Easy-to-guess usernames and passwords or two or more accounts sharing passwords are common among employees handling multiple accounts. The reason is to simply remember them at all times. Maintaining login credentials for several business accounts can be successfully accomplished through the use of password management software. With the help of this tool, you can generate and store unique passwords, spot risks and boost data security through a secure login.
As an IT security manager in a budding business, free password management software allows strengthening your data security without a purchase commitment. This article highlights the three top-rated free password management software products, in alphabetical order, based on verified software reviews. Read more.
The tools featured in this article, focus on password management with secure generation, storage, and sharing. However, some of them offer additional features, including identity theft protection and auto-form filling.
1. Bitwarden
Bitwarden is a password management solution focusing on password creation, secure sharing, and storage encryption. You can use the tool to store and manage passwords, notes, and other sensitive information in a vault with end-to-end data encryption. The vault is accessible via two-factor authentication (2FA), such as email and mobile app notifications, to add an extra layer of security with the primary password.
The free version of Bitwarden is available for a single user with unlimited password generation. Additionally, you can share vault items with up to two users and generate username data breach reports.
Free featuresPassword and username generator: Generate usernames and passwords using the required length, uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. The feature allows filtering characters or letters that must be avoided while creating.
Encrypted file share: Encode all the vault data by converting it into codes and sharing via a link to authorized users. The feature analyzes the recipients' login credentials to authenticate them and allow secure access to the shared files.
Email alias integration: Create duplicate email addresses as set forwarding to direct emails to your original account. The feature keeps your primary email address hidden from the recipients.
Customer support options: Community forum, on-demand live demo, how-to articles, help center, and online form.
Who should consider Bitwarden?
If you are looking to strengthen your usernames and passwords for multiple accounts (social media, email, etc.), consider Bitwarden. Besides the password and username generator and encrypted data sharing, Bitwarden assists with secure email sharing using alias integration to reduce spam and safeguard your data from phishing attacks.
To present the most up-to-date information, the product information below shows the latest real-time ratings, which may differ from the ratings values at the time this report's analysis was conducted, since new reviews may have been left in the meantime.
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Cost to upgrade
Device compatibility
/ Pro tip
Consider a password management solution that offers a free mobile application for users to generate, store, and share login credentials. A password management mobile application allows changing passwords, giving or revoking user access, or auto-filling online forms anytime with its clickable interface.
2. LogMeOnce
LogMeOnce is a password management suite with passwordless login, identity theft protection, and cloud storage encryption. You can use the tool to replace the traditional username and password login with biometrics, two-factor authentication (2FA), app notifications, or single sign-on (SSO). LogMeOnce also analyzes and scores the data security levels of your business and provides actionable steps to eliminate vulnerabilities and enhance security.
LogMeOnce's free plan offers access to a single user with up to 1 MB of encrypted file storage for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, etc. You can also create unlimited passwords, sync unlimited devices, and generate audit and activity reports.
Free featuresRisk-based conditional access: Allow or deny access to resources based on the identified risk associated with the user, device, location, or context of the access request. The feature allows dynamically adjusting the access controls based on the detected risk levels, considering user behavior, network location, and more.
Beneficiary: Set a secondary owner to access specific applications in the absence of the primary owner. The feature allows beneficiaries to modify existing authentication processes and user data access based on their risk assessment.
Dedicated employee and admin vaults: Create secure storage spaces where employees can store and manage their unique passwords, usernames, and other login credentials. The feature also allows creating admin vaults to manage and control business-wide credentials, including various aspects of employee accounts and password access.
Customer support options: Chat, how-to videos and articles, calls, and online form
Who should consider LogMeOnce?
If you want to eliminate data privacy issues your business might face with remote employees, LogMeOnce's passwordless password management can be beneficial. You can assess the security risks by monitoring the remote employees' location, network, and synced devices. For example, the risk level might be high if an employee attempts to access sensitive data from an unfamiliar location, network, or device. Risk-based conditional access triggers additional authentication factors or denies access until the identity is verified.
To present the most up-to-date information, the product information below shows the latest real-time ratings, which may differ from the ratings values at the time this report's analysis was conducted, since new reviews may have been left in the meantime.
