Updated on: May 1, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best password manager recommended by Reddit users in 2024:
- 🥇 1Password: Highly praised by the Reddit community for having well-audited security protocols, an appealing interface, and valuable extras at an affordable price.
I combed through Reddit, a platform packed with real users sharing their genuine product experiences, to extract a list of the top 5 password managers recommended by its tech-savvy community. I read numerous discussions, compared different user testimonials, and scrutinized features to come up with a list that narrows it all down for you.
It quickly became clear what Reddit users wanted most from a password manager: strong encryption, value for money, user-friendliness, cross-platform compatibility, and local data storage options. I proceeded to test the most highly recommended password managers myself to ensure that only the best of the best made it onto my list.
My top pick, backed by a strong consensus on Reddit, is 1Password. Known for its superior encryption and prioritizing data security, the platform is intuitive, compatible with multiple operating systems, and has valuable extra features. Keep in mind that all the password managers featured here have their own distinct advantages. So, take your time and look them over — you’ll want to find the one that suits you best.
Quick summary of the best password managers recommended by Reddit users:
- 🥇 1. 1Password — Best overall password manager recommended by Reddit in 2024 (most advanced features).
- 🥈 2. Bitwarden — Open-source and affordable password manager with a local data storage option.
- 🥉 3. NordPass — Simple password manager solution with “future-proof” encryption favored by Reddit.
- 4. Dashlane — Secure password manager with extras like live dark web monitoring and a VPN.
- 5. RoboForm — Best for filling out complex forms and bookmark storage according to Reddit.
🥇 1. 1Password — Best Password Manager Recommended by Reddit Users
1Password is my favorite password manager among those recommended by Reddit users. With a slick interface and formidable security, it works flawlessly across all platforms and browsers. It’s actually our top-rated password manager in 2024.
Most Reddit users agree that unbreakable security should be the main feature of any password manager — 1Password uses 256-bit AES encryption, a standard that’s trusted by banks and governments across the globe. However, an extra security measure I like is the 34-character secret key I was given when I first logged in. You need to enter this key alongside your master password — which gives me excellent peace of mind knowing that my account is as secure as possible.
1Password’s on-device encryption and zero-knowledge policy are also must-haves for most Reddit users — they ensure that your data remains strictly yours. Its SOC 2 Type 2 certification is more proof of its dedication to data protection, too. It means 1Password has been audited by an outside team and has sufficient privacy features to be trusted with your encrypted data.
1Password’s main features include:
- On-device encryption and zero knowledge policy — not even 1Password has your information.
- Multi-factor authentication — with lots of options to choose how you want to log into your account.
- Watchtower — for password auditing and generation as well as live monitoring for data breaches.
- Travel Mode — a feature unique to 1Password that lets you hide specified vaults when crossing borders.
The Watchtower feature is your safety net to catch weak or reused logins — and it also provides data breach monitoring. It worked really well in my tests, but beyond these main features, 1Password also comes with additional security perks. For example, it supports 2-factor authentication (2FA) with TOTP authenticator apps, USB tokens, and biometric scanners.
As one Reddit user put it, “the very best password manager for you is the one you use.” And 1Password truly makes it easy to use its apps. With the freedom of customizable vaults, the user interface is intuitive and streamlined — making tasks like setting up multiple password vaults, managing 2FA, and auto-saving or auto-filling passwords simple.
1Password also offers plans for various needs — single users have 1Password Individual at $2.99 / month, families of up to 5 have 1Password Families at $4.99 / month, and businesses can choose from the Teams plan for $19.95 / month or the Business plan for $7.99 / month. It’s important to note that 1Password doesn’t offer a free version or money-back guarantee, but there’s a 14-day free trial to give you a taste of what it offers.
Bottom Line:
1Password is my number one choice — and Reddit raves about it for good reason. Its combination of high-grade security and ease of use makes it the best password manager on the market. Features like Travel Mode and Watchtower are valuable extras, and while it doesn’t have a free version, the paid plans are very reasonably priced.
Read the full 1Password review
🥈 2. Bitwarden — Open-Source and Affordable
Bitwarden holds its ground among the most recommended password managers on Reddit owing to its open-source status, strong security, and self-hosting option — albeit with a less intuitive interface than the other products on my list.
