Updated on: December 5, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best password manager for Mac in 2024:
- 🥇 1Password : Comes with bank-grade encryption, a zero-knowledge protocol, advanced two-factor authentication, multi-device sync, dark web monitoring, and excellent cross-platform compatibility. Its Mac app is highly intuitive, it offers some of the cheapest plans around, and it’s the only password manager that lets you add as many users as you want under 1 family account for a small additional fee.
I tested the top password managers on the market to find the best one for macOS in 2024. I researched, used, and compared each password manager, looking for apps that are highly secure, easy to use, and provide useful additional features for Mac users — all for a good price.
iCloud Keychain and Passwords, Apple’s built-in password managers, are decent, but far from great. Their biggest downside is that they don’t have the advanced extra features that I want to see in a password manager, and their cross-platform compatibility is very limited. They’re also less secure, mainly because, unless you use Touch ID, they require your Mac password instead of a separate master password to log into your vault.
The password managers on this list provide big improvements over iCloud Keychain and Passwords, thanks to additional tools and features, advanced sharing and vault-organization options, and the ability to store much more than passwords. And my #1 pick (1Password) even has a Travel Mode that lets you hide password vaults for extra security and virtual cards that help protect you from financial fraud.
TRY 1PASSWORD (14 DAYS RISK-FREE)
Quick Summary of the Best Password Managers for Mac
🥇1. 1Password — Best Overall Password Manager for Mac in 2024
1Password provides an excellent balance of security and convenience for Mac users. It has industry-leading features, including 256-bit AES encryption, zero-knowledge architecture, and two-factor authentication (2FA). Its Mac app and Safari extension are both easy to use, it supports Touch ID for easy access to your vault, and it syncs across macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android devices — so you can access your credentials no matter what device you’re using.
During my tests, I found it very simple to use 1Password. I could easily import my saved passwords from iCloud Keychain, access all of the provided features, auto-save and auto-fill login credentials, credit cards, and even addresses. I could also share credentials with anyone I wanted. With iCloud Keychain, you can only share passwords with other Apple users, while if you have a newer Mac with Passwords installed on it, your contacts have to have newer Macs and iPhones too for you to be able to exchange passwords, which is extremely limiting.
In addition to standard features, 1Password also has:
- Vault auditing & breach monitoring (Watchtower).
- Family vault sharing.
- Passkey authentication.
- Hidden vaults (Travel Mode).
- Built-in TOTP authenticator.
- Dark web monitoring.
- Email masking.
- Virtual cards (US only).
- And more…
1Password’s password sharing options are great, especially if you opt for the family plan (1Password is also our top-rated family password manager). With it, each family member gets their own Private vault for personal use and a Shared vault for items everyone needs, such as Wi-Fi passwords or streaming service logins. You can also create additional vaults to share specific information with select family members, like sharing financial details only with a partner. Family organizers manage access and can recover accounts if someone forgets their password. Additionally, guest accounts allow you to share limited information securely with non-family members, such as babysitters or house guests, without giving them full access to your vault.
Another interesting (and unique) feature is Travel Mode, which allows you to hide chosen vaults from your account entirely when traveling — providing you with an extra level of security.
Available to US users, 1Password’s Privacy Cards allow you to create virtual payment cards for safer online transactions. These virtual cards help protect your real credit or debit card details by generating unique card numbers for each merchant. You can set spending limits, create single-use cards, or lock cards to specific merchants, reducing the risk of fraud or misuse if the card details are exposed in a data breach. Privacy Cards can be managed directly within 1Password’s browser extension, which I found very convenient.
1Password Individual ($2.99 / month) is 1Password’s single-user plan, while 1Password Families ($4.99 / month) covers 5 users, with the option to add more users for an additional fee, and adds shared vaults, permission management, and account recovery options between family members. 1Password is the only password manager on this list that doesn’t have a limit on the number of users that can share a family plan. 1Password has a 14-day free trial, but there’s no money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
1Password is the best password manager for macOS. It provides advanced security features, a user-friendly interface, and low-cost plans for both individual users and families. It has a lot of useful tools, but my favorites are its family-oriented features such as advanced sharing options and family vaults. 1Password doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee, but both 1Password Individual and 1Password Families are available with a 14-day free trial.
