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Best Mac Password Manager

Best Mac Password Manager in 2024: Manage Passwords with Ease 

iCloud Keychain gives Mac users basic features mainly for personal use. However, you may need a dedicated password manager for business use and for advanced capabilities. We researched multiple providers to identify the best Mac password manager.

Grace MicereBrett DaySimona Ivanovski

Written by Grace Micere (Writer)

Reviewed by Brett Day (Writer, Editor)

Facts checked by Simona Ivanovski (Fact-Checker)

Last Updated: 2024-07-25T09:57:03+00:00

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

Key Takeaways: These Are the Best Password Managers for Mac
  1. 1Password — Best Mac password manager overall
  2. Dashlane — An ideal enterprise password manager for Mac users
  3. Bitwarden — The most secure password manager for macOS users
  4. RoboForm — Offers robust form-filling and password management tools for Mac
  5. NordPass — An simple password manager for Mac

Facts & Expert Analysis About Mac Password Manager

  • 2FA popularity is growing: More than 80% of people around the world are familiar with two-factor authentication, which is a key security feature of password managers.1
  • Apple’s Passwords app: Apple launched its dedicated password manager, called Passwords, in June 2024 to compete with other third-party password managers.2
  • Password reuse is rampant: As many as 85% of people reuse passwords across multiple websites, while 58% rely on memory to recall credentials.3
1Password, Best Mac Password Manager

Password managers are tools for creating strong passwords, safely storing login credentials and securely sharing them with loved ones and colleagues. The best password managers offer more robust security and password management features than iCloud Keychain. In this guide, we’ll discover which third-party platform is the best Mac password manager.

We tested multiple password managers and narrowed it down to this list of the five best password managers for Mac users. They’re simple to set up and use on Mac, and they integrate seamlessly with Apple devices. We know you’re eager to learn more, so let’s jump in.

  • 07/24/2024 Facts checked

    We have rewritten our guide to the best Mac password manager to include current information about features and pricing.

Why Use a Mac Password Manager vs iCloud Keychain?

Using a dedicated password manager is better than using iCloud Keychain because you get a dedicated dashboard for managing all your credentials. You can save your personal data separately from your business data with a password manager. Additionally, dedicated password managers have secure password-sharing options.

Cloudwards’ Choice: 1Password

After careful comparison, our team thinks that 1Password is the best Mac password manager. It’s easy to set up and simple to navigate. I tested out its travel mode and liked that you can choose which vaults to keep visible and which ones to hide while traveling abroad. If customs officials request access to your Mac, they won’t see your sensitive data. You can use the 14-day free trial to test it out.

Editor’s Choice

At a Glance: Comparing the Best Mac Password Managers

Features:
Free Version
AES-256 Encryption
Zero-Knowledge
MFA
Encrypted Storage
Password Sharing
Emergency Access

The 5 Best Password Managers for Mac 

The five best password managers for Mac are user-friendly, secure and loaded with advanced security features that safeguard your data. They are compatible with macOS and other Apple devices, making them ideal for Apple product users. Let’s take a closer look at each of our recommendations. 

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    $2.99 / month(All Plans)
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    $0.83 / month(All Plans)
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1. 1Password — Best Mac Password Manager Overall

1Password homepage
1Password is one of the best password managers for Mac because
it’s affordable, user-friendly, secure and loaded with features.
More details about 1Password:

Pros:

  • Travel mode
  • Email masking
  • Robust security

Cons:

  • No free plan
  • No live or phone chat support
  • Comparatively limited storage
  • Pricing: The Teams Starter Pack, at $19.95 per month for 10 users, provides the best value.
  • Free version: No free plan; 14-day free trial for all plans.
  • Website: 1password.com

1Password came out on top as the best password manager for Mac users. It uses end-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge architecture, AES 256-bit encryption and two-factor authentication to protect all your passwords and login details. You can import passwords from other browsers and password managers, generate strong passwords and share them securely with family.

