1Password Alternatives (2026): 10 Password Managers

1Password is one of the best-known password managers, and plenty of people start there. But it isn't the only way to keep your logins organised and out of your head. Maybe you'd like something open source, a vault that stays on your own computer, or a tool built for a small team that wants to host everything itself. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of other options worth a look.

This page lists ten 1Password alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. I've mixed smaller, independent tools with a few well-known names. Everything below comes from each tool's own website, so check the current details before you commit. No password manager makes you unhackable, so treat every claim of perfect security with healthy suspicion, and read how each tool explains what it protects. If you're also reviewing the rest of your toolkit, my guide to developer productivity tools is a handy companion.

Password manager alternatives side by side

A password manager stores your logins in an encrypted vault, fills them in for you and helps you create strong, unique passwords. In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free plan or free-to-use version. Trial only means a free trial with no permanent free option. No means I couldn't find either on its own site.

Tool	Type of password manager	Good for	Free plan
Bitwarden	Open source vault	Syncing logins across many devices	Yes
KeePassXC	Offline desktop vault	Keeping your vault file on your own computer	Yes
Keeper	Identity security platform	Teams that want wider access controls	Trial only
pass (password-store)	Command-line vault	Developers who live in the terminal	Yes
Passbolt	Team credential manager	Technical teams that self-host	Yes
Passwork	Self-hosted business vault	Companies that keep data on their own servers	Trial only
Proton Pass	Encrypted privacy-brand vault	Existing users of the same privacy suite	Yes
Psono	Self-hosted team vault	Small companies that want control of their data	Yes
RoboForm	Autofill-first manager	Quick form filling and simple login storage	Yes
Zoho Vault	Team vault inside a business suite	Shared logins for small teams	Yes

Ten password manager options, A to Z

Bitwarden

Best for: People who want an open source vault with a free account, browser extensions and apps on most devices, from one person to a small team.

KeePassXC

Best for: Anyone who prefers a local, open source vault stored in a file they control rather than in a company's cloud.

Keeper

Best for: Organisations that want password storage alongside secrets, remote connections and access management, with a free trial to look around first.

pass (password-store)

Best for: Developers and Linux fans who like a lightweight shell tool that keeps each login in its own GPG-encrypted file.

Passbolt

Best for: Small technical teams who want an open source credential manager they can host themselves, with a free Community Edition.

Passwork

Best for: Businesses that want a self-hosted password and secrets manager and would like to try it with a free trial first.

Proton Pass

Best for: People who already like the wider privacy-focused product family and want end-to-end encrypted password storage with autofill and sharing.

Psono

Best for: Small companies that want an open source, self-hosted manager, with business features offered free for a small number of users.

RoboForm

Best for: Individuals who mainly want to store, generate and autofill logins, starting on the free plan for one device.

Zoho Vault

Best for: Small teams already using other apps from the same business software family who want shared, autofilled logins.

How to choose a password manager that fits you

The best password manager is the one you'll still open on a busy Tuesday. Start with how you work, then run through these questions.

• Who is it for? A single person, a family or a team with shared logins each need something different.
• Cloud or self-hosted? Cloud tools are quicker to start. Self-hosted tools give you control, but you become responsible for updates and backups.
• Which devices do you use? Check there's a browser extension and an app for each phone, tablet and computer you rely on.
• How does sharing work? If you share logins with a colleague, look at how access is given and taken away.
• What happens if you lose access? Find out how recovery works before you need it, because some tools can't recover a vault if you forget the master password.
• Can you export your data? A clean export means you're never stuck with one tool.

Which type of password manager suits which business

• Open source vaults suit people who like to see how a tool is built and want a free way to get started.
• Offline desktop vaults suit anyone who'd rather keep a file on their own machine than rely on a company's servers.
• Self-hosted team managers suit small technical teams with someone who can look after a server.
• Business suite vaults suit teams that already live inside one family of apps and want logins in the same place.
• Identity and access platforms suit larger organisations that need to control who can reach what, and to log it.

Setting up a new password manager without losing logins

1. Export your current vault, if your old tool allows it, and store the file somewhere safe and temporary.
2. Choose a long master password you can remember but nobody else could guess, and don't reuse it anywhere.
3. Turn on two-step sign-in for the manager itself, and keep your recovery details somewhere separate.
4. Import your logins and check a few important accounts open correctly before you delete anything.
5. Install the browser extension and phone app, then try an autofill on a site you use every day.
6. Delete the temporary export file once everything works, and empty any recycle bin that holds it.

Mistakes people make when changing password manager

• Leaving the old vault open to the world, with the exported file still sitting in a downloads folder.
• Moving across without checking that the two-step codes for important accounts moved too.
• Choosing a weak master password because the vault is 'only' protected by that one phrase.
• Skipping the recovery set-up, then finding out too late it can't be reversed.
• Assuming any tool is unhackable. Good habits matter as much as good software.
• Keeping shared team logins in a chat or spreadsheet because the new tool feels like extra work.

Password manager habits that matter whichever tool you pick

A vault only helps if you use it everywhere. Let it generate long, random passwords for new accounts, and switch on two-step sign-in wherever a site offers it. Be careful with browser pop-ups asking for your master password, and always check the address of a page before you let a tool fill in a login. If you manage client accounts, a shared vault is far safer than passing logins around in messages.

A good password manager also becomes part of your wider routine. If you're sorting out your systems at the same time, you might find my guides to Airtable alternatives and Notion alternatives useful, and Zapier alternatives for automation covers tools that connect your apps together. For booking, Calendly alternatives is a quick read.

Do you make password managers or security software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Making your final password manager shortlist

Pick two tools that suit your devices and your way of working. Set up a small test vault in each with a few low-risk logins, and see which one feels easier to use daily. Read each tool's own security page, check how recovery works and keep the one you'll open without being reminded. Then move your important accounts across in stages rather than all at once.

Frequently asked questions

What is a password manager used for?

A password manager stores your logins in an encrypted vault, creates strong unique passwords and fills them in for you. You only need to remember one master password, so you aren't tempted to reuse the same one everywhere.

Is there a free password manager?

Yes. Several tools on this page describe a free plan or free-to-use version on their own websites, though limits vary. Check what's included, such as the number of devices, before you rely on it.

Should I choose a cloud or a self-hosted password manager?

Cloud tools are easier to set up and sync across devices. Self-hosted tools give you more control over where data lives, but you need someone to keep the server updated and backed up.

Can any password manager be hacked?

No software is perfectly safe, so be wary of anyone who says otherwise. Choose a tool that explains its security openly, use a strong master password and switch on two-step sign-in.

How do I move my logins to a new password manager?

Export your vault from the old tool, import it into the new one and test a few important accounts before deleting anything. Then remove the export file so a copy of your logins isn't left lying around.