Read the full 1Password review >
🥈2. Dashlane — Intuitive With Advanced Extra Features
Dashlane has a huge range of well-designed and intuitive features that Apple’s iCloud Keychain and Passwords don’t offer, including an integrated VPN and advanced anti-phishing protection.
The browser-based app integrates easily with Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and a variety of other browsers. I was also happy to see that it supports Touch ID logins on Mac, making accessing your vault really easy. There are also intuitive mobile apps for iOS and Android, which allow you to access your passwords anywhere, on any device.
Dashlane also comes with 2FA, passkey authentication, dark web monitoring, and anti-phishing protection.
What’s more, it’s the only standalone password manager to include a VPN, and it’s as fast and secure as some standalone VPNs. It’s provided by Hotspot Shield, one of the most popular VPN providers on the market. Avira is the only other brand on this list that offers a VPN, but only as part of its full internet security suite.
I really like Dashlane’s dark web monitoring, which goes beyond most competitors by using its own data hosted on its own servers — other password managers tend to use external databases to scan for leaks.
I also think it’s great that Dashlane provides anti-phishing protection. While all password managers function as basic anti-phishing tools by not auto-filling your credentials on websites whose URL doesn’t match the one associated with those credentials in your vault, Dashlane goes a step further by alerting you if you’re trying to manually paste a password into a site not associated with your account, or if you’re accidentally visiting a fake Dashlane site.
Dashlane is also one of the best free password managers thanks to its range of features, but it’s limited to 25 passwords on a single device. If you need to store passwords on more devices, Dashlane Premium allows unlimited passwords across unlimited devices and it includes all of Dashlane’s features including the VPN and advanced phishing protection. While this plan is a bit pricier than some competitors, with our exclusive discount you can get it for just $4.99 / month. Dashlane Friends & Family includes 10 licenses and a family management dashboard for $7.49 / month, but the family admin is the only one with access to the VPN. Dashlane has a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Dashlane combines an intuitive user interface with a wide array of security features. In addition to standard password management features like 2FA, password sharing, and password vault auditing, Dashane also offers more additional tools than most competitors — including standout features like a VPN and live dark web monitoring. Dashlane’s cross-platform compatibility makes it so you can securely access your passwords on any device, too. Dashlane Free includes a 30-day free trial of Dashlane Premium, and all of Dashlane’s paid plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Dashlane review >
🥉3. NordPass — User-Friendly Mac App With Excellent Security
NordPass is one of the most user-friendly password managers for Mac. It lacks some of the advanced features that competitors like Dashlane include, but it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a more streamlined password manager. It easily syncs passwords across macOS, iOS, Windows, Linux, and Android devices, too, so you always have your credentials on hand.
NordPass has excellent security — it’s the only password manager that uses XChaCha20 encryption. This type of encryption isn’t necessarily stronger than 256-bit AES (which all of the other brands on this list use), but it’s more modern and quicker for computers to process.
NordPass also includes:
- Password sharing between users.
- Password vault auditing.
- Data breach scanning.
- Email masking.
- Passkeys.
NordPass’s Email Masking feature allows you to create unique, alternative email addresses to protect your primary email from spam, phishing attacks, and data breaches. These masked emails can be used when signing up for online services, shopping, or subscribing to newsletters, ensuring that your real email address remains private. Emails sent to a masked address are forwarded to your actual inbox, with the option to disable or delete the mask at any time.
I like how NordPass includes password auditing — most of the competitors on this list have this, but NordPass’s auditing feature worked particularly well in my tests. What’s more, because NordPass is made by the team behind NordVPN (which is one of 2024’s top VPNs), I’m confident in its ability to keep your passwords secure and safe from vulnerabilities.
NordPass Free provides syncing across multiple devices, but you can only be logged into NordPass on 1 device at a time. NordPass Premium lets you access your password vault on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously for $1.24 / month, while NordPass Family adds up to 6 users (each user can have unlimited device connections at once) for $3.69 / month.
Bottom Line:
NordPass is a streamlined password manager for Mac. It comes with extra-strength encryption and a growing number of useful features. NordPass does basic password management well, and its password sharing, vault auditing, and data breach monitoring features are well-built, too. NordPass Free is a decent free plan, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee on the NordPass Premium and Family plans.
