By: Gunnar KallstromHead of Information Systems and Cybersecurity Research
Password managers can help you generate and remember strong passwords, fill out online forms, and secure information. While most password managers work online, local storage is a more secure option that is sometimes more convenient. With information kept only on a single device, there’s no way for anyone to intercept your information online. Several password managers have local storage, and this list brings you some of the best overall options.
Best 2FA of password managers with local storage
(3.6)
Password Safe has a lot of great features, especially for a free password manager. Its outdated UX may be a barrier to entry for many. But it’s a system well worth learning if you’re willing to put in the time — particularly if you want the security of your passwords and information to be stored exclusively locally.
| Starting price 5.0/5 | Platform compatibility 3.0/5 | User experience (UX) 3.0/5 | Form filling 3.0/5 | Security 4.0/5 | Two-factor authentication (2FA) 4.0/5 | Top features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Password Safe is only officially supported on Windows and Linux, however as an open-source piece of software it has been ported over to other systems. | The UX isn’t outright hostile, but it caters to a specific kind of user. | While it doesn’t offer a fully automatic form fill function, autotype tries its best to fill this role — with middling results. | Password Safe uses industry-standard encryption as well as a zero-knowledge policy, but doesn’t offer much in the way of additional security features. | It’s available, but limited to specific authenticator applications. |
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Most of the recommendations are fairly bare bones in terms of extra security features and UX design. But Password Safe is one of the only options on this list that includes support for some third-party USB security keys — YubiKey and OnlyKey. Both of these products are physical USB keys that must be inserted into your device to access your password vault.
All data encryption happens on your device and is only unlocked through your master password. Since Password Safe only runs locally on your computer, most of the internal security options relate to individual device security, allowing you a measure of control over how often your vault will be locked and under what conditions.
Password Safe also uses the Twofish algorithm for encryption with a 256-bit key. It is also open source, which allows anyone who knows code to inspect it and point out flaws and weaknesses.
Who is Password Safe best for?
Password Safe is best for those willing to roll their sleeves up and tinker to get things running just the way they like. I found the UX outdated and a little difficult to use, but I’m used to more commercial and user-friendly password managers.
Recent upgrades to Password Safe:
The provider has recently made it easier to import CSV files and data from other password managers. It is also constantly working to rectify any bugs or inconsistencies that crop up.
Password Safe pricing:
Like all of the other recommendations on this list, Password Safe is a no-cost and open-source project — it will remain free forever. However, donations are encouraged to help the developer keep the project going.
Pros and cons of Password Safe
Best overall password managers with local storage
(3.8)
Enpass is the most user-friendly option for password managers which use local storage — it’s the only one on this list that isn’t a free, open-source piece of software. This comes with some big advantages, such as better support and availability on more platforms. It’s a great, inexpensive password manager.
| Starting price 5.0/5 | Platform compatibility 4.5/5 | User experience (UX) 3.0/5 | Form filling 3.0/5 | Security 4.7/5 | Two-factor authentication (2FA) 3.0/5 | Top features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1.99 per month | Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Windows, Edge, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, Vivaldi | Enpass’s UX is functional but not as accessible as major competitors. | This was a struggle for Enpass. | Enpass uses the industry standard 256-bit AES encryption and other cipher systems to protect your data. It also uses a zero-knowledge system and includes breach detection. | 2FA is only available in the mobile version, though desktop support is coming soon. |
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Enpass is the only option on this list that isn’t being independently developed as an open-source project, and that time and attention shows. The UX is much cleaner and better designed, there are more modern security options such as breach detection, and a support department helps you with any issues.
Local storage and encryption are the default. Yet you have cloud storage options through third-party storage services such as Google Drive or DropBox if you want the flexibility of using your saved information on multiple devices. While this may not be a feature you’re looking for if you seek a password manager with local storage — it’s still nice to have included.
Some features may still need a little work (such as form filling and 2FA), but if you’re looking for a fully featured, relatively easy-to-use password manager Enpass may fit the bill.
Who is Enpass best for?
I’d recommend Enpass to most general users, as the UX is easier and more appealing to the majority of people. However, for those who don’t mind tinkering a little more and like an old-school feel, the following options may be more attractive.
Recent upgrades to Enpass:
Enpass has recently added the ability to import saved data from rival password managers Myki and 1Password. Additionally, its built-in password generator now checks if a website has specific password requirements before generating suggestions.
Enpass’s pricing:
Enpass is the only option in this list that is a commercial product — an individual plan will run you $23.99 a year. The no-cost version is somewhat obscured by the website, which doesn’t even advertise it as an option. It limits your vault items to only 25 entries so it’s probably better to think of it as a free trial more than anything else.
