With more and more people taking control of their cybersecurity, internet users have more choices than ever when it comes to password managers. In 2023, you don’t have to spend much money to get all the password management and sharing tools you need.
To help you make an informed decision, we covered 10 of the most affordable and powerful password managers on the market. While some platforms are more expensive than others, every provider on this list offers a paid subscription for less than $5 per month.
Security and Encryption
If you’re looking for a password manager, you’re probably concerned about keeping your private information safe. Naturally, security and encryption are two of the most important criteria to consider when trying to find the right platform.
Almost every password manager relies on AES 256-bit encryption to protect user data. However, there are a few providers on this list that use alternative encryption methods.
Security and encryption also covers other safety features, such as 2FA and dark web monitoring. Without these tools, you are vulnerable to certain password cracking techniques.
Password Sharing
A password manager should let you store your own passwords, but it should also give you the ability to share those passwords with other users. While some people share passwords through channels like email and short message service (SMS), this approach is much less safe than secure sharing through a reliable password manager.
Each provider offers a unique set of password sharing features that affect both security and ease of use. 1Password, for example, allows users to configure who they want to be able to access a password, when they want the sharing link to expire, and other important settings.
App Compatibility
Finally, you need a password manager that supports the devices and operating systems you use. Every provider we’ve listed offers a mobile app for iOS and Android, but desktop functionality varies from one password manager to another.
For example, some password managers come with desktop apps, while others use extensions that integrate into your browser. App compatibility covers the availability of each platform, as well as user reviews for its various apps and extensions.
App compatibility is especially important for Linux users since many password managers offer limited support for Linux or none at all. We found that Keeper Password Manager offers the best mobile app, KeePassXC is the best when it comes to supporting different browsers. Only a few providers such as KeePassXC and NordPass are compatible with Linux. Of course, platforms with a web vault should still be accessible on Linux through the browser.