We recommend password managers that have a CHOICE Expert Rating of 75% or higher.

The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is made up of the ease of use score (50%), password management score (40%) and sync score (10%). It represents how the program works across the board on multiple platforms – Windows/Web, Android, and iOS.

We look at how easy the password manager is to use by assessing: installation (20%), capture (30%), using passwords (30%), and categorisation and maintenance (20%).

How the software rates for password management overall. The desktop platform is used to judge password generators and changing of passwords, as many apps tell you to change passwords via a web browser. Password changes initiated on Android and iOS apps often take you to or tell you to use the main website, therefore we only judge password changes made through Chrome.

How well the software syncs passwords across devices. The maximum score for sync is 90%, which is given if the sync is automatic, and the score reduces depending on how many steps are required to enable sync, and how easy those steps are to follow.

Purchase price in Australian dollars as of July 2023 for a 12-month subscription across multiple devices (premium version), including any bank fees where applicable. US prices have been converted to Australian dollars where applicable. Some programs offer cheaper-per-unit 'family pricing' for multiple users. Some programs offer a free version that may be limited in features or limited to a single device.

Whether the software offers a free version. Note that a free version may have reduced features.

We list what's missing from the free version as compared to the paid version.

What encryption level does the program claim to run?

Whether the software allows the secure sharing of passwords.

The process, if any, to reset the master password if you forget it.

What type of information the program will store for you.

What types of export formats will it let you use?

Whether the software is available in a multi-user family plan and how many users are included.

Whether the software will synchronise password information to the cloud to share between logged-in devices.

The type of mechanism or service used for cloud synchronisation.

Whether the password manager can sync your vault between devices over a local Wi-Fi network.

Whether you can run the password manager on a removable USB for added security.

Whether the software will synchronise password information across different types of computing devices.

Whether the software allows the use of multiple secure password vaults.

Does the program/app include its own web browser that's activated from within the software?

Whether the software provides any special warnings related to the security of your passwords.

Whether the software provides access to your vault via the web without requiring special browser plugins.

Whether the software can import existing passwords from web browsers.

Whether the software can generate secure passwords for you.

This security feature adds a second step to the login process, such as an additional one-time password that is sent to your smartphone via text message. Also known as two-step authentication.

Whether the software provides a report on password strength facilitating security improvement.

Whether the software allows for the secure storage of various kinds of general information.

Whether the software provides for the sharing of information with trusted users in the event of death or disablement.