We put Password Boss password manager to the test for plan value, compatibility, features, and security. See why The Password Manager rated Password Boss 4.6/5.
By: Gunnar KallstromHead of information systems and cybersecurity research
Updated April 4, 2023
Password Boss: A Quick Overview
Bottom line: Think of Password Boss as a digital vault to store all your personal information. While its password management features are fairly standard, it’s a useful tool for safekeeping other records such as your Wi-Fi passwords and digital wallet. One of my favorite features allows you to create a separate identity for work and personal information.
Who should choose Password Boss? Personal users and small to midsize businesses (SMBs) can get secure digital record storage and password management, but where the company excels is in providing end-to-end password management for managed service providers (MSPs).
Password Boss’s Editor Rating
Overall: (4.6)
Password Boss earns its rating based on the extra features that take it beyond password management, such as the ability to store and share encrypted data and create different profiles for rapid form filling.
Plans and pricing: (5.0)
Platform: (4.0)
UX: (5.0)
Form filling: (5.0)
Security: (4.5)
2FA: (4.5)
Password Boss standout features
Support
Phone
Email
UX
Streamlined app
Ability to create multiple profiles
Secure sharing
Emergency access
Best for
Individuals and SMBs looking for secure digital storage or MSPs wanting to reduce the risk of security breaches compromising customer passwords.
Promotion
30-day free trial
What Are the Pros and Cons of Password Boss?
Password Boss makes it easy to store, manage, and share passwords. You can import passwords from websites, other password managers, or a file. With the browser extension, simply scroll through the list of saved passwords and Password Boss will complete the log-in. Here are the details of its pros and cons:
Pros
Separate personal and business profiles: You can set up separate profiles for business and personal passwords.
Customizable: Password Boss's UX is highly customizable so you can adjust it to meet your needs.
Import passwords from a browser: It's easy to automatically import passwords from your browser when creating your account. Passwords are also added automatically when you log in through your browser.
Emergency feature: This feature lets you grant access to another person in the event of an emergency. You can control the level of access your emergency contact gets.
Cons
Limited plan options: You only have two choices for personal plans: the free or the premium version.
Master password unrecoverable: Make sure you don't forget your master password because it can't be recovered.
Who Should Choose Password Boss?
Step1.Individuals: Password Boss's free plan is a nice starting point for individuals who only want to store passwords on one device.
Step2.Small businesses: It offers a business plan that provides password management at $3 per user per month.
Step3.MSP businesses: Password Boss provides an end-to-end solution to help keep customer passwords safe.
Password Boss Plans and Pricing
Overall: (5.0)
Password Boss offers a free or premium plan. At $29.99 per year, the premium plan costs about $2.50 per month, making it one of the cheaper password managers. You can try it free for 30 days, then revert back to the free version or pay $29.99 per year for the premium plan. After I registered for the free trial, I was offered a one-time option to buy the premium version for 25% off, so you may encounter sales.
Personal plan
Premium plan
Business plan
MSP plan
Price
Free
$29.99 per year
Starts at $3 per user per month
Custom quote
Best for
New users
Individuals looking for all the features
SMBs
MSPs
Free trial
Always free
30-day
14-day
14-day
Platform compatibility
Android, iOS, Mac, Windows
Android, iOS, Mac, Windows
Android, iOS, Mac, Windows
Android, iOS, Mac, Windows
Autofill capability
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Number of passwords
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Available storage
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Password sharing
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
2FA
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Account recovery
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Support types
Phone and email support
Phone and email support
Phone and email support
Phone and email support
Encryption
AES 256-bit
AES 256-bit
AES 256-bit
AES 256-bit
Reporting capabilities
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Single sign-on (SSO)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Password Boss Platform Compatibility
Overall: (4.0)
Password Boss’s latest version is compatible with:
Step1.PC
Step2.Android
Step3.iOS
Step4.Mac
Step5.Windows
Password Boss is compatible with PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and Windows operating systems. It automatically imports your username and passwords when you log in through your browser, then automatically sync across all your devices, making for a very streamlined experience.
