Our picks at a glance
The comparison
| # | Tool | Entry price | Free plan | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  NordPassPassword manager | From $1.39/mo | 3.6/5 | |
| 2 |  1PasswordPassword manager | From $2.99/mo | 3.6/5 | |
| 3 |  DashlanePassword manager | From $5.42/mo | 3.6/5 | |
| 4 |  Bitwarden | From $1.65/mo | – | |
| 5 |  LastPass | From $3/mo | – |
Price of the comparison plan, as published by the vendor, in its currency. Annual prices are shown per month.
Tool by tool
1. NordPass
Password manager
From $1.39/mo3.6/5 · Very good
Encrypted password manager from Nord Security, with a free tier and per-seat business plans.
Free plan: autosave/autofill and secure storage, without multi-device access or breach scanning.
Strengths
- Cheap entry price for a solo user, under 2 euros a month for Premium.
- Clean, fast interface across desktop, mobile and browser extensions.
Limits
- Business tiers force a 5 or 10 user minimum, poor fit for a 1 to 3 person team.
- Advertised prices are promotional; renewal rates are higher and not published upfront.
Keep it if
You are a solo user or a team of 5+ that wants a cheap, simple shared vault.
Avoid it if
You are a team of 2 to 4 people, since the cheapest business tier still bills for 5 to 10 seats.
Before you pay The price shown at checkout is a first-term promotion; renewal is billed at a higher, undisclosed rate.
2. 1Password
Password manager
From $2.99/mo3.6/5 · Very good
1Password generates, stores and autofills passwords across devices, with breach alerts and secure sharing built in.
Strengths
- Autofill, sharing and Watchtower breach alerts work across devices out of the box.
- Dual-layer protection (password plus Secret Key) alongside passkey and 2FA support.
Limits
- No free tier; every plan becomes paid after the trial.
- 1 GB storage cap per user on consumer plans limits large attached documents.
Keep it if
You need shared, secure password storage across devices or a small team and value Watchtower's breach alerts.
Avoid it if
You want a permanently free password manager or need more than 1 GB of attached document storage per user.
Before you pay The advertised annual price ($2.99/mo Individual, $4.49/mo Families) is a first-year promo for new direct customers only; it rises to the regular price after year one, and app-store subscriptions never get the promo rate.
3. Dashlane
Password manager
From $5.42/mo3.6/5 · Very good
A password manager and credential vault for individuals, families and businesses, with autofill, secure sharing and admin controls for teams.
Strengths
- The Family plan covers up to 10 accounts under a single, fixed monthly price.
- The Business tier adds AI phishing detection and SIEM/SOAR integration beyond basic password storage.
Limits
- No permanent free plan: individuals only get a 14-day trial before paying.
- Business and Enterprise prices are not published; you need to talk to sales to know the real cost.
Keep it if
You want a single-account vault at EUR 4/month, a shared family vault at a fixed price, or you run a business that needs SSO/SCIM and is ready to get a quote.
Avoid it if
You want to see the exact business price before talking to anyone, or you need a permanent free plan.
Before you pay Both Premium and Family prices are an annual-commitment rate billed monthly, shown plus VAT; confirm whether a month-to-month option costs more, and confirm the USD charge at checkout.
4. Bitwarden
From $1.65/mo
Open-source, free, cross-platform password manager.
Always-free plan: unlimited devices and passwords, sharing with one other user.
Strengths
- Fully open-source and transparent about encryption.
- Complete, unlimited free plan for individuals.
Limits
- Self-hosting setup requires technical expertise.
- Commercial support less developed than 1Password.
Keep it if
You want an open-source, trustworthy password manager.
Avoid it if
You need premium commercial support included.
5. LastPass
From $3/mo
Mainstream password manager, with a limited free version.
Free plan limited to one device type: unlimited storage, autofill, dark web monitoring.
Strengths
- Generous free plan (unlimited passwords, dark web monitoring).
- Transparent zero-knowledge encryption.
Limits
- Free plan: sync limited to 1 device type (not mobile AND desktop).
- Paid plans prices not displayed upfront (promotion ongoing).
Keep it if
You need simple cloud password manager.
Avoid it if
You want open-source self-hosted solution.
How we rank
The ranking follows the ToolTrim five-axis score, each axis backed by a source cited on the tool's page. When two scores tie, the more searched tool goes first. Prices come from each vendor's official page, never converted. Links to vendors may be affiliate links; they change neither the score nor the position.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best option for freelancers?
NordPass tops this ranking with a ToolTrim score of 3.6/5. The right pick still depends on how you work: each entry states when to keep it and when to avoid it.
Is there a free option?
Yes. NordPass, Bitwarden and LastPass offer a permanent free plan. The best rated of them here is Bitwarden.
What is the cheapest paid option?
1Password, from $2.99/mo, based on the price the vendor publishes.
How is this ranking built?
Each tool is scored on five axes (added value, simplicity, day-to-day use, power, reversibility), each score backed by a source cited on its page. Prices are read on the vendor's official page, in its currency. No vendor pays for its position.