KeePass vs. LastPass: Compare Password Managers

LastPass and KeePass are among the best password managers. Comparable in price, features, and compatibility, these services are ultimately designed for different types of users. If you are tech-savvy, looking for a free password manager, and don’t mind navigating tech talk and fumbling around a bit, KeePass is a great option.

LastPass is more intuitive and rich in plug-and-play features. It has a couple of security dings, but the company’s transparency builds trust, and it has a long-sustaining track record. I found LastPass easier to implement without any hassle.

Which password manager should you get? Let this KeePass vs. LastPass face-off help you decide.

LastPass offers a free tier, but unfortunately, it isn’t the deal it used to be, as the plan is now limited to syncing data only among computers or mobile devices. You can only use the free version on one device, though it’s for as long as you like.

I like that you get a 30-day Premium trial. But if you’re only working with the free version, you can still get a feel for how this password generator works with features like unlimited passwords, save and autofill, one-to-one sharing, and a password generator function.

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.

Full support with automatic form-filling requires Android 8.0 Oreo or later. Still, the app will run on Android 5.0 Lollipop and later.

Importing passwords from other stand-alone and browser-based password managers is a breeze in LastPass, which supports imports from nearly 30 different platforms. Meanwhile, 1Password imports passwords directly from only a few other password managers, including LastPass and Dashlane.

But the downside is that it experienced two recent security breaches. LastPass is transparent about the incidents, providing this security breach statement that states the company completed a thorough investigation and has not identified any threat-actor activity since October 26, 2022.

Also, LastPass invested time and effort to harden and improve overall security operations. The company shared that the threat was from third parties and did not originate in-house. While I wouldn’t discount LastPass’s secure environment because of these incidents, if we are comparing it to KeePass for security, the latter has a more rigid architecture.

Also, the platform offers an MFA feature called Grid, a chart you can print out to generate security codes manually.

If you consider yourself tech savvy and don’t mind working your way around a platform, KeePass is a secure, totally free password manager. It is open source, meaning anyone can access the code, change it, and update it.

You might wonder if this makes KeePass secure. The company considers it a security policy against accusations of including back doors in the software. And KeePass wins in security vs. LastPass for its extra layer of encryption with ChaCha20. (Plus, LastPass has experienced some breaches.)

KeePass has been around since 2003, while LastPass started in 2008. So relatively speaking, both have longevity in the password manager market.

Even if you want a free password manager, I’d hesitate to recommend KeePass unless you are technically capable or at least interested in tinkering and learning. If you are, KeePass definitely has capabilities. But it’s not turn-key, intuitive, or easy to navigate. From a UX perspective, don’t expect a modern, sleek design.

LastPass checks all the boxes in the UX, compatibility, 2FA, and form-filling categories. Its pricing is comparable to other password managers, and the forever free plan is limited to one device with basic features only.

The most robust and cost-effective plan is premium, and its security dashboard includes dark web monitoring with paid plans, a tool other password managers do not offer. LastPass stands out because of its functionality and ease of use. While it experienced security breaches, its transparency in addressing those concerns builds trust.

On the surface, all password managers essentially generate and store passwords. As I evaluated providers, I 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:

• Plan value: Most password managers offer various subscription plans from free to around $20 per month. While free plans may be sufficient for some, those that need more functionality may prefer paid plans. We included a wide array of free and paid password managers to find the one that works best for you.
• Platform compatibility: You likely access your online accounts from multiple devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, phones, as well as through different web browsers. Your password manager should be compatible with various devices, operating systems and browsers, and sync seamlessly between them all.
• UX: This is how you interface with all the features and functions of your new password manager — if it’s bad, you’ll be less likely to use the service. While this is a highly subjective category and some will disagree, it’s important to provide an overview based on my experience.
• Form filling: A password manager doesn’t have to include form-filling, but it’s somewhat standard and the ease with which it performs that function can be the deciding factor in which password manager you ultimately choose.
• Security: Since a password manager is first and foremost a security tool, it should come with all of the most up-to-date standard security features. This includes the highest level of available encryption (256-bit AES with PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA512); 2FA, such as biometric logins or MFA, and a password generator.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA): Used all over the internet to protect your accounts, this is quickly becoming a standard security practice. 2FA is a great way to secure more sensitive accounts to ensure they’re not breached.

Learn more about our review methodology.