Password Boss UX
Overall: (5.0)
Password Boss impresses with its user-friendly experience. The platform is streamlined for easy navigation, which is important if you want to use it for form filling, a feature it excels at. Once you’ve installed the browser button, you’ll get a drop-down option anytime you need to fill in a form with the choice to use the stored information.
Passwords can be organized with folders and tags for easy sorting. You can view passwords in a grid or list view.
The browser extension makes it easy to access saved passwords and fill forms with a single click. Everything is customizable, too, making it adaptable to fit your needs.
You can also share passwords with other app users from the Sharing Center. My favorite part of this feature is you can determine the level of access you grant. You can cancel your share at any time and still retain ownership of your information so the recipient can’t re-share your data. And don’t worry, as shared items are still encrypted.
The platform makes logging in a one-click process: Simply find the icon for the linked account in the app or browser extension and Password Boss will fill in your login credentials. On mobile, the browser button is built into the app.
You can also store your personal information, such as your name, address, and contact info so Password Boss can populate forms for you. You can even create separate identities, such as one for your work information and another for your personal details.
Password Boss Security
Overall: (4.6)
All communications within Password Boss are encrypted to keep your data private.
Password Boss encrypts all communications within the app so your data is kept safe. The zero-knowledge architecture ensures the information stored within the app is kept private and visible only to you. Not even Password Boss’ team can access it.
It also gives you a bird’s eye view of your security in the Security Dashboard. You can view your saved credentials and any account passwords the app recommends you update. Also, you can have Password Boss do a dark web scan to see if any of your passwords or email addresses are listed on the dark web.
Password Boss Two-Factor Authentication
Overall: (4.5)
You can add extra security through 2FA.
2FA is an optional feature you can add to your account for additional security. With this service enabled, you’ll be required to enter a verification code and your master password when you log in.
You must install a time-based, one-time password (TOTP) app on your phone to use 2FA. Password Boss is compatible with most types of these apps.
Recent Improvements to Password Boss
Step1.Password Boss Version 5 includes improved sharing, a way to recover accidentally deleted items, and a built-in 2FA.
Compare Password Boss Alternatives
Password Boss is a great password management tool, but competitors including Dashlane, Keeper, Roboform, LastPass, and NordPass could be a better fit depending on your needs. See how Password Boss compares to other top-tier password managers:
Consider NordPass if: You don’t want different packages for your family and business.
Starting price: Free
Platform compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and popular browsers, such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Opera, and Safari
Security: XChaCha20 encryption algorithm and a zero-knowledge policy
Secure data sharing solution
Safe sharing of login details
Real-time breach monitoring
Data breach scanner
Frequently Asked Questions About Password Boss
What are the cons of Password Boss?
Password Boss falls short in terms of plan options, with only a free plan that provides minimal features and a rather pricey premium plan for individuals.
Can Password Boss be trusted?
Password Boss uses 256-bit AES encryption to protect stored passwords and data. It also maintains a zero-knowledge architecture, which means not even Password Boss’s employees can see your data.
Is it worth paying for Password Boss?
For the full suite of features available and to use the app across multiple devices, you’ll need to get the paid version for $29.99 per year. If you’re content with bare-bones password management on only one device, the free version may be enough for you.
Where does Password Boss store my passwords?
Password Boss creates an encrypted copy of your data and stores it in a secure cloud location.
What Is Password Boss the Company?
Password Boss, part of CyberFOX, was developed by Steve Wise, a managed service industry professional, in 2014. Wise designed it to be a complete end-to-end multi-tenant password management solution for MSPs. It has since expanded to offer personal password management as well.
4925 Independence Parkway, Suite 400, Tampa, FL 33634
Our rating process involves a thorough and detailed study of the various features stacked against the competition. I looked at the multiple facets and features provided by 1Password compared to other significant industry players through direct testing to ensure an accurate rating. I’ve also applied my experience using 1Password to provide a user’s perspective.
I signed up for a plan with Password Boss 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.
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 multi-factor authentication, 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.
Gunnar Kallstrom is a Cyber Team Lead for a DOD contracting company in Huntsville, AL, and has also worked as a CND Cyber Analyst. An author and content creator for a cybersecurity academy, Gunnar 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 CompTIA courses, including Secruity+, 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).