Read the full NordPass review >
4. Keeper — High-Security Features (Including an Encrypted Messenger)
Keeper is one of the most secure password managers on the market, and it comes with a wide range of excellent features for Mac — including unique ones like KeeperChat, an encrypted messaging app that ensures all the messages and media files you send and receive remain 100% secure and private.
I really like KeeperChat — during my tests, I was able to send encrypted messages and files, set up private groups, retract any sent files or messages, and set “self-destruct” timers on my messages. The options for retraction and self-destruct make KeeperChat superior to other encrypted messengers like Signal.
Keeper also offers tons of additional protections, including:
- Encrypted file storage (10–100 GB).
- Password vault auditing.
- TOTP, biometric, and USB 2FA compatibility.
- Passkey support.
- Emergency access.
- Secure password sharing.
I really like the level of customization Keeper provides when adding new entries to your vault. You can create detailed and personalized records for various types of information, including logins, payment cards, passports, software licenses, and more. Keeper offers pre-defined record types for many common categories, but it also allows users to customize each entry extensively with additional fields, notes, and even file attachments like photos or documents. In short, you can categorize your data in a way that makes sense for you.
Keeper’s Mac app is extremely easy to use, highly intuitive, and very functional. During my tests, all login fields were quickly identified and auto-filled, and it was easy to generate and store very strong passwords. The app also provides Touch ID compatibility for accessing your vault. Additionally, Keeper syncs across macOS, iOS, Windows, Linux, and Android devices, so you have access to your credentials on any device.
Keeper Unlimited starts at $2.92 / month and comes with unlimited passwords on unlimited devices, 2FA, password sharing, vault auditing, and emergency access. Keeper Family ($6.25 / month) adds up to 5 licenses and 10 GB cloud storage, and optional add-ons for both plans include dark web monitoring and up to 100 GB cloud storage. Keeper does have a free plan, but it’s only offered at the end of your free 30-day trial or when your subscription ends, and it has limited functionality.
Bottom Line:
Keeper is an extremely secure password manager with tons of useful features, including unique ones like an encrypted messaging app. It also has dark web monitoring, more cloud storage than any competitor, and many other extras that will keep all of your passwords as secure as possible. I appreciate how the password auditing makes it easy to see which of your passwords need updating, too. Keeper has several plans to choose from as well, and you can try out most of its features with a 30-day free trial.
5. RoboForm — Best for Advanced Form-Filling Capabilities
RoboForm has the best form-filling functionality of any app on this list. Lots of password managers can fill out address fields and credit card information, but RoboForm takes form-filling to another level, providing 7 templates for things like passports, vehicle registration, and even business information. In my testing, RoboForm accurately filled out complex tax forms and visa applications in seconds — and it didn’t miss a single field.
RoboForm also includes:
- Two-factor authentication.
- Passkey support.
- Secure password and note sharing.
- Password vault auditing.
- Secure bookmarks storage.
- Emergency access.
RoboForm’s bookmark feature is pretty cool, and not something offered by any other password manager on this list — I use Chrome on my gaming PC, and Safari on my MacBook, so I really appreciated being able to save bookmarks across browsers and platforms with RoboForm’s browser extensions.
RoboForm also syncs across macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, and even Chromebook devices, so you can access your credentials and the form-filling features on any device.
On the other hand, RoboForm lacks some advanced features offered by the likes of Dashlane, such as secure storage. However, it’s one of the cheapest password managers available, and the features it does have all work extremely well.
There are several plans to choose from. RoboForm Free includes unlimited passwords, 2FA, form-filling, password sharing, password security auditing, cloud backup for your data on 1 device, and bookmarks storage. Priced at only $0.99 / month, RoboForm Premium adds syncing across all devices, biometric login, cloud backup for your data on unlimited devices, and emergency access, while RoboForm Family expands that coverage for up to 5 users and costs $1.59 / month. You can try RoboForm with a free trial, and there’s also a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee on the paid plans.
Bottom Line:
RoboForm is an excellent password manager for Mac users who often fill out online forms. It provides the most accurate and useful form-filling functionality of any password manager on this list. It makes it extremely simple to fill out even the most complex web forms, including tax forms. And I also really like RoboForm’s secure bookmarks storage. RoboForm’s cross-platform compatibility ensures you can securely access your passwords and other data on any device, so you’re not dependent on a single account. RoboForm offers a 30-day free trial, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its paid plans.
