By: Gunnar KallstromHead of Information Systems and Cybersecurity Research
Maintaining unique strong passwords can help you stay more secure when you browse online, but the challenge is remembering them all. While Chrome offers password management, you can get better security and features from external password managers.
From auto-filling login credentials to syncing across devices seamlessly, these tools can offer a secure and streamlined experience in the Chrome browser. Review our list to find the best Chrome password manager for you, your family, or your business.
Best Chrome password manager
(4.8)
1Password has top-notch security and stand-out reporting with custom analytics. It is compatible across platforms, including Chrome, and is ideal for individuals or teams that want easy password sharing.
| Starting price 4.8/5 | Platform compatibility 5.0/5 | User experience (UX) 5.0/5 | Form filling 5.0/5 | Security 4.5/5 | Two-factor authentication (2FA) 5.0/5 | Top features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2.99 per month | Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web (Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), Windows | User-friendly app and desktop version, including for Chrome | Simple form filling with Watchtower, a password monitoring feature for mobile | AES 256-bit encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA) | Easy setup with QR code; uses authenticator apps with QR code to scan |
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I found 1Password to be the best Chrome password manager for security and scalability. I could not find any known security breach reports, and it uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption.
While this is standard among password managers, 1Password couples this with a strong password generator that offers suggestions so you can improve your overall account security. 1Password also includes 2FA for all plans, and you can easily set it up on an authenticator app with a QR code.
When I compared 1Password to other top Chrome password managers of 2023, what stood out was its scalability. I can use it personally, share with family, or expand the capabilities to include a business of any size. Also, 1Password allows you to easily share passwords across teams and create multiple vaults (folders). This way, others you select can securely access information, which I find to be a real convenience and time-saver.
An advanced Watchtower feature provides information at a glance so you check your password strength score. I like how the tool gives you a visual so I can quickly see whether my overall password strength is weak, could use improvement, or is strong. I also like how Watchtower lets you know if sites are using 2FA or an unsecured HTTP.
The overview of all activity (and alerts for sign-in attempts) was helpful and reassuring. From a business perspective, I like that I can generate reports with custom analytics for insights into how my business uses 1Password.
These reports allow admins to see which company emails are compromised and where vital information is exposed, for example. Overall, the reporting from 1Password is better than Bitwarden and Dashlane.
Who is 1Password best for?
My testing shows that 1Password suits small, mid, and enterprise-level business owners. It’s also useful as a personal password manager or for family use. The Business Plan includes access for business teams and families, so this would be the best plan from 1Password, in my opinion. 1Password is easy to use on Chrome.
Recent upgrades to 1Password:
1Password considers your feedback when releasing updates and new features. I like the enhanced dashboard that allows for more personalization. Also, you can now tweet your Watchtower score. Editing entries is easier, and security is even better — despite already stellar security — because 1Password is on the web programming language, Rust. 1Password’s redesigned sidebar is easier to navigate, in my opinion.
In June 2023, it released 1Password 8 for iOS and Android. In June, beta versions also were released for Android, Linux, Mac, and Windows.
1Password pricing:
1Password is competitively priced, even compared to the best cheap password managers, but Bitwarden beats out 1Password with its Forever Free plan that can be used on multiple devices including the Chrome platform, and a low-priced Family plan for $3.33 that includes up to six people. With 1Password, the Individual plan is $2 and the Family plan costs $4.99.
However, the features you get with 1Password and scalability make it valuable, especially for small to midsize businesses (SMBs). As for Dashlane’s pricing, its Forever Free plan is not as good as Bitwarden because you can only use the plan on one device. This is typical with no-cost plans. The most popular Premium is $4.99, whereas you’ll pay that for a Family with Bitwarden, and Dashlane’s Family plan costs $7.49.
I feel that even though 1Password costs slightly more than Bitwarden, I’m getting the value I expect and top-notch security, which to me, is worth the price of admission.
