These days, nearly every online app or website that you use requires a password. And it makes sense, passwords are your first line of defence against ongoing cyber threats. Sure, it’s easy enough to create a password and jot it down to remember it but the thing is, most people aren’t doing it safely.
The UK Government’s 2025 Cyber Security Breaches Survey found that 69% of businesses experienced some form of cyber attack in the last 12 months. The statistic that is really alarming though is that 32% of UK adults use the same password for multiple sites. For hackers, it makes it that much easier to hack into accounts without much difficulty.
This is where password managers have gained a lot of traction, storing passwords securely and allowing limited access.
Why Should You Use A Password Manager For Cybersecurity?
The average person can have more than 50 online accounts. Netflix, Amazon, your favourite food delivery service, you name it. In theory, each account should have a unique username and password for maximum protection. Now, remembering all of those is not something the human brain was designed to do.
So you may either reuse passwords, use weak combinations that could be easily guessed or keep a password book with everything written down. None of these methods are very safe or will give you peace of mind that your information is protected.
Password managers solve that problem by generating strong passwords for each account and house them safely. Most of them also have auto-fill options so when you log into a specific account, it will automatically bring up the credentials for that one.
And most importantly, they will alert you if any of your passwords have been compromised in a data breach.
Top Alternatives To LastPass
LastPass is usually the go-to for password management. However, in 2022, the platform was involved in a major data breach and the consequences have been long-term. Users have questioned just how trustworthy it is and if their credentials will be at risk in the future.
While LastPass has upped its security and communication since that incident, you may be wondering what other alternatives are out there.
1. Bitwarden
Bitwarden has become a trusted option by the cybersecurity community thanks to it being open-source for transparency. It’s also very affordable for budget-conscious users and there is a free plan which includes unlimited passwords on unlimited devices.
It has end-to-end encryption with zero-knowledge architecture for maximum security and secure password sharing. For those who are tech-savvy and want more advanced features, there is a self-hosting option and it’s available on desktop, browser extensions and a mobile app.
2. NordPass
NordPass was created by the NordVPN team so if you already use other Nord products, it makes sense to use this for your password management.
It has a free version that includes its core features including biometric logins, a password health checker and data breach scanner. Users can also use it offline without Internet access and it has a zero-knowledge foundation, making it a secure alternative.
3. 1Password
1Password is ideal for both family and business use and offers a polished user experience. The platform includes vaults which organise each user’s credentials in addition to a Watchtower which is constantly on the lookout for security issues.
When travelling, you can enable travel mode to secure any sensitive information and use Two-Factor Authentication for added security. There aren’t any free plans available but the price is worth the security that you get.
More from Guides
- What Is an Indie Hacker?
- Starting a Business in Azerbaijan
- Top Alternatives To Wise For Payments
- Leen Kawas: How to Turn Team Disagreements Into Scientific Breakthroughs
- How to Onboard Remote Workers In Less Than a Day
- How to Apply For Startup Grants In Europe
- Five Practical Steps to Maximise Your Machine Learning ROI
- What Is a Founders’ Agreement and Why Is It Important?
4. Dashlane
Dashlane offers more than just password management. It’s an all-in-one suite offering a built-in VPN, security alerts in real-time and dark web monitoring. It is a little pricier but when it comes to your online security, it’s a one-stop-shop with everything that you need.
Additional features include password health reports and auto-password changer for some websites. There is a free plan available although this is limited to one device only.
5. Proton Pass
Proton Pass forms part of the ProtonMail and ProtonVPN family and while it is relatively new on the market, it’s gained a lot of popularity for its focus on privacy. Everything is end-to-end encrypted including usernames and notes, not just passwords.
The platform also supports aliases for e-mails and is open-source, ideal for users who want to go the extra mile to protect their privacy. In addition to a premium plan, there is also a free plan available.
6. KeePassXC
KeePassXC is an open-source password manager that can also be used offline. It’s better suited to those who are tech-savvy and want full control over their privacy since it doesn’t sync data over the Internet unless users configure it to do so.
It provides strong encryptions and local storage so users can manage their own database files and it’s also completely free to use. It is a little bit of a learning curve at the start but it’s one of the most secure alternatives.