Read the full RoboForm review >
6. LastPass — Good Free Mac Plan With Easy-to-Use Features
LastPass integrates really well with macOS — it’s easy to install, set up, and comes with Touch ID functionality for compatible devices. It also has a reliable app for your iPhone, Windows, and Android devices, so you can stay connected across different platforms. Plus, you don’t have to rely solely on your Apple ID to protect all of your credentials.
LastPass also comes with a wide range of features, including:
- Secure password sharing.
- Dark web monitoring.
- Password auditing.
- Emergency access.
- Account recovery options.
- 1 GB encrypted file storage.
- TOTP generator (separate free app).
- Passkey support.
LastPass has a good range of features that all work really well. I particularly like that LastPass includes a range of account recovery options, meaning you can recover your account if you forget your master password.
LastPass has several plans, including a really good free plan. Although Dashlane’s free plan is my favorite, LastPass Free includes unlimited passwords and one-to-one password sharing, which is more generous than most free password managers. However, LastPass Free users are limited to just one device type: desktop computers or mobile devices. But you can at least use multiple Macs when you choose to use it for desktop.
I like LastPass’s free plan a lot, but upgrading to LastPass Premium is a good deal — you get one-to-many password sharing, password auditing, biometric logins, emergency access, and 1 GB of encrypted storage for just $1.50 / month. LastPass Families covers up to 6 users and provides a helpful family sharing dashboard for $2.00 / month. LastPass offers a 30-day free trial, but there’s no money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
LastPass has many great features and works well with Macs. LastPass Free is one of the better free plans available on the market, while LastPass Premium and Family come with the full range of features and unlimited password storage across unlimited devices. LastPass doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee, but the free plan includes a 30-day free trial of LastPass Premium.
Read the full LastPass review >
7. Total Password — User-Friendly and Affordable
Total Password is a cost-effective and safe password manager that works well on Mac. With strong security and an easy-to-use interface, it’s a reliable way to handle your passwords and personal details.
However, unlike most other options on this list, Total Password doesn’t include a Mac app, which is a bit disappointing. Instead, you have to rely on a browser extension for Safari, Chrome, or Edge, and a mobile app for iOS and Android. While these options allow you to manage your credentials across all of your devices, the lack of a dedicated app makes it less convenient than competitors (such as 1Password and NordPass) that do provide one.
In addition to the “standard” features such as 2FA, password generator with password history, and data breach monitoring with security reports, Total Password comes with a great unique feature called Secure Me. It basically allows you to review the list of all devices where you’re logged in and remotely log out with just one click.
Another thing I like about Total Password is that its premium plan comes with TotalAV’s excellent ad blocker (you need to download it as a separate app).
While all of these features worked well in my tests, Total Password lacks dark web monitoring, passkey support, and password sharing. However, it handles the essential password management tasks well, and I do like the Secure Me feature.
The Total Password browser extensions and mobile apps are simple and intuitive, too. But, they have one drawback — transferring data from other password managers is difficult. This could be an issue if you’re thinking about switching password manager services (I never had any issues importing data from other password managers with 1Password).
There’s 1 dedicated Total Password plan, and it’s pretty good. It includes syncing across unlimited devices, password history, Total Adblock, security checks, and data breach alerts. It might not have all the features of some competitors, but it offers good value for money at $1.99 / month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can also choose to get TotalAV Total Security for $49.00 / year, which includes TotalAV’s antivirus, the password manager, an unlimited-data VPN, an ad blocker, and more.
Bottom line:
Overall, Total Password is a dependable password manager, particularly for those looking for a budget-friendly choice with important security features or those looking to bundle their password manager with a good antivirus. Plus, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free to see if it meets your needs.
Read the full Total Password review
8. Avira Password Manager — Highly Secure With a Streamlined Interface
Avira is a basic but highly secure and easy-to-use password manager which works perfectly with macOS. There are no desktop apps; instead, everything is done via a web dashboard, and the browser extensions then give additional functionality.
There are browser extensions for Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Edge. Unfortunately, I couldn’t log into the Safari extension in my tests, but I didn’t have any issues logging into the extensions for the other web browsers. As soon as I did, the auto-fill and auto-save functions worked perfectly — automatically offering to save my credentials each time I created a new account and filling out my login credentials for all saved accounts.