Pros and cons of 1Password
Best Chrome password manager for its robust free plan
(4.8)
Bitwarden for Chrome offers a free version that surpasses competitors because you can store unlimited vault items across unlimited synched devices. This is a rarity among no-cost password managers. Also notable is its 2FA via YubiKey and FIDO2, which many password managers do not offer.
| Starting price 5.0/5 | Platform compatibility 5.0/5 | User experience (UX) 5.0/5 | Form filling 4.5/5 | Security 5.0/5 | Two-factor authentication (2FA) 4.8/5 | Top features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web (Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Vivaldi), Windows | Minimalistic, user-friendly app and desktop version, including for Chrome | Satisfactory form-filling, with a couple of glitches — autofill must be triggered by the browser extension | AES 256-bit encryption and no-knowledge architecture | Authenticator app or email; and premium subscribers can manage 2FA via Duo Security, YubiKey, or FIDO |
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I found Bitwarden to be a top Chrome password manager with an impressive free version that allows unlimited syncing across unlimited devices, basically unheard of in the password manager space.
I also appreciate that 2FA comes with the free version, and if I wanted to purchase the premium subscription, I could manage 2FA through YubiKey or FIDO, another stand-out feature I didn’t find with most other password managers.
As for navigating Bitwarden on Chrome, the process is seamless. A downside, however, is that autofilling is triggered via the web browser rather than an icon popping up in forms like with 1Password. That isn’t a deal-breaker; it just requires a couple of extra clicks when form filling.
I could not find any known security breach reports, and Bitwarden uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, which is standard among password managers.
When I compared Bitwarden to other top Chrome password managers of 2023, what stood out was the best-in-class free plan. As an everyday customer, it suited my needs. If you want a family account, Bitwarden provides a great value, in my opinion, at $40 per year.
1Password beat Bitwarden for best Chrome password manager of 2023 in spite of the equal ratings because of a couple of cons: no live dark web monitoring or biometric 2FA; and lacking a template for address storage in the vault, Bitwarden cannot autofill this information.
Who is Bitwarden best for?
My testing shows that Bitwarden suits everyday people who do not want to spend for premium features like 2FA, and families with six or fewer users. Bitwarden’s team and enterprise-level subscriptions are priced on the higher end, and I’d want to see live dark web monitoring. Anyone who uses Chrome will be able to easily navigate Bitwarden, which provides a simplistic UX. To me, that’s a good thing.
Recent upgrades to Bitwarden:
Bitwarden is now compatible with Apple Watch to provide an option for accessing time-based one-time password (TOTP) login codes, and it has support for custom database ports. Transparent with its source code, Bitwarden incrementally updates its desktop, browser extension, and mobile application.
The 2023.5.0 release includes the following updates:
Bitwarden pricing:
Pricing is an impressive feature of Bitwarden among other top Chrome password managers. Its robust free version allows you to sync across unlimited devices with unlimited data — this is unheard of. I also found the Families plan to be a great value, allowing for up to six people at a cost of $40 annually.
Pros and cons of Bitwarden
Best Chrome password manager for its VPN offering
(3.8)
Dashlane stands out with premium features such as VPN, password health checker, and live dark web monitoring. I like how it is plug-and-play for individuals, but also offers a higher-end business plan just as seamless to navigate via the app or on a browser like Chrome.
| Starting price 4.8/5 | Platform compatibility 5.0/5 | User experience (UX) 4.8/5 | Form filling 4.8/5 | Security 4.8/5 | Two-factor authentication (2FA) 4.3/5 | Top features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, OS, iOS, Brave, Edge, Opera, Android | Simplistic, easy-to-navigate platform | Effective form filling with built-in sections for logins, payment information, addresses, and IDs | 256-bit AES encryption and 2FA | It comes with authenticator apps, security keys, backup codes, and multifactor authentication (MFA) |
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Dashlane is best for premium features like VPN and dark web monitoring, and it leads in plan variety compared to other password managers, making it a great option for individuals and businesses of all sizes.
