By: Gunnar KallstromHead of Information Systems and Cybersecurity Research
Strong and secure passwords are essential for online security whether you’re using Windows or another operating system, and password managers can take the guesswork out of remembering complex passwords for multiple accounts. From robust encryption to seamless integration with your Windows operating system, these Windows password managers will not only safeguard your digital assets but also make your online experiences more convenient and hassle-free. Review our list to find the best password manager for you, your family, or your business.
Best Windows password manager
(4.7)
Dashlane is one of the best password managers I’ve tested. It combines high-end security with a user-friendly platform that would satisfy anyone on Windows. You can choose between a more limited always-free plan or premium offerings, each of which provide enough value to be well worth the price. This is why I chose it as the best Windows password manager overall.
| 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 | Storage capability | Top features |
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| Free | Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, OS, iOS, Android | Simple and easy to navigate | Automatically populates login information but occasionally struggles to recognize other fields | Uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption along with zero-knowledge architecture and live dark web monitoring | 2FA available on all plans using an authenticator app | From 1GB to 1GB per user depending on plan |
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After testing Dashlane, I found it had everything I want from a password manager. Top-notch security and various premium features such as live dark web monitoring and a password health checker set it apart from other Windows password managers.
While the free version is more limited than the premium offerings, it’s still one of the best free password managers I’ve tested. However, I think the best value is in its premium plans.
Dashlane’s premium plan includes a virtual private network (VPN), a rare find among password managers. This adds another layer of security by providing an encrypted connection to the internet. Dashlane’s VPN is a version of Hotspot Shield, which costs $12.99 per month when purchased on its own. While Dashlane’s version is more limited, it’s still a tremendous value at only $4.99 per month for a plan with a VPN.
All of Dashlane’s plans come with top-end security that combines military-grade AES 256-bit encryption along with zero-knowledge architecture and live dark web monitoring. I haven’t come across any evidence of security breaches with the platform.
Who is Dashlane best for?
Dashlane is the obvious choice if you use a VPN as it offers tremendous value at only $4.99 per month. The always-free plan is also a great value if you use Windows without a VPN. And the Friends and Family plan is a steal at only $7.49 per month for groups of up to 10 people.
Recent upgrades to Dashlane:
Updates to Dashlane include a new CSV import process that makes it easier to import information from other password managers. There’s also a bulk delete function to quickly remove information you no longer want and a new extension that works with passkeys. You can also add your own linked websites and subdomains to your logins that share the same account.
Dashlane pricing:
While Dashlane’s free tier is more limited than its paid plans, it has all the features the average person on Windows would want. Both RoboForm and LastPass offer always-free plans, too, but I found Dashlane’s the most user-friendly and well-equipped. Dashlane’s paid plans, which start at $2.75 per month, are more expensive than RoboForm and LastPass on average, but it’s the only password manager to come with a VPN.
Pros and cons of Dashlane
Best cheap Windows password manager
(4.5)
I found RoboForm the best cheap password manager for those using Windows because it offers great service at a rock-bottom price. Both personal and business users can appreciate its user-friendly platform and above-average security.
| Starting price 5.0/5 | Platform compatibility 5.0/5 | User experience (UX) 4.0/5 | Form filling 4.5/5 | Security 4.5/5 | Two-factor authentication (2FA) 4.5/5 | Storage capability | Top features |
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| $1.99 per month | Compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Chrome OS, Linux, and Android with support for all respective major browsers, including Edge | Easy to navigate with a minimalist appearance | Simple to create data sets for automatic form filling | AES 256-bit encryption with PBKDF2 SHA256 | Included with all plans. | Store credit cards, safenotes, bookmarks, contacts, and Windows application passwords |
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I found RoboForm the best cheap password manager for Windows because it had everything I wanted at the lowest price of the three on this list. The platform offers an easy-to-use browser extension. Also, it has top-notch security thanks to its AES 256-bit encryption with PBKDF2 SHA256, one of the most secure and trusted systems in the world. The security center will also send an alert if there are data breaches at websites where you have accounts.
Another unique feature of RoboForm’s plans is single sign-on (SSO), which lets you use one set of login credentials to access multiple applications. Not many password managers offer this, especially on free plans. This is particularly handy for those using Windows as RoboForm can store not only your web passwords, but also the ones you use for Windows applications like Skype and Outlook.
The main area where RoboForm falls short, in my opinion, is its UX. While I appreciated the minimal appearance that made for easy navigation, the stand-alone application felt a bit messier and harder to navigate than the browser extension. I found it clunky and outdated, but if you’re content to only use the browser extension, this might not be a dealbreaker.
Who is RoboForm best for?
After testing the application, I consider RoboForm best for personal and small business Windows users looking for an affordable password manager. You can’t beat its premium plan prices.
Recent upgrades to RoboForm:
RoboForm has made many recent improvements to its platform, including the option to use a 2FA authenticator. It’s also expanded its import options: You can now import from Linux, Chrome OS, Bitwarden, NordPass, and Safari.
RoboForm pricing:
RoboForm is one of the cheapest password managers available. In addition to an always-free plan, its paid plans start at only $1.99 per month compared to $2.75 per month for Dashlane and $3 per month for LastPass.
The family plan works for families of two or more and costs only $3.98 per month, just under LastPass’s $4 per month family plan. Business users will appreciate the $39.95 per person annual subscription on RoboForm, which comes out to a rock-bottom $3.33 per individual per month. For comparison, LastPass charges $6 per individual per month and Dashlane costs $8 per person per month for business users.
