Password Managers in 2025: Which Ones Are Still Safe?

In 2025, with the threat landscape more complex than ever, password managers are no longer just convenient tools. They have become critical pillars of digital self-defense. As data breaches and identity theft incidents surge globally, the question is no longer whether you should use a password manager, but rather: Which ones can you still trust?

Recent studies show over 19 billion passwords have been leaked across the internet, and a significant portion of users still reuse them across services. Meanwhile, attackers are becoming more sophisticated and are developing malware designed specifically to extract credentials from password manager apps. This makes 2025 a decisive year for revisiting the safety and relevance of your current password manager.

What makes a Password Manager “safe” in 2025?

First and foremost, a secure password manager must operate under a zero-knowledge architecture. This means that even if a company’s servers are breached, your password data remains encrypted and unreadable. In 2025, industry-standard encryption like AES-256 or newer algorithms such as XChaCha20 are considered essential. But encryption alone is not enough.

Security experts now emphasize the importance of regular third-party audits. These audits help identify vulnerabilities before hackers do and ensure that encryption is properly implemented. Additionally, mature platforms now offer bug bounty programs to incentivize ethical hackers to report issues, adding another layer of proactive defense.

Another critical component is multi-factor authentication (MFA). A strong master password should always be combined with a second layer of authentication such as time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), biometrics, or hardware tokens like YubiKey. Password managers without robust MFA support are no longer considered safe by today’s standards.

Lastly, the ability to respond quickly to threats matters. In early 2025, several password managers (including well-known names like 1Password and Bitwarden) were found vulnerable to a clickjacking attack targeting autofill functionality. Those who responded quickly with patches earned praise; those that didn’t were rightly criticized. In short, a password manager’s reputation isn’t just based on features but on how it handles crises.

Our recommended Password Managers of 2025

While mainstream password managers offer great features, there’s a growing interest in open-source and self-hosted solutions. This is especially true among privacy purists, developers, and those living under surveillance regimes. So that is why we would recommend the following:

Bitwarden: Open Source, Transparent, and Trusted

Bitwarden continues to be the gold standard among security-conscious users. As a fully open-source solution, its code is available for public inspection, making it one of the most transparent tools in the market. It uses end-to-end encryption, has undergone several independent security audits, and supports a wide range of platforms including browsers, mobile, desktop, and even command line.

What makes Bitwarden stand out in 2025 is its balance between strong security and accessibility. It offers generous free tiers while keeping its premium version affordable (around $10/year). It also supports MFA, secure sharing, self-hosting, and even the new passkey standard for passwordless login.

Across platforms like Reddit and Hacker News, Bitwarden is regularly praised for its integrity. Users particularly appreciate its commitment to user privacy and its open development process.

KeePass and KeePassXC: Total Control, Minimal Trust

KeePass, originally released in the early 2000s, remains a popular choice for users who want complete control. It stores password databases locally (offline) using strong encryption and supports plugins to extend functionality. KeePassXC is a modern fork designed for Linux, macOS, and Windows, offering better UI and hardware token support.

Because there’s no cloud sync by default, KeePass is extremely secure when used properly. However, it does require users to manage their own backups and syncing (ommonly through tools like Dropbox, Syncthing, or Nextcloud).

While not as user-friendly as Bitwarden, KeePass’s minimalist design and offline-first approach make it ideal for high-risk threat models.

Passbolt: Open-Source, Team-Focused, and Built for Collaboration

Passbolt is a privacy-first, open-source password manager designed specifically for teams and organizations that prioritize collaboration and self-hosting. Unlike many consumer-focused tools, Passbolt integrates deeply with team workflows, allowing users to securely share credentials, manage user roles, and control access permissions all with full end-to-end encryption. Built on modern technologies and using the OpenPGP encryption standard, Passbolt ensures that no sensitive data can be read by the server or the provider.

In 2025, it remains one of the few open-source managers offering a professional-grade experience for DevOps, IT, and security teams. Organizations can choose between a cloud-hosted version or host it on their own infrastructure, providing maximum control over their data. With a strong community, transparent development process, and growing enterprise adoption, Passbolt is an excellent choice for businesses that want both collaboration and uncompromising security.

Popular choices for Normies

There’s a growing interest in open-source and self-hosted solutions which is great but there is still a ton of mainstream password managers that offer great features but are less recommended if you value your privacy. Many people in the privacy community have growing concerns which is never a good sign.

