TOP 5 BEST Password Managers for MacOs
Despite stringent Mac security practices, your data is still at risk. 2022 saw a boom in cybercriminals attacking Macs. That's where you might start to turn to the best password manager for Mac for protection.
1- Keeper password manager
the first provider for Mac that I'm gonna talk about today is the Keeper password manager. So as you might know, security is really everything in my book, and sure, Mac does a fairly good job, but there are still vulnerabilities that leave users exposed.
Just a few years ago, a researcher demonstrated an exploit in macOS that let them access Keychain passwords. Yeah, this is why third-party apps are worth considering. But is Keeper the one, the one and only?
Well, first up, there's a zero-knowledge architecture. To give you a short explanation about that, this means any service that says they're zero-knowledge-based promises that they don't have access to your data. They don't or can't even view your passwords.
And to top this off, there's AES-256-bit encryption, but again, this is a fairly standard practice from all the top providers, and, well, we should expect nothing less. It's practically impenetrable and keeps your passwords under a thick slab of granite.
Then, there are independent audits. It means that the company has respect for user safety. They even have a vulnerability disclosure, too.
by looking a little deeper at their software, I did notice there are fewer export options. So if you can see past that, well, then you're gonna be greeted with a user-friendly and highly customizable provider.
Now, I gotta say some stuff is locked behind a paywall, but I think this approach lets users decide what they need. So with that said, what are the extras I found in this Keeper review? So there's a BreachWatch. There's also deleted password recovery, and even a secure messaging app, which is quite a unique addition from a password manager.
A big downside to Keeper is that there's no forever-free plan, but pricing is pretty affordable since lotta stuff is unlimited for under $3 a month at the moment. And remember, you can tailor your plan, too, adding or ignoring any add-ons, making Keeper one of the most versatile, best password manager options.
2- NordPass
and looking at another giant in the password manager space, NordPass. On the security front, they're stronger and more modern encryption than any other password manager that I'll talk about today, XChaCha20. There's also biometric authentication, which is a nice and secure alternative, and there are even multifactor authentication methods to up the ante.
it's pretty cool that passwords are only stored on NordPass servers in encrypted form, and then they're only ever decrypted on your device, which is just rock-solid and one of the safest approaches. And with security-focused features like a data breach scanner and anonymous payment methods, well, it's clear that the NordPass password manager takes security seriously.
They even release their research on password health regularly, making it one of the safest macOS password manager choices. And for Mac, the experience is nice. I'd say they're one of the most versatile options in this case. Once I log in, it automatically adds that password to my vault. I especially like the folders and the nice user interface, with the advanced stuff right at the bottom, and then the stuff I use every day higher up. It just makes for a better organization.
The NordPass Mac version also uses optical character recognition, so you don't even have to type stuff out to put them in your digital wallet. The biggest caveat here, though, is no built-in secure file storage. Again, this isn't that big of a deal, but it is something I'd wish they'd start doing, or at least consider.
Now, the pricing here is nice, since they have one of the best free password manager plans. This isn't without its limitations, though, the most annoying being the fact that you can't share a password with trusted recipients. But the premium plans are surprisingly affordable, the entry-level option currently at just under $2 a month.
3- RoboForm
And we move over to RoboForm, another provider I want to mention for Mac users. They've been in the market for a very long time, but is being around forever enough?
there's the AES-256-bit encryption, but is there anything else different here? Well, they are one of a handful of providers that have self-hosted or cloud-hosted options. Now, what this essentially means is there's more flexibility, but that'll come down to your level of expertise, to be blunt with you.
Now, when I was busy with my RoboForm review, I noticed they have their own TOTP authenticator app, which is impressive. despite their less modern interface, I still found the experience pretty flawless. Once I got the lay of the land, it felt like an everyday password manager, with everything on the left neatly categorized.
And looking a little deeper at the extras, I was disappointed to see there was no file storage. A little surprising, since they've been in the game for so long. But at least the general stuff works well. The password generator stands out with an absolutely large maximum allowable character count, password sharing is found under Contacts, You can only share with other RoboForm members. That's a bit of a bummer.
There's some edgy stuff here, too, like weak password evaluations, a dark web monitor, and even cloud backup, and no matter which subscription plan you go with, you're gonna find a lot of unlimited stuff here.
Just know that online access is only possible with the premium version, along with 2FA and other important capabilities. Their cheapest plan is currently at $16.70 for a year.
4- 1Password
there's the standard encryption, but is there more under this hood? Well, with a zero-knowledge architecture, penetration testing, and a Watchtower feature, which checks the health of your whole password ecosystem.
So you know 1Password isn't just good for Mac, but also iOS devices, with its streamlined autofill. But what I dig about this provider is their multiple vaults, letting me get in there to tailor my experience and share permissions super easily. And if you're looking for another bell and whistle, there's a Travel Mode, great for accessing vaults in high censorship areas.
Now you should know there is no free password manager version of 1Password, but there is a 30-day risk-free trial. The plans are also really affordable, currently going for under three bucks a month. But check out the family plan. It's a much better option, going for about a dollar per user.
5- Dashlane
Now, all this brings us to the Dashlane Mac version, a rival for the title of password manager veteran. Why this provider makes this list truly because of how feature-heavy it is. Common security practices are all there too, encryption, zero-knowledge, and 2FA. But I was surprised to see an option to use your Apple Watch as a means of authentication.
Plus, all the data is stored locally and never in a non-encrypted format. Then there's the dark web monitoring, password changing, capture of logins, and a lot more.
Dashlane is one of the shiniest password managers that you can find for your Mac, it does come at a higher price tag, nearing $7 a month, which is pretty steep compared to everybody else. But remember, you do get all of the encrypted file storage, VPN, and unlimited devices.
There's even a free plan if you wanted to test the waters, but remember, it's very limited compared to its premium counterpart.
what is the best password manager?
Well, this isn't a one-tool-fix-all kinda deal, but a password manager for your Mac is still very vital. All it takes is a cybercriminal hacking into your iCloud, and you're gonna have big issues to deal with.
That's why a third-party app is great, and any of these options are secure choices. Everything just depends on your use cases.
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