#byteSize: Which Password Managers Are the Best One?
Believe me when I say that you’re going to need a password manager because you’re going to have to keep track of a lot of passwords... bank accounts, email accounts, credit card accounts, social media accounts, even gov’t accounts.
There are a lots of password managers and not a lot of time to cover them all. So, if you want the quick answer... the best password manager, like every single person, it depends on the situation. The most common are:
1) If you plan on using one browser on a device (desktop, laptop, phone or tablet) and nothing else, a password manager is built into most mainstream browsers.
2) If you plan on using the passwords on 2 devices (usually a desktop or laptop along with a phone), you may want to use an Operating System password manager that can sync across devices.
3) If you plan on using more than one type of browser, or have a situation that calls for a multi-browser situation, then you may want to use a password manager that can be installed in multiple places.
Here are the ones worth mentioning that doesn’t cost you nothing but the time you put into it.
BitWarden: https://bitwarden.com/ - Can sync across multiple devices, browsers and the web. The free account can generate passwords, save them for you, along with notes and other important details. Totally open sourced with a sustainable business model focused more on enterprise solutions. Premium is $10/year, but it has features MOST people probably won’t use, so there’s no need to get it unless you want to show your support and make things even easier with advanced features.
Lockwise: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/lockwise/ - Lockwise is basically Firefox’s password manager. If you need to use the password on your phone or tablet, download the Lockwise app on your phone and you’ll be able to use them. Fair warning: It’s a straightforward password management system, meaning just your username and password, no other types of notes. Best if you exclusively use Firefox, set up a master password and a Firefox Account to sync passwords.
Google Password Manager: https://passwords.google.com/ - If you use Google Chrome and signed in, chances are you already allowed Chrome to manage your passwords. If you use an Android, you’ll be able to store your passwords and allow Google to fill in your password on SOME apps. If you’re on an iPhone, however, it will only do it within the Google Chrome browser.
iCloud Keychain: https://www.imore.com/how-use-icloud-keychain-iphone-and-ipad - Apple’s iOS solution, similar to Google Password Manager, except it’s for iOS and Mac. Can only sync within Apple’s ecosystem.
KeePass: https://keepass.info/ - open source software that keeps your password database behind lock and key. Available officially as desktop apps and unofficially as phone apps that can read the database. Unlike all the previous mentioned solutions, this will require a lot more of your time putting together.
If a password manager is missing from this list is because it has commercial ties to it, even the free ones got some limitations that are designed to get you to upgrade. Having a password manager is better than not using one. Just ask the MANY people who got locked out of their Tumblr accounts during the last security breach.