Avira Password Manager’s other features include:
- Unlimited password storage across multiple devices.
- Account breach alerts.
- Website security checks.
- Password audit tools.
- 2FA (two-factor authentication) and biometric logins.
- Built-in 2FA authenticator.
I like Avira’s web app — it’s intuitive and enables you to organize your vault neatly. However, I’d like to see more advanced features included — Avira’s password manager doesn’t have as many as other password managers on this list. It lacks password sharing, emergency access, encrypted storage, account recovery, and other unique features that are offered by competitors such as 1Password. That said, Avira’s password manager has clearly been designed with both simplicity and security in mind, and this makes it a great option for non-technical users who want a password manager that works well on Macs as well as other devices.
Avira’s free password manager is also pretty decent. It offers unlimited password storage across unlimited devices. Bitwarden is the only other free password manager that allows use across unlimited devices on its free plan. However, you will need to upgrade to Avira Pro ($2.66 / month) if you want access to the more advanced features of password auditing, data breach monitoring, and website security checks. There is no family plan.
Avira’s password manager is also available as part of Avira’s full internet security suite, Avira Prime ($59.99 / year), which includes Avira’s antivirus suite and VPN in addition to the Pro version of the password manager. Avira offers a generous 60-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans.
Bottom Line:
Avira Password Manager is a high-performing and secure option that works well across all devices. While it lacks some features that its competitors have, its 2FA, breach monitoring, and password auditing are all good. It also offers a solid free version and reasonably-priced paid plans.
Read the full Avira Password Manager review >
9. Sticky Password — Best Local Password Storage Option
Sticky Password provides a decent range of security tools for macOS — including the option to only synchronize data via trusted networks, such as your home Wi-Fi network, and store your passwords locally. There is also a cloud sync option for users who want to sync data between devices from any location.
Sticky Password is a good option for anyone who wants more control over how their sensitive data is stored, but it doesn’t include as many features as other top competitors — there’s no secure file storage, and it doesn’t have unique extras like 1Password’s Travel Mode or Dashlane’s VPN. That said, it does offer basic password manager features and extras like dark web monitoring.
Overall, Sticky Password has a good range of features across its different plans. Sticky Password Free includes unlimited password storage, secure notes, a password generator, credit card auto-fill, and 2FA — but only for 1 device. Priced at $1.66 / month, Sticky Password Premium adds local Wi-Fi sync, cloud sync and backup, secure password sharing, emergency access, and priority support — all across multiple devices. Plus, 10% of every purchase of Sticky Password goes to benefit the Save the Manatee Club! Sticky Password has both a free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Sticky Password has a good range of password management features, including a local data storage option. I like Sticky Password’s password sharing, bookmarks storage, and easy credit card auto-fill — plus 10% of every Sticky Password purchase benefits the Save the Manatee Club. Sticky Password’s free version includes a 30-day free trial of Sticky Password Premium, and there’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Sticky Password review >
10. Password Boss — Good Range of Password Management Features
Password Boss provides a decent product for Macs — it’s not the best, but it’s secure, and it handles all of the basics well. Plus, Password Boss comes with a pretty good range of additional tools, including features like remote data deletion.
Password Boss also includes:
- Password and note sharing.
- Emergency access.
- Dark web scanning.
- Local data storage.
- 2FA.
- Password health monitor.
Password Boss isn’t one of the most feature-rich password managers available, but it has more features than the likes of Avira, and all of its tools worked well during testing. Its auto-fill isn’t as good as others, particularly RoboForm, but it still did a good enough job.
The premium plan includes all of the above features for just $2.50 / month. There’s also a free plan, but it isn’t the best — it’s only available on 1 device, and it’s very limited. You can try Password Boss with a 30-day free trial, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Password Boss offers secure password storage and a decent array of security features. All of Password Boss’s features are well-made, but there are other products on this list that provide more features for a similar price. Password Boss offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a free 30-day trial of its premium plan as part of its free plan, so you can try it out risk-free.
Read the full Password Boss review >
Bonus. Enpass — Offline Password Manager for Advanced Users
Enpass is a fully offline password manager that stores and encrypts all data locally on your Mac. This is perfect if you don’t want your sensitive information stored online. There are also options to back data up to a USB drive or connect Enpass to a third-party cloud platform of your choice, like iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive, so you can still sync your data across your devices.
