With our Bright Stuff buying guide, we’re happy to help you find the best product right now. This time: password managers, password apps, and programs to create and save all your passwords. Convenient, safe and simply very affordable.

You like to buy the best product, logically. “Best” is of course an opinion, and in this case our opinion. We base this opinion on a few things. With password apps, we pay attention to ease of use, security, and reliability. Flexibility is also important: it’s an advantage if you’re not tied to one company’s ecosystem with your passwords.

What exactly is a password manager? Well, it’s a kind of virtual vault for all your passwords, complete with the best digital security and options for creating new, strong passwords. The best password apps are easy to use, so you actually use them. You only need to remember one password, and the rest will be automatically filled in and kept secure.

Anyone who uses a good password manager will never have to fear data leaks again. We recommend using two separate password apps, which are the best options in terms of flexibility and security. We also recommend two popular built-in options: a little less secure and flexible, but free and easily accessible. If you don’t want a separate password app, please try one of these built-in options – it’s much better than memorizing or writing down a few of your own passwords.

1Password

It’s probably the most popular option, and for a reason. 1Password is beautifully designed, works well on any platform, is highly secure, has excellent tracking capabilities, and is powerful yet simple. 1Password works well on Android and iOS, on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, and in most browsers.

Especially when you use browser plugins and 1Password is properly set as the default password tool For example iOS or Mac or AndroidThe application is very useful. 1Password then works almost as part of the operating system – and as a browser add-on For Chrome, for example It also works very well. If you need to create a new login somewhere, it’s done instantly via 1Password. A strong password is created and stored. The next time you want to log in to that site or app, 1Password already has your data ready.

1Password also has great support for two-step verification. This temporary code will also be automatically populated by the service. For added security, you can choose to put this code in another app – in the unlikely event of a hack on your personal 1Password, the hacker won’t be able to gain access without these codes. In practice, most users won’t be a target, and 1Password’s security is excellent: everything is encrypted end-to-end using 256-bit AES encryption. What’s more, 1Password is the only one that uses a secret key: a string of letters and numbers that you type and keep at home. This makes it practically impossible for your account to be stolen.

1Password’s interface is also very fun, with an easy-to-use design and automatic categories for different passwords and other information. There’s also a section with current hacks, so you can see at a glance which passwords you should change. Sites that have an enhanced login option are also listed below each other, so you can boost your account there yourself. Because 1Password works on almost every platform, you’re not tied to a specific brand now or in the future.

1Password It costs 2.65 euros per month for individual use or 4.75 euros for families of up to 5 users: this is the monthly amount for those who take up an annual subscription immediately.

Betwarden

Best free password app. Also with broad support for Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS and the most popular browsers. The free version of Bitwarden still allows you to create an unlimited number of passwords on as many devices as you want. Most freestyle competitors have a limit of one or both.

What’s more, Bitwarden is fun to use, with elegantly designed apps. However, more than 1Password, Bitwarden really emphasizes logins and not much more than that – unless you pay. This is not a problem, because there are other ways to store files and notes securely. When it comes to the basic task of generating and storing passwords, Bitwarden scores as well as 1Password.

Bitwarden’s security is very similar to 1Password, including 256-bit AES-CBC end-to-end encryption and a PBKDF2 SHA-256 password hash. The app code is also open source, meaning anyone can scan it for vulnerabilities. You can also use Bitwarden for two-step verification, but only if you pay. Passkeys are also supported by Bitwarden, just like 1Password. These password breakers make theft more complicated, because it’s not your password that’s the key to your account, it’s your smartphone.

If you use Bitwarden for free, you have most of the basic options, but you can only share your vault with one other person. The $10 per year premium account offers two-step verification and protected storage for files and notes. A family account costs $40 per year and can be used by up to six users.

Betwarden Free to use.

iCloud Keychain

If you mainly use Apple devices, Apple’s built-in password function is a very good option. After all, iCloud Keychain is free, secure, and well integrated into iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, and tvOS. Feature: For each app or site you use, you can easily create a new password, save an existing password or auto-fill it. Passkeys are already supported, so you can easily log in automatically.

Even two-step verification is built-in. And while it works best on Apple devices — just sign in with iCloud and it works right away — it’s also there Excellent integration with Windows, so you can autofill your passwords in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. You can also share passwords with family members, for example.

One benefit is that iCloud Keychain is free. There are also disadvantages. First, it’s a little about the iPhone. If you switch to Android and use Windows, it’s best to switch to a different password solution. Fortunately, this is possible. Another drawback: there is no separate master password. If you have access to your iPhone, you can also access your passwords. This is very handy, but it also ensures that anyone with access to your iPhone has immediate access to your passwords. The encryption is good too, it’s just as secure as the other options.

iCloud Keychain Free to use.

Google password manager

Just as Apple has its own password app that’s useful for Apple users, Google has a pretty great app for anyone who primarily uses Android and Chrome. The same advantages are here too: easily enter and save passwords on websites and applications on Android. Passwords are kept securely in your Google account, which has excellent security.

Autofill works well on Android and in Chrome, as well as Chrome on iOS, although on iOS you are better off with Apple’s function, just as on Android you are better off opting for this solution from Google. The pros and cons are the same as with iCloud Keychain: it’s free and accessible, but it also ties you more closely to the ecosystem, in this case, Google. And you don’t have a separate password for your password vault. Furthermore, Google’s option is a little more limited than Apple’s, because you can only use it in Google products, not in Edge, for example.

Google password manager Free to use.

Read more buying tips at Bright Stuff.