Whenever you get motivated to improve your online security, you might get discouraged by the price tags. And when a reputable password manager has a free version but it’s missing the majority of key benefits, it can be frustrating.

But what is the best free password manager?

Setting Up the Search Criteria

Before starting the quest for the perfect free password manager, you need to figure out what you want from it. In this article, the ideal password manager would have to meet specific criteria:

  • 100 percent free
  • Auto-fill
  • Password generator
  • Available on multiple devices
  • Cross-device syncing
  • Intuitive user interface

KeePass

keepass-plugins

Keepass is a free, open-source password manager. It’s available to download directly on Windows, macOS, Linux, and, Chromebook, Palm OS, and BSD devices. Also because of its large community of contributors, KeePass isn’t only available on Android and iOS, but also on Windows Phone and Blackberry.

For browser integration, you can install dozens of KeePass plugins and extensions that let you auto-fill your passwords and generate random passwords. In terms of encryption, KeePass supports the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Twofish algorithms to encrypt the passwords stored on your device.

While KeePass supports cross-device syncing, the process requires some technical work. The same applies to its user interface. You can get used to it with time, but it’s not intuitive nor easy-to-use for the average user.

Download: KeePass for Android | iOS | Windows | macOS | Linux

PassBolt

Passbolt website screenshot

PassBolt is another open-source password manager. It’s completely free to use and the only paid version is for enterprises and teams. To use offline, PassBolt uses KeePass, so every device with KeePass support can use PassBolt.

For more integration, PassBolt has Android and macOS apps along with Firefox and Google Chrome extensions. With the extensions, PassBolt can auto-save and auto-fill your password from web pages.

It uses end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to secure your data whether locally on your device or self-hosted online. However, while you can share passwords with contacts safely, there isn’t a way to directly sync passwords cross-device. PassBolt’s user interface is fairly easy to use, sleek, and straightforward.

Download: PassBolt for Android (early access) | Linux

MyKi

Screenshot of MyKi website

Similarly to PassBolt, MyKi is a password manager that’s free for individual users but has subscription options for teams and corporations.

MyKi free password manager has official apps for both Android and iOS. It also works with Windows, macOS, Linux, and Debian devices. When it comes to browser extensions, you can install MyKi on Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.

MyKi uses E2EE to secure your passwords on company servers and locally on your device. In addition to its minimalist user interface with sleek graphics, MyKi supports auto-fill, cross-device syncing, password generator, and two-factor authentication (2FA).

Download: MyKi for Android | iOS | Windows | macOS | Linux

Intuitive Password

Intuitive password website screenshot

Intuitive Password is a freemium password manager that prides itself on having military-grade encryption. The free, or "Basic", version of Intuitive Password allows you to store up to 20 passwords, includes a strong password generator, and the ability to auto-fill logins.

You can download Intuitive Password apps on Android and iOS phones, but when it comes to desktop apps, there’s only a Windows version. For browser extensions, Intuitive Password has extensions for Firefox Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.

As for additional features, the free version doesn’t support offline password access. But your password vault is protected with E2EE, ensuring security and privacy. The user interface can take some getting used to, but is otherwise simple.

Download: Intuitive Password for Android | iOS | Chrome | Firefox | Edge

Psono

Psono website screenshot

Psono is an open-source password manager that’s completely free for users but has paid plans for enterprises and teams. Psono is free to install on Windows, macOS, and Linux devices. It’s also available on Android and iOS as a mobile app. Additionally, you can install a browser extension on Firefox and Google Chrome.

The free user version of Psono has tons of additional features. There’s a strong password generator, the ability to auto-save and auto-fill your logins, along with password syncing and sharing, and 2FA.

All your logins and credentials are protected with E2EE, on your device, and on their servers. The user interface is easy to use and available in both light and dark modes.

Download: Psono for Android | iOS | Chrome | Firefox

Padloc

screenshot of Padloc website

Padloc is an open-source freemium password manager. The free plan allows you to store up to 50 passwords and sync them on two devices. Padloc is available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and even Chrome OS.

It has a strong password generator built in along with a sleek and minimalist user interface that doesn’t require a learning period. Padloc encrypts your data locally on your device, and you can also set it to log out after a set period of use for security.

Download: Padloc for Android | iOS | Windows | macOS | Linux | Chrome | Firefox

Buttercup

Screenshot of Buttercup website

Buttercup is an open-source and 100 percent free-to-use password manager. The desktop app is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can download the mobile app on Android and iOS and the browser extension on Firefox and Google Chrome.

Since there are no company-owned servers, you can either self-host Buttercup or use supported cloud services—such as DropBox and Google Drive—for storage and cross-device syncing. Buttercup comes with a strong and adjustable password generator and the ability to auto-fill logins using browser extensions.

Whether online or locally on your device, Buttercup uses strong encryption to secure your passwords. Additionally, the user interface is intuitive and easy to use. You can also use it as a family and categorize your logins by user and by category.

Download: Buttercup for Android | iOS | Windows | macOS | Linux | Chrome | Firefox

LastPass

LastPass is a paid password manager with a free version. It’s free to download on almost all platforms from Windows, Linux, and macOS to Android and iOS. Also, LastPass has browser extensions you can install on Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.

You can store unlimited passwords using your free account. However, while LastPass supports syncing, it only allows for same-device syncing. For security, LastPass follows a zero-knowledge policy and uses E2EE.

As for additional features, LastPass has a built-in password generator, it supports password auto-save and auto-fill, and password sharing. As for user interface, LastPass is similar to most premium password managers. It has a smooth and easy-to-use desktop, mobile apps, and extensions.

Download: LastPass for Android | iOS | Windows | macOS | Linux | Chrome | Firefox

So, What Is the Best Free Password Manager?

All of the password managers listed above are great if you’re looking for a free password manager. The answer to which is the best free password manager might vary depending on your need.

But the one that meets all of the criteria of the perfect password manager is the Buttercup password manager.

It’s still a relatively small and new open-source project and growing in terms of functionality and platform availability. However, if you're looking for a 100 percent free and easy-to-use password manager with a few additional features, Buttercup is the way to go.