Best Free Password Managers in 2025: Trusted and Secure
Reading time: 15 min
Last Updated: May 5, 2025
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![Osama Zahid]()
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![Sarah Frazier]()
Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Content Manager
Many built-in password management solutions are available nowadays, like Apple’s Passwords app, Google Password Manager, or your browser’s own password manager. However, built-in password managers aren’t as secure or effective as you may think. They lack advanced safety features and don’t offer the convenience you get from a third-party app.
You can easily replace your built-in password manager with a free third-party solution. After extensive testing, I’ve picked the best password managers offering free versions of their apps. While these free solutions lack a few features, they still outperform built-in options.
Of the top choices, NordPass is the best free password manager available. It has easy-to-use apps for all major platforms, unlimited password storage, future-proof encryption, and more. Plus, you can try its premium version risk-free for 30 days with the free trial.
Secure your credentials with NordPass
Quick Guide: 5 Best Free and Safe Password Managers
- NordPass — Uses advanced XChaCha20 encryption to safeguard passwords and sensitive data.
- RoboForm — Offers some of the best auto-save/fill capabilities, but it isn’t the most user-friendly option.
- Proton Pass — Comes from a privacy-focused company based in Switzerland, but no free trial for its premium version.
- LastPass — Provides many features with its free plan, but it’s been breached in the past.
- Bitwarden — Completely open-source password manager, but it isn’t as feature-rich as other options.
The Best Free and Safe Password Managers in 2025
1. NordPass — Secures Passwords With Future-Proof XChaCha20 Encryption
Key Features:
- Offers unlimited password storage with the free version
- Uses future-proof XChaCha20 encryption to safeguard vault data
- Supports multi-factor authentication for vault access
- Includes reliable auto-save and auto-fill functionality
- Allows automatic syncing across multiple devices
NordPass is the best free password manager available, combining strong privacy practices with advanced features and top-tier security. Unlike other apps, it uses advanced XChaCha20 encryption, which is a more modern encryption standard and offers reliable security. Plus, its zero-knowledge architecture ensures only you can see your data.
You’ll also get a useful set of features with NordPass’ free plan, including the following:
- Password generator — creates secure passwords to use with your accounts.
- Auto-save and fill — automatically fills your login information and asks to save any new credentials you use.
- Password import — lets you seamlessly import your credentials from other password managers.
- Password history — shows a history of all the previously created passwords.
While NordPass’ free plan supports all major platforms, you should note that it only works on 1 device at a time. If you were to log into NordPass on your mobile device, it would log you out of any browser extensions or the desktop app if you were previously logged in there.
Thankfully, NordPass’ free plan delivers excellent support, including the 24/7 live chat that you can contact whenever you need help. I frequently reached out to support during my tests and connected to an agent within minutes.
Overall, NordPass has an excellent free plan. However, the premium version is significantly better, offering useful tools like multiple simultaneous login support, dark web monitoring, and a password health feature. You can also try NordPass’ premium plan risk-free, as it comes with a 30-day trial and an equally long money-back guarantee.
2. RoboForm — Delivers Best-In-Class Form-Filling Capabilities
Key Features:
- Provides a free plan with unlimited password storage
- Comes with seamless auto-save and auto-fill capabilities
- Adds extra vault security through multi-factor authentication
- Includes email support to provide assistance when needed
- Works on a single device
RoboForm stands out because it provides superb form-filling capabilities. Its auto-save and auto-fill features worked every time I needed them during tests. Plus, the auto-save and fill functionality extends to desktop apps, which is impressive — most password managers only have this for browser-based forms.
Of course, RoboForm also delivers reliable security with its free version. The app safeguards your vault with AES 256-bit encryption and has a strict zero-knowledge architecture. Additionally, it provides the following features for free users to add extra protection and convenience:
- Password auditing — provides a health score based on your passwords’ strengths.
- Passkey support — allows seamless logins using passkeys instead of passwords.
- Password generator — generates strong passwords for your accounts.
- Password history — displays a history of previously generated passwords.
The free plan supports all platforms, but RoboForm’s free plan doesn’t allow multiple simultaneous logins. You’ll automatically be logged out everywhere else when you open it on a new device.
Note that RoboForm’s support isn’t the best, as free users only have access to the email support. Thankfully, email support is quite responsive and usually answers requests within 24 hours.
All things considered, RoboForm’s free plan is excellent if form-filling and auto-save features are a priority. You can get even more tools like secure sharing and emergency access with the paid version, which you can try risk-free with the 30-day trial or money-back guarantee.
