The Best Password Managers for Families 2024
In this guide, we’ll review the pros and cons of our top three password managers for families: NordPass, 1Password, and Dashlane.
Last updated Nov 8, 2023
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Best Security
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Best Free Password Manager
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We know keeping your loved ones’ information safe is invaluable. One way to enhance your family’s online security is by using a password manager. We’ve determined that the best password managers for families are NordPass, 1Password, and Dashlane.
NordPass is our top pick for its high security standards, 1Password provides unique features like Travel Mode, and Dashlane has a great free password manager that you can test out risk free for as long as you like. Keep reading to learn how these top password manager providers can secure your family’s sensitive data.
In this article
The best password managers for familiesNordPass: Best security
1Password: Best features
Dashlane: Best free password manager
Honorable mentions
Best password managers for families FAQs
Bottom line: The best password managers for families
How we tested the best password managers for families
How to choose the best password managers
The best password managers for families
Top 3 password manager for families compared
| Password manager |  NordPass |
 1Password |
 Dashlane |
| Family plan price | $2.79/mo for 2 yrs | $4.99/mo | $7.49/mo |
| Password sharing | |||
| Two-factor authentication | |||
| Form filler | |||
| Password generator | |||
| Compatibility | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Brave | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari |
| Learn more | Get NordPass | Read 1Password Review | Read Dashlane Review |
NordPass: Best security
5.0
Limited-time offer: 56% off + 3 extra months
NordPass
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Strong encryption and security
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User-friendly interface
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Free version is limited to one device at a time
Who it’s best for
If you’re looking for standout security measures, NordPass checks those boxes. NordPass doesn’t just provide two-factor authentication (2FA), it also allows for biometric logins and other forms of multi-factor authentication. While it’s important to use strong passwords, it can be more secure not to use one at all.
NordPass also comes with standard password manager features, like autofill and a password generator. With six premium user accounts for just $2.79/mo for 2 yrs, NordPass can make most families happy.
What we liked
We like that NordPass participates in external and internal audits. Third-party audits are useful because they give an objective look into a password manager’s security. If any issues are found, it gives the company a chance to correct them.
NordPass allows you to store passwords, passkeys, and credit cards in your password vault. It uses XChaCha20 to encrypt your vault rather than industry-standard AES-256, which is great because XChaCha20 is faster to implement than AES-256, simpler, and doesn’t need hardware support.
We also liked that NordPass is simple to download and use and it offers extensive compatibility with browser extensions as well as desktop and mobile apps. Beyond biometric logins, NordPass also allows you to use authenticator apps, USB security keys, and backup codes. Password managers keep your credentials secure, but not all offer these types of authentication. Everything that NordPass offers comes at a reasonable price for families.
What we didn’t like
We’ll begin by admitting there’s not much we don’t like here. When we tested the free plan, it was a bit annoying that we kept getting prompts suggesting we upgrade to the Premium plan.
We also aren’t thrilled that NordPass records logs, but at least it does so on your device with no identifying information. Critical errors are shared only with NordPass and contain no identifiable information, so we can live with that. Understandably, NordPass wants to make the product better, and it’s hard to do that without some data along the way.
NordPass specs
| Price range | $1.29–$2.79/mo |
| Family plan price | Starts at NordPass Family 2-Year |
| Free version | Yes |
| Password sharing | Yes |
| Two-factor authentication | Yes |
| Form filler | Yes |
| Password generator | Yes |
| Browser extension compatibility | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, |
| Operating system compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Learn more | Get NordPass |
1Password: Best features
4.5
1Password
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Password manager with no history of being hacked
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Unique features, like Travel Mode
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No free version
Who it’s best for
If you’re in the market for a family password manager with unique features, 1Password will be your friend. Beyond standard password manager features, 1Password includes Travel Mode and Watchtower.
If you and your loved ones are hitting the road for a trip, Travel Mode makes keeping your credentials safe a breeze. It allows for temporary vault removal in case you come in contact with curious customs agents or the like.
The Watchtower feature is unique because it summarizes data breaches or vulnerabilities from websites you may frequent. Plus you get this for a fair price of $4.99/mo that covers up to five family members.
What we liked
We liked how easy it was to install 1Password on our device. We tested it on an older machine with Windows 10. The Chrome browser extension was a breeze to download and took us immediately to the tutorial for the software. The user interface was simple to navigate, and you can organize your account by creating separate vaults for your credentials.
Another thing we liked about 1Password was its privacy policy. The information is transparent and written in understandable language so you don’t need a technical degree to decipher the lingo. 1Password doesn’t sell your data to third-party entities and if any of your information needs to be shared with a third party, you’ll be informed ahead of time.
1Password also has third-party audits conducted. The last browser audit we found was from June 2022 and it displayed the vulnerabilities that could be associated with the software. This wasn’t alarming to us, as we know that even the best password manager apps aren’t perfect, and we respect 1Password for being honest about its vulnerabilities.
What we didn’t like
If you need customer support, you may be at a loss with 1Password. Although it remains user friendly, it seems designed for users who can solve their own issues without assistance. There’s no phone number listed for support, so you can only use the help center or send an email with your questions.
Also, the free trial is only for 14 days. That seems to be not enough time to fully test the product and we think 30 days would be more sufficient. There’s no money-back guarantee, either, which struck us as odd.