When activated, the travel mode feature protects your passwords in hidden vaults as you cross borders. Email masking protects your email address as you browse online and sign up for services. 1Password is easy to use, affordable, secure and well tiered to cater to individuals, families and businesses of all sizes.

1Password Hands-On Testing

1Password’s interface is intuitive and simple to navigate. It’s easy to set up and run on a Mac. You can easily set up a Safari browser extension and autofill your login information on most websites. However, 1Password lacks live and phone chat support, which makes it more challenging to get immediate help.

1Password interface
You can create private and shared vaults in 1Password and view them
at a glance on your vault homepage.
1Password Pricing & Value

Although 1Password has no free plan or money-back guarantee, you can try 1Password with its 14-day free trial on any plan: Individual, Families, Teams Starter Pack and Business. The Teams Starter Pack, which costs $19.95 per month and protects up to 10 team members, is the most popular plan. Our 1Password review has more details.

1Password Individual
  • Unlimited storage, 1GB document storage
1Password Families
  • Up to five users, Up to 5 additional guests
Teams Starter Pack
  • up to 10 users per month; Actionable security alerts; Domain Breach Report
Business
  • per user per month; Includes Teams Starter Pack, plus: Integrates with Okta, Entra ID, OneLogin, Duo, and more; Advanced reporting, granular admin controls, end-to-end encryption; Friendly, expert phone support

2. Dashlane — Best Enterprise Password Manager for Mac

Dashlane homepage
Dashlane may be costlier than other password managers,
but it is user-friendly, secure and packed with features.
More details about Dashlane:

Pros:

  • Free plan option
  • Live chat customer support
  • Free VPN for WiFi protection 

Cons:

  • Limited free plan
  • Complex emergency access
  • Comparatively more expensive
  • Pricing: Best value is with Premium, at $4.99 per month, billed annually.
  • Free version: Yes; all paid plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee. 
  • Website: dashlane.com

Dashlane lets you save unlimited passwords and add unlimited devices. You can share unlimited passwords, two-factor authentication tokens and secure notes with loved ones who have Dashlane accounts. Dashlane helps you create secure passwords and identify weak or duplicate passwords that need replacing.

A free VPN is available to all Dashlane users except those on the Premium plan. Phishing alerts and dark web monitoring help you quickly identify compromised credentials. However, the emergency access procedure is awkward and inconvenient, as it requires you to have the account holder’s password and a file with their credentials. Still, it’s a good feature to have. 

Dashlane Hands-On Testing

Dashlane is easy to use and allows you to quickly sign up using your Apple ID. The apps and web versions have a similar flow, making the tool easy to navigate across devices. You can download the Dashlane app from the Apple app store or use the Safari browser extension. You can also export existing passwords from iCloud Keychain, provided you have Keychain access.

dashlane mobile app download
You can download the Dashlane mobile app with a few simple clicks.
Dashlane Pricing & Value

Dashlane has a free tier that’s limited to one device and 25 saved passwords. A 30-day money-back guarantee covers all paid plans. A 30-day free trial and a 14-day free trial are available for Premium and Business plans, respectively. We recommend you try the Dashlane Premium plan, which costs $4.99 per month, billed annually. Our Dashlane review has more details.

Free
  • One device at a time, 25 passwords and login details, Autofill fields, Password Generator, Set up account without a master password
Personal – Premium
  • Billed annually, Unlimited devices, Unlimited passwords & passkeys , Secure sharing, Dark Web Monitoring, VPN for WiFi protection, Real-time phishing alerts, Passwordless login (currently new mobile users only)
Personal – Friends and Family
  • Billed annually, 10 accounts, 1 subscription, Everything in Premium
More plans
Business – Standard
  • Per month for 10 employees Billed annually Coverage for 10 employees Unlimited passwords, passkeys, & payments Unlimited Collection sharing Admin Console Password Health score Basic Activity Logs Admin-assisted account recovery Dark Web Monitoring
Business
  • Price is billed annually; Everything in Standard, plus: Unlimited employees Granular sharing controls Real-time phishing alerts Single sign-on (SSO) integration SCIM provisioning SIEM integration Advanced Activity Logs Security policies VPN for WiFi protection Free Friends & Family plan for each user
Business Plus
  • Per employee / month Billed annually, starting at 100 employees