Pros and cons of Enpass
Best security of password managers with local storage
(3.6)
KeePass is a powerful free suite of security tools for managing your passwords. It includes top-notch security protocols, is updated constantly, and has a dedicated community to help you iron out any wrinkles. But KeePass can be counterintuitive to set up and navigate, a huge barrier of entry if you seek a simple solution.
| Starting price 5.0/5 | Platform compatibility 3.0/5 | User experience (UX) 3.0/5 | Form filling 3.0/5 | Security 5.0/5 | Two-factor authentication (2FA) 3.0/5 | Top features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Windows and Linux, though there are unofficial ports to other platforms. | KeePass looks like it was created to run on Windows XP and never bothered to update its look — but it gets the job done. | Not technically automatic form filling, Auto Type is a powerful tool that performs a similar function, though it was difficult to set up. | By using AES 256 standard in addition to 256-bit ChaCha20, KeePass is just as secure as many paid alternatives. | KeePass’ implementation of 2FA may be a little clunky, but available. |
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As a free and open-source project, KeePass doesn’t have the resources to commit to running a consumer data server, so you can be assured your data and passwords aren’t going anywhere. Encryption and storage happen right on your device and are only decrypted by your master password.
What makes KeePass stand out over the others on this list, though, is its security features. Neither Password Manager nor Enpass has bad security (Enpass has more security options), but KeePass uses another encryption standard in addition to the standard 256-bit AES encryption, ChaCha20. It’s also small enough to support a portable installation on a USB drive, so you can take your password manager with you wherever you go.
If you’re particularly picky about security, KeePass has you covered — no data gets out unless you want it to.
Who is KeePass best for?
Much like Password Safe, KeePass is best for those who don’t mind doing some work to get something running. Getting familiar with the help documentation will be necessary for this particular piece of software.
Recent upgrades to KeePass:
KeePass added support for importing account information from 1Password Steganos, Bitwarden, Sticky Password, and Key Folder. It also has implemented several bug fixes recently.
KeePass pricing:
KeePass is a free, open-source project. While other services offer a limited no-cost version with subscriptions to a premium version, KeePass is unlocked from the start with no need to pay its creator a dime. The same is true for Password Safe, though Enpass has a yearly subscription fee for the unlimited version.
Pros and cons of KeePass
I chose Enpass as the best password manager for those to whom local storage is paramount, yet the competition is close. Password Safe and KeePass are excellent options you may prefer over Enpass, especially if you’re willing to tinker and want an entirely free service.
While there are a lot of great password managers, most rely on cloud storage for your passwords and account information. Our three picks here keep things local, never sending any information outside your device. Data breaches are virtually impossible absent someone directly accessing your device.
That said, none of these options are exactly easy to use — while Enpass is certainly the best designed, I still had hiccups and issues that felt seamless on other password managers. As for the other two — I hope you were around in the 90s. Otherwise, nothing about the UX will make intuitive sense.
If you’re not completely committed to local storage, I’d recommend looking into the following:
See how the best password managers compare to other top-tier options:
| Password manager | Details | Best features |
|---|---|---|
| Enpass Overall rating: (3.8) Read our full Enpass review. | Starting price: $1.99 Platform compatibility: Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Windows, Edge, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, Vivaldi Security: 256-bit AES with 100,000 rounds of PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA512 using the open-source encryption engine SQLCipher |
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| Password Safe Overall rating: (3.6) Read our full Password Safe review. | Starting price: Free Platform compatibility: Linux, Windows Security: Twofish algorithm with a 256-bit key |
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| KeePass Overall rating: (3.6) Read our full KeePass review. | Starting price: Free Platform compatibility: Linux, Windows Security: Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)-256, ChaCha20, and Twofish |
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| 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 |
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| 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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| 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, 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 to get 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 |
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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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Security and peace of mind are probably the number one reason. While 256-bit AES encryption is widely regarded to be impossible to decrypt, it’s still concerning that many online security businesses have experienced high-profile data breaches within the last few years. Individual computers, while not unbreachable, are a much less tempting target.
Most password managers store encrypted user data in cloud servers. Information can be exported to a file that can be read and transferred (often a .csv file), but the data it uses lives in the cloud.
Ease of use — most home users have more than one device they want to use a password manager on. If your information is stored online, it is easily transferred from one personal device to another.
A few. First, transferring and syncing your data across devices is harder if it’s only stored locally on one device. Second, if you experience hardware failure, you’ll probably lose all of your password manager data as well and will have to start from scratch.
No — trustworthy password managers use a zero-knowledge protocol, encrypting your information before it is stored on servers, and no one can read it. Another option is to use a password manager that offers local data storage so your passwords never leave your local network.
As with any software program, password managers can get hacked. There have been data breaches and vulnerabilities in password manager software. But using a secure password manager still provides significant protection because of the security protocols in place. Also, because password managers stake their reputations on providing customer security, they quickly resolve weaknesses.
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 with local storage, we dug deeper to find great options which feature this key point.
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).