Here’s some of the main features Reddit users appreciate about Bitwarden:
- Open-source code — Bitwarden’s publicly available code enhances transparency and user trust.
- Secure Send feature — allows safe sharing of sensitive data, even with non-Bitwarden users.
- Local data storage option — offers added control over personal data.
- Affordable pricing — caters to budget-conscious users.
Bitwarden’s open-source commitment is particularly popular with Reddit users, who value transparency and user control. With ongoing enhancements from a dedicated developer community, this fosters trust and continual improvement. In fact, Bitwarden’s subreddit boasts a thriving community of over 50,000 members — the largest among all password managers on this list.
Bitwarden is highly secure with features such as 256-bit AES encryption, local data storage (which Reddit users love), a zero-knowledge policy, and multiple 2-factor authentication (2FA) options. I was able to use authenticator apps, get one-time codes via email, set up biometric logins, and even use USB security keys since I was testing the premium plan.
However, the user experience doesn’t hold up compared to 1Password. Bitwarden requires a bit more technical know-how when it comes to sharing and syncing password vaults and even using auto-save and auto-fill functions.
Another big reason Reddit users are drawn to Bitwarden is because of its free plan. It honestly offers a lot — including unlimited password storage across all devices, a solid password generator, unlimited password sharing with another user, a username data breach scanner, and more.
However, upgrading to Bitwarden’s paid plans doesn’t cost much at all. For only $10.00 / year, Bitwarden Premium offers advanced security features like a built-in TOTP 2FA authenticator, USB 2FA support, emergency access, and 1 GB of encrypted storage. Bitwarden Families covers up to 6 users with unlimited password sharing, all for $40.00 / year.
Bottom Line:
Bitwarden is a strong contender for advanced users with its top-notch security, unique features, and affordable pricing. While its interface may not be as intuitive as some users may wish, Bitwarden is very popular among tech-savvy users who want an open-source, budget-friendly product.
Read the full Bitwarden review
🥉 3. NordPass — Straightforward Solution With “Future-Proof” Encryption
NordPass is another favorite with Reddit users. It uses the more modern XChaCha20 encryption algorithm and offers a mix of essential features like zero-knowledge protocols and multi-factor authentication (MFA) with extras like a password health checker.
Features most enjoyed by Redditors are:
- Password generator.
- Multi-factor authentication.
- Data breach monitoring.
- Emergency access.
- Email masking.
- Secure file storage and attachments.
- Password health checker.
NordPass works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. In my tests, I found it straightforward to save, generate, auto-fill, and share passwords — but the iOS app feels a bit stripped-down compared to the Android version.
NordPass’s simplicity makes it great for beginners. The vault is easy to use, and it’s very easy to store and organize data — though you can only save IDs as notes, which is a bit annoying (1Password offers a much greater range of data types).
The data breach scanner is very effective, and I really like that it automatically scans all emails saved into the password vault — some password managers (including Dashlane) require you to manually add the emails you want to scan.
NordPass further includes a user-friendly password generator and an array of 2FA options like authenticator apps, security keys, and biometrics.
The Free plan has all the basics, but you can only log into 1 device at a time. NordPass Premium at $1.15 / month offers unlimited password storage on unlimited devices for 1 user account, while NordPass Family at $3.69 / month includes 6 Premium user accounts. If you sign up for the free plan, you get a 30-day free Premium trial, and there’s also a 30-day money back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
NordPass is a solid choice for password security, blending core password manager features with some useful extras. It uses the future-proofed XChaCha20 encryption, scans the web for data breaches, and provides emergency access. While the Free plan is limited, only allowing you to be logged into 1 device at a time, the Premium plan provides all the essentials with decent extras for a very reasonable price. Plus, you get a 30-day free trial for Premium and a money-back guarantee.
4. Dashlane — Live Dark Web Scanning + a VPN
Dashlane is frequently recommended on Reddit for its impressive range of features. What Reddit users love most about Dashlane is:
- User-friendly tools — for easy password handling.
- High-security extras — a built-in VPN and dark web monitoring.
- Strong encryption — 256-bit AES encryption to secure your data.