Here’s what Enpass includes:
- Unlimited password storage across multiple vaults.
- Password sharing.
- Passkey support.
- Password vault auditing.
- Data breach alerts.
- Biometric logins.
- TOTP code generator.
Enpass is missing some of the more advanced features offered by its competitors, such as 2FA, encrypted storage, and emergency access. Being completely offline makes Enpass incredibly secure, but it does lack the convenience of automatic syncing. Top competitors like 1Password and Dashlane automatically sync data across all devices without sacrificing security thanks to their zero-knowledge architecture, while others like Sticky Password let you choose whether you want to store your data locally or on the company’s servers. Still, if you want to use your password manager on just one Mac, Enpass might be ideal for you.
Enpass’s free desktop app for Mac includes everything except data breach monitoring and identification of 2FA-compatible logins. If you want to access these features or to use Enpass on your mobile device you’ll have to get one of the paid plans, which start at $1.99 / month. There’s also a family plan for up to 6 users, which costs $2.99 / month, and an incredible one-time purchase offer for just $99.99 — a similar price to most competitors’ annual plans.
Bottom Line:
Enpass is a highly secure, fully offline password manager — it doesn’t have as many features as some of its competitors and lacks the convenience of automatic syncing across devices, but its basic password management functions work well. Enpass for Mac is free, but you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to use the mobile apps and to get data breach alerts.
Bonus. Bitwarden — Best Open-Source Password Manager
Bitwarden provides good password management for a cheap price — but it’s not as user-friendly as the other products on this list. Bitwarden has a clean and functional design that suits tech-savvy users who prefer more customization. It might not have the same polished, beginner-friendly design as some competitors like 1Password or NordPass, but it offers options like self-hosting and open-source transparency, which advanced users value.
Bitwarden includes:
- Password security auditing.
- Local or cloud-based data sync.
- Passkey support.
- 1 GB encrypted storage.
- Emergency access.
- Password generator.
- Password sharing.
- 2FA (two-factor authentication).
- TOTP authenticator.
Bitwarden Free offers generous unlimited password storage across unlimited devices. However, to access most of the other features — including password security auditing, emergency access, and encrypted storage — you’ll need to upgrade to Bitwarden Premium for $1.00 / month. Bitwarden Families ($3.33 / month) covers up to 6 users and additionally offers password sharing.
Bottom Line:
Bitwarden is secure and affordable, but it’s not as easy to use as the other products on this list. Bitwarden has a pretty good free version — like LastPass Free, Bitwarden Free provides unlimited storage, but you can also sync it across all of your devices. Bitwarden Premium and Families add the full range of other features and are both available with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Bitwarden review >
Quick Comparison Table
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
To rate these password managers for Mac and ensure they offer top-tier protection, I employed our rigorous testing methodology that involved real-life testing scenarios. Here are the specifics:
- I assessed each password manager’s security measures. I looked for password managers that offer robust encryption (AES 256-bit or comparable), adhere to zero-knowledge policies, and are compatible with a range of 2FA methods such as biometric scanning, TOTP (temporary one-time password) generators, or USB tokens.
- I compared products to Apple’s built-in password managers. Although I’m not exactly a fan of iCloud Keychain and Passwords (more on that later), they do make password management easy. That’s why I made sure all the password managers on this list make it as quick and easy to manage passwords, integrate as well with Apple-related apps like Safari, but also have far better cross-platform compatibility and many more features, making the switch worth your while.
- I looked for good customization options and flexibility. A great password manager offers customization options, allowing you to tailor security settings and organize your data. For example, 1Password gives you the option to have multiple vaults and Sticky Password lets you choose between storing your data online or offline.
- I evaluated the overall value provided by each password manager. Some password managers are much cheaper than others, but I took into account all their features and functionality to ensure you get the best value for your money. I also considered free trials and money-back guarantees, so you can make sure you’re satisfied before committing to anything long-term. All my top picks offer money-back guarantees, so you can try them out risk free.
- I picked password managers that are updated regularly. I chose password managers that prioritize security through regular updates and independent audits. This ensures strong defense against emerging threats and maintains the integrity of your data.
