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Best for Password Syncing
Best for Budget-Conscious Users
Best for Families Focused on Privacy
If you’ve been searching for the best password managers for Mac, we have you covered. We've tested dozens of password managers and named NordPass as the best for Mac users. Besides being the #1 password manager overall, NordPass offers strong encryption and seamless password syncing across devices.
Whether you’re searching for a password manager for your family with an extra layer of protection like 1Password or you need a cheap premium plan like RobForm offers, 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.
NordPass: Best for password syncing
RoboForm: Best for budget-conscious users
1Password: Best for families focused on privacy
FAQs
Bottom line
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:
- NordPass: Best for password syncing
- RoboForm: Best for budget-conscious users
- 1Password: Best for families focused on privacy
Top 3 password managers for Mac compared
Password manager | |||
Star rating | |||
Starting price | Starts at $1.29/mo (billed every two years) (for paid plans) | Starts at $1.66/mo (billed annually) (for paid plans) | Starts at $2.99/mo (billed annually) |
Free plan | |||
Mac support | |||
Import/export tool | |||
Password sharing | |||
Encryption | XChaCha20 | AES 256-bit | AES-GCM-256 |
Password generator | |||
Password strength report | |||
Autofill | |||
Digital legacy | |||
Cloud storage | Up to 3GB | ||
Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
Learn more | Get NordPass | Get RoboForm | Get 1Password |
How we test and rate password managers
We put every password manager through vigorous hands-on testing by downloading the software to our own devices. We test how the product works on both mobile and desktop, evaluating how well we're able to save, share, and use passwords across a variety of situations.
By taking a fine-tooth comb through all available features and settings, we carefully compare each product using our proprietary grading rubric. The star ratings take into account price, features, extras like cloud storage and data breach alerts, plus looks at security and privacy features like encryption levels and past data breaches.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full testing methodology here.
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 desktop apps for macOS and Windows as well as mobile apps for iPhone and Android, 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 also allows 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. We believe third-party auditing is best to see any security issues that a password manager may have.
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 $1.29/mo (billed every two years), we think you get plenty for your purchase.
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 risk-free.
What we didn’t like
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.
RoboForm: Best for budget-conscious users
Who it’s best for
If you want a free product that'll store your passwords and come with additional features, then RoboForm is right for you. RoboForm's free version has all the basics, like autofill, a password generator,
On top of that, RoboForm Premium only costs $2.66/mo (billed annually) and comes with access on all devices, expanded password sharing abilities, and more.
What we liked
We found RoboForm to be user-friendly and clean from the first impression. During the setup process, RoboForm walked us through importing passwords from other password managers or a CSV file.
RoboForm Free has basic password manager features, dark web monitoring, two-factor authentication, and cloud backup. RoboForm Premium has extras like complete emergency access, password sharing, and 24/7 priority support. All plans are protected with AES-256 encryption, meaning your data will receive military-grade protection.
We also feel secure about using RoboForm because it's never been hacked or breached. It also underwent a third-party audit of its data security and password storage procedures in May 2023, and Roboform was quick to fix any issues addressed in the audit.
What we didn’t like
Depending on your password manager needs, Roboform Free can be limiting. For instance, you can only set up emergency access with another RoboForm account, and for password sharing, you'll only be able to send one-off items. You also won’t get priority support without a paid subscription.
Even with RoboForm Premium, you won’t get any next-level features like travel mode, dark web monitoring, or a VPN.
1Password: Best for families focused on privacy
Who it’s best for
1Password is great for users who want security for the entire family. Five family members can access this password manager on unlimited devices, allowing unlimited password storage. With the vault feature, you can choose certain passwords to share with another person or group.
1Password has the same features as other password managers but also has two unique features: Watchtower and Travel Mode. Watchtower gives you a score for your security level and evaluates the strength of your passwords.
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 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 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.
FAQs
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 Roboform, which offers plenty of features and is easy to use. We tested RoboForm against 1Password, and while RoboForm is the clear budget choice, 1Password is better overall.
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, a password generator app, like PSWD, is available in the Apple App Store. However, the easiest option is to use the Apple Passwords app, which has been available to Apple users since the iOS 18 update.
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.
Should you save passwords on a Mac?
You can save passwords on a Mac using iCloud Keychain (now rebranded as Apple Passwords), which is a secure way to store confidential information. Still, it’s always good to have an extra layer of security like a third-party password manager because, with built-in password vaults, your information is only as safe as your phone. Dedicated password managers can generate complex passwords, show you if you have weak passwords, and warn you about data leaks.
Bottom line
After testing and reviewing, we determined that NordPass is the best password manager for Mac users due to its high level of security, seamless password syncing, and ease of use.
Families may choose 1Password, where you can get more value for $4.99/mo (billed annually). If you're looking for something light on the budget, you can opt for RoboForm, which offers plans ranging Free–$2.66/mo.
3 best password managers for Mac 2024
Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
$1.29/mo (billed every two years) (for paid plans) | Best for password syncing | Get NordPass | |
$2.66/mo (billed annually) (for paid plans) | Best for budget-conscious users | Get RoboForm | |
$2.99/mo (billed annually) | Best for families focused on privacy | Get 1Password |