By: Gunnar KallstromHead of Information Systems and Cybersecurity Research
Managing your digital life extends to your iPhone, so you’ll need a password manager that can seamlessly secure your passwords across your iPhone and other platforms you use. A good iPhone password manager can help you generate and remember strong passwords, fill out online forms, and secure information. Review our list to find the best iPhone compatible password manager for you, your family, or your business.
Best iPhone password manager
(4.8)
1Password offers a variety of plans for individuals, families, and businesses so you can scale up based on your needs. While there is no free plan, a real benefit to 1Password for iPhone and Apple OS, in general, is its compatibility with Apple Watch, allowing you to use the watch to unlock 1Password on your Mac. 1Password has a spotless security record, which gives us peace of mind using the password manager.
| 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 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 |
|
I found 1Password to be the best iPhone password manager of 2023 because it functions smoothly with Mac OS and Apple technologies, including the Apple Watch, which is a stand-out feature compared to other top password managers. That said, 1Password is compatible across various operating systems (OS) and browsers, which is convenient if some people on your plan use Windows.
Scalability benefits 1Password because of its range of plans, and I found no known security breach reports. Like other password managers, 1Password uses AES 256-bit military-grade encryption and provides 2FA.
Another security plus: Watchtower password health manager identifies weak passwords and gives you an overall security rating you can Tweet if you choose. Other password managers have strong password generators, as does 1Password.
iPhone and iPad users will appreciate recent updates that increase speed and provide a seamless UX with a simple-to-navigate home screen and customization options. 1Password for iPhone allows you to easily hide, unhide, and reorder everything on the home screen, which is great because I could prioritize the features I use the most and find them more quickly.
Who is 1Password best for?
My testing shows that 1Password is best for iPhone users, families that prefer Mac OS and Apple technology, and businesses of all sizes since there are several tiers of business plans, including enterprise. 1Password is especially easy to use on iPhone because of its simplistic home screen that allows for customization.
Recent upgrades to 1Password:
1Password recently updated its Firefox extension with Version 2.11.0, released on May 30, 2023. It works with Firefox 68.0 and later.
Overall, 1Password listens to your feedback when releasing updates and new features. For example, an enhanced dashboard allows for more customization. Security is even better now because 1Password is on the web programming language Rust. I find 1Password’s redesigned sidebar easier to toggle through with the update.
Another pro to the latest iPhone update for 1Password includes a navigation bar that allows you to search everything, and there’s single-tap access to the Watchtower password health monitor.
1Password pricing:
1Password does not have a free plan but is competitively priced, even compared to the best cheap password managers. If you want a free iPhone password manager, Dashlane is your best bet because you can use its free plan on multiple devices. The entry-level individual plan for 1Password is $2.99; for a couple of dollars more, you can get a family plan for up to six people. A starter 1Password business plan is $7.99, and for a team of 10, it’s $19.95.
Pros and cons of 1Password
Best for VPN and an iOS update to organize and filter the vault
(4.7)
Dashlane stands out with premium features such as VPN, and with recent iOS updates, you can now create collections, add them to logins, and better organize your vault. Aside from this customization feature, we like how easily the app navigates.
| Starting price 5.0/5 | 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 with built-in sections for logins, payment information, addresses, and IDs | 256-bit AES encryption and 2FA | Includes authenticator apps, security keys, backup codes, and multifactor authentication (MFA) |
|
Dashlane is best for premium features like VPN and dark web monitoring if you select the Premium plan that only costs $4.99 per month. There is also a range of plans, so if you’re looking for the most basic password manager for iPhone, you won’t pay a dime with the Forever Free option.
Dashlane has no record of security breaches and uses 256-bit AES military-grade encryption, which is normal to expect of a password manager since it’s industry standard. Like others, it also has no-knowledge architecture, so not even Dashlane knows your passwords. Overall, I trust Dashlane for iPhone — and any OS or browser, for that matter — because of the security tools.
With Dashlane for iOS devices like the iPhone or iPad, you can unlock the password manager with Touch ID or Face ID. I found this to be especially convenient.
Who is Dashlane best for?