3. Proton Pass — Includes a Unique Email Alias Feature for Added Safety
Key Features:
- Unlimited password storage in its free plan
- Creates email aliases that can be used when signing up on websites
- Offers passkey support with the free version
- Delivers reliable auto-save and auto-fill capability
- Syncs seamlessly across multiple devices
Proton Pass is the ideal free password manager for privacy-conscious users. It comes from Proton, a Swiss-based company renowned for its emphasis on privacy. Plus, the app has top-grade AES 256-bit encryption for vault security and uses a zero-knowledge architecture, meaning even Proton employees can’t see your data.
I also like that the app includes its email alias feature in the free plan. This is among the most unique features available in Proton Pass. It lets you create aliases linked to your original email, letting you sign up on websites without ever revealing your actual email address. Note that free users are limited to 10 aliases.
You’ll also get all the key features you’d expect from a top-quality password manager, including the following:
- Password generator — provides secure passwords to use with your accounts.
- Passkey support — allows seamless one-click logins on supported apps/websites.
- Auto-save and fill — saves time when filling forms and logging into apps/websites.
Another highlight is that Proton Pass’ free plan doesn’t limit you to one device. It lets you log into unlimited devices at once and provides seamless automatic sync across all devices, ensuring all your credentials are available everywhere.
One downside is that there’s no free trial for Proton Pass. However, you can still try the app risk-free, as there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee with all Proton Pass or Proton Unlimited subscriptions.
4. LastPass — One of the Most Feature-Rich Free Plans
Key Features:
- Limitless password storage in the free plan
- Includes dark web monitoring, file storage, and one-to-one sharing
- Improves vault security through multi-factor authentication
- Auto-saves and auto-fills passwords whenever needed
- Works on 1 device type (mobile or desktop)
LastPass is a great choice if you want a feature-packed password manager for free. Alongside key features like auto-save/fill and password generation, the app has many extra tools that other free password managers don’t include:
- Password sharing — lets you safely share credentials with others.
- Secure notes — creates encrypted notes where you can store sensitive data like passports, insurance details, and more.
- File storage — includes 50MB of storage for any sensitive files.
- Dark web monitoring — monitors the dark web and informs you if your credentials get leaked.
LastPass did experience a breach in the past — however, the company confirmed that no sensitive user information was compromised. Additionally, the app uses AES 256-bit encryption and has a zero-knowledge architecture, so I’m confident in its overall security.
Free LastPass users can log into unlimited devices, as long as it’s a single device type. For instance, desktop users can log into multiple desktops, while mobile users can only log into other mobile devices. When you log in on a different device type, you’ll be restricted from key features and can only generate passwords or access account recovery.
The free LastPass plan is a great choice if having lots of features is important to you — and you can get even more useful features by getting LastPass’ premium version. The premium plan even has a money-back guarantee, letting you try the app risk-free.
5. Bitwarden — Trustworthy Open-Source Password Manager
Key Features:
- Unlimited password storage in its free plan
- Completely open-source and has cleared third-party audits
- Includes basic sharing features with the free version
- Comes with full passkey support
- Works across unlimited devices
Bitwarden is a completely open-source password manager, making it a trustworthy choice if you’re not convinced that other password managers are securely storing your information. The app’s entire source code is available on Bitwarden’s GitHub, meaning anyone can vet it and verify that the app is following industry-standard security practices.
For vault security, Bitwarden uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. Plus, the app has a zero-knowledge architecture, ensuring the only one who knows what’s in your vault is you. The app’s free version also has many useful features, including the following:
- Passkey support — enables fast one-click logins on websites/apps that support the feature.
- Bitwarden Send — lets you safely share sensitive data with others.
- Data Breach Report — provides updates whenever your account usernames are involved in a data breach.
Note that Bitwarden’s support isn’t the best, as it only offers email support, community forums, and a knowledge base. Thankfully, the email support was quick to respond in my tests, so you’ll usually get the answers you need within 24 hours of a request.
If you like using Bitwarden’s free plan, you can use Bitwarden’s premium version for 7 days with the free trial. Plus, there’s a 30-day-long refund policy on all purchases, letting you try Bitwarden risk-free.
