How to Choose a Password Manager (and Why You Need One)

Reusing passwords is the most common way accounts get taken over. A password manager creates and remembers a unique password for every site.

What to look for

• Zero-knowledge encryption — only you can decrypt your vault.
• Apps for all your devices and browser autofill.
• Sharing for family or team members.
• Breach alerts for leaked passwords.
• Two-factor authentication on the vault itself.

Popular choices

• 1Password — polished apps and great family sharing.
• Bitwarden — open source and affordable.
• Dashlane — includes dark-web monitoring.

How to switch to a password manager

1. Install the app and browser extension and create a strong master password you can remember.
2. Import the passwords saved in your browser.
3. Change your most important passwords first — email, bank, Apple or Google account — to new random ones.
4. Turn off the browser's own password saving to avoid duplicates.

Compare them in our antivirus and password manager list.