Dashlane is best for individuals and businesses that value premium features like VPN, want ease of use with Touch ID and Face ID to unlock the password manager, and appreciate the ability to categorize and search the vault.
However, an individual who wants a free password manager or the best cheap one will not unlock VPN or dark web monitoring for iPhone or any device.
Recent upgrades to Dashlane:
Dashlane has a new CSV import process, allowing you to move information from other password managers. It also launched an extension that works for passkeys. And now I can add my linked websites and subdomains to logins that share the same account, which saves even more time with logins and form filling.
Dashlane is compatible with iPhone iOS 16.0 or later, iPadOS 16.0 or later, and macOS 13.0 or later.
Following the May 2023 update, I’m excited about the ability to create collections and add them to logins. That way, I can organize and filter my vault, making it even more customizable.
Dashlane pricing:
Dashlane offers various plans, beginning with its free version for one device only. Personal users can also opt for the Dashlane Advanced, Premium, and Friends & Family plans. For businesses, Dashlane offers Starter, Team, and Business tiers.
Whatever plan you choose, you can use Dashlane on macOS and iOS platforms. I feel the company is constantly making updates to improve the UX for everyone, including those who prefer managing passwords on their iPhones.
Pros and cons of Dashlane
Best for exploring features
(4.4)
LastPass offers a robust free plan, but it does not include the Security Dashboard, which you might want since the company has experienced data breaches. I wouldn’t discount LastPass because it offers VPN and dark web monitoring at a cost, and it has since enhanced its security. The iOS platform now includes Apple Watch and allows you to use Face ID and Touch ID to log in.
| Starting price 4.5/5 | Platform compatibility 5.0/5 | User experience (UX) 5.0/5 | Form filling 4.5/5 | Security 3.0/5 | Two-factor authentication (2FA) 4.7/5 | Top features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | ChromeOS, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Edge, iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, Linux | Simplistic, easy-to-navigate platform | Consistent with an icon prompt that triggers a drop-down menu to select information | AES-256 bit encryption with PBKDF2 SHA-256 and salted hashes | Free authenticator options; premium subscribers can use options including YubiKey and fingerprint sensors |
|
LastPass shines for its user incentive program, which I find to be a standout feature other password managers for iPhone (or any device) do not offer. LastPass supports you in exploring its features. It will give you a 10% discount for completing “achievements” to teach how to use the platform.
As you check out the service, you can save money on the annual subscription. (You’ll see why this is important concerning security.) This incentive encouraged me to dig into the service and use its features — when you’re getting to know a new app or platform, most of us probably use a small percentage of all there is to offer.
Form filling is simple with LastPass for iPhone, iOS devices, and macOS. The red box in the corner of any form it detects alerted me that I can simply click the button, select my information from a drop-down menu, and the form is automatically completed. I tested it across platforms, and the tool is consistent.
LastPass has all the expected safety guards to keep your data secure, including AES-256 bit encryption with PBKDF2 SHA-256 and salted hashes for total cloud security. But what dings LastPass’s review rating is the two security breaches it experienced last year.
The password manager is transparent about the incidents and says it completed a thorough investigation and has not identified any threat-actor activity since October 26, 2022. Also, LastPass invested time and effort to harden security and improve overall security operations. While I wouldn’t discount LastPass’s secure environment, it does build a case for a paid subscription that includes even more peace of mind regarding security.
LastPass’s paying customers get to use the Security Dashboard, which analyzes all your stored passwords for weaknesses and whether any have been compromised in data breaches. The Security Dashboard is intuitive and includes features you don’t always find with password managers, such as dark web monitoring.
Who is LastPass best for?
If you want to use LastPass on iPhone or other iOS devices, I’d highly suggest becoming a subscriber so you can gain access to the Security Dashboard, which reduces concerns about the security breaches that have occurred. If you don’t want to pay for a password manager for your iPhone, Dashlane is probably a better choice for you.
Recent upgrades to LastPass:
LastPass recommends running Windows 8.1 and above, Catalina 10.15 (for macOS), Chrome OS, or one of the most common distributions of Linux. Supported browsers include Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Opera.