1Password specs
| Price range | $2.99-$4.99/mo |
| Family plan price | $4.99/mo |
| Free version | No |
| Password sharing | Yes |
| Two-factor authentication | Yes |
| Form filler | Yes |
| Password generator | Yes |
| Browser extension compatibility | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Safari |
| Operating system compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Learn more | Read 1Password Review |
Dashlane: Best free password manager
4.0
Dashlane
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Extra features boost security
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Paid plans come with Hotspot Shield VPN
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Free plan is limited to one device
Who it’s best for
Dashlane provides security for 10 accounts with one Friends & Family subscription. If you have a large family or would like to include some trusted friends, Dashlane may be the plan you need. The price is a bit higher than some other plans, but at Free for family coverage, we don’t think it breaks the bank. If you're trying out the product first to see what you think, you’ll get most of the features with the free password manager plan for individuals.
What we liked
Dashlane stands out because you get so much with the free plan. It allows you to put it to the test before you buy it for the entire family. You won’t find that with all password managers on the market today. We also liked the password generation, because of the customizable options. You’re allowed to generate passwords according to the websites you visit.
We think the included virtual private network (VPN) with the Premium and Family plans is a nice touch. Just be mindful that only the administrator will have that access. Everyone also has access to the dark web monitoring feature, and that’s an option not all password managers offer.
What we didn’t like
Although we love seeing password managers include digital legacy, sometimes the other party isn’t required to have the same product. That’s not the case with Dashlane, as the emergency contact must also have this software to access your passwords. That could be a pain if the other person doesn’t want to use Dashlane. It’s not a deal breaker though, since we understand that the other party can set up a free account. As a note, password sharing works this way as well.
We aren’t thrilled with the privacy policy. Dashlane is hazy about how it shares data with affiliates. While that’s not the worst case we’ve seen with software, it doesn’t bode well with users who want clarity and transparency.
Dashlane specs
| Price range | $4.99-$7.49/mo |
| Family plan price | $7.49/mo |
| Free version | Yes |
| Password sharing | Yes |
| Two-factor authentication | Yes |
| Form filler | Yes |
| Password generator | Yes |
| Browser extension compatibility | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari |
| Operating system compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Learn more | Read Dashlane Review |
Honorable mentions
Although we believe these to be the best password managers for families, there are still other products that provide good protection. Below are a few that didn’t make the cut but remain popular:
- Keeper: Keeper has plenty of features including unlimited password sharing and secure file storage at reasonable prices.
- Roboform: Roboform provides a good password manager focused on securing credentials without a lot of extras.
- Bitwarden: Bitwarden is open-source software offering a free version and inexpensive paid plans.
Best password managers for families FAQs
+
Can two people use the same password manager?
As long as you purchase a family plan, it’s easy for two or more people to use the same password manager and set up different accounts.
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How do you share password managers among family members?
Password managers often have family plans that allow users to link their accounts with invitations sent to the other users. For example, with NordPass, an invitation link is sent by the account administrator to family or friends who can then all share the same plan.
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Do I need a family password manager?
If you have children, a family password manager is helpful to ensure online safety and security, while storing and sharing credentials and other sensitive information.
Bottom line: The best password managers for families
NordPass has strong encryption and plenty of features to suit the user who wants reasonable pricing, with options like passwordless authentication and XChaCha20 security. If your family is frequently on the go, 1Password has the Travel Mode feature, which keeps your credentials safe while you are going through busy airports. Dashlane allows you to test the product for free before you buy it and comes with unlimited password sharing.
The honorable mentions may not be the cream of the crop, but they still provide good security for keeping your passwords and other crucial data safe. From the options in this article, you’re sure to find a password manager that works for your family.
3 best password managers for families
| Family plan price | Best for | Learn more | |
NordPass |
$2.79/mo for 2 yrs | Best security | Get NordPass |
1Password |
$4.99/mo | Best features | Read 1Password Review |
Dashlane |
$7.49/mo | Best free password manager | Read Dashlane Review |
How we tested the best password managers for families
The best password managers for families were chosen based on several factors. Having no prior breaches (unlike LastPass), fair pricing, unique features, and free plans, or at least time to try a product without committing to a purchase, are just some of the features we considered:
- Pricing: Although finding the cheapest password manager isn’t the goal, getting one at an affordable cost is only reasonable.
- Unique features: Some password managers include only the basics, and we know some users want more, like 1Password’s Travel Mode.
- Security: We chose only password managers with no history of breaches because we believe they’ll provide your family with the best security. Providing strong encryption like AES-256 or XChaCha20 was also necessary to keep your personal data safe.
- Ease of use: Families need a password manager that’s easy to use without a steep learning curve.
- Password strength reports: Having a feature that points out your weak passwords and other vulnerabilities will enable you to use the most secure credentials in the future.
How to choose the best password managers
Choosing the best password manager can be subjective, depending on the user. For instance, price may be a big concern for one user, while another may focus on features. We suggest sorting through a series of password managers based on the prices you’re willing to pay and checking to see if any of them have been breached.
You’ll also want to consider features that are most important to you. Here are some of the features you may want to keep in mind:
- Password strength reports
- Password generator
- Autofill
- Strong encryption
- Password sharing
- Digital legacy
- Two-factor authentication
- Compatibility with multiple web browsers and operating systems
5.0
Limited-time offer: 56% off + 3 extra months
NordPass
-
Strong encryption and security
-
User-friendly interface
-
Free version is limited to one device at a time
Author Details
Patti Croft is a freelance writer who specializes in all things technology. Her expertise includes antivirus software, online security strategies, and safety practices. She has a degree in Computer Information Systems and extensive experience working in the IT field.
In her spare time, Patti is an avid reader and researcher, and loves spending time with her pets. She currently shares an office with her cat, Beau.
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