The Best Password Managers for Mac 2024

Are you looking for a free password manager, a feature-rich product, or a password manager with a transparent privacy policy? In this article, we’ll show you the best password managers for Mac depending on your needs.
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Best for Budget-Conscious Users

4.0
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On Dashlane's website

Dashlane
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Best for Password Syncing

5.0
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On NordPass's website

NordPass
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Best for Families Focused on Privacy

4.5
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On 1Password's website

1Password
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If you’ve been searching for the best password managers for Mac, we have you covered. There are tons of password managers to choose from, and all the information can get overwhelming.

Whether you’re in search of a password manager for your family that has an extra layer of protection like 1Password, you need a great free password manager like Dashlane, or you want a password manager with seamless password syncing like NordPass, we found the best password managers for Mac for your various needs. Keep reading to learn which one of these password managers is right for you.

In this article
The best password managers for Mac
Dashlane: Best for budget-conscious users
NordPass: Best for password syncing
1Password: Best for families focused on privacy
Password manager that didn’t make the cut
Best password managers for Mac FAQs
Bottom line: The best password managers for Mac
How we tested the best password managers for Mac
How to choose the best password managers

The best password managers for Mac

It’s important to remember that the best password managers for Mac aren’t always the same for each person. Your situation is unique, so what works for your friends may not work as well for you. Here are our picks for the top three password managers for Mac:

  • Dashlane: Best for budget-conscious users
  • NordPass: Best for password syncing
  • 1Password: Best for families and users who are focused on privacy

Top 3 password managers for Mac compared

Password manager Dashlane NordPass 1Password
Starting price $4.99/mo (for paid plans) $1.29/mo for first 2 yrs + 3 months free (for paid plans) $2.99/mo
Free plan
Password sharing
Two-factor authentication
Form filler
Password generator
Mac support
Learn more Get Dashlane Get NordPass Get 1Password

Prices as of 04/17/2023.

Dashlane: Best for budget-conscious users

Who it’s best for

If you want a free product that will store your strong passwords and comes with some additional features, then Dashlane is right for you. It offers three paid plans but it also has a substantial free version, so the price won’t be a concern.

Dashlane works with almost any web browser, so if you’re wanting a Safari password manager, this will fit the bill. Another standout feature you’ll get is a tutorial that walks you through how to use the program. The security settings allow you to unlock the two-factor authentication for extra data protection.

Dashlane supports using two-factor authentication (2FA) in its app.

What we liked

Dashlane is easy to download and the included tutorial shows you everything you need to navigate the password manager. You won’t need to be a tech expert to understand how to use this software. The interface is easy to use and the password generator works seamlessly.

Dashlane is a safe password manager that doesn’t store your master password. According to Dashlane, if there’s a cyberattack, your data will remain encrypted. Choosing a different free option, such as Google Password Manager, isn’t safe potentially, so you’ll want to swap to at least another free product, like Dashlane.

What we didn’t like

Although Dashlane offers a free version, the family plan starting at $8.99 per month can be a little steep for some. Also, Dashlane is less than transparent regarding the privacy policy. It mentions that some of your data is shared with affiliates but it isn’t crystal clear what that means for users.

Moreover, Dashlane doesn’t appear to participate in third-party audits, even though it mentions using self-audits. That causes some concern, as third-party investigations allow users to see any security vulnerabilities the software has.

Dashlane specs

Price range $4.99-$7.49/mo
Free version Yes
Password sharing Yes
Two-factor authentication Yes
Form filler Yes
Password generator Yes
Compatibility Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Safari, Edge, Chrome, Firefox
Learn more Get Dashlane
Read Dashlane Review

Prices as of 06/05/2023.

NordPass: Best for password syncing

Who it’s best for

If you want to sync your passwords across all your devices, NordPass makes the process automatic. There are mobile apps available for Android and iPhone as well as desktop apps for Windows and macOS, which makes for great cross-platform functionality. You can also use the form filler to make logging in to different websites faster and easier.