3. Bitwarden — Most Secure Password Manager for Mac

Bitwarden homepage
Bitwarden is an open-source password manager with a free plan and free cloud hosting.
More details about Bitwarden:

Pros:

  • Robust security features 
  • Open-source technology
  • Affordable paid tiers & free plan

Cons:

  • Unintuitive interface
  • Few support options
  • No biometric two-factor authentication
  • Pricing: The Premium plan offers the best value, costing $0.83 per month, annually. 
  • Free version: Yes,for two user accounts, two collections, unlimited password storage and the possibility to add multiple devices. 
  • Website: bitwarden.com

We consider Bitwarden to be one of the most secure password managers because it uses open-source technology. That means it receives multiple updates from independent developers, which can help prevent data breaches. You get a password generator and can add email aliases to your Bitwarden account, share encrypted files and store notes, identities or credit cards.

Bitwarden offers biometric support to access vaults. It also offers customer support options such as a help center, a knowledgebase, forums and email support. Bitwarden’s interface is not as intuitive as other password managers, making it better for more experienced users, but you’ll learn how to navigate efficiently after a while.

Bitwarden Hands-On Testing

We found Bitwarden to be simple to set up on the Mac operating system. It’s easy to find what you’re looking for on the interface once you get used to it. The password generation feature lets you create unique passwords to protect your accounts. Additionally, you can import your passwords from iCloud Keychain and install browser extensions with a few clicks.

bitwarden import passwords
Bitwarden offers unlimited password storage and is easy to set up on Mac.
Bitwarden Pricing & Value

Bitwarden’s free plan lets you add multiple Apple devices to two user accounts. A seven-day free trial is available for Families, Teams and Enterprise plans. A 30-day refund policy applies to all paid tiers as well. We suggest trying Bitwarden’s Premium version — which costs less than $0.83 per month (one-year plan) per month, billed annually — offers the best value for the money. Our Bitwarden review has more details.

Free
  • Unlimited storage, Multi-device sync, 2FA
Premium
  • 1GB of encrypted file storage, Additional 2FA options, Password health reports, Priority customer service
Family
  • Billed annually, Six accounts
More plans
Teams
  • Billed annually,Per user, includes all premium features
Enterprise
  • Per user, includes all premium features and families plan for all users,

4. RoboForm — Best Form-Filling Password Manager for Mac

roboform homepage
RoboForm has robust form-filling features to autofill passwords and save time.
More details about RoboForm:

Pros:

  • Robust form filling 
  • Free version available
  • Robust password generation

Cons:

  • Limited free version
  • Few password-sharing options
  • Lacks monthly payment options
  • Pricing: Premium is the most popular plan, costing $1.66 per month, billed annually.
  • Free version: RoboForm’s free plan gives you unlimited password storage on a single device.
  • Website: roboform.com

RoboForm is best known for its extensive form-filling capabilities, which automatically fill out online forms so you don’t have to. It offers secure password sharing, robust password generation and passkey support. It also identifies weak passwords and alerts you if it finds your credentials in a data breach. 

Additionally, RoboForm backs up your account data in the cloud so you can restore it from any device. It has a zero-knowledge policy, so your master password is not stored anywhere on its servers. You can access RoboForm from all your devices, but only with paid plans. You can learn more in our RoboForm review.

RoboForm Hands-On Testing

Unfortunately, RoboForm’s interface isn’t as easy to navigate or as light and airy as its competitors. Therefore, it is more complex to use and harder to find what you need. That said, the form-filling feature works effectively on multiple types of online forms. We also liked how easy it was to see all our saved credentials by clicking the “identities” tab.

