What is the best password manager 2022?

Are you sick and tired of having to keep up to date on your passwords for websites in your notebook, trying to remember which one is the most recent one? It sounds like a password manager might be exactly what you are looking for. There is no longer a need to flick through a book and type it into your computer, password managers do all that for you, even the typing part!

Before getting into the comparisons, there are a few technical words that you need to be aware of.

2 factor authentication (2FA)– This is quite a new concept but has taken off very quickly and your more than likely already using it. 2FA is the process of typing in your password and then still having to do something else on another device or account, the most common one is entering a code you got as a text.

Biometric login– This one is pretty simple, this is using your fingerprint and facial recognition to login, most smartphone have this built in nowadays.

Now below are some of the best password managers for the web, that we have evaluated and are available to the public. These are the first ones you come across if you’re looking for password managers, so they have been broken down and tested so you don’t have to.

Dashlane

If you are looking for password managers, then Dashlane is one you will come across straight away. Overall, it is a very good option with few setbacks, If you pay for the premium experience then you will have unlimited access to all the features but the free version is definitely not to be over looked.

Pros

2FA
Biometrics login
compatible across all devices and browsers.
Bulk password changer to enforce regular changes.
Easy to use
Importing of old passwords
Dark web monitor to check if any details have been involved in a breach (premium)
Ability to save bank cards, IDs and notes as well, all securely.

Cons

Free version can only be used on one device.
Premium is $3.99 (£3.46) per month per person or $5.99 (£5.19) for 6 users
Had issues receiving 2FA email

Summary:

After using Dashlane for a little while, I can see its uses. However, it can be a bit over the top with wanting to save details. The prompt to save passwords will come up quite a lot, even when you haven’t logged into anything, and I have also had it make some mistakes saving details with the 2FA number I put into the website. Despite this I could see Dashlane as a password manager I use permanently in the future.

1 Password

1 password is another safe bet when it comes to password managers. There is no free version, however there is a 14-day trial so this isn’t the end of the world as the premium is still at a very reasonable price compared to its competitors’. With costs being $2.99 (£2.60) per month per user or $4.99 (£4.34) for 5 users. It has a few more features than Dashlane as well, which are listed below.

Pros

2FA
Lots of security features
1GB of secure document storage
Compatible across all devices and browsers.
Unlimited devices
Password Sharing

Cons

No free version
User interface not as easy to use compared to other password managers

Summary:

After some use of 1 Password, I have found it is not as easy to use as other password managers, the user interface in the site dashboard is a lot harder to use and navigate to find your passwords. It also has no free version, so a 14-day free trial is all I got. The prompts for entering and saving passwords are nowhere near as big and in your face which I like, however I wouldn’t say this makes up for its outdated look.

LastPass:

LastPass is another good option despite its recent security concerns, where no passwords were compromised according to the verge. It is easy to use and has complete sync across mobile and desktop devices.

Pros

2FA
1GB of file storage
1-to-1 sharing
Unlimited passwords
Compatible across all devices and browsers

Cons

Security reputation
Only available on one device on free version
Premium $2.60 (£2.23) per month per person or $3.40 (£2.91) for 6 accounts

Summary:

LastPass was relatively easy to use, it had a better user interface than 1 Password, however I did have some issues using the links to websites from in Lastpass. Some wouldn’t work and some took me to the wrong websites. This isn’t the conventional way of getting to websites so I wouldn’t worry too much but it may be an issue when it’s trying to find passwords for certain websites.

Browser Managers

Browser Managers are ones that you will be using every day without realising. When you sign into a new site on the internet you sometime get a box come up asking if you’d like to save the password, this is your password manager.

Pros

Completely free to use
Most modern browsers have them built in
Can be used in that browser no matter the device, as long as your logged in
2FA (depending on browser)

Cons

Passwords saved in one browser can’t easily be used in another
Not as secure as actual password managers

Summary:

I have been using browser managers for years now and have never had a problem with them however they are very simple. You get no special features that tell you if your password needs changing or if it has been compromised but if you’re looking for something quick, simple and free, they are the way to go.

Overall Summary:

In summary all the password mangers have pretty much the same features, what is comes down to is the price and the ease of use. I have used them all to find the one I prefer, and I would suggest you do too, all have some kind of free trial so you are able to find the one you find easiest to use.

Hopefully, this has helped you understand password mangers and how to get the most out of your IT. If you need any further advice, please get in touch. 01553 776937 or email support@rlscomputers.co.uk

*Prices correct at the time of publishing