There are two things that we must always be clear about when it comes to managing passwords. On the one hand, it is important that we use complex passwords to reinforce security and prevent our account from being hacked.
This is the most basic, but from there, we must also make sure that we have the password well stored and safe. If you don’t have a prodigious memory, the best way to do this is to use a password manager .
Best Free Password Managers for PC (Windows, Linux, macOS)
When choosing a program to take care of this task, we can always opt for password managers that are already included in most web browsers. They are easy to use and really practical.
However, if we are looking for a slightly more advanced solution that is still free, it is best to take a look at one of these programs for PC.
Bitwarden
If we are looking for a free password manager, Bitwarden is one of the most powerful options we have today. The app is open source and available for multiple systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and also as an extension for major web browsers.
At the functional level, it is very complete: unlimited passwords, synchronization with an unlimited number of devices, user and password generator, two-step authentication, the possibility of storing credit cards and more.
Bitwarden is free, but a premium version is also available for businesses and power users starting at just under $1 per month.
Download Bitwarden from its official website
KeePass
One of the best password managers that we can find on PC. KeePass is open source, free and constantly updated. One of its strong points is security: all passwords are stored in a database protected by a master key, encrypted with some of the best known encryption algorithms (AES-256, ChaCha20 and Twofish).
Another interesting detail is that Keepass has a portable version, so we can carry it on a USB without having to install it on any PC. It also allows you to export passwords to a TXT, HTML, XML or CSV file, import and transfer databases.
In addition to that, it also includes a strong password generator. Of course, unlike other similar programs, KeePass does not have automatic synchronization between devices or cloud storage. If you want to manage everything offline , this is the best option you will find.
The official version of KeePass was originally designed for Windows, although there are also ports for other systems such as Linux, Mac and mobile devices.
Download KeePass from its official website
LastPass Free
One of the best free password managers we’ve had on PC for years. LastPass is available for Windows, Mac, Linux and mobile devices, with automatic device synchronization and encrypted vault to store passwords, notes, files, payment cards.
It also features a password generator, autofill, and passwordless login using LastPass Authenticator . Of course, the free version of LastPass is limited to one user and one type of device.
The premium version starts at €2.90 per month and includes extras such as 1GB of file storage, security evaluation of the passwords used, warnings of leaks on the dark web and emergency access.
Download LastPass Free from its official website
KeePassXC
KeePassXC is a variant of the original KeePass, and successor to KeePassX (project now abandoned). Basically this is the recommended unofficial version of KeePass for Linux and Mac .
A free and open source password manager where we can save passwords, URLs, attachments and notes in an offline and encrypted environment. If you like it better than the official version, you will be happy to know that there is also a version for Windows.
Download KeePassXC from its official website
Passbolt
Passbolt is a fairly new password manager, and it focuses on offering a collaborative environment geared towards teamwork . The application is open source, based on OpenPGP and has a couple of web extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
The free version of Passbolt allows you to use your own server (meaning you have to install it on a server first and then use a browser or an app to access passwords), you can register an unlimited number of users, manage users and groups , share passwords granularly, and export in CVS/XLS/KDBX format.
There are also corporate rates for companies starting at €30/month with extra features, such as private and shared folders, tag manager, activity history and more. It may not be the most recommended solution for personal use, but at the company level it has a lot of potential.
Download Passbolt from its official website
Padloc
Padloc is a recently created open source password manager available for Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome and Firefox. The interface has a nice minimalist design, and all passwords are stored in the cloud with end-to-end encryption .
The free version of Padloc allows us to save all the passwords we want on an unlimited number of devices, although it lacks other features that we do find in the premium version (from €3.49 per month), such as two-step authentication or file encryption.
Download Padloc from its official website
Dashlane
Dashlane is another PC password manager with a pretty good reputation. The free version can be used on a single device for unlimited password storage and secure sharing (this means you can securely share passwords, 2FA tokens, and notes from within the Dashlane app itself).
It also includes a password generator, document encryption up to 1GB, password history, security alerts if there are any data breaches, and live chat support, all available in the free version of Dashlane.
If we are looking for more features, the premium version is available from 4.41 euros per month. The application is compatible with most operating systems, since it works as a browser extension.
Download Dashlane from its official website
RoboForm
RoboForm is a password manager and form filling tool that has been on the market since 1999. This veteran PC program is available for Windows, but also for other systems such as Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, browsers, and even Chromebooks.
The features that RoboForm offers in its free version cover all the basics: unlimited passwords, strong encryption, password auditing , emergency access and passwords for applications, among others.
The paid version (called RoboForm Everywhere) adds several extras like cross-device synchronization, server backup, and multi-factor authentication. Its price starts from $39.95 per year (1-10 users).
Download RoboForm from its official website
Psono
Psono is an open source, team-oriented password manager. Like Passvolt, with Psono we can configure our own server to manage passwords , which we can then consult through the web client or by using the extensions available for Chrome and Firefox.
The app features multiple encryption (uses SSL, encrypted data, and passwords are shared with end-to-end encryption), cross-device synchronization, password generator, secure notes, multi-factor authentication, and other useful features for collaborative work.
Download Psono from its official website
Avira Password Manager Free
If you’re already familiar with Avira’s antivirus, you’ll be happy to know that they also have a fairly efficient password manager in their software catalogue. This manager works as a web application for the browser , which we can complement with extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Opera, or its corresponding app for Android/iOS.
The free version of Avira’s Password Manager is a bit more limited than the other options we’ve seen above, but it delivers on everything that’s important: ease of use, a secure password generator, autofill, two-step authentication with support for biometric data , and more.
Those looking for something beyond the free version will find other features such as password audits and online leak alerts in the premium version of the app, which is priced at €24.95 per year.