Dashlane has transitioned to a fully web-based password manager — an update that raised a few eyebrows on Reddit and kept Dashlane from being higher on my list — but overall, users find it an improvement.
Dashlane’s password generator is pretty simple to use. However, it can’t generate passphrases like Bitwarden and NordPass. That said, Dashlane’s Generator History is very popular among Reddit users, as it lets you easily retrieve passwords you’ve generated but forgotten to save into your vault.
Unlimited password sharing, even with Dashlane Free, gets a nod of approval from Reddit’s community, too. And they love the Password Health tool, which gives a comprehensive audit of password security.
The dark web monitoring impressed the Reddit crowd (and me) by providing 24/7 surveillance and instant alerts when new breaches are detected. Most competitors simply use a free database that anyone can access to search for data breaches, but Dashlane maintains its own dark web database with over 12 billion records on it, which is pretty cool.
The VPN, powered by Hotspot Shield, provides secure and speedy browsing. I had no complaints using it — it gave me consistently high speeds in my tests — however, features like the kill switch and split tunneling are limited to Windows and Android devices. It’s not quite as good as any of our top 10 standalone VPNs, but it’s still an excellent inclusion in Dashlane’s strong set of features.
Dashlane’s Free plan provides a host of features for use on 1 device and is our favorite free plan in 2024. The Premium plan, at $4.99 / month, offers these features across unlimited devices and includes dark web monitoring, anti-phishing protection, and a VPN with unlimited bandwidth. Lastly, the Friends & Family plan, priced at $7.49 / month, gives access to 10 users with all the Premium features, but only the admin user has access to the VPN. Users interested in exploring the full capabilities of the Premium plan can take advantage of a 30-day free trial and money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Reddit users admire Dashlane’s combination of essential and unique features, calling it one of the premier password managers in 2024. I agree with this sentiment, particularly appreciating the inclusion of a VPN — a rarity among password managers. Plus, its superior dark web monitoring made me feel that my data was completely secure.
5. RoboForm — Automated Form-Filling
RoboForm earns Reddit’s recognition as a budget-friendly, feature-rich password manager, known especially for its superior form-filling capabilities.
Here’s what Reddit users pinpoint as RoboForm’s strengths:
- Exceptional form-filling — handles even the most complex web forms.
- Strong encryption — safeguards data with 256-bit AES encryption.
- Vault versatility — intuitive and customizable password vault.
RoboForm’s 2FA feature is versatile, supporting email, mobile, authenticator apps, and biometric logins. It even integrates with Touch ID on Mac and Windows Hello on Windows for an easier experience logging in, and it includes its own 2FA authenticator.
I really like RoboForm’s ability to save app passwords on PC and mobile devices, too, providing convenience for those managing multiple apps regularly. It’s quite a unique feature that not many of the password managers on this list include.
RoboForm’s form-filling functionality is a significant time-saver and one of my favorite features. It’s particularly useful when dealing with complex online forms. I also like that the ‘Identities’ feature stores comprehensive user profiles, simplifying the balance between personal and work life. This feature is particularly beneficial for families who share devices but need to fill in forms with individual details.
I also like how RoboForm automatically stores bookmarks for websites you visit in your vault. A small feature, but one that’s super handy for organizing bookmarks across devices and browsers.
However, some Reddit users would like to see more from RoboForm. They suggest better data breach monitoring like Dashlane and encrypted storage would be cool additions.
RoboForm Free offers ample features for 1 device, but the RoboForm Premium plan at $0.99 / month adds multi-device sync and emergency access. For families, RoboForm Family at $19.05 / year supports 5 accounts. Like most options on this list, RoboForm comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
RoboForm’s form-filling is its superpower. It effortlessly completes even the most complex web forms at the click of a button. With two-factor authentication (2FA), detailed password auditing, secure bookmark storage, and application logins, RoboForm has impressed me and more than a few Reddit users.
Bonus — KeePassXC (100% Free and Open-Source)
KeePassXC deserves a special mention given how much attention it gets on Reddit. Redditors like to get behind a product that’s open-source and free like KeePassXC.
As an open-source product, KeePassXC has evolved from older versions. This community-led development has kept it relevant and highly respected among Redditors. Some of its main features include:
- Client-side encryption.
