The Best Password Managers for Secure Passwords and Passkeys

WIRED’s updated August 2026 guide reviews password managers designed to make online accounts more secure while reducing the burden of remembering credentials. The article argues that using long, random, and unique passwords for every account is much safer than relying on common or reused passwords, but that managing dozens or hundreds of credentials manually is impractical. Password managers solve this problem by encrypting login information and making it available across supported devices and browsers.

Bitwarden is WIRED’s top choice for most people because it combines strong security, open-source software, a generous free plan, broad device support, passkey compatibility, and optional self-hosting. Proton Pass is recommended as the best free option, offering unlimited logins and devices along with password generation, passkeys, security monitoring, and email aliases. Keeper stands out for password sharing and collaboration, particularly for families and organizations. 1Password is highlighted for advanced features such as Travel Mode, extensive platform support, and strong integration with mobile apps. Dashlane is recommended for users seeking a full-featured service with breach monitoring and phishing protection, while NordPass is particularly attractive for people who want to bundle a password manager with other Nord Security products.

The guide also explains why dedicated password managers can offer advantages over browser-based password storage, while noting that Apple’s built-in password manager can be a reasonable free choice for users committed to the Apple ecosystem. It also covers passkeys, which use cryptographic keys protected by a device, biometric authentication, or a PIN and can reduce reliance on traditional passwords. Overall, the article recommends using a password manager to improve account security and make stronger authentication easier to manage.