Quick Comparison Table: 2025’s Best Free and Safe Password Managers
| Unlimited Password Storage | Encryption | Multiple Device Support | 2FA for Vault Access | Free Trial |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordPass | ✔ | XChaCha20 | ✘ | ✔ | 30 days |
| RoboForm | ✔ | AES 256-bit | ✘ | ✔ | 30 days |
| Proton Pass | ✔ | AES 256-bit | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| LastPass | ✔ | AES 256-bit | ✔ (1 device type only) | ✔ | 30 days |
| Bitwarden | ✔ | AES 256-bit | ✔ | ✔ | 7 days |
Free vs Paid Password Managers
Free password managers are good for when you only need basic functionality to secure your logins. Most offer essential features like password storage, autofill, and a password generator. However, free password managers often don’t work on more than 1 device simultaneously and don’t include advanced tools or cross-platform support.
In contrast, the best paid password managers offer many features for convenience, security, and flexibility. These include cross-device sync, password sharing, secure file storage, and dark web monitoring. Apps like Dashlane also have extras like a built-in VPN. Paid password managers are worthwhile if you have multiple accounts across devices.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your needs. Free versions work fine for simple use cases, but paid alternatives are better if you want maximum protection and seamless functionality on every device you use.
Our Methodology for Ranking the Best Free Password Managers in 2025
Combined with our extensive testing methodology, I ranked the best free password managers against the following criteria:
- Completely free — I chose password managers that offer free-to-use plans without any time limits.
- Security — I picked password managers with robust security features, including reliable AES 256-bit encryption and a zero-knowledge architecture.
- Feature variety — I prioritized finding password managers with extra features that make password management more convenient, like passkey support, secure password generation, file storage, and breach monitoring.
- Ease of use — I selected password managers that are user-friendly and work across all popular operating systems and browsers.
- Free trial or money-back guarantee — I shortlisted the best password managers with either a free trial or money-back guarantee of the premium plan alongside the free plan.
Why You Can’t Rely on Your Built-in Password Manager
You may wonder why you need a third-party password manager or if your device has a built-in option. For instance, Android devices have Google Password Manager, and Apple devices have iCloud Keychain. Beyond that, browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox also include built-in password managers, offering basic features like password storage and autofill.
Unfortunately, these built-in password management solutions aren’t as effective as third-party password managers from trusted companies. The following are the key areas where they aren’t as good:
- Security. Good password managers offer strong security features like AES-256 encryption and two-factor authentication (2FA) for vault access. Unfortunately, Apple’s iCloud Keychain doesn’t provide 2FA, and Google’s password manager doesn’t even disclose its encryption method.
- Ease of Use. Built-in password managers can be less user-friendly. While Google Chrome and Firefox offer simple password storage, Apple’s iCloud Keychain can be hard to use because you have to dig through your device settings to manage passwords.
- Advanced Features. Most built-in password managers only provide basic features like password storage and autofill. However, third-party options offer advanced tools such as password sharing, emergency access, and more robust password generation.
- Cross-Platform Support. Built-in managers are often restricted to specific devices or browsers. For example, iCloud Keychain is limited to Apple devices, and Google’s manager is tied to Chrome. In contrast, third-party password managers work seamlessly with all major platforms.
How to Keep Your Logins Safe
While a password manager plays a crucial role in your online security, it’s only one part of it. To fully protect your logins and devices, consider these best practices:
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Always activate 2FA for your password manager to add an extra layer of protection.
- Use unique passwords. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple accounts. Use a password manager to generate and store unique passwords for each login.
- Update software and browsers. Regularly update your software and browsers to close security gaps that hackers could exploit.
- Use a VPN. The best VPNs protect your data on unsecured networks by encrypting your internet connection, making it harder for hackers to intercept your information.
- Change passwords regularly. Update your passwords every few months, or immediately if you suspect any account has been compromised.
- Install antivirus software. Malware and keyloggers are always a threat, but a good antivirus helps prevent these attacks and keeps you safe.
FAQ: Free Password Managers
Is it safe to use a free password manager?
Can I use my browser’s or device’s free password manager?
Is Google Password Manager safe?
Which free password manager is the best for Android?
Are free password managers any good?
Secure Your Credentials for Free Using a Reliable Password Manager
The best way to keep your credentials safe is by using a trustworthy third-party password manager. These apps use industry-leading encryption standards to safeguard your data and have zero-knowledge architectures, meaning only you can see your vault. Plus, they add convenience through features like auto-fill, passkey support, and secure file storage.
Many of the top third-party password managers have free versions, but NordPass is the best overall choice. Its variety of features, user-friendly apps across all platforms, and impressive security make it my number one choice. If you’re pleased with the free version’s performance, you can try NordPass risk-free with its free trial or money-back guarantee.