- Password and passphrase generator.
- Browser integration.
- Local data storage.
KeePassXC gives you complete control over your data — with locally stored, 256-bit AES encrypted database files. I love that if you want an extra layer of security you can generate a key file — which will always be needed to open the database.
I also appreciate being able to add files to the databases and organize my entries into groups. Each password entry can have all sorts of details added — URLs, tags, expiry dates, notes, and even icons. You can also add attributes, attachments, and customize the browser integration and auto-type settings.
I tested KeePassXC on Windows, but it also works on Mac and Linux. Mobile use is made possible by 3rd party apps — they’re decent enough, but lack the security and ease of use that you get from officially-supported mobile apps like 1Password.
On the downside, the interface is not exactly pleasing to the eye. It’s functional, but it looks very dated compared to its competitors. You also can’t sync your databases across devices within the app itself — you need to use Google Drive or Dropbox, or a USB if you don’t trust the cloud.
Bottom Line:
KeePassXC appeals to users who want full control of their data. Its strength lies in its powerful, customizable security, but its interface is very dated and it relies on 3rd party apps for mobile support. That said, if you’re after a free, open-source, and highly customizable password manager that does its job well, KeePassXC is worth a shot.
Quick Comparison Table
How Reddit Users Choose the Best Password Managers in 2024
- They evaluate security features. A good password manager should offer top-tier security features. During my testing, I ensured that the brands recommended by Reddit (like 1Password) use the best encryption standards (like AES-256), offer 2-factor authentication, and have reliable password auditing. These security checks ensure that your sensitive data remains safe and private.
- They consider ease of use. Reddit users like password managers that offer seamless setup and operation — both 1Password and NordPass are easy to set up and use. I tested the setup process, interface, and day-to-day usage of each product to ensure they’re user-friendly and intuitive — even for those who aren’t that tech-savvy.
- They verify sync abilities. It’s important that your password manager can sync data across all your devices. I tested the top brands put forward by Redditors to see if they smoothly transfer and update data between different devices and operating systems. You need your passwords to always be available, regardless of the device you’re using.
- They check password generation and auto-fill functionality. Redditors assess how well the manager can generate strong, unique passwords and auto-fill them.
- They examine extra features. Similar to Reddit users, you should take into account the supplementary features each password manager provides — for instance, 1Password includes a distinctive Travel Mode and Dashlane incorporates a VPN.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- LastPass. Despite its solid features, LastPass didn’t make the list because many Redditors lack confidence in the platform after several security incidents. It’s important to note, however, that during these events no user data was compromised.
- Keeper. Keeper’s security features and offerings are top-notch, with everything from strong encryption to an encrypted messaging app. However, Keeper only offers some advanced features such as dark web monitoring as paid add-ons, and that makes its pricing slightly less competitive.
- Sticky Password. While Sticky Password provides a decent password management solution, it occasionally has issues with password synchronization between different devices. This could lead to login difficulties for users, affecting its overall reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use password managers like the ones recommended by Reddit users?
Yes, using password managers recommended by Reddit users is generally safe. All the password managers on this list are designed with a focus on security. They use advanced encryption techniques to secure your data from unauthorized access.
In addition to encryption, they offer extra security measures like two-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security, and password auditing, which helps users to identify and change weak passwords.
Are the recommended password managers free?
Most password managers offer both free and paid versions. The free versions provide basic features like password storage and auto-fill, which can be sufficient for individual users with simpler needs.
The premium versions, however, offer advanced features such as password auditing and priority tech support — providing a more comprehensive user experience.
Do Reddit-recommended password managers work on all devices?
Yes, they generally do. Top-tier password managers like 1Password and Bitwarden have excellent cross-platform compatibility. They provide support for various operating systems including Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
They also offer browser extensions for popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. This ensures a seamless integration and user experience, allowing users to manage their passwords efficiently across different devices and browsers.
Can I share passwords securely with family members using Reddit-recommended password managers?
Yes, password sharing is included in most high-ranking password managers recommended by Reddit users. With this feature, you can securely share passwords with family members or friends, and by sharing through the password manager you maintain control over who has access — and you can revoke access whenever you want.
