Tested and compared: the best free password managers with real encryption and no hidden limits.
1Open-source password manager with a generous free tier and self-hosting option.
2Password manager with free tier, dark web monitoring and strong business plans. Rebuilt security after 2022 incident.
3Simple password manager from Nord Security with XChaCha20 encryption and optional VPN bundle.
4Free and paid password manager from Proton with hide-my-email aliases and end-to-end encryption.
5Free, open-source local password manager. No cloud, no account. You hold the database file.
6Password manager with strong form filling, data breach monitoring, 2FA and optional local-only mode. Audited by Secfault Security.
A free password manager lets you store unlimited passwords, sync across devices, and autofill logins without paying. The best free options use the same encryption as paid ones (AES-256 or XChaCha20) and never see your master password. We tested Bitwarden, Proton Pass, KeePass, LastPass, and NordPass free tiers to see what you really get and where the limits are.
Free does not mean low security. Bitwarden and Proton Pass are open source and audited; KeePass is local-only with no account. LastPass and NordPass offer free tiers with device or feature limits. Your choice depends on how many devices you use, whether you need sharing, and if you are okay with optional paid upgrades later.
We used each free tier as a primary vault for at least two weeks. We checked unlimited passwords and devices (Bitwarden, Proton Pass), single-device limits (NordPass free), and local-only use (KeePass). We tested autofill on desktop and mobile, import from CSV and other managers, and two-factor authentication where available. Our ranking is based on what is free forever, encryption and audits, and day-to-day usability.
Bitwarden’s free tier is the most generous: unlimited passwords, unlimited devices, browser extensions, mobile apps, and core 2FA. You can use it for years without paying. Premium ($10/year) adds TOTP, vault health reports, and 1 GB file attachments. Open source and repeatedly audited; you can self-host if you want. Best for most people who want a free manager with no hidden limits.
Proton Pass free includes unlimited passwords, unlimited devices, and 10 hide-my-email aliases. No time limit. Pass Plus adds unlimited aliases, TOTP, dark web monitoring, and sharing. Open source and audited; same zero-access architecture as Proton Mail. Best if you want privacy-focused design and email masking without paying.
KeePass is free, open source, and local-only: no account, no cloud, no subscription. You keep one encrypted file and sync it yourself. Use KeePassXC (Windows, Mac, Linux), KeePass2Android, or Strongbox (iOS) for a modern UI and browser integration. Best for technical users and anyone who wants zero dependency on a vendor.
For a free password manager that works everywhere and has no sneaky limits, Bitwarden is our top pick. Proton Pass is a close second if you like hide-my-email and Proton’s ecosystem. KeePass is the best if you want no cloud at all. Pick one, import your passwords, and turn on 2FA. Any of these is far better than reusing passwords or using a browser alone.
The best free password managers include Bitwarden (unlimited devices, open source), Proton Pass (unlimited devices, 10 hide-my-email aliases), and NordPass, LastPass and RoboForm (free on one device). We compared features, limits and when to upgrade.
See our full comparison and open source options for details.