There are two types of LastPass browser extensions; you can find the first in your browser’s extensions library. Brave and Vivaldi can use this Chrome extension, and SeaMonkey the Firefox one. On mobile, LastPass is available for iOS 13 and up.
A July 2023 update to the LastPass app for iOS allows you to set up Touch ID or Face — and you can now use LastPass on an Apple Watch.
LastPass pricing:
Unlike 1Password, LastPass offers a free plan but does not include the enhanced Security Dashboard. If you’re a single user, you can upgrade to Premium for $3 per month, and families with up to six users can elect Family for $4 per month.
On the business side, iPhone users can onboard up to 50 people on a Team plan for $4 per month per user. LastPass’s enterprise-level plan is $6 per month per person. Most enterprise plans we reviewed offer customized pricing. Overall, LastPass plans are reasonably priced, and the free option might suit you if you seek a basic password manager for your iPhone.
Pros and cons of LastPass
While I chose 1Password as the best iPhone password manager, the competition is close. Dashlane and LastPass are both excellent options you may prefer over 1Password, especially if you’re looking for a free iPhone password manager (DashLane) or cool incentives like rewarding you with a 10% discount for exploring features (LastPass).
These three stood out above the competitors with the good value for the cost, history of security, and an accessible user interface (UI). All have services under $3 a month, with Dashlane and LastPass offering limited free versions.
1Password and Dashlane step ahead of LastPass because LastPass has experienced data breaches. Other password managers we reviewed, like Bitwarden, NordPass, and RoboForm, have clean security records but do not stand out as the top iPhone password managers like 1Password and Dashlane.
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 |
|
| Dashlane Overall rating: (4.7) 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 |
|
| 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 person Platform compatibility: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iPhone, and iPad. Browser extensions for Safari, Opera, Firefox, Edge, Chrome Security: AES 256-bit encryption, PBKDF2 |
|
| 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, and Android support for their respective major browsers, including Edge Security: AES 256-bit encryption, 2FA |
|
| 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, and mobile platform Security: Zero-knowledge security model |
|
| 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 |
|
Apple has its own password manager called iCloud Keychain that you can enable in settings. The company does not outwardly recommend a third-party password manager, but based on our extensive research of iPhone password managers, we recommend 1Password, Dashlane, LastPass, and other companies, including Bitwarden, Keeper, and NordPass.
Password managers are safe on iPhones when using military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, 2FA, and providing biometric login options like Touch ID and Face ID. Our best iPhone password manager of 2023 is 1Password, and it has a spotless security record with no known breaches. Secure ones should also have zero-knowledge architecture, which means even the password manager does not know your login.
There are many ways to store passwords on iPhones. You can use Apple’s built-in password manager, iCloud Keychain, or subscribe to a password manager like 1Password or Dashlane. Whatever you decide, the benefit of a password manager is the ability to save, secure, manage, and share sensitive data — and the convenience of not having to remember passwords.
If you’re constantly resetting your logins and passwords because you can’t recall them, or you have a habit of using the same login credentials for multiple accounts, it’s a good idea to consider a password manager.
You can use Apple’s built-in password manager called iCloud Keychain, to auto-fill forms and save logins, passwords, and data. If you choose a third-party password manager like 1Password — which we rated as the best iPhone one of 2023 — you can simply download the app from the Apple App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
You can download a Safari extension to open 1Password on your macOS browser. iPhone password managers are designed to help you store, manage, and share sensitive data and passwords across devices so you can assign strong, safe passwords to your accounts without remembering them.
The top iPhone password managers of 2023 are 1Password, Dashlane, and LastPass for UI, customization, and a range of plans for individuals and businesses. Other leading password managers for iPhone include Bitwarden, NordPass, RoboForm, and Keeper.
iPhone’s built-in password manager is called iCloud Keychain, and it stores passwords, credit card information, shipping details, and other data across Apple devices. To turn on Keychain, tap settings, select the user, and then choose iCloud. Next, tap Passwords and Keychain. Turn it on — and have your passcode and Apple ID handy for the prompt.
On the surface, all password managers essentially fulfill the same functions — generating and storing 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).