I Tested 7 Password Managers: the BEST of 2024 is…
Summary
TLDRThe video script offers a detailed comparison of six popular password managers, focusing on factors like trust, ease of use, features, and pricing. It highlights the security concerns with LastPass, the open-source options of Bitwarden and Proton Pass, and the longevity of RoboForm and 1Password. The comparison includes mobile app usability, the ability to store various data types, and unique features like Proton Pass's email aliasing and 1Password's integration with Privacy.com. The video concludes with recommendations based on user preferences and the importance of investing in a password manager for enhanced security.
Takeaways
- 🔒 The user compared 7 popular password managers, eliminating LastPass due to multiple security incidents.
- 📋 Open-source options are limited with only Bitwarden and Proton Pass being open source, while 1Password, NordPass, and RoboForm are closed source, and Dashlane is partially open source.
- 🛡️ Trust factors such as company transparency and years on the market were considered, with RoboForm and 1Password having the longest track records.
- 📱 All tested password managers offer easy import managers, good mobile apps, and ease of use across devices.
- 💡 Bitwarden uniquely allows self-hosting of the password vault, catering to advanced users.
- 🔑 Password managers can store various sensitive information beyond passwords, such as credit card numbers and encrypted notes.
- 🔄 RoboForm uniquely offers free storage of 2FA authenticator codes, while others include this in paid plans or not at all.
- 🌟 Unique features set password managers apart, like Proton Pass's email aliasing and 1Password's integration with Privacy.com for virtual credit card numbers.
- 💰 Pricing considerations vary, with Bitwarden being the cheapest for individuals and NordPass offering the best value for family plans.
- 🌐 Dashlane includes a VPN for WiFi protection in their individual plan, while others may offer this through their ecosystems.
- 👍 The user recommends paying for a password manager, highlighting the value of services like 1Password for its user interface and Proton Pass for its suite of secure apps.
Q & A
How many password managers were initially purchased for comparison?
-The user initially purchased subscriptions to 7 of the most popular password managers.
Why was LastPass removed from the list of password managers being compared?
-LastPass was removed from the list due to multiple security incidents over the past two years, which led to a loss of credibility as a security software.
What are the trust factors used to compare the remaining 6 password managers?
-The trust factors include company transparency, years on the market, ease of setup, and usability of the software.
Which password managers are open source?
-Bitwarden and Proton Pass are open source, while 1Password, NordPass, and RoboForm are closed source. Dashlane is partially open source.
What is unique about Proton Pass in terms of features?
-Proton Pass has a unique feature of native email aliasing, which allows users to create and store secure email usernames and passwords. It also works best when used in conjunction with other Proton security apps.
Which password manager allows self-hosting of the password vault?
-Bitwarden is the only password manager on the list that allows users to self-host their password vault, suitable for advanced users.
How do the password managers handle the storage of 2FA authenticator codes?
-RoboForm offers free storage of 2FA codes, while 1Password, Proton Pass, and Bitwarden include a built-in authenticator on their paid plans. NordPass only offers this feature for business and enterprise plans.
What is the significance of the password managers' years in the market?
-RoboForm and 1Password have the longest track records with 23 and 18 years respectively, indicating their longevity and experience in the market. Dashlane, Bitwarden, and NordPass also have a respectable number of years, while Proton Pass is the youngest, having launched in June 2023.
What are some of the unique features of 1Password?
-1Password offers features like integration with Privacy.com for virtual credit card numbers, a Travel mode for protection on the go, and Watchtower, which alerts users to security breaches and weak passwords.
Which password manager is recommended for advanced users who value control over their password vault?
-Bitwarden is recommended for advanced users due to its open-source nature and the ability to self-host the password vault.
What is the cost range for the recommended password managers?
-The cost range for the recommended password managers is between $1 to $4 a month.
Where can users find a full breakdown of the password manager comparison?