Pros and cons of RoboForm
Best Windows password manager for businesses
(4.4)
LastPass is one of the top password managers for business thanks to its affordable group plans. I enjoyed its user interface (UI), which rewards you with a 10% discount for exploring everything it offers.
| 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 | Storage capability | Top features |
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| $1.99 per month | Compatible with ChromeOS, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Edge, iOS, Android, Windows PC, MacOS, Linux | Simple, understandable, and generally easy to navigate, plus it rewards you for exploring | Easily create data sets for automatic form filling | AES 256-bit encryption | Included with all plans. | Ranges from zero storage on free plan up to 1GB per user on group plans |
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LastPass is an impressive password manager with a simple and understandable UI that rewards you for exploring all it has to offer. You can get a 10% discount for completing different “achievements” that help you learn how to use the service. I’ve never encountered this with any other password manager I’ve tested.
I think business users in particular will like LastPass for its scalable team and business plans. Both the team and business plans offer customizable reporting, although you’ll have to use the higher-priced business plan to get SSO.
The main area that LastPass is lacking is in support. While the platform claims to have high levels of support for paying users, my experience was that if this support exists, it’s well hidden. Customer service appears to be largely a self-serve exploration of FAQs. Also, while LastPass uses the same military-grade AES 256-encryption as most of its competitors, it has been the target of several data breaches over the years.
Who is LastPass best for?
I think LastPass offers one of the most compelling team and business plans for any Windows user. Both come with all the features the average person would want plus customizable reporting capabilities. While the company claims to provide superior support for these plans, I wasn’t able to verify this in my testing.
Recent upgrades to LastPass:
Improvements to LastPass include an updated browser extension interface and support for YubiKey. I think business users will especially appreciate the new support for adding multi-factor authentication to incoming Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connection requests.
LastPass pricing:
LastPass falls into the middle of the pack in terms of plan pricing. Like Dashlane and RoboForm, it offers a limited free version — although LastPass’s may be the most restricted of all considering you get no storage.
Premium plans start at $3 per month compared to $2.75 per month for Dashlane and $1.99 for RoboForm. The team plan, which supports up to 50 people, costs $4 per user per month. You’d have to pay $5 per user per month for that many people with Dashlane. However, RoboForm’s business plan is the cheapest of all at only $3.33 per person per month.
Pros and cons of LastPass
I chose Dashlane as the best Windows password manager overall, but both RoboForm and LastPass have great offerings, too.
Dashlane blew me away with its value, especially for VPN users. I have yet to find another password manager that includes a VPN in any of its plans. That said, Dashlane is not the cheapest option on this list.
For the lowest cost Windows password manager, turn to RoboForm. It offers one of the most affordable plans of any password manager I’ve tested, starting at only $1.99 for premium. The downside is that you’ll have to put up with a clunky desktop application.
If you utilize Windows business, I’d point you to LastPass as the best option. I found its business plans to be a tremendous value in terms of features and customization. My only concern with LastPass is the history of data breaches, but its military-grade encryption should be enough to protect you.
Other password managers I considered but didn’t rank among the best Windows password managers include:
See how the best password managers compare to other top-tier options:
| Password manager | Details | Best features |
|---|---|---|
| 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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| 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 for it. | Starting price: $3 per month Platform compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile platform Security: Zero-knowledge security model |
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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. | 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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| NordPass Overall rating: (4.3) Read our full NordPass review. | 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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Most Windows password managers require minimal effort to install and then prompt you to store or generate passwords each time you visit a new website. The tool will then automatically fill in your login information on subsequent visits. You can also store other information, such as credit cards and addresses to have those fields pre-populated, too.
While a password manager is not a requirement, it can greatly enhance your security. These tools help you stay safe while browsing online and can monitor websites for potential security breaches. With hacking an increasing threat, it’s important to play both offense and defense to prevent your information from falling into the wrong hands.
It’s generally not a good idea to share passwords with other people, even if you trust them. That said, sometimes you don’t have a choice, and this is when password managers come in handy. Many of the best ones have a secure password sharing feature that lets you share your password in an encrypted format so only the intended recipient can access it.
Password managers store passwords either locally on your device or in encrypted format in the cloud. With local storage, you can sync passwords across a local network, such as your home Wi-Fi.
In cloud storage, your passwords are encrypted before being stored on the password managers servers. This makes it easier for you to access your information from any device, but some people feel it’s less safe than local storage.
You’ll need a master password to log into your password manager. If you forget this password, you may not be able to access your account. Some password managers have an account recovery feature to prevent this, but since each platform handles this process differently, it’s a good idea to check with your password manager on its policy before signing up.
Windows offers a built-in password manager called “Credential Manager.” You can find this by searching in settings. It lets you view saved passwords anytime, but you’ll need to know your personal computer (PC) PIN to access it. Also, while this password manager is easy to use, it may not be the most secure option.
Password managers are designed to serve the same general purpose of storing and generating passwords. That said, not all password managers are created alike. Each comes with its own set of features and plan options. In creating our list of the best Windows password managers, we looked under the hood of the top providers to compare the features that matter most to the average user, such as price, platform compatibility, and security.
To put these providers to the test, I signed up for a plan with each one and evaluated its:
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).