People looking for a low-cost password manager with strong auto-fill and auto-capture capabilities may get a good value out of True Key.
We put True Key password manager to the test for plan value, compatibility, features, and security. See why The Password Manager rated True Key 3.8/5.
By: Gunnar KallstromHead of Information Systems and Cybersecurity Research
Bottom line: With a low price, True Key is one of the most affordable premium-tier password managers on the market. However, a challenging UX and a lack of premium features will likely make it a less attractive option for most.
Who should choose True Key? True Key may appeal to those who want to upgrade from a free password manager without breaking the bank.
Overall: (3.8)
TrueKey earns its rating based on its poor user experience (UX) and lack of more premium features. It performs fine as a baseline password manager but doesn’t have a lot of the bells and whistles you might expect from more premium products.
Sticky Password standout features | |
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Auto-capture |
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Best for | Those looking for a low-cost password manager |
Promotion | N/A |
True Key is one of the many products offered by cybersecurity leader McAfee. Despite the company’s reputation, True Key offers more cons than pros, especially at its price point.
People looking for a low-cost password manager with strong auto-fill and auto-capture capabilities may get a good value out of True Key.
Overall: (4.5)
True Key offers a free plan and a premium one at $19.99 per year. This puts it at the lower end of premium password manager price tags. While this price point is very affordable, it takes a bump in the rating for not providing some expected features which are common in even free password managers, such as autofilling payment information. Despite this, it’s still a great value.
Free | Premium | |
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Price | Free | $19.99 per year |
Best for | Users with few logins | People who want unlimited login storage |
Free trial | N/A | N/A |
Platform compatibility | Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, Web (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari) | Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, Web (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari) |
Autofill capability | Yes | Yes |
Guest accounts | No | No |
Number of passwords | 15 | Unlimited |
Password sharing | No | No |
2FA | Yes | Yes |
Account recovery | Yes | Yes |
Support types | 24/7 live chat, 24/7 email, online forum and knowledge base, virtual assistant | 24/7 live chat, 24/7 email, online forum and knowledge base, virtual assistant |
Encryption | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit |
Reporting capabilities | No | No |
Single sign-on (SSO) | No | No |
Overall: (4.0)
True Key is available with the following platforms:
Some of True Key’s functions are only available on certain platforms:
For most users, True Key’s platform compatibility is perfectly adequate. That said, I would have liked to have seen more comprehensive platform compatibility.
In addition to being compatible with Linux, I would like to see True Key work with more browsers, such as Brave and Opera. Introducing biometric logins to MacOS and Windows would also be a step in the right direction.
Overall: (4.0)
True Key’s UX is clean and easy to navigate. It takes a modern, minimal approach and is overall quite aesthetically pleasing.
True Key’s interface makes accessing your logins and adding new ones easy. There are also separate tabs for your logins, notes, and wallet.
Another feature I liked is how it is easy for new users to add logins from popular websites. This is an easy way to get started if you have never used a password manager.
Like most password managers, True Key also allows you to upload your complete login information from a different password manager via CSV file. However, I had difficulty getting the import function to work, which was a major hassle. In my opinion, this essentially makes True Key a no-go for anyone migrating from another password manager.
It’s also worth mentioning that the browser extensions’ sole functionality is autofill and opening your account through a web page. While it’s not the only password manager to work this way, I would have liked to have seen a fully featured browser extension Navigating to a specific webpage is an extra step in a process that should, ideally, be easy.
True Key’s lack of password sharing also makes it a limited password manager. Secure password sharing is an essential feature for many workplaces and families.
Overall: (4.0)
Best in class automatic login is marred somewhat by the exclusion of payment and address autofill.
True Key’s standout feature is its auto-capture and autofill capability, which, in my experience, is among the best on the market. It automatically captures and stores that information whenever you log in with a new password. Similarly, True Key automatically fills in your information when you visit a familiar page. This feature works flawlessly and creates a hassle-free login experience.
Comparatively, competing password managers require the click of a button or two to kickstart this feature. This can be a good thing when using a login you don’t want to be stored; however, True Key makes it easy to undo an auto-capture quickly.
Where True Key loses points, though, is its inability to autofill information besides logins. Payment information and addresses, for example, can be stored in your True Key vault but cannot be auto-filled. I think payment and address autofill is one of the most useful features in a password manager, so I consider it a must-have.
Overall: (3.0)
In terms of security, True Key doesn’t do anything to stand out. The service hangs its hat on its 2FA capabilities. But besides 2FA being a standard feature for a password manager, True Key’s 2FA is particularly difficult to use.
True Key uses 256-bit AES encryption, which is breach-proof. That said, it’s also the industry standard. While your information is perfectly safe with True Key, the service can do more. Security features I generally like to see in a premium password manager include breach reports and dark web monitoring.
Overall: (3.0)
2FA is by far True Key’s most disappointing category, mostly because it’s something that True Key distinctly advertises.
True Key claims 2FA will be used each time you log in. You can also choose between different 2FA options. One such option is using a second device, such as your phone. This was attractive because while biometric login is not available on True Key’s desktop version, you can use FaceID when using your phone as an authenticator.
As indicated by the above image, I integrated my phone as a second device. However, at no point has 2FA ever been triggered when logging in to my True Key account. My concerns are that it shouldn’t be this hard to set up 2FA. Second, you can log in without 2FA, despite the claims.
True Key has introduced enhanced login methods across all operating systems:
True Key exists in a steep market of competing password managers. While True Key’s price tag is certainly attractive, competitors like Dashlane, Keeper, Roboform, LastPass, and NordPass may be a better fit. We looked closely at each password manager, spent time using the services, and researched each one for hours. Our research provides objective information about each company so you can find the one that will be best for you.
See how True Key compares to other top-tier password managers that the PasswordManager.com team recommends:
Password manager | Details | Basic plan features |
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True Key Overall rating: (3.8) | Starting price: Free Platform compatibility: Android, iOS, Mac, Web (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), Windows Security: AES 256-bit encryption, MFA |
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1Password Overall rating: (4.8) Read our full 1Password review. Consider 1Password if: You’re seeking unlimited password management at a fair price. | 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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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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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: $2.91 per month Platform compatibility: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iPhone, and iPad. Browser extensions for Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer, 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: $1.99 per month Platform compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android support for their respective major browsers, including Microsoft 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: Free 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 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 |
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True Key is not a user-friendly password manager due to its lack of apps and browser extensions. It’s also quite difficult to configure 2FA.
True Key uses 256-bit AES encryption and is a product of cybersecurity giant McAfee. I am confident in saying True Key can be trusted.
While True Key is a great affordable option, only you can decide if it’s worth paying for. Thankfully, the free version makes for a great demo, so you can try it out first before deciding if it’s right for you.
1Password is a highly capable password manager with many advanced features, such as biometric login and dark web monitoring. Overall, 1Password significantly outperforms True Key.
True Key was developed by cybersecurity leader McAfee, and acquired by Intel in 2011. McAfee is known for its antivirus software, widely regarded as the most formidable antivirus software on the market.
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 True Key compared to other significant industry players through direct testing to ensure an accurate rating. I’ve also applied my experience using True Key to provide a user’s perspective.
I signed up for a plan with True Key to test:
Learn more about our review methodology.
About The Password Manager, Gunnar Kallstrom:
Kallstrom is a Cyber Team Lead for a DOD contracting company in Huntsville, Alabama, and has also 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).