The NordPass browser extension works on most platforms. It doesn’t have more premium features like dark web monitoring or Travel Mode, but it will allow password sharing with other NordPass users and includes Emergency Access if you get the premium plan.

What we liked

We like the transparency NordPass provides regarding its third-party security audit, which was conducted in 2020. You can read the results on the website and see everything that was checked. We believe third-party auditing is best to see any security issues that a password manager may have. We also like that NordPass offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. That gives you plenty of time to see if you like the product without losing your money.

You won’t miss out on any of the necessary features a password manager for Mac should have, either. The password generator will create unique passwords for your accounts to lift the burden off of you. The autofill feature also helps you store and fill in your credit card or banking information securely, so you can shop online without hesitation. With a starting premium price of under $2 per month, we think you get plenty for your purchase.

You can generate up to a 60-character password with NordPass.

What we didn’t like

Although we appreciate the full transparency regarding the third-party security audit in 2020, that has been three years now. We have to wonder if there will be an audit again soon to inform users of recent security findings. Since this is a mid-range password manager we think it’s missing some features we’d like to have, like travel mode and dark web monitoring.

NordPass specs

Price range $1.29–$2.79/mo
Free version Yes
Password sharing Yes
Two-factor authentication Yes
Form filler Yes
Password generator Yes
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge, Safari
Learn More Get NordPass
Read NordPass Review

Prices as of 06/05/2023.

1Password: Best for families focused on privacy

Who it’s best for

1Password is great for users who want to have security for the entire family. For under $5 per month, five family members can access this password manager on unlimited devices, which allows for unlimited password storage. With the vault feature, you can choose certain passwords to share with another person or a group of people.

1Password has the same features as other password managers, but it also comes with digital legacy and Travel Mode. Another standout security feature from 1Password is Watchtower, which gives you a score for your security level and evaluates the strength of your passwords.

1Password's Watchtower feature, which scans your password strength.

What we liked

There’s a lot to like about 1Password. You get password sharing on unlimited devices with two-factor authentication. It also works with numerous browsers and operating systems. 1Password ups the game with Travel Mode, which helps you travel to any destination without worrying about customs or someone else seeing your password vaults that are not marked as safe for travel. That’s a fantastic feature if you take frequent business trips or family vacations.

We also think the option to share a password with someone who doesn’t have 1Password is a definite plus. For instance, if you want to share a specific password with your parents in another location, you can send them a secure link to access the login credentials. And of course, the fact that 1Password has never been breached is another reason we like it.

What we didn’t like

As good as 1Password is, we aren’t crazy about there not being a refund policy. If you’re unhappy with the purchase, like the family plan, you’re stuck with it after your free trial. That may not seem too bad until you realize that you’re billed annually, which means you’ll be paying for a year of use. There’s also no free version and the trial is only 14 days, rather than 30, which other password managers offer.

Customer support is also not a stellar feature of this product. There is a help center with how-to articles, but there’s no phone number to contact a rep for service. You can send an email, but there’s no time guarantee for when you’ll hear back.

1Password specs

Price range $2.99-$4.99/mo
Free version No
Password sharing Yes
Two-factor authentication Yes
Form filler Yes
Password generator Yes
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Brave
Learn more Get 1Password
Read 1Password Review

Prices as of 06/05/2023.

Password manager that didn’t make the cut

You may wonder why some of the other popular password managers for Mac didn’t quite make the list. Although many password managers have similar features, some are better than others. Two password managers that didn’t make it into our top three were LastPass and Roboform.

LastPass

The main reason LastPass didn’t make the top three is because of its security breach issues. One of its recent breaches was in August 2022. Then, in November of the same year, the parent company of LastPass notified customers of another data breach.

We applaud LastPass for the open transparency and the way the issues were handled, but it’s still hard to recommend a product that has had more than one data breach so recently. We’d like to see more information about what is being done to secure user data and prevent any future hacks.

