# Best Password Managers in 2026

Source: https://listme.name/best/password-managers

Password managers differ most in where the vault lives, whether the code is open to inspection and what the free plan allows. This ranking weighs vault design and storage first, then platform reach, free-plan limits and price.

## 1. Bitwarden (score 93.5)

Open-source clients, a free plan with unlimited passwords and devices, and low-cost paid tiers. Some of its code is under the Bitwarden License rather than GPL, so the open-source claim covers only part of the codebase.

- Best for: Free open-source password manager for most people
- Free plan, paid upgrades | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension | open source (GPL-3.0)
- Website: https://bitwarden.com/
- Page: https://listme.name/software/bitwarden

## 2. 1Password (score 92.0)

Polished apps, family sharing and Watchtower alerts, but there is no free plan after the 14-day trial, unlike Bitwarden and Proton Pass.

- Best for: Paid password manager for families and polished apps
- Subscription | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension, Command line
- Website: https://1password.com/
- Page: https://listme.name/software/1password

## 3. Proton Pass (score 90.5)

A free plan with unlimited logins and devices, built-in hide-my-email aliases and open-source clients. Dark web monitoring and secure vault sharing need the paid Pass Plus plan.

- Best for: Free password manager with built-in email aliases
- Free plan, paid upgrades | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Browser extension, Command line | open source (GPL-3.0)
- Website: https://proton.me/pass
- Page: https://listme.name/software/proton-pass

## 4. KeePassXC (score 88.5)

Free and open source, with the database kept in a local encrypted file and no cloud service. It has no built-in sync, so it suits people who want full control of their own storage.

- Best for: Offline password database on your own storage
- Free and open source | Windows, macOS, Linux, Browser extension | open source (GPL-3.0)
- Website: https://keepassxc.org/
- Page: https://listme.name/software/keepassxc

## 5. Apple Passwords (score 84.5)

Built into macOS, iOS and iCloud for Windows, with passkeys, verification codes and password sharing. It works best inside Apple's ecosystem and has fewer options than dedicated managers.

- Best for: Passwords across Apple devices with iCloud
- Free | macOS, iOS, Windows
- Website: https://support.apple.com/guide/passwords/welcome/mac
- Page: https://listme.name/software/apple-passwords

## 6. Google Password Manager (score 82.5)

Free, built into Chrome and Android, with Password Checkup for compromised passwords. It is tied to a Google Account and has fewer features than dedicated password managers.

- Best for: Saved passwords in Chrome and Android
- Free | Web, Android
- Website: https://passwords.google.com/
- Page: https://listme.name/software/google-password-manager

## 7. Keeper Password Manager (score 80.5)

Zero-knowledge vault with apps for desktop, mobile and browsers, but the free plan is limited to one mobile device and 10 records. Full features need a paid personal or family plan.

- Best for: Trying a zero-knowledge vault on one phone
- Free plan, paid upgrades | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
- Website: https://www.keepersecurity.com/
- Page: https://listme.name/software/keeper

## How to choose

- **Where the vault lives:** Cloud vaults sync to every device with no setup, while a local file keeps data on your own storage and needs manual syncing.
- **Free plans:** Bitwarden, Proton Pass and KeePassXC are free for personal use; Keeper's free plan covers one mobile device only.
- **Open source:** Bitwarden, Proton Pass and KeePassXC publish their clients, so you can read the code before you trust it.
- **Platforms:** Apple Passwords and Google Password Manager suit their own ecosystems; Bitwarden and 1Password cover Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile.

## Criteria

- Vault security and encryption model
- Platform and browser coverage
- Free plan limits
- Open-source code and transparency
- Sharing and extra features

## FAQ

**What is the best free password manager?**
Bitwarden's free plan covers unlimited passwords and devices. Proton Pass is a close free option with built-in email aliases, and KeePassXC is free if you want a local file.

**Which password managers are open source?**
Bitwarden, Proton Pass and KeePassXC publish open-source clients. Bitwarden's clients use GPL-3.0, but some of its code is under the Bitwarden License, so check the license of the part you use.

**Are the built-in password managers good enough?**
Apple Passwords and Google Password Manager cover saved logins, passkeys and breach checks at no extra cost. They work best if you use one ecosystem; a dedicated manager suits people on several platforms.

**Should I choose a local file or a cloud vault?**
A local file such as KeePassXC keeps everything on your own storage and needs you to manage syncing. Cloud vaults such as Bitwarden and 1Password sync automatically and store encrypted data on the vendor's servers.