Get a Password Manager

Updated on May 23, 2025

I resisted getting a password manager for years. My passwords were written down in a notebook, alphabetized and paired up with the matching usernames. But it just wasn’t practical to carry that notebook around all the time. There were many times when I would be out somewhere, feeling frustrated because I couldn’t remember some important password.

This year I finally got a password manager. I didn’t know what I was missing: instead of carrying a clunky notebook around, I could store all my passwords in an app on my phone. Unlike my notebook, the app was encrypted and wouldn’t run out of space to write new entries. All I had to do was remember one master password to unlock the others.

You can have this, too. In this post, I’m profiling five popular password manager apps. They all have these things in common:

• By default, you can’t take screenshots inside them (although this feature can be turned off).
• They all use AES 256-bit encryption,  which is very reliable.
• Digital wallets to store your credit cards and ID.
• Password generators – instead of thinking up new passwords, these apps can create strong passwords for you.

Dashlane

The free version of Dashlane can store up to 25 passwords on one device. But if you have more than 50 (like me), you should get the paid version. For $60 per year, you’ll also get secure file storage and a VPN. Both versions of Dashlane have a great feature for website passwords. When you create an entry, a list of the most popular websites appears to make the process faster.

LastPass

LastPass is available in two forms: a mobile app and a free browser extension. If you get the LastPass app, you can sync any passwords you’ve stored in the Chrome browser. You can also save addresses and phone numbers. A premium account ($36 per year) will give you 1 GB of encrypted storage space and priority tech support. LastPass will let you synchronize your passwords to any device that you are signed into, as long as you have the app installed.

If you have an an iPad or an iPhone, you can lock your app with FaceID or TouchID. You can further secure LastPass with a Yubikey. You can also designate someone as your emergency contact in case you can’t get to your account.

1Password

1Password

1Password, like LastPass, also works with a Yubikey. If you have an iPad or an iPhone, you can also use Touch ID and Face ID. Their most interesting feature is Travel Mode, which will hide any file you want to in case you’re facing the prospect of having your device searched at an international border. 1Password is $3.99 per month or $35.99 per year. If you sign up through the app, the only billing option is the monthly rate.

Proton Pass

Proton Pass is made by the same company that created Proton Mail. You can store passwords and credit cards, create notes, and make a list of identities (something like a contact list). Proton Pass can make email aliases, which can be used in situations where you don’t want to give your actual email address. The free version of Proton Pass gives you 1 GB of storage and up to 10 email aliases. Paid versions allow you to store unlimited amounts of passwords and credit card numbers, and create an unlimited amount of email aliases. Depending on which paid plan you select, you can get anywhere from 10 GB to 500 GB of storage.

KeePass

KeePass is open-source, which means that it’s free. While the desktop version is called KeePass, there are several different versions of the app, each with a slightly different name. The version you see here is Keepass2Android. A list of all the official versions is on the KeePass website.

Just like the other password managers, KeePass can store passwords, credit cards, and other types of information that you need to keep safe. But unlike the others, there isn’t a way to automatically sync new entries from one device to another. All of your information is stored in a database file. It’s important to keep it safe and make a copy, because if you lose this file you will lose all your information.

I didn’t realize how much easier life could be with a password manager. Now I don’t have to memorize every password, I don’t have to think up new passwords, and I don’t have to carry a book with dozens and dozens of them either. Try one of these password managers and get that same peace of mind.