-A full breakdown of the comparison can be found at AllThingsSecured.com/passwordmanagers, which the user will keep updated after the video goes live.
Outlines
🔑 Comprehensive Comparison of Password Managers
The video script begins with the narrator's experience of purchasing subscriptions to seven popular password managers to compare their features, security, and cost. The narrator eliminates LastPass due to recent security incidents and focuses on the remaining six. The comparison criteria include trust factors like company transparency and market presence, ease of setup and use, extra features, and pricing. The script discusses the importance of source code transparency, with Bitwarden and Proton Pass being open source, and the longevity of RoboForm and 1Password. It also covers rapid-fire feature comparisons, such as import managers, mobile app usability, self-hosting options, and the ability to store various types of sensitive information. The narrator highlights unique features of each password manager, like Proton Pass's email aliasing and 1Password's integration with Privacy.com, and concludes with pricing recommendations, emphasizing the value of investing in a password manager.
🛡️ Choosing the Right Password Manager for Privacy and Security
The second paragraph emphasizes the importance of selecting a password manager that aligns with the user's privacy and security needs. The narrator suggests considering Proton Pass due to its suite of secure apps like Proton Mail and Proton Calendar. The script encourages viewers to choose a password manager, with the narrator providing affiliate links for ease of access. The narrator acknowledges that there might be omitted details and invites viewers to share their thoughts in the comments. For a comprehensive breakdown, the narrator directs viewers to a dedicated website that will be updated post-video release.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡password managers
💡security incidents
💡open source
💡trust factors
💡2FA authenticator codes
💡unique features
💡pricing
💡self-hosting
💡VPN
💡master password
Highlights
Comparison of 7 popular password managers conducted using an anonymous persona to maintain objectivity.
LastPass was excluded from the list due to multiple security incidents in the past two years.
Evaluation criteria include trust factors, ease of setup, usability, extra features, and pricing.
Bitwarden and Proton Pass are open source, while 1Password, NordPass, and RoboForm are closed source; Dashlane is partially open source.
RoboForm and 1Password have the longest market presence with 23 and 18 years, respectively.
Proton Pass, despite being the youngest, is backed by Proton's decade-long experience in security.
All password managers provide easy import managers for transferring passwords from other sources.
Each manager has mobile apps and is easy to use on various devices.
Bitwarden uniquely allows users to self-host their password vault, suitable for advanced users.
All managers can store and autofill more than just passwords, including credit card numbers and encrypted notes.
RoboForm offers free storage of 2FA authenticator codes, while others include this in paid plans or not at all.
Proton Pass's unique feature is native email aliasing, enhancing security and privacy.
1Password offers integration with Privacy.com, Travel mode, and Watchtower for security breach alerts.
Bitwarden is the cheapest option for individuals, with a price of less than $1 per month.
NordPass provides the best value for family plans, covering up to 6 accounts.
Dashlane includes a VPN for WiFi protection in their individual plan.
RoboForm features a Master Password restore option using iOS biometrics for users who forget their master password.
The recommendation is to choose a password manager based on individual needs and preferences, with a range of 1 to 4 dollars a month.
Transcripts
Last month I spent $219 buying subscriptions to 7 of the most popular password managers
on the market using an anonymous persona so they wouldn’t know who I was. Why? I
want to compare the differences between these password managers side by side: how they work,
their key features, and how much they cost.
Not surprisingly, there’s plenty to share, including the fact that - you
know what - I’m just going to go ahead and knock LastPass completely off this
list because they’ve had multiple security incidents over the past two years and have
lost any credibility as a security software. So that leaves us with 6.
For this series of tests, I’m going to compare each of the remaining 6 password
managers based on trust factors including the company transparency and years on the market,
as well as how easy it is to setup and use the software.
Finally, we’ll compare the extra features that set
each password manager apart and the pricing investment for each.