RoboForm identities
It’s easy to locate all your credentials and sensitive data on RoboForm.
RoboForm Pricing & Value

RoboForm’s free version gives you one user account and lets you save unlimited passwords. The paid tiers include Premium, Family and Team & Business. We recommend trying RoboForm Premium, which costs $1.66 per month, billed annually. All paid plans except Team & Business have a 30-day money-back guarantee. A 14-day full-feature trial is available for the Business tier.

5. NordPass — Best Free Password Manager for Mac

Nordpass homepage 2024
NordPass offers all the password management features necessary for personal use.
More details about NordPass:

Pros:

  • User friendly
  • Free version
  • Robust multi-factor authentication

Cons:

  • Limited free tier
  • Only six simultaneous devices
  • Lacks monthly payment options
  • Pricing: For the best value, we recommend the Premium plan, which costs $1.39 per month, billed annually. 
  • Free version: Yes,NordPass Free offers one user account, unlimited password storage, MFA and automatic sync across multiple devices.
  • Website: nordpass.com

NordPass is one of the easiest password managers to use. It offers robust security features, allowing you to secure your password vault using biometric authentication and your master password. 

The free tier offers unlimited password and passkey storage, a password generator, autofill, biometric vault access, secure notes and automatic sync across devices. NordPass’ multi-factor authentication (MFA) options include security keys and backup codes, and it works with authenticator apps like Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator and others.

NordPass Hands-On Testing

Luckily, NordPass has a friendly user interface; everything is easy to find. With a few simple steps, you can set up and customize your password vault. The free version offers basic features; you’ll have to upgrade to Premium to unlock features like dark web monitoring, email masking and password health scores.

dashlane mobile app download
You can download the Dashlane mobile app with a few simple clicks.
NordPass Pricing & Value

The NordPass free tier lets you sync passwords across your Apple devices. Paid versions include Premium, Family, Teams, Business and Enterprise. If the free plan is too simple, we recommend you try Premium, which costs $1.39 per month, billed annually. The Premium and Family plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee. Our NordPass review goes into more detail.

Free
    Family
    • *Renewal price for the 1-year plan is $71.88; and $143.76 for the 2-year plan.
    More plans
    Enterprise
    • $5.99 is the price per user per month in the 1-year plan. And $5.39 is the price per user per month in the 2-year plan.

    Can You Use a Free Password Manager for Mac?

    You can use a free password manager for Mac if you only need basic password management features. However, if you need more advanced features and robust security for personal or business use, you’ll have to upgrade to a paid plan, as a free Mac password manager won’t offer enough power user tools.

    What Are the Best Free Password Managers for macOS?

    The best free password managers for macOS are secure and offer a slew of features to help you take charge of your credential storage, sharing and usage.

    • Bitwarden: Bitwarden Free gives you two user accounts, two collections, password storage and multiple device capabilities.
    • NordPass: NordPass has a free version that offers one user account with unlimited password storage, biometric vault access, MFA and automatic sync across devices. 
    • RoboForm: RoboForm’s free version grants access to one user account, with which you can save unlimited passwords on a single device.
    • Dashlane: Dashlane Free offers one user account accessible on one device at a time. You can save up to 25 passwords.
    • Keeper: Keeper’s free version lets you save up to 10 passwords on one user account. You can learn more in our full Keeper review
    • 1Password: 1Password doesn’t have a free plan but does offer a 14-day free trial for all its plans.

    How to Use a Password Manager for Mac

    Using a password manager for Mac helps secure your online credentials and autofill online forms when necessary. Below are the steps you’ll follow to set up and use a password manager for Mac.

    1. Choose a password manager for Mac and download it from the Apple app store.
    2. Install the app on your Mac and click to open it.
    3. Sign up for the service by entering your email address and password. Some platforms also let you use your Apple ID to sign up.
    4. Confirm your email address and sign in to the service.
    5. Customize your password vault by importing passwords and saving new ones over time. 