- I chose password managers with good customer support. These resources are invaluable for troubleshooting and leveraging the full potential of your password manager. Dashlane, for example, provides a deep knowledge base, live chat, email support, and Reddit support.
macOS’s Built-In Password Managers vs. Third-Party Password Managers
Apple products all come with a free built-in password manager called iCloud Keychain. Newer Macs also come with a dedicated app for managing your credentials called Passwords (available from macOS Sequoia). These solutions are automatically built into macOS and iOS and linked to your Apple ID, and they come with basic features such as password generation, auto-fill and auto-save, and secure end-to-end encryption, as well as password auditing and sharing and the ability to save some other items beyond passwords (verification codes, passkeys, etc).
iCloud Keychain and Passwords aren’t bad — they’re secure, convenient, and work well. However, even Passwords, which is an improvement over iCloud Keychain, is relatively basic and lacks a lot of features you can get with third-party managers:
- Limited cross-platform compatibility. There’s no Android or Linux app, and the Windows one is difficult to set up. Moreover, there’s no extension for Firefox.
- Password sharing is limited to other Apple users. For Passwords, your contacts would have to have macOS 14 or later or iOS 17 or later.
- Lack of flexibility. You can store items other than passwords, but the range of those items doesn’t come close to third-party apps such as 1Password, RoboForm, or Keeper. The password generator only has one customization option — to exclude special characters. And you can’t really organize your vault in any other way than sorting all the passwords in a descending/ascending order based on their title or the day they were added/modified. There are no tags or multiple vaults.
- Lack of extras. If you opt for a third-party password manager, you can pick based on the extras you need. Advanced form-filling? RoboForm is ideal for you. 100 GB of encrypted storage? Look no further than Keeper. Virtual payment cards? 1Password is the solution. With Apple’s Passwords, on the other hand, you only get data breach monitoring.
These aren’t the only disadvantages of iCloud Keychain and Passwords. Since iCloud Keychain is deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, all your sensitive data—passwords, credit card information, and other personal details—are stored within Apple’s infrastructure. Relying solely on one platform for both device access and password management increases vulnerability in case of a breach.
Another drawback is that Apple’s system is closed-source, meaning that external security experts cannot review or audit the underlying code to ensure there are no hidden vulnerabilities or backdoors. This means you have to trust Apple entirely, without the ability to verify its security measures through community scrutiny.
In contrast, the best third-party password managers for macOS don’t suffer from these disadvantages. They each have their strong points and unique features, and are quite affordable or even entirely free.
What Is the Best Password Manager for Safari?
The best password manager for Safari is 1Password. In addition to offering industry-leading security, 1Password has an intuitive and easy-to-use browser extension for Safari. You can set it up and import all of your passwords from your iCloud keychain in just a few minutes.
With 1Password, you can auto-fill information in Safari with a single click. This isn’t just limited to passwords — you can also auto-fill credit card information, addresses, and other personal data from your vaults. 1Password’s vaults are also secured with 256-bit AES encryption, zero-knowledge architecture, and two-factor authentication (2FA), ensuring that your data is safe.
I like how 1Password is compatible with Touch ID on Mac too, which makes logging into your accounts easier and more secure. You can simply use your fingerprint to unlock the 1Password app and Safari extension.
A unique feature that sets 1Password apart is Travel Mode. This feature can conceal chosen vaults on your device while you’re traveling, ensuring your data remains secure in scenarios where you might be forced to unlock your password vault, like at border checks.
It may not be the cheapest on the market, but it delivers excellent value for its cost, offering a wide range of useful features for Mac and Safari users.
That said, other password managers like Dashlane and NordPass also offer good integration with Safari. But 1Password’s exceptional compatibility with Apple products makes it stand out as the best password manager for Safari in 2024.
How Do Passkeys Work on Mac?
Passkeys on Mac, introduced with macOS Ventura, are a more secure alternative to traditional passwords, simplifying the login process and enhancing your security against phishing attacks.
When setting up an account with a passkey, a pair of cryptographic keys is generated: a public key stored on the server and a private key kept on your Mac and synced across your devices via iCloud. Logging in then simply requires authentication through Touch ID on your Mac or Face ID on an iPhone or iPad.
When you log into an account with a passkey, the system uses the pair of cryptographic keys generated during account setup. The private key on your Mac, protected and synced via iCloud, works with the public key on the server. Authentication with Touch ID or Face ID triggers the mechanism — securely verifying your identity without the need for a traditional password.
Many third-party password managers have adopted and enhanced this passkey feature by offering broader compatibility and additional security benefits. For example, Dashlane and 1Password both support passkeys, but they facilitate easier and more secure logins across various platforms not limited to Apple devices. These managers also enhance the passkey experience by offering features such as advanced 2FA options and secure sharing capabilities, making the process of managing and using passkeys even more seamless and secure for users across different ecosystems.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- KeePass: KeePass is very secure and has lots of great features. However, its steep learning curve, unattractive user interface, and slow customer support make it too user-unfriendly to be featured on this list.
- True Key: I was expecting a lot more from True Key (a McAfee brand). However, it was so buggy during my tests that I uninstalled it after struggling with it for just a few minutes.
- Zoho Vault. Zoho Vault is a decent password manager, but it was created for business use, so it’s not the best option for home users.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best password manager for Mac users?
1Password is my favorite Mac password manager in 2024. It includes unlimited password storage on unlimited devices, encrypted cloud storage, password security auditing, dark web monitoring, hidden vaults, and more.
There are a lot of other good Mac password managers, too. For instance, Dashlane comes with standout features like a VPN and live dark web monitoring, and NordPass is highly secure and comes with good extras.
What are the risks of using Apple’s built-in password manager for all my data?
On Mac, Passwords can be protected by Touch ID, but you can also just use your Mac password to unlock your vault. This poses a security risk — you may have set up your Mac password long before you were aware that the same password would also protect all your credentials. This means you may not have picked a particularly strong password, or that you’ve shared it freely with anyone who needed to use your Mac.
Moreover, since Apple’s password manager is closed-source, there could be potential vulnerabilities that have not yet been discovered — since no one from the community can review its code, you basically just have to hope that Apple’s developers will find any bugs before malicious actors do.
How do password managers protect against phishing attacks on Mac?
Password managers combat phishing on Mac in the same way they do on other devices: by securely storing website URLs along with your login details. When you auto-fill credentials, the manager checks the website’s URL against the stored one. If there’s a mismatch, suggesting a phishing attempt, the manager won’t auto-fill the login information, preventing you from inadvertently entering your credentials on a malicious site. Dashlane enhances this phishing protection by actively sending alerts when you attempt to manually enter credentials on a potentially dangerous site.
Can a password manager auto-fill passwords in all browsers on Mac?
Most password managers are designed to work across various browsers on Mac, including Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and others. They come with browser extensions that enable auto-fill functionality, ensuring you can use them seamlessly regardless of your browser choice. However, compatibility may vary slightly between different password managers, so it’s worth checking the specifics for the one you choose, especially if you use a less popular browser. That said, all of the password managers on this list worked with the majority of browsers on Mac.
Do I need to pay for a password manager?
While there are decent free password managers, most of them lack important features, such as multi-device sync, password sharing, dark web monitoring, emergency access, and 2FA. But if you’re only in the market for a free password manager, you can check out our recommendations here.
However, if you’re looking for premium protection, an intuitive user interface, and advanced security features, you’re going to have to spend some money. My favorite Mac password manager is 1Password — it uses advanced encryption, has a user-friendly web app, and comes with tons of extras, including password security auditing, dark web monitoring, Travel Mode, and more.
Does Mac have a built-in password manager?
Yes, iCloud Keychain and Passwords are Mac’s built-in password managers. They come as standard on all Apple products (Passwords only on macOS Sequoia) and sync seamlessly between macOS and iOS. However, they’re missing a lot of the more advanced functionality and features that other third-party password managers tend to include as standard. So while they’re not a bad option — particularly as they’re free — iCloud Keychain and Passwords are not as good as standalone password managers.
Is there a free password manager for Mac?
Yes — most of the password managers on this list offer a free plan, and they are all compatible with macOS. However, the free plans offered by standalone password managers are usually quite limited — with caps on the number of passwords you can store, limited device syncing, and fewer features than their paid plans.
Apple also has a built-in password manager, called iCloud Keychain — or Passwords on macOS Sequoia — which is free. However, it’s only fully compatible with Apple products and has far more basic features than most standalone password managers. Ultimately, if you want a secure, easy-to-use, and feature-rich password manager, I’d recommend paying for a premium product.
