As the first Thursday of May is World Password Day, we would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of choosing complex and reliable passwords. Especially if you want to keep all your Club members’ data and other sensitive information safe and secure.
We know that with so many accounts to manage as we usually have, it can be a daunting task to remember each password. This is where password managers come in – they are designed to securely store and manage all of your login credentials in one place. They offer a range of features, including password generation, encryption, and synchronization across multiple devices.
In this article, you’ll find an in-depth analysis of the most popular password managers and compare their benefits, functionalities, security measures, and usability. We’d like to help you make informed decisions when choosing the best password manager for your Club. And not use only one password for all your accounts.
Before we start our comparison, let’s answer one popular and important question.
Are password managers safe to use?
Password managers keep your passwords secure because they use multilayer security mechanisms and AES 256-bit encryption to protect the password vault/database. Only you have access to the password vault, and not even the company behind the password manager can access it since the vault is end-to-end encrypted.
This means the data is encrypted on the device even before it reaches the company’s servers. If an attacker ever gains access to the password vault, it would be nearly impossible to access the stored password — all they will see is concealed gibberish text that cannot be read by humans.
Additionally, with things such as multifactor authentication (MFA) and techniques used to protect against brute-force attacks, it is almost assured that your data is well-protected against attackers. All this is to say that password managers employ a wide range of security measures to protect your data and are secure enough to trust with your passwords.
Risks of using password managers
You should also know a few risks of password managers to make an informed decision about using them.
- Dependency on Master Password. Some of password managers have no recovery options if you forget your master password.
- Data Breach. If the PM’s servers or infrastructure are compromised, it could lead to exposing all stored passwords.
- Single Point of Failure. If PM fails or is inaccessible for any reason, users may not have access to all their passwords.
- Software Vulnerabilities. Password manager software may have vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers, compromising the security of stored passwords.
- Keylogging and Clipboard Attacks. Keyloggers or malware on a user’s device can capture keystrokes, including the master password used to unlock the password manager.
- User Error. Selecting weak or easily guessable master passwords or exposing passwords due to mishandling of the password manager.
Now that you know password managers’ security mechanisms and risks, let’s move on to the most popular password managers and their features. First and foremost, we would like to assure you that all these password managers are safe and reliable, but some of their features differ, so you can choose any of them.
Keeper
Benefits of the password manager
- Very high level of security, as the password manager supports multifactor authentication, FIDO2 hardware security keys, biometric login, and Keeper DNA which uses the Apple Watch or Android Wear device to confirm your identity.
- Keeper makes use of its proprietary security architecture based on the principles of zero-trust and zero-knowledge, ensuring complete end-to-end encryption.
- Also, this password manager utilizes cryptography that has been certified and validated by NIST Cryptographic Module Verification Program (CMVP) to the FIPS 140-2 standard.
- Keeper stands out for its unlimited device support and advanced features, allowing for seamless syncing across multiple devices.
- It has a unique encrypted messaging app.
- It offers 14 days of free trial for business, 30 days – for personal use.
- There is a bonus – when you buy Keeper Business, each team member gets a free Keeper Family Plan.
Drawbacks of the password manager
- There is no free version.
- Some features, such as dark web monitoring, are only available in paid add-on modules that can be expensive.
- No extra features like a VPN or Travel Mode.
Pricing
Prices for business start from $2.00 per user/month ($24 per user billed annually) – for teams of up to 10 people.
Regular business rate – $3.75 per user/month ($45 per user billed annually).
Website
https://www.keepersecurity.com/
1Password
Benefits of the password manager
- The password manager offers customizable vaults, which means that you can create and organize multiple vaults according to your specific needs. For instance, you can create vaults for Personal, Financial, Travel, Work, and Family passwords and data.
- With the Travel Mode feature, 1Password lets you conceal crucial passwords when you’re traveling abroad, making it the only password manager with this capability.
- There is an integration with a virtual credit card service Privacy.com, that creates merchant-specific and one-time-use cards that can easily be closed or paused.
- The password manager provides a watchtower mode for monitoring data breaches.
- User’s data is end-to-end encrypted to keep it safe at rest and in transit. 1Password uses AES 256-bit encryption and multiple techniques to make sure only you have access to your information.
Drawbacks of the password manager
- No free version, only a 14-day free trial.
- It’s not mandatory to use special symbols in your passwords, which can result in weaker passwords than you would have created otherwise.
- No recovery for the loss of the master password.
Pricing
Business plan is for $7.99 per user per month when annual billing is selected.
Website
RoboForm
Benefits of the password manager
- Password manager keeps user data private with local and end-to-end 256-bit AES encryption, which is the same super-high level of encryption used by many banks and militaries around the world. There is also available two-factor authentication for an additional level of security.
- With RoboForm’s form-filling features, you can easily navigate through complex web forms with just one click, saving you valuable time.
- The password manager provides an intuitive web-based administrative interface that enables easy setup for users. The system allows for creating new users individually or in bulk through a .CSV file import, providing a convenient way to manage user accounts.
- RoboForm gives you the option to assign a trusted contact who can access your password vault in case of emergency.
Drawbacks of the password manager
- Data breach monitoring is not as advanced as other password managers provide.
- It lacks some extra features like VPN, Travel Mode, an encrypted messaging app, or virtual payment cards.
