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It is advised to have one unique password per account, and never re-use the same password. De facto, the only way to remember all his passwords is to use a password manager, which can generate strong unique passwords for you. With that, you’ll get rid of reusing the same weak password everywhere every-time.
Contents
Criteria to select a password manager
Here’s what you should consider before choosing a free password manager:
Mandatory criteria
- Secure random password generator
- End-to-end encryption (E2EE) of the passwords
- Unlimited number of password stored
- Multi-device sync
Recommended criteria
- Auto-filling and auto-saving passwords in apps and internet browsers
- Possibility to generate 2FA TOTP code (otherwise you need to install Authy)
- Open-source app
- Password sharing
Best free password managers
Bitwarden Password Manager
Bitwarden is Open source, and offers end-to-end encryption .
The number of password stored is unlimited. Multi-device sync is also unlimited.
Unlimited password sharing is possible with one user of your choice in the free version.
Auto-filling and auto-saving passwords, as well as authenticator (authenticate apps on your mobile) are pretty convenient.
Bitwarden also allows to host your own password repository server (on your Synology NAS for instance).
However, Ubikey authentication and TOTP 2FA generation are not available in the free version (you’ll need to use Authy unless you pay 10 USD per year, which remains affordable).
More info: https://bitwarden.com/
LastPass
LastPass offers end-to-end encryption .
The number of password storage is unlimited.
Multiple devices sync is possible, but is limited in the free version for one type of device. In other words, you have to choose where to use it: either on your computers (desktops and laptops) or on your mobile devices (iOS or Android phones, tablets, and smart watches). This is clearly not convenient at all.
Unlimited password sharing is possible with one user in the free version.
Auto-filling and auto-saving passwords, as well as authenticator (authenticate apps on your mobile) are possible.
Save and autofill passwords with built-in 2FA authenticator (which is not the case in the free version of Bitwarden).
More info: https://www.lastpass.com/
Keepass Password Safe
KeepPass is 100% free (no paid version) and open source (OSI certified).
The number of password storage is obviously unlimited.
Multiple sync is possible using your own cloud services.
Be aware that KeePass do not offer any native iOS or Android App, and has an oldish interface.
More info: https://keepass.info
Avira Password Manager
Avira Password Manager is part of the Avira Suite and auto-fill your passwords on your desktop and mobile devices.
The number of password storage is unlimited. Multi-device sync is also unlimited.
It has built-in 2FA authenticator
More info: https://www.avira.com
Dashlane
Dashlane is pretty expensive and comes with very limited functionalities in the free version.
Secure password storage is up to 50 passwords on one device only.
Dashlane however allows you to share passwords up to 5 accounts for free, which is pretty good, but remember that you can only share a maximum 50 passwords.
More info: https://www.dashlane.com
Our choice
We like both Bitwarden and LastPass which are pretty close in terms of functions, but the limitation in multi-device sync for LastPass makes Bitwarden undeniably the winner of this review.