The excuses are over: If you access several services daily and memorizing passwords is becoming a problem, the solution lies in a dedicated password manager. No matter the platform you use, if you prefer something cloud-based, or if you feel more comfortable with a completely local tool, the market has what you need, and at an unbeatable cost. Today we're going to name four of the best password managers out there. Choose one, and protect your accounts.
For years I have suggested using a password manager, and I still do. Once you adapt to its interface and dynamics, you completely forget the tedium of having to type a password for each service. A password manager offers several benefits:
- First, you only need to remember the master password that opens the manager.
- Second, it generates passwords strong enough to eliminate almost any brute-force attack at its root.
- Finally, the vast majority of managers are cross-platform.
These are our four recommendations.
LastPass
Without a doubt, LastPass is the most popular option when it comes to password managers. Despite the cyberattack it suffered in the past, the robustness of its system protects millions of users. LastPass has plugins for the most important browsers, syncs databases between computers and mobile devices (requires premium account), and generates password audits, detecting duplicates or passwords that are too old.
Sticky Password
If you want something that isn't as exposed and doesn't sacrifice features, Sticky Password is the answer. Its free version includes everything we can expect from a manager, but it offers a very interesting extra: biometric protection. The premium version ($20 per year) includes cloud sync "and" across all your devices, with the alternative of limiting that sync to local Wi-Fi.
Dashlane
Many users see Dashlane as the main opponent of LastPass, an idea backed by its ease of use and its wide range of features. Password generation, audits, automatic reporting of compromised passwords (in case a service has been attacked), and a digital wallet for storing receipts and credit/debit cards are part of the repertoire. Just like LastPass, all its main elements are free, but its premium mode costs $40 per year.
KeePass
My personal favorite, KeePass does away with aspects like cloud sync and automatic password insertion in favor of completely manual control. KeePass allows you to generate passwords with thousands of characters, and easily transfer its databases to other computers (all you need is a USB stick). Moreover, its open-source nature gives room to dozens of clients, compatible with a wide range of operating systems.
Now, I know you'll think a bit before putting all your passwords under a single program, but at the same time I'm sure that one of these four options will convince you. As always, if you use another manager and want to share it, the comments are open. Good luck!
