LastPass and iCloud Keychain are two among many password managers. Both were created and are maintained by veteran technology companies: the former by a company solely dedicated to computer security products; and the latter by a consumer technology company offering a password manager as part of its ecosystem. Which of these password managers is better, and which one should you stick with long-term?

Why You Should Switch From LastPass

You should switch from LastPass for peace of mind. Yes, reassurances of encryption standards used and transparency about security incidents are great, but you shouldn’t have to read the news and wonder if your passwords and card details are indeed safe.

LastPass is best known for its eponymous password manager app, but the company is not a newcomer to creating and offering computer security products. Since 2008, the company has created a password synchronization browser extension and a two-factor authentication app.

However, for a company with such a long history, it seems there’s always a countdown to the next security incident that puts customers’ private data at risk. The 2022 security breach, where a hacker stole sensitive users’ details and financial information, as well as LastPass decryption keys, was especially a deal-breaker for many.

Even with promises of better encryption and safeguard protocols, some users are worried about being compromised. The frequency of hacks at a company that’s supposed to be the guardian of secrets leaves much to be desired.

Is the Experience of Switching to iCloud Keychain Better?

LastPass is still in the business of password management, and hopefully, lessons have been learned. But if you’re one of over 25 million users thinking of switching from LastPass, then consider iCloud Keychain. By default, the password manager is available to customers in Apple’s walled garden.

Apple is renowned for its superb security—mostly because of how clamped its ecosystem is—so you'll likely have high expectations when it comes to the security of your passwords. However, the company is far from invincible. Indeed, Apple has its fair share of the security and privacy vulnerabilities that plague technology companies. Despite this, the company is quick to act by rolling out software patches to fix vulnerabilities that strike too close to home. What’s more? Security-wise, things are looking up in iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma.

Switching to iCloud Keychain means you enjoy password synchronization across devices as well as a better autofill and authentication experience. The snag, however, is the switch is not straightforward when you’re moving loads of passwords.

How to Switch From LastPass to iCloud Keychain

Making the switch involves two steps. First, you have to export your passwords from LastPass as a CSV file. Then, you have to import the CSV into Safari. This roundabout is necessary because Apple does not allow users to import password databases from LastPass into iCloud Keychain directly.

Export Passwords From LastPass as CSV File

Open your LastPass account from the browser extension then click Account > Fix a problem yourself > Export vault items > Export data for use anywhere and confirm your Master password.

Following these prompts will help you download your database of passwords as a CSV file. You may open the file to verify the data but don’t make edits.

Import CSV File to Safari

For this step, you will need to use Safari on a Mac. You cannot get this done in one fell swoop on an iPhone or iPad.

Open Safari on Mac and go to Settings and click on the Passwords tab, where you'll need to verify your ID. Click on the three-dot icon for the dropdown menu then on Import Passwords.

By now, you will be able to import the LastPass CSV file directly. Safari will also automatically backup the imported passwords to your iCloud Keychain, so you can use them on your iPhone or iPad. Windows users can use passwords already stored on their iCloud Keychain too, but the setup is pretty contrived.

The CSV file you exported from LastPass is not encrypted. Anyone with access to your computer during this process can make a copy and get your passwords.

Delete the CSV file from your device as soon as you’re done! To be sure, use Shift + Delete to delete the file without the option of recovery.

There Are Other Password Managers to Consider

Moving from LastPass to iCloud Keychain makes sense if you are an Apple user. However, if you are a Windows user considering a new password manager, iCloud Keychain is not for you. Sure, you can still go ahead and set it up with an extension, but the passwords you import will stay localized on the native password manager for the browser you use. Instead, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden.