The best password manager for Mac
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Security-tested
Everywhere you go online you need to create an account with a username and password. On average, people have 100 online accounts to which they need to remember their username (typically email) and password combinations.
This leads to the worst online security practice of all — reusing the same memorable password multiple times.
The problem with reusing the same password on multiple services is that if any of them ever get broken into, the hackers would also be able to access the rest of the services you use. For example, if your food delivery app gets compromised, hackers might be able to access your bank account, tax information, and your emails in case all of them share the same password.
Since it’s impossible to remember 100 complex passwords on your own, the best solution to this problem we have today is to use reliable password management software. But which one?
The best Mac password manager in 2024
There’s no shortage of Mac password managers out there. The key to finding the most suitable and the most secure password manager for you is knowing which features you need and which you’re willing to compromise on. For example, which of these are essential for you:
- Generate unique, complex passwords
- Sync between devices
- Store credit card information
- Keep secure notes
- Share logins with others
- Have 2FA (two-factor authentication)
- Be easy to use
- Access core features for free
Everyone can rearrange the features above in the order of priority and have their own list of criteria to apply against any password keeper for Mac.
With that said, here are some of the best password storage Mac solutions available today.
| Secrets | Bitwarden | 1Password | Dashlane | KeePassXC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logins | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Credit cards | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Files | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Intuitive design | yes | no | yes | no | no |
| Share logins | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Mobile app | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Price | Free with Setapp | Free or $10 a year for premium | $2.99 a month | $3.33 a month | Free |
Secrets
Password vaults don’t have to be technical and confusing. If you just want a solution that works well and covers all the bases, try Secrets.
Secrets is very intuitive at keeping your sensitive information away. You can generate complex passwords on the fly and autofill them natively on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. The login information can either be stored offline on your device or synced through the iCloud. Either way, your data never reaches third-party servers.
In addition, you can store and autofill credit card details and share logins with others through a shared vault.
Pros
- Beautiful and simple interface
- Easy to save, autofill, and share logins
- Doesn’t rely on third-party servers
Cons
- Lacks secure notes or document upload
- Only available on Apple devices
Technical details
- Price: $30+ a year (depends on the plan). Free with Setapp.
- Supported systems: macOS, iOS, and iPadOS
- Features: Logins and credit card details, device sync, shared vaults
- Availability: App Store and Setapp
- Latest version: 4.1
Bitwarden
As one of the most popular free password manager Mac apps, Bitwarden was bound to make our top list.
Bitwarden is an open-source app, meaning that anyone can examine the security of its codebase. In addition, it gets regularly audited by a third party that ensures the app keeps up its security standards.
You can download Bitwarden on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and as an extension for all major browsers. Bitwarden supports 2FA, Touch ID, passkeys, credit card details, autofill, file uploads, and strong password generation.
Plus, a limited version of Bitwarden is free for everyone, and a premium (unlimited) version is available for $10 a year, making it one of the most affordable password storage Mac managers on the market.
Pros
- Free and affordable plans
- Availability on all major platforms
- 2FA and Touch ID support
Cons
- Not the best interface
- Autofill is not always reliable
Technical details
- Price: Free. $10 a year premium. $40 a year for a family.
- Supported systems: macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux
- Features: 2FA, Touch ID, file upload, credit card details
- Availability: App Store
- Latest version: 2024.2.0
1Password
It would be fair to say that 1Password was the first password vault manager for Mac that brought widespread recognition to the need of having a separate app for passwords.
Launched in 2006, 1Password quickly became the essential space for all sensitive information, including logins, credit card details, secure notes, files, driver’s licenses, software keys, membership numbers, and more.
1Password covers all platforms (and even works with the command line) and browsers. It’s available for personal and business use. Plus, it supports 2FA, passkeys, shared vaults, and tags.
Among some standout features, 1Password continuously monitors whether any of your passwords have been leaked and has a Travel Mode, which allows you to temporarily remove logins to certain websites and apps while travelling.
Pros
- Great, intuitive interface
- The most extensive set of features
- Availability on all platforms and browsers
Cons
- Not the cheapest option
Technical details
- Price: $2.99 a month for individuals, $4.99 a month for families
- Supported systems: Mac, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, web browsers
- Features: 2FA, shared vaults, Travel Mode
- Availability: App Store, 1Password website
- Latest version: 8.10
Dashlane
While not the most popular password manager, Dashlane has successfully forged its path and serves its own segment of the market well.
Dashlane has most of the features you’d expect from a top-tier password manager, from 2FA to autofill to password generation to security breach alerts. It works on macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android.
What users value the most, however, is its generous family plan. For just $4.99 a month, up to 10 people can join under the same account. And while the individual accounts are not as cheap in comparison, at $3.33 a month, they do include a VPN.
Pros
- Cheap family plan
- VPN included with individual plans
Cons
- More expensive than comparable alternatives
Technical details
- Price: $3.33 a month for individuals, $4.99 for families
- Supported systems: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android
- Features: VPN for individuals, 10 accounts under the family plan
- Availability: App Store
- Latest version: 6.2
KeePassXC
Those who prefer to use open-source apps over their commercially available alternatives might consider KeePassXC to be the best password manager for iPhone and Mac.
KeePassXC is completely free and open-source, doesn’t feature any ads or trackers, and is actively maintained by its enthusiastic community. There aren’t any special features, but KeePassXC covers everything you’d expect from a password manager.
The app is secure, doesn’t use third-party servers, and easy to set up. While the desktop versions are available from KeePassXC directly, mobile versions require community apps, such as KeePassDX or KeePassium.
Pros
- Free to use
- Actively supported by the open-source community
Cons
- Outdated interface
- Mobile access only through partner apps
Technical details
- Price: Free
- Supported systems: macOS, Windows, Linux, mobile with community apps
- Features: Create, save, and autofill logins
- Availability: KeePassXC website
- Latest version: 2.7
Restore your Mac’s privacy
While having a Mac password manager is a major boost to your digital security, it’s also important to periodically check other privacy aspects of your Mac, such as app permissions, browser cookies, autofill info, and more. The best way to do that is to activate a privacy scan in CleanMyMac X.
CleanMyMac X is an optimization app for Mac that removes outdated files, fixes permissions, improves processing speed, and checks privacy settings. And you only have to click one button to do it all.
Take a privacy checkup with CleanMyMac X:
- Open the app.
- Select Privacy in the sidebar.
- Scan.
- Check results and click Remove.
As you can see, whatever your password vault needs are, there’s an appropriate password manager for Mac you can use. If you’re not sure which one to pick yet, start with Secrets, which is more than enough for most users. In addition, make sure to occasionally check that your privacy on Mac is up to standard with CleanMyMac X.
Best of all, Secrets and CleanMyMac X are both available to you absolutely free during the seven-day trial of Setapp. Setapp is a platform with more than 240 Mac, iOS, and web apps across all categories, from creative expression to cybersecurity. Try any combination of apps from the whole collection today at no cost and find your new favorites!
FAQs for managing passwords
Which password manager is the most secure?
All major password managers (recommended above) are more than secure for general use. However, if you want extra security, make sure your passwords are only stored locally on your machine.
Which password manager has never been hacked?
Since all sensitive files for most major password managers are encrypted, it’s very rare for a password manager to be hacked or for its user data to be compromised. The only major browser that has recently exposed some data to hackers is LastPass, which we don’t recommend using.
Are password managers 100% safe?
No software is 100% safe. However, keeping your logins and other sensitive information in a password manager is by far more secure than remembering easy passwords or writing them down in an encrypted file on your Mac.
