Password managers vastly simplify your digital life. You only need to remember one password, which enables the creation of long secure passwords for all your online accounts.
You can even use a password manger to store other private information, like banking or credit card details. But choosing a password manager can be a tough decision. With so many good paid and a handful of free options, which is best?
Let’s take a look at the best iPhone password managers you can use.
Picking a Password Manager
Despite the many password managers available, they all do virtually the same task. Whether you’re paying a monthly fee, buying an expensive license outright, or opting for a totally free solution, the idea is simple. Password managers store many passwords behind a single password to simplify your life and keep your accounts safe.
With that in mind, you should always choose a password manager based on convenience. Having access to your passwords on both your primary computer (be it a Mac, Windows, Chromebook, or obscure Linux distro) and your mobile device (in this case iOS) is the most important aspect of all.
Ideally you’ll have the ability to add and edit passwords from any device, with a simple copy and paste. With that in mind, we’ve listed the relevant compatible platforms in each app description below. If your password manager of choice isn’t well-supported on your primary platforms, it’s time to ditch it and look for something else.
1. iCloud Keychain
Compatibility: iOS, macOS (Apple devices only)
iCloud Keychain is Apple’s password manager, and it’s built into iOS. Apple first introduced the feature a few years ago, where it was limited to use strictly within the Safari browser. Apple listened to critics and iOS 11 saw the feature move beyond the web browser and integrated into devices on a system level.
Head to Settings > Accounts & Passwords > App & Website Passwords to access the feature. You can add new passwords here, and delete any old ones you’ve saved in Safari by mistake. If an app or website has a relevant password stored here, iOS will suggest it in the QuickType bar above the keyboard upon login.
There are two drawbacks to iCloud Keychain. The first is that your list of passwords is buried three layers deep in the Settings menu (a dedicated home screen shortcut would be great). The other is that iCloud Keychain only works on Apple devices. iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks are all in, but not Windows machines or Android smartphones.
It’s a great free solution for Apple users, and it’s much better than it once was. But it’s still a bit inconvenient and it’s useless if you don’t use a Mac.
2. 1Password
Compatibility: iOS, macOS, Windows, Android
Probably the most well-known app of its kind, 1Password has been around since 2006. At one point the app used a single license per platform, but it’s since moved to a more flexible subscription model which starts at $3.99 per month for a single user.
1Password is jammed with useful features like multiple vaults, categories for different items, tags and favorites for simple organization, custom fields, and Touch ID support. All of these features make it one of the best password managers on any platform—including your iOS device. You can sync your database using the 1Password sync service, iCloud, Dropbox, or Wi-Fi.
The app will even alert you if a service you use has suffered a breach, so you can quickly change the respective password. 1Password also includes a free trial which you can activate in-app, allowing you to use the service cross-platform with no limitations for 30 days.
Download: 1Password (Free, subscription required)
3. MiniKeePass
Compatibility: Most major platforms, provided you have an app that can open the KeePass database.
MiniKeePass is my own personal go-to for password storage. I’ve used it for years alongside the KeePassX app for macOS, and while it’s basic, I’ve not yet felt the need to change to something else. The app has no subscription plan with no in-app purchases or adverts, and the source code is available for download on GitHub. That makes it one of the best free password managers around.
KeePass is an open source secure database standard that was first released in 2003. MiniKeePass opens both KeePass 1.x and 2.x files, allowing you to create, edit, import and export databases on the fly. Cloud syncing is limited to the import and export of database files to Dropbox or other relevant cloud storage apps.
That means it’s not the most robust solution. I edit and add new passwords on my Mac, then sync the file to my iPhone whenever it needs an update. However, you don’t have to pay to use it, and it’s a trusted password managing solution.
Download: MiniKeePass (Free)
4. LastPass
Compatibility: iOS, watchOS, macOS, Windows, Android, and web.
LastPass is similar to 1Password in that it’s a premium product that’s been around for a while. However, it has a fleshed-out free plan rather than a trial. You can use LastPass to store passwords on your iPhone and sync them to other devices, but the service locks a few extra features behind a subscription starting at $2 per month (billed annually).
It’s a robust system that’s designed to store login credentials, Wi-Fi passwords, software licenses, memberships, and other private information behind a single password. You can create shortcuts to your favorite items, secure your vault with PINs and fingerprints, run a security audit, and get notifications of any relevant site breaches.
LastPass also has a unique “Emergency Access” feature which can hand your account to someone you trust in the event of an emergency.
Download: LastPass (Free, subscription available)
5. mSecure
Compatibility: iOS, watchOS, macOS, Windows, Android
So far we have LastPass and 1Password with their own versions of a subscription model, and KeePass and iCloud Keychain as compelling free options with a few drawbacks. mSecure is the middle ground; it’s one of the few password managers that still sells a single one-off license.
mSecure provides a few compelling free options: unlimited records, 20 built-in templates, the ability to group and filter, plus a strong password generator. For a multi-device license at $29.99, you’ll get syncing, backup, more templates, support for Touch ID and Face ID, and an Apple Watch app.
Syncing is performed using your choice of mSync servers, iCloud, Dropbox, or local Wi-Fi. If you’re not convinced by the subscription model used by LastPass and 1Password, but you want premium features and support, mSync might just be the middle-ground you’re looking for.
Download: mSecure (Free, one-time purchase optional)
So Which Is the Best iPhone Password Manager?
All the apps listed here are up to the task, and using any of these apps is better than not using a password manager at all. Feel free to cross-reference these with our list of the best Android password managers.
If this is the first time you’ve used a password manager, remember to use the built-in password generation tools to create strong and unique passwords for all of your accounts. Most importantly, pick the one that works for you. The best iPhone password manager app is the one that’s most effortless to use, regardless of price.
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