    How to Choose the Best Mac Password Manager App

    When choosing the best Mac password manager, consider the security features the app offers. Look into how compatible the tool is with macOS as well to determine whether it will work well with the apps you use daily. Below are some additional criteria to consider when choosing the best password manager service.

    • Security: Look for encryption, zero-knowledge architecture, frequent security audits, passkeys, prompt data breach notifications and biometric login options.
    • Compatibility: Choose a password manager that’s compatible with most of the apps you use on your Mac and integrates with other Apple devices.
    • User-friendliness: Choose a tool with an easy-to-use interface that has little to no learning curve for both its desktop and mobile apps.
    • Multi-factor authentication options: To further protect your password vaults from unauthorized access, choose a service with robust two-factor authentication.
    • Password generator: Pick a password manager that automatically creates complex and strong passwords each time you sign up for an online service.
    • Password sharing: Look for a platform with secure password and credential-sharing features, which will allow you to share that data with friends and family.
    • Encrypted file storage: Choose a tool that provides encrypted storage spaces and lets you save notes and other sensitive data.
    • Password autofill: Pick a service that automatically fills in your details each time you need to complete an online form.
    • Customer support: Look for a tool that offers 24/7 support with prompt responses via live chat, email, phone, text and/or ticketing systems.
    • Emergency access: Choose a service that allows trusted individuals to access your vaults in case you cannot do so yourself.
    • Price: Choose a tool that’s affordable and fits your password management budget.
    Our Methodology: How We Tested the Best Mac Password Programs

    All password managers work the same way — they secure passwords, store sensitive data and keep security risks at bay. We researched multiple tools and tested our top picks to find the best Mac password manager. 

    We opened user accounts and tested each of our top five services’ setup process, security features, user interface, customer support options and general ease of use. Plus, we looked into the key features that iCloud Keychain lacks, including: 

    • Cross-platform availability: We ensured the platforms offer desktop apps, mobile apps and browser extensions.
    • User experience: We made sure the tools are easy to set up and navigate.
    • Password sharing: Our experts checked to make sure that users can share passwords with others.
    • Dark web monitoring: We checked that the platforms offer dark web scanning that can alert you when accounts have been compromised.
    • Two-factor authentication (2FA): Our team checked that each platform offers two-factor authentication methods.
    • Team management and admin controls: We ensured that each service offers admin controls to manage password vaults.
    • Customer support: We examined each platform’s customer support options to make sure users can receive help when needed.

    Final Thoughts

    Password managers work by saving your passwords and sensitive data in encrypted vaults for safekeeping. The best Mac password manager is secure, easy to use and accessible on all your Apple devices while offering a slew of features.

    1Password topped the list because it ticks all the boxes. Not only does it offer AES-256 encryption and zero-knowledge architecture, but it is also affordable, loaded with features and simple to use. Though it has no free tier, you can try 1Password with the 14-day free trial.

    Do you use a Mac password manager, or is iCloud Keychain enough for you? Have you considered using a dedicated service? If so, which one are you eyeing? Let us know in the comments, and thank you for reading. 

    FAQ: Mac OS Password Manager Options

    • Yes, your Mac comes with iCloud Keychain preinstalled for basic personal password management.

    • You can see your passwords on your Mac by navigating to “system settings” and clicking on “passwords.” You’ll then use touch ID or face ID to gain access to the vault.

    • Apple Keychain is a good password manager for basic or personal password management. If you need advanced features, you’ll have to get a dedicated password manager.

    • You can access Apple’s password manager by navigating to “settings” and clicking on “passwords.” You’ll then use touch ID or face ID to gain access to the saved passwords.

    Sources:

    1. Bitwarden — World Password Day Global Survey Report
    2. Apple Newsroom — Apple extends its privacy leadership with new updates across its platforms
    3. Bitwarden Blog — A Closer Look at Password Statistics
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