1Password: Premium Features with Enterprise-Grade Security

1Password has long been popular for its slick user interface and broad compatibility with business tools. In 2025, it continues to rank highly thanks to its proactive security features such as Travel Mode (which removes sensitive data during border crossings), built-in breach detection, and phishing-resistant login prompts.

Although it’s not open source, 1Password undergoes frequent external audits and has invested in advanced encryption methods. Its enterprise integrations, customizable vaults, and detailed analytics make it a top choice for both teams and families. While it comes at a premium price, the security and convenience justify the cost for many.

NordPass: Solid, User-Friendly, and Secure

Backed by the same team behind NordVPN, NordPass has rapidly matured into a trustworthy password manager. Its cloud-first architecture is built on zero-knowledge encryption, and it has so far not suffered any known breaches. In 2025, NordPass added full passkey support and has made its platform even more intuitive for non-technical users.

What makes NordPass appealing is its focus on usability. The app’s clean interface, browser extensions, and reliable sync make it a good choice for users who want security without complexity. Its competitive pricing also helps it stand out in a crowded market.

Proton Pass: Swiss Privacy Meets Open Source

Proton Pass is the newest entry from Proton AG, the privacy-focused team behind ProtonMail and ProtonVPN. In 2025, it has become a standout choice for users looking for a secure, cross-platform, open-source solution built under strict Swiss privacy laws.

It supports password storage, passkeys, and 2FA tokens, which are all encrypted with modern algorithms like AES-GCM. Proton Pass also emphasizes security by default, offering automatic vault locking, phishing protection, and account breach alerts.

Early reviews have been positive, and community sentiment reflects growing trust in Proton’s expanding ecosystem.

What About the Others?

There are plenty of other players in the password manager market: Dashlane, Keeper, RoboForm, and newer tools like Buttercup. While some of these have improved their features and security, they either lack transparency, haven’t undergone recent audits, or offer limited MFA support.

Additionally, in late 2025, Dropbox announced the shutdown of Dropbox Passwords, a reminder that even big tech products can be short-lived. For users who prioritize long-term security and reliability, choosing tools with transparent roadmaps and active development communities is crucial.

Passkeys: Convenience or privacy threat?

One of the biggest shifts in 2025 is the adoption of passkeys which is a passwordless login method backed by companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft. Passkeys use cryptographic key pairs stored securely on your device and verified using biometrics or PINs. They are supposedly phishing-resistant and don’t rely on shared secrets, unlike traditional passwords.

Critics argue that passkeys are heavily tied to specific platforms and often in ways that aren't transparent to users. This dependency can easily leave people locked out of their accounts if they lose access to a device or unknowingly delete the app or browser that stored the passkey. Unlike traditional passwords, passkeys are not easily portable or exportable, especially when tied to secure hardware or OS-level storage.

Moreover, inconsistent implementation across websites leads to confusion, while fallback options like SMS or email recovery (still enabled on many platforms) undermine the very security passkeys are meant to provide. There's also concern that tech companies are using passkeys as a way to deepen ecosystem lock-in, forcing users to stay within walled gardens. Without clear standards or recovery mechanisms, passkeys can feel like a black box. Secure, yes, but potentially disempowering. For many, especially those managing accounts for family members or businesses, the complexity and control trade-offs make passkeys feel more like a corporate convenience than a user-first solution.

Best Practices for Safe Use in 2025

Even the best password manager won’t protect you if it’s misused. In 2025, experts recommend a few critical practices to stay safe:

First, always enable multi-factor authentication. Ideally using TOTP or hardware tokens, not SMS. Second, keep your master password strong, unique, and not stored in your browser. Third, be cautious with autofill. While convenient, it can be exploited by malicious scripts or clickjacking attacks. Consider manually copying passwords when visiting unknown or suspicious sites.

Also, keep your password manager software and your operating system fully updated. Vendors often release patches for new vulnerabilities, and delaying updates increases your risk.

Finally, consider using different password managers for different purposes. For example, a dedicated manager for work and another for personal use can limit the damage if one is ever compromised.

Our verdict

In 2025, password managers are still safe but only if you choose wisely and use them correctly. Open-source options like KeePassXC and Proton Pass provide powerful alternatives for those who value transparency, control and better privacy. Ultimately, the best password manager is the one you can trust to protect your data today and adapt to the threats of tomorrow. 

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