When navigating the Dashlane platform, I found the password manager easy to use with a simple interface, and getting the Chrome browser extension was a simple process. Overall, I easily navigated the dashboard and noted consistent form-filling, unlike with Bitwarden, which required a few more clicks and does not autofill addresses.
Dashlane has no record of security breaches, and it uses 256-bit AES military-grade encryption, which is industry standard. Like others, it also has no-knowledge architecture, so not even Dashlane knows your passwords.
Overall, Dashlane comes out ahead with its diversity of features like a VPN. Also, it is especially convenient for Chrome users because it is available in the Google Play store so it can be added to devices like Kindles.
With the Dashlane Chrome extension, I liked how the D icon appeared in my web browser toolbar so I could simply click on it to autofill. Also, the Chrome extension — as with other Dashlane browser extensions — allowed me to open the web app to access information like my Password Health score.
Who is Dashlane best for?
Dashlane is best for individuals and businesses that value features like VPN and dark web monitoring and are willing to pay for a premium subscription to get those extras. I would consider Dashlane for businesses that want to scale up because of subscriptions that accommodate any size organization.
However, an individual who wants a free password manager or the best cheap password manager will not unlock those premium features.
Unlike Bitwarden, Dashlane’s free version is limited to just one device. This is typical among the password managers I rated, but it does give Bitwarden a leg up if you are an individual who does not want to pay for a password manager subscription.
Recent upgrades to Dashlane
Dashlane recently added a new CSV import process, allowing you to move information from other password managers. I like that it allows you to bulk delete information you no longer need. The password manager also launched an extension that works for passkeys. And now I can add my own linked websites and subdomains to logins that share the same account.
Updating the Dashlane extension in Chrome is easy. All I had to do was right click the Dashlane D icon in the browser toolbar and select Manage Extension. Then, I turned on Developer Mode and selected Update.
Dashlane pricing:
Dashlane offers various plans, beginning with its free version for one device only. Bitwarden has the advantage because its Forever Free plan is for unlimited devices. Personal users can also opt for the Dashlaned Advanced, Premium, and Friends & Family plans. For businesses, Dashlane offers Starter, Team, and Business tiers. Whatever plan you choose, you can use Dashlane on Chrome.
Pros and cons of Dashlane
While I chose 1Password as the best Chrome password manager of 2023, the competition is close. Dashlane and Bitwarden are excellent options you may prefer over 1Password, especially if you’re looking for a good value or great UX.
These three stood out above the competitors for three main reasons — the value for the price, history of security, and an accessible user interface (UI). All offer services for less than $3 a month, with Dashlane and Bitwarden offering Forever Free plans, which puts them on the list with other best free password managers.
Not one has ever experienced a data breach in its history as a service. And all are easy for everyone to navigate on Chrome — an essential consideration for using a password manager at the business level. 1Password stands out because it is easy to share passwords across teams if you’re a business user. You can create multiple vaults and organize passwords to share with groups.
Overall, you can’t go wrong with these three password managers for Chrome. 1Password is a step ahead in its flexible, scalable plan options and security. Bitwarden’s Premium feature is 2FA via YubiKey and FIDO2, which most password managers don’t offer. But Bitwarden does not provide dark web monitoring, which I’d like to see in a password manager. If you’re a VPN user, Dashlane’s Premium plan includes this feature. Others do not.
You may find these features in other services, but these three excelled at the criteria. It’s hard to go wrong with any of these options if you’re looking for a password manager that works well on the Chrome platform.
