its most notable features are supported across various browsers, seamless password inheritance, reporting on your password’s strength, and strong two-factor security protocols.
LastPass premium is the version of this password manager that offers seamless syncing since free users are missing the features. LastPass also doesn’t have U2F support, meaning its two-factor authentication isn’t the most seamless. This password manager is well-functioning overall. It just needs some extra refreshed features and is recommended for premium users.
Bitwarden
Bitwarden offers its users open-source password management. It’s a key feature if this is a factor you are looking for. What open-source means is that this platform is constantly trying to improve its security thanks to others also being able to view the code it runs on.
It also supports multi-factor authentication for an added level of security, you can easily share through it, and it is popular across vast platforms.
As for subscriptions, you will find a free tier and a premium one. Within the free tier, you are still able to store an unlimited amount of passwords and can even sync across devices.
For the premium version, you will find more storage space being given, including 1GB of encrypted storage for your passwords, and some additional tools such as hardware keys for authentication.
Keeper
If you are a Linux user, this password manager is the one for you since its desktop client supports the operating system. Keeper has two-factor authentication, cross-platform support, and logical ease of use thanks to the way the platform is made up.
The personal plan Keeper offers also has easy auto-filling, efficient password generation, and even uses biometric authentication for added levels of security. The free version is a 30-day trial, though, so if you are looking for a completely free password manager, this may not be your best option.