Roboform

Roboform is a decent password manager that comes with many of the features you’d expect. With the free version, you get emergency access, encryption, and a form filler. Yet, you don’t get two-factor authentication without purchasing the Everywhere plan. You also won’t get priority support without a paid subscription. Even with the premium plan, you won’t get any amazing features like travel mode, dark web monitoring, or a VPN for Mac.

If you opt for Roboform, it does provide a help center and a manual with answers to problems you may have. It also includes 24/7 support for all users, which is a nice feature to have, but keep in mind that it's only online support. If you choose the Everywhere plan, you’ll get priority online support and chat support Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Best password managers for Mac FAQs


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What is the best free password manager for Mac?

The best free password manager for Mac depends on your needs. A good free version is Dashlane, which offers plenty of features and is easy to use.


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Is there an Apple password generator?

You can generate an app-specific password by logging in to appleid.apple.com and going to the security section. Alternatively, you can use a password generator app, like PSWD, which is available in the Apple App Store.


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Does Mac have a built-in password manager?

Mac’s version of a password manager is called a keychain. That’s an encrypted container, like a vault, that stores your passwords and other sensitive data. Keychains help you keep track of various passwords for your Apple devices.


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Should you save passwords on a Mac?

You can save passwords on a Mac using iCloud Keychain, which is a secure way to store confidential information, but it’s always good to have an extra layer of security like a password manager.

Password managers also do more than merely save your passwords. They can generate unique, secure passwords, show you if you have weak passwords, and may warn you about data leaks.

Bottom line: The best password managers for Mac

After testing and reviewing, we determined that the three best password managers for Mac are Dashlane, NordPass, and 1Password. We focused on the use cases and why you may need certain features over others.

Families may choose an option like 1Password, where you can get more value for $4.99 per month. Users looking for something light on the budget may opt for Dashlane, which has a free version with some nice features included. You can also go for a password manager like NordPass, which syncs your passwords across devices and scans the internet for data breaches. Numerous password managers for Mac are available, so finding one you like isn’t too difficult once you have the right information.

3 best password managers for Mac 2024

Starting price Best for Learn more
Dashlane $4.99/mo (for paid plans) Best for budget-conscious users Get Dashlane

Read Dashlane Review

NordPass $1.29/mo for first 2 yrs + 3 months free (for paid plans) Best for password syncing Get NordPass

Read NordPass Review 

1Password $2.99/mo Best for families focused on privacy Get 1Password

Read 1Password Review

Prices as of 06/05/2023.

How we tested the best password managers for Mac

There are many password managers for Mac users looking for options. For our review, we’ve tested and researched different products to accommodate the needs of various users. We included items like family use, budget needs, and feature-rich options. Some of the password manager features we liked were:

  • Travel mode: Helps users travel without worrying that their passwords will be accessed.
  • Password generator: Develops unique, strong passwords so the user doesn’t have to create numerous passcodes.
  • Autofill: Uses a form filler to automatically enter your password in websites and accounts.
  • Password strength detection: Detects weak passwords so you can change them if needed.
  • Data breach monitoring: Scans the internet for breaches and alerts users.
  • Password sharing: Allows you to share passwords with others securely.

How to choose the best password managers

When looking for the best password managers, you want certain features to automatically come with the product. Since there are so many to choose from, you need to check for the options that you want most and compare them to the price plans offered. Here are some things to look for:

  • Comparable pricing: For the product, is the pricing comparable to other password managers?
  • Password generator: A password generator should be standard with any password manager.
  • Password strength report: This feature shows you how strong or weak your chosen password is and notifies you to change it if needed.
  • Security of password manager: Make sure the product has never been breached. If it has, how is the company recovering and ensuring another breach doesn’t happen?
  • Compatibility: Check hardware and software/platform compatibility to make sure it will work with your device and operating system.
  • Ease of use: Look at the features and see if they are user-friendly and if the password manager has a simple interface.

5.0
Limited-time offer: 56% off + 3 extra months
Learn More
On NordPass's website

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.