A good password manager keeps your digital life locked up. This is the best password app for Apple users (including excellent alternatives).
The Best Passwords Apps for iPhone and Mac
A good password manager is indispensable these days. Such a service not only remembers all your current login details, but also creates new passwords that are very difficult to crack.
All your data is also synced. So it doesn’t matter whether you’re trying to log in on a phone, computer or tablet: the password app works anywhere, anytime.
There are a lot of password managers in the App Store, so it’s not surprising that you’ve lost track. We continuously test all password apps and this article lists our recommendations.
The best password manager apps
1. iCloud Keychain
Do you only use Apple devices? Then there are really few reasons to download a separate password manager. There is already a good and completely free password app on your iPhone: iCloud Keychain.
This ‘app’ does everything you would expect from a modern password manager. It remembers all your important login details, can provide strong passwords and syncs in the background between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
An additional advantage: you don’t need a ‘master password’, as with many other apps. You can access your password vault via Face ID (face scan), Touch ID (fingerprint scan) or by entering your passcode.
The iCloud Keychain also has drawbacks. It works the best on Apple devices. On Windows devices, you can use the keychain via the Chrome browser, but there are simply better alternatives on the market for people who use Apple and Windows.
It’s also a shame that the iCloud Keychain can’t store two-factor codes (2FA) (yet). That’s a long word, but what it boils down to is that when you log in to apps and websites, you get a code on your phone that you have to enter.
By the way, there is good news. Starting this fall, two-step verification will be standard in the iCloud Keychain. The feature is built-in by default in the new software updates for iPhone, Mac and iPad: iOS 15, macOS 12 (Monterey), and iPadOS 15.
2. 1Password
1Password is one of the best-known password managers, and for good reason. The app is particularly striking for its completeness. In addition to all the standard functions – remembering and creating passwords and synchronizing between all your devices – 1Password is packed with all kinds of useful extras.
Take, for example, the fact that the password app notifies you when one of your passwords has been leaked. 1Password partners with Have I Been Pwned. This site keeps track of which apps and websites have been affected by data breaches, and then checks whether your login details are included.
1Password even has a special ‘travel mode’. It erases all your sensitive data before you travel, only to restore it the moment you cross the border. This means that your sensitive information cannot be intercepted by customs.
The biggest drawback of 1Password is the price. The app costs 3.99 euros per month, or 37.99 euros for a year. You can, however, split the costs with a family subscription. Such a package is 62.99 euros per year and can be shared with a maximum of 5 people.
3. Bitwarden
The best free password manager is Bitwarden. The program is open source (so anyone can check how it works), very safe and completely free. Bitwarden is also available on all major platforms (iOS, macOS, Windows and Android), making it an ideal alternative for people who don’t want the bells and whistles of 1Password.
Unique to Bitwarden is that you can install the password app on your own server. You are thus completely independent of third parties and can run everything in your ‘own cloud’. In addition, the password manager can handle Face ID and Touch ID, which improves security.
The free version of Bitwarden is very usable, but fanatics should take the paid version (at 1 dollar per month). You then get 1GB of secure storage, a real 2FA app for more security and the option to use a YubiKey, for example. This USB stick makes logging in even more secure.
Also worth mentioning
So many people, so many wishes. When it comes to password managers, there is no such thing as a universal size that fits everyone. The password apps above will probably get you there, but maybe your preferences (and requirements) are slightly different.
That’s why we’ll discuss some password managers below that are definitely worth checking out.
LastPass
LastPass is an old (and well-known) veteran in the world of password apps. We have always been fans of the app, but our enthusiasm has cooled a bit. Since March 2021, the free version of LastPass only works on one type of device. So you can use the app on an iPhone or Mac.
If you are willing to pull the wallet, you remove this drawback and get a very decent password app with LastPass. The security is solid, the program is clearly structured on all platforms and there is support for Face ID and Touch ID. Also cool: you can easily use 2FA with the LastPass Authenticator app.
Also read: Transferring LastPass: how to switch to another password manager
dash lane
Dashlane is a very user-friendly passwords app because it works with logos. You can log in to other apps and services directly from the app. You can also store credit card details and other data in it.
When installing, Dashlane warns users that your data is completely safe. Also nice is the password generator that generates super secure passwords for you, from four to forty characters.
Dashlane is a free password app, but you quickly run into its limitations. For example, you need an ‘Essential’ subscription (at 2.49 euros per month) if you want to manage passwords. Get the most out of Dashlane with a Premium package. This subscription costs 3.99 euros per month.
KeePass
Very safe, but anything but accessible. That’s KeePass in a nutshell. Many security experts love this password manager and the app is completely open source. So everyone can see exactly what KeePass looks like under the hood.
The design of the password app will not appeal to everyone. The website has stuck in the 90s and installing KeePass can be quite a challenge for the less tech-savvy.
Want to use KeePass on a mobile device, such as an iPhone? Then it is best to use a modified version of the program, such as KeePassium. This app is built on the KeePass system, but has a more modern look and is more user-friendly.