Other password managers we considered but didn’t rank among the best include:
See how the best password managers compare to other top-tier options:
| Password manager | Details | Best features |
|---|---|---|
| 1Password Overall rating: (4.8) Read our full 1Password review. | Starting price: $2.99 per month Platform compatibility: Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web (Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), Windows Security: AES 256-bit encryption, 2FA |
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| Dashlane Overall rating: (3.8) Read our full Dashlane review. Consider Dashlane if: You’re only interested in a personal plan. | Starting price: Free Platform compatibility: Android, iOS, Mac, Web (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), Windows Security: AES 256-bit encryption, 2FA |
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| Keeper Overall rating: (4.6) Read our full Keeper review. Consider Keeper if: You want to enjoy the feature of secure biometric logins. | Starting price: $3.75 per user Platform compatibility: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iPhone, and iPad. Browser extensions for Safari, Opera, Firefox, Edge, Chrome Security: AES 256-bit encryption, PBKDF2 |
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| RoboForm Overall rating: (4.5) Read our full RoboForm review. Consider RoboForm if: You want to sync your passwords through multiple platforms and won’t mind its compatibility with fewer platforms than 1Password. | Starting price: $24 per year Platform compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Chrome, and Android support for their respective major browsers, including Edge Security: AES 256-bit encryption, 2FA |
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| LastPass Overall rating: (4.4) Read our full LastPass review. Consider LastPass if: You want additional features and are willing to pay a high price. | Starting price: $3 per month Platform compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome, and mobile platform Security: Zero-knowledge security model |
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| NordPass Overall rating: (4.3) Read our full NordPass review. Consider NordPass if: You want the same packages for your family and business. | Starting price: $2.49 per month Platform compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and popular browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Opera, and Safari Security: XChaCha20 encryption algorithm and a zero-knowledge policy |
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There are a number of effective password managers for Chrome, but a few stand out: 1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane. We like how 1Password provides scalability for Chrome users, and Bitwarden’s Free plan can be used on multiple devices with unlimited password storage. Dashlane offers a VPN with its premium plan.
Based on our research, there are many secure password managers for Chrome, and each has its merits. Three that go with Chrome that stand out for the high level of security are 1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane. All have military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and 2FA, along with a clean record of no security breaches on record as of publication.
You can trust password managers on the Chrome platform that have zero-knowledge infrastructure. This means that even the password manager does not know your secure data. Other qualities that trustworthy password managers have include AES 256-bit encryption, which is what the military uses. 2FA is also a must for trusting a password manager.
You can store data on a Chrome platform like strong passwords, credit card numbers, identification, and other information you want to keep secure. A Chrome password manager also allows you to share passwords with secure groups and manage passwords.
With a Chrome password manager, you can select strong passwords without having to remember them, which is a real benefit, because using the same passwords over again can make your accounts vulnerable.
Google Password Manager is a part of Chrome. It’s a free password manager that syncs saved information across Chrome browsers. You need a Google account to access this Chrome feature.
Based on our research, the best free Chrome password manager is Bitwarden because you do not have to pay to use it across multiple devices, and for no cost, you get unlimited data.
On the surface, all password managers essentially fulfill the same functions — they generate and store passwords. In creating our list of recommendations for the best password manager, we dug deeper, comparing software on what matters most, including price, platform compatibility, security, and other factors.
I signed up for a plan with each provider to test:
Learn more about our review methodology.
About The Password Manager, Gunnar Kallstrom:
Kallstrom, The Password Manager, is a Cyber Team Lead for a Department of Defense (DOD) contracting company in Huntsville, Alabama, and has worked as a Computer Network Defense (CND) Cyber Analyst. An author and content creator for a cybersecurity academy, Kallstrom spent nearly 15 years in the Army as a musician before entering the cybersecurity field.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Thomas Edison State University and a master’s in organizational development and leadership from the University of the Incarnate Word.
Kallstrom has completed several Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) courses, including Security+, Network+, A+ Core 1, and A+ Core 2. He earned a CompTIA Security+ Certification. Additionally, he has completed the Cyber Warrior Academy program with more than 800 hours of hands-on, intensive, and lab-driven technical training in cybersecurity methods and procedures.
Passionate about all things cyber, Kallstrom was a speaker on a panel at the 2022 InfoSec World conference, giving a talk entitled “Hacking into a Cyber Career – True Stories.” Kallstrom is also a mentor to entry-level cybersecurity candidates seeking to break into the field. When he’s not working, he still enjoys playing guitar and fishing (not phishing).