Pricing
There’s a 14-day free trial period available for up to 30 users, and the pricing depends on the number of users and the length of the subscription. You can get a 15% discount for a 3-year subscription or a 25% discount for a 5-year subscription.
For example, for companies with over 100 employees, the licensing fee is $29.95 per user per year with an annual subscription.
Website
Dashlane
Benefits of the password manager
- Dashlane employs 256-bit AES encryption to secure all data stored in a user’s password vault, a type of encryption that has never been breached and is utilized by banks, militaries, and approved by the NSA (the US’s National Security Agency).
- With its zero-knowledge protocol, only the user has access to their vault, and even the company’s staff cannot view its contents. However, this also means that Dashlane cannot help you recover your account if you forget your master password.
- The password manager provides users with VPN (the only product on the market with such an extra feature).
- Dashlane offers a password health checker that examines your password vault for compromised, reused, or weak passwords and gives an overall score for password health.
- Additionally, it provides live monitoring of the dark web to alert you instantly if your email address has been compromised.
Drawbacks of the password manager
- Price is not as affordable as some competitor products.
Pricing
Price for businesses is $8 per seat/month (billed annually). There is a 30-day free trial.
Website
LastPass
Benefits of the password manager
- LastPass operates on a zero-knowledge security model, where all encryption and decryption occur locally on the user’s device, not on their servers. Users’ sensitive vault data never travels over the internet unencrypted.
- The password generator integrated within the system produces lengthy and randomized passwords.
- The security dashboard feature allows you to review your password vault for any outdated, easily guessed, or duplicated passwords. It also keeps an eye on the dark web for any compromised accounts associated with your email address.
- Password manager uses military-grade encryption (256-bit AES), has a zero-knowledge policy, and provides multiple two-factor authentication options (2FA) as well as biometric logins.
- Users can use biometrics or the LastPass Authenticator app for Passwordless login to access the password vault.
Drawbacks of the password manager
- It was compromised during a major data breach in December 2022, where users’ password vaults were stolen. The company assured that they remained encrypted, keeping them safe unless the hackers also guessed their master passwords. But at the same time, some other personal data, such as names, payment information, and addresses, were stolen as they were not encrypted.
- The interface could be more intuitive when it comes to importing passwords.
Pricing
The price for businesses starts from €3.90 per user/month, billed annually. LastPass provides a 30-day free trial and also has a good free plan for individual use.
Website
LogMeOnce
Benefits of the password manager
- LogMeOnce offers a range of features, including cross-platform support and an alternative to the traditional master password requirement. Users can choose to log in using various methods, such as facial recognition with Apple’s Face ID, a fingerprint scan, a PIN number, or even a selfie.
- The Mugshot feature of the password manager allows users to set up their devices to take pictures of intruders, track login attempts, and even make loud noises or vibrate the phone to annoy them. This unique feature helps to enhance security and protect your data from unauthorized access.
- It has a secure note storage where users can save information like Social Security numbers, bank information, and other private details.
- LogmeOnce employs Advanced security encryption technologies such as AES and SHA-512.
- The password manager has a free and simple-to-use password calculator that converts weak passwords into strong ones.
Drawbacks of the password manager
- Not as intuitive and smooth as some competitors.
- Some features are unnecessary and only add visual noise.
Pricing
Business pricing starts from $3.00 per user/month.
Website
NordPass
Benefits of the password manager
- NordPass employs top-tier encryption, automatic back-ups, and multifactor authentication to ensure that everything you store in your encrypted vault is protected at all times.
- It provides breach monitoring — a tool that proactively scans the web for data breaches that involve your email credentials and notifies you in real-time.
- There’s a Password Heath tool to identify weak passwords.
- You can share access between teams to make collaboration easy – distribute an unlimited number of digital entry points that you can assign to different departments or teams.
- The password manager is intuitive and beginner friendly; it has top-notch customer support.
Drawbacks of the password manager
- No customization of information you can save in the password vaults. You can save only data programmed by the developer, with no additional details like your driver’s license or social insurance number.
- No extra features like Travel Mode or VPN.
Pricing
The business pricing starts from $3.59 per user/month. There is a 14-day free trial.
Website
Bitwarden
Benefits of the password manager
- It’s a secure open-source password manager with strong encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), password security auditing, password breach monitoring, and cloud or local hosting options.
- Bitwarden has a unique feature Send that lets you securely send sensitive information and files to non-Bitwarden users.
- It has an Emergency Access feature for Premium subscribers. This is an important feature that allows your trusted contacts to access your passwords in the event of an emergency.
- The premium plans provide features targeted towards business users, such as password sharing, user groups, fine-grained access control, and the detection of weak passwords and unsecured websites.
- Even the free version allows unlimited password storage with password access on an unlimited number of devices.
Drawbacks of the password manager
- While Bitwarden offers premium plans for both individuals and businesses, these paid features may not meet the same level of quality as what other password managers offer.
- Not very user-friendly.
- No recovery options if you forget your master password.
Pricing
The business pricing starts from $3 per user/month.
Website
Password Managers Comparison
Popular password managers compared
With a reliable password manager, you can enjoy the convenience of easy access to all your passwords without compromising security. We hope this article has helped you identify the password manager that works best for your Club. If you require our expertise in any IT need of your Club, we’d be happy to help.
