1Password is one of the best third-party password managers out there. However, you need to pay for a subscription to get the most of out it, and not everyone’s enthusiast about the current practice in the password management space. Tech titans like Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Firefox are offering a password manager add-on over current browser products. You can also get a capable third-party 1Password alternative for free or a one-time fee. Let’s explore our options.
Free 1Password Alternatives
Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Firefox offer a built-in password management tool for a seamless web-browsing experience in their respective browsers. Let’s start with Google’s offering.Â
1. Chrome Password Manager
If you are using Google Chrome as your go-to web browser on mobile and desktop, Chrome’s built-in password manager is a good place to start.Â
Chrome Password Manager depends on the Chrome browser to deliver password manager which means it will work on every device that supports Chrome. So it covers Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux platforms.
Google also offers a password generation tool. Some websites require you to use a special character ($, #, &) in the password. By default, Google doesn’t recommend it but notes that if it is required by the website, Chrome Password Manager will generate the password accordingly.Â
Speaking of security, Chrome regularly checks your passwords to keep them safe from data breaches and other security issues. Google says that the Chrome browser receives a security update every six weeks and in case of ‘critical’ bugs, a fix is delivered within 24 hours. All of this is done automatically without any need for user intervention.
2. Microsoft Password Manager
Microsoft is right up there with Google to offer a built-in password management tool in the Edge browser.
When you sign in to any website on the Edge browser, Microsoft will offer to save the password in its database. Microsoft Edge will suggest strong passwords and, if you choose to use them, they’ll be saved and filled automatically next time.Â
You can view, edit, and delete the saved passwords from the Settings menu in the Edge browser.
Microsoft trumps Google and matches 1Password with a dedicated password management app on Android and iOS. The company has integrated passwords in the Microsoft Authenticator app on the mobile too. You will find a separate Passwords tab in the app and it lets you auto-fill passwords on iOS and Android.Â
3. Firefox Lockwise
Firefox has been adding useful add-ons such as Firefox Send and Firefox Lockwise on top of its browser offering. Firefox Lockwise is a cross-platform password manager integrated within the browser.Â
The process is straightforward. Whenever you add a website login info in the Firefox browser, the service adds the data entry in the Lockwise manager. It is free and syncs seamlessly with the Firefox account.
The service makes perfect sense for those looking for a secure and free 1Password alternative. Firefox did a solid job with mobile apps. Now, it won’t have all the bells and whistles of 1Password, but the app gets the job done with biometric security, auto-fill login, and a built-in browser.
4. iCloud Keychain
iCloud Keychain comes by default on every iPhone and Mac. As you add login data through applications and Safari browser, it automatically gets added to the iCloud servers.
The Keychain data is stored on iCloud, and as a result, it has the same security measurements as Apple’s cloud storage service. The service also requires Face ID or other authentication (if you have set it) whenever you try to access the iCloud data.
The highlight of the iCloud Keychain is the convenience. It excellently works in the background and you can even forget its existence. And also, if you are a Mac user, then all the auto-fill functionality applies to the Safari browser on Mac as well.
As expected, iCloud Keychain is tied with the Apple ecosystem. Meaning, it won’t work with Windows and Android OS.Â
Freemium 1Password Alternatives
1. LastPass
This one requires no introduction. One of the biggest selling points of LastPass is free and unlimited syncing across the platforms. You need to pay only when you want to share vaults, need priority support, and an added security layer. Most features are included in the free version.
The only drawback of the app is the fact that LastPass stores all the data on their server. It makes the user data vulnerable to potential hacking attempts. There is no option to save the data on preferred cloud providers such as Google Drive or OneDrive.
Other functions include multiple vaults, security challenges to check password strength, and a warning for using repeated passwords. LastPass is available on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and supports popular browsers through respective extensions.
Get LastPass
2. SafeInCloud
SafeInCloud is my preferred choice to store passwords for a couple of reasons. It lets you back up the data on any cloud platform. You can generate an offline backup file or store the data on Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox.
The uber 1Password alternative generates a 256-bit encrypted backup file for security purposes. However, if you forget the master password, then there is no way to recover your account as the app doesn’t have your credentials.
SafeInCloud offers an OS-specific model. You will have to make a one-time purchase on both Android and iOS.
So, let’s say you purchase the Pro version on iOS for $5. Now, you are set. You will enjoy all the current and upcoming premium features for a lifetime. With that, you also get Windows and Mac apps for free.
Get SafeInCloud
Ditch 1Password for Alternatives
If you are tied to the browser ecosystem then it makes sense to invest in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox’s password manager. For those looking to get the best out of a password manager and want something that closely rivals 1Password, opt for either LastPass or SafeInCloud.Â