Let’s start with source code. For some users, it’s a big deal to build transparency by way
of publishing the software source code for users to independently verify. There
are benefits to both an open and closed source model that I won’t dive into here,
but I will add that I have no problem using a closed-source system. Of this list,
only Bitwarden and Proton Pass are open source. 1Password,
NordPass and RoboForm are all closed sourced and Dashlane is just partially open source.
In terms of longevity, though, RoboForm and 1Password have 23 and 18 years of
proven track record respectively, while Dashlane, Bitwarden and NordPass all have
a respectable number years in the market. Proton Pass is the only outlier here,
having been launched in June of 2023, but Proton as a company has been around for
a decade now and their young age in this case doesn’t really bother me.
Let move on to rapid fire feature comparisons. First, every password manager on this list
provides an easy import manager to move your passwords from your browser, your operating
system or whatever other password manager you’re currently using to your new password vault.
All of them have good mobile apps and are very easy to use on any device you have.
As far as I can tell, Bitwarden is the only one on this list that allows
you to self-host your password vault. This would be for advanced users only,
and I’m not taking into account business plans that may or may not allow this.
Each password manager I tested has the ability to store and autofill
more than just passwords. You can keep credit card numbers,
encrypted notes, passport numbers, and even upload specific documents or scans.
When it comes to storing 2FA authenticator codes, which is that 6-digit number that changes every
30 seconds, RoboForm is the only one on this list that offers it for free. Dashlane includes 2FA,
but their free plan sucks so I don’t think it counts. 1Password, Proton Pass and Bitwarden
include a built-in authenticator on their paid plans and NordPass is weird in that
they only offer this for their business and enterprise plans. I’m not sure why that is.
Before we end with pricing, let’s talk about the features that make
each of these password managers unique. For example, Proton Pass launched with a
native email aliasing feature that nobody else has. It allows you to create and store secure
passwords and secure email usernames. It’s also one of many Proton security apps that
work best when used together, which is how I would recommend most people try Proton Pass.
1Password has a number of cool features including an integration
with [Privacy.com](http://Privacy.com) to help you create and autofill virtual
credit card numbers, a Travel mode to protect vaults while on the road,
and a feature called Watchtower that alerts you to security breaches and weak passwords.
Bitwarden, other than being the only open source software on this list, is also the
cheapest for individuals at less than $1 a month.
If you want to protect your whole family, though, NordPass is the low cost winner,
both for one and two year plans with up to 6 accounts.
Dashlane includes a VPN for WiFi protection on their individual plan which, to be fair,
you can easily get with Proton or Nord if you buy into their ecosystems. I haven’t tested this VPN,
though, so I can’t tell you whether it’s any good or not.
Finally, RoboForm provides you with a password audit and has an interesting feature called
Master Password restore, which allows you to use your iOS device with biometrics to
restore your password vault if you forget your master password. Now to be honest,
I’m not sure I like that feature and would probably turn that off personally, but if
forgetting your master password is a major fear of yours, that might be an attractive feature.
At the end of the day, I realize you probably want to know what I recommend. First,
this stuff is worth paying for, but if you absolutely refuse to spend money on
a password manager, Bitwarden, Proton Pass, NordPass and RoboForm all have
reasonable free plans with unlimited stored passwords. Just take your pick.
Beyond that, it depends on a number of things. Bitwarden is a favorite for more advanced
users who value controlling and owning their password vault. I personally think 1Password
has the best user interface, which is why I’ve used them for so many years.
But if you want to take this moment to really built extra privacy and security,
it makes sense to consider Proton Pass from the perspective of all the other
secure apps they offer such as Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive and more.
Listen, we’re talking about 1 to 4 dollars a month here, guys,
so my advice is to just pick one and go for it. I’ve linked to each service below,
which is an affiliate link that helps to support this channel.
I’m sure there are other things I’ve forgotten to include in this comparison
which you can leave in the comments, but if you want to see a full breakdown,
visit AllThingsSecured.com/passwordmanagers which I’ll keep updated long after this video goes live.
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