The Best Password Managers in 2026: 6 Options Compared

Last updated: April 2026 | Independently reviewed by OnlyCodes

Our verdict

1Password is the password manager we recommend to most people. It has the highest user satisfaction of any option, a polished interface on every platform, and a unique Travel Mode feature that hides selected vaults when crossing international borders - particularly valuable for travellers in Singapore and the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Egypt.

If you want the best free option, Bitwarden is the clear winner: unlimited passwords on unlimited devices, fully open-source, and publicly audited. And for the best balance of price and features, NordPass at $1.49/mo undercuts 1Password significantly while covering all the essentials.

---

How they compare

| | 1Password | NordPass | Bitwarden | Keeper | Dashlane | LastPass | |---|-----------|---------|-----------|--------|---------|---------| | Our score | 91/100 | 88/100 | 86/100 | 82/100 | 80/100 | 68/100 | | Best for | Most users | Value | Free tier | Enterprise | Feature-rich | - | | Free tier | No (14-day trial) | Yes (1 device) | Yes (unlimited) | No (30-day trial) | No | Yes (1 device type) | | Starting price | $2.99/mo | $1.49/mo | $1/mo (or free) | $2.92/mo | $4.99/mo | $3/mo | | Devices | Unlimited | Unlimited (paid) | Unlimited | Unlimited (paid) | Unlimited | 1 type (free) | | Open source | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | | Travel Mode | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | | Built-in VPN | No | No | No | No | Yes (Premium) | No | | Security audit | Yes | Yes (Cure53) | Yes (public, multiple) | Yes (SOC 2, ISO) | Yes | Yes | | 2022 breach | No | No | No | No | No | Yes (vaults stolen) | | OnlyCodes deals | View deals | View deals | View deals | View deals | View deals | View deals |

---

Our take on each

1Password - the best overall experience

1Password earns its top spot through polish and trust. The apps look good and work smoothly on every platform. Watchtower alerts you to compromised passwords and weak credentials proactively. Family and team sharing is intuitive.

The standout feature for our audience is Travel Mode. When activated, it hides selected vaults from your device entirely - useful when crossing borders where authorities may inspect your phone. For frequent travellers between Singaporen and UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Egyptern countries, this is not a theoretical feature.

The only downside is the lack of a free tier. At $2.99/mo, it is not expensive, but Bitwarden and NordPass both offer free options.

See all 1Password deals on OnlyCodes

---

NordPass - the best value

NordPass costs $1.49/mo - roughly half of 1Password - and covers all the core password management features: autofill, password generation, secure notes, and cross-device sync. The Cure53 security audit came back clean, and the zero-knowledge architecture means NordPass cannot access your vault.

The free tier limits you to one device at a time, which is restrictive but usable for a single-device user. The paid plan removes this limit and adds features like password health reports and data breach scanning.

If you use NordVPN, the Plus plan bundles NordPass - making both cheaper together than either alone.

Get NordVPN Plus (includes NordPass)

---

Bitwarden - the best free option

Bitwarden is the only password manager that offers unlimited passwords on unlimited devices for free. The open-source codebase has been publicly audited multiple times, which provides a level of transparency that proprietary competitors cannot match.

The interface is functional rather than polished - it lacks the visual refinement of 1Password or Dashlane. But for users who prioritise security, transparency, and cost, Bitwarden is the most trustworthy choice.

The $1/mo Premium tier adds TOTP authenticator support, encrypted file attachments, and priority support - all worth it for a very modest price.

See all Bitwarden deals on OnlyCodes

---

Keeper - the enterprise choice

Keeper targets regulated industries and enterprise teams with security certifications that no consumer-focused competitor matches: FedRAMP, ISO 27001, SOC 2. If your company operates in finance, healthcare, or government, Keeper may be the only password manager that meets compliance requirements.

For personal use, the add-on pricing (BreachWatch costs an extra $19.99/yr) makes Keeper less competitive than 1Password or NordPass. Its strength is corporate deployments.

See all Keeper deals on OnlyCodes

---

Dashlane - the most features

Dashlane packs more into one subscription than any competitor: a password manager, a built-in VPN, real-time phishing alerts, and the best autofill accuracy we tested. It tries to be a complete digital security suite rather than just a password vault.

The trade-off is price. At $4.99/mo, it is the most expensive option - and since September 2025, there is no longer a free tier. The VPN alone does not justify the premium over 1Password plus a standalone VPN.

See all Dashlane deals on OnlyCodes

---

LastPass - proceed with caution

LastPass suffered a severe data breach in 2022 where encrypted vault data was stolen. While the zero-knowledge architecture means attackers still need to crack individual master passwords to access vault contents, the breach fundamentally damaged trust.

LastPass has since implemented additional security measures and undergone third-party audits. But with 1Password, NordPass, and Bitwarden offering equal or better functionality without the breach history, there is little reason to choose LastPass as a new customer in 2026.

See all LastPass deals on OnlyCodes

---

How to choose

Best overall: 1Password. Polished, trusted, Travel Mode is a bonus. Best free: Bitwarden. Unlimited passwords and devices, open-source. Best value: NordPass at $1.49/mo. Half the price of 1Password. Enterprise compliance: Keeper. Only option with FedRAMP certification. Most features: Dashlane. Built-in VPN, phishing alerts, best autofill.

---

FAQ

Do I really need a password manager? Yes. If you reuse passwords across sites - and most people do - a single breach exposes all your accounts. A password manager generates and stores unique passwords for every site.

Is the built-in browser password manager good enough? Chrome and Safari password managers are better than nothing, but they lack cross-platform support, security auditing, and features like Travel Mode or secure sharing. A dedicated manager is worth the upgrade.

What happened with the LastPass breach? In 2022, attackers stole encrypted vault data from LastPass servers. The vaults remain encrypted with individual master passwords, but users with weak master passwords are at risk. LastPass has since improved its security posture, but alternatives like 1Password and Bitwarden offer the same functionality without the breach history.

Should I pay for a password manager? Bitwarden Free covers the essentials. But if you want a polished experience with advanced features, $1.49-2.99/mo for NordPass or 1Password is well worth it.

OnlyCodes Deals

NordPass - 2-Year Plan + Free Audit | Get Deal

Visit OnlyCodes for the latest deals.

---

OnlyCodes may earn a commission when you purchase through our links. This does not influence our recommendations.

The Best Password Managers: 6 Options Compared