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Cost to upgrade
Device compatibility
Narrow your search for managed service providers agencies with our list of companies in the following areas:
3. RoboForm
RoboForm is a password management and form-filling software to securely store, share, and manage passwords, login information, and other sensitive data. Using the tool, you can autofill online forms with name, address, email, phone number, identification number, and bank account information for online transactions and registrations. RoboForm also allows you to sync data across multiple devices, ensuring that the credentials and other sensitive data is accessible and updated on all of them.
Free RoboForm software plan offers access to a single user with a built-in time-based one-time password (TOTP) authenticator, password scan, and cloud backup.
Free featuresCompromised password scan: Monitor the security of stored passwords by checking if any of them have been compromised in data breaches or leaks. The feature integrates the business data about known breaches and leaked passwords to run security checks.
Built-in TOTP authenticator: Generate a temporary, on-time-use code that is required with the username and password when logging into an account. The feature allows setting up an emergency access option if the user forgets the required credentials.
Password audit: Access the security center to receive the password security score and replace weak passwords with stronger combinations of recommended special characters, numbers, and uppercase and lowercase.
Customer support options: Knowledge base, help center, online support ticket, and digital user manual
Who should consider RoboForm?
For businesses that make regular online transactions and fill out registration forms, RoboForm can be considered. The tool provides a secure platform to store personal and banking information in a digital vault, which can be accessed using the TOTP authentication. Furthermore, the tool allows running regular audits to check the strength of your existing passwords and suggest stronger alternatives.
To present the most up-to-date information, the product information below shows the latest real-time ratings, which may differ from the ratings values at the time this report's analysis was conducted, since new reviews may have been left in the meantime.
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Cost to upgrade
Device compatibility
/ Pro tip
Evaluate a password management software for offline access to store and manage passwords, change existing passwords, or grant or revoke user access. Offline access can be beneficial if you face network connectivity issues while updating passwords with a potential risk of data breach.
What is the cost to upgrade from free password management software to a paid one?
Upgrading to a paid password management tool can cost as low as $1 or increase to $39+ per user, per month, depending on various factors, including the number of users, number of devices, and authentication type. Most password management software typically includes the following subscription plans:
Free trial: No-cost trial plans ranging from 14 to 30 days, giving users access to all or limited password management features.
Free version: Free software plans offer basic features, including password sharing, storing, and generation, and limited premium feature access; ideal for small businesses or individuals with a limited budget.
Entry-level: Ranges from $1 to $29 per user, per month and offer limited features; good option for small businesses or teams with basic password management needs such as custom username and password generation, email alias, secure notes, and VPN protection.
Mid-tier: Mid-range pricing ranges from $3 to $34 per user, per month and offers advanced features such as advanced password audits, dark web insights, phishing alerts, and group login sharing.
High-end: Advanced plans range from $5 to $39 per user, per month and offer unlimited access to entry and mid-level features. Ideal for large enterprises requiring priority support and employee training.
Hidden costs associated with password management software
Besides the software license itself, there may be additional costs associated with password management software. These may include:
Device limits: Some free or lower-tier plans might have limitations on the number of devices you can use the software on. Additional devices could incur extra costs.
Data migration: Transitioning from one password manager to another might require help from the software support team for an extra cost.
Cloud storage: Storing a large amount of content might lead to storage costs if your software has limitations on storage capacity.
Frequently asked questions when selecting password management software
Ask these common questions to software vendors when evaluating the best password management software for your IT and security management needs.
What are the available authentication options with the free plan?
Authentication options in a free password management software plan vary for different vendors. However, in most cases, each software offers limited options, including 2FA, SSO, TOTP, and device pin. You need to review the supported authentication options by your selected software and match them with your business's security requirements and employees’ convenience to access across different devices.
Does the free plan allow granting and receiving emergency access?
Emergency access can be granted to your accounts or received from other user accounts. However, a free password management software plan may offer both or a single functionality. If the availability of emergency access features is crucial to your security needs, carefully assess the selected software for the same or similar functionality in the feature list.
Is the password generator customizable with specific inputs?
Password generation is either random or based on specific user inputs (words, numbers, special characters, length, etc.), which varies for different free password management software plans. If custom passwords are a requirement, you need to focus on the types of customization available, including eliminating common patterns, reducing numbers, creating paraphrases, avoiding dictionary terms, etc. In some cases, the tool allows entering specific words or numbers to turn into passwords.