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What is a password manager?

A password manager does the work of creating, remembering, and filling in passwords for you. Save a password once and LastPass will autofill it the next time you need to log in.

Free trial for all plans available. No credit card required.

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Benefits of using a password manager

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Enhanced security

LastPass puts security first for users, securing your data through local, zero-knowledge encryption for the password vault and features like a built-in password generator.

Zero-knowledge security
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Time-saving convenience

Password managers like LastPass simplify your daily routine by keeping your digital life within arm’s reach with features like save and autofill plus storage for secure notes.

Save and autofill
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Cross-platform accessibility

The best password managers support automatic device sync across all your devices, so you can save passwords to mobile apps and immediately access login credentials on a web browser.

Device sync
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Proactive control

Dark web monitoring, also known as data breach monitoring, auto-scans the web for compromised accounts while a 24/7 password strength tool assesses your vault for password risks.

Dark web monitoring

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How does a password manager work?

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    Password encryption and storage 

    Password managers protect your passwords by storing them for you. With LastPass, you receive an encrypted password vault to store your passwords, login credentials, payment info, addresses, and secure notes in.

    A LastPass password vault is secured by zero-knowledge encryption, which ensures your data remains visible only to you. Your master password is the only key which can unencrypt your password vault.

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    Save and autofill functionality

    Save a password to your LastPass password vault, via web browser or mobile apps, and it’ll auto-sync across all your trusted devices. The next time you need to log in, LastPass will autofill your login credentials for you. Save and autofill also works for addresses and payment info to streamline online checkout.

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    Built-in password generator

    Avoid password vulnerabilities, like the reuse of weak passwords, with the LastPass password generator. It’ll generate complex passwords for all your new accounts so you can improve your password security practices.

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    What can I do with a password manager?

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    Store sensitive personal documents

    LastPass lets you create secure notes inside your password vault, where you can store your sensitive information and documentation, like additional copies of your passport, license, credit cards, WiFi passwords, and more.

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    Protect your banking information

    Login information for banking providers are a common target for hackers, as the information is the most valuable to them. Avoid vulnerabilities by storing your banking login credentials in a password manager, where they’ll be protected by top-of-the-line encryption methods.

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    Securely share credentials

    Protect your password security with LastPass’ end-to-end encrypted sharing, which allows you to safely share sensitive information with family or team members.


  • Access passwords on all your devices

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    LastPass browser extension

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    LastPass desktop applications

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Web vault
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    LastPass mobile applications

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    What makes a password manager a secure solution?

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    Master password and encryption key

    As mentioned above, your master password is the only key which can unlock your LastPass password vault. Think of it as your unique security key: due to its encryption, only you will ever know what your plaintext master password is – not even LastPass knows it.  

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    Two-factor authentication (2FA)

    2FA increases cybersecurity by requiring additional authentication, on top of your master password, to unlock your password vault. Two-factor authentication methods include: biometric authentication, like a fingerprint scan, SMS codes, one-time passcodes, and push notifications for iOS and Android to the LastPass Authenticator app.

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    Dark web monitoring and password security score

    Dark web monitoring helps you avoid cybersecurity vulnerabilities by notifying you whenever an email address or login credentials are compromised online. Similarly, your up-to-date password security score monitors your cybersecurity practices, identifying instances of weak passwords and reuse, which you can address via unique passwords.


  • Get started with LastPass password manager

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    Sign up for free trial

    Whether you’re a single user, family, small team, or business, you can sign up for a free trial of LastPass – no credit card required.

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    Create your master password

    Once signed up, you must create the master password for your password vault. Make it unique yet memorable – something only you’ll know.

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    Download extension or app

    Download LastPass on the devices you’ll most be using it on, from web browsers to mobile apps, to experience LastPass while you’re on the go.

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    Save or import passwords

    Begin adding your existing passwords to LastPass. You can either save them as you log in to sites and apps or import them from other password managers.

    Challenges of using a password manager

    Initial setup and learning curve

    Getting started with a new app can be stress-inducing, but LastPass makes password management as easy as possible. With LastPass, it’s as simple as signing up, downloading the LastPass browser extension or mobile app, logging in, and start saving your passwords. Save a password once and we’ll autofill it the next time you need it.

    Dependency on a single master password

    A single master password may sound like too little security for a password manager app, but it’s the essential key to protecting your account. That’s why it’s important to create a memorable, unique password only you will remember: one, so hackers will never be able to guess it, and two, so you’ll never forget it.

    Best of all, once you’ve input your master password to verify one of your devices, you can establish passwordless login. This will allow you to log in, in all future instances, using the LastPass Authenticator app, your fingerprint, or a hardware key. While you’ll need to remember your master password, you can feel good about not typing it every time you access your LastPass vault.

    Potential risks of cloud-based storage

    Some worry that cloud-based storage could put your online accounts at risk of hackers. But the truth is that your data is secured within the cloud. The LastPass zero-knowledge encryption model, with hashing and salting, protects your LastPass password vault and data by never storing it in its plaintext form. Rather, it’s saved as unintelligible, scrambled gibberish which can only be unencrypted on your devices.


    Types of password managers

    Cloud-based password managers

    Cloud-based apps are password managers which store your passwords in encrypted cloud servers. Your passwords are accessible only on your trusted devices, which are the only devices which can access and verifiably unencrypt your data from the cloud. These include LastPass, 1Password, Nordpass, Dashlane, and others.

    Local password managers

    Local password managers, like Enpass and KeePass, store your passwords locally to your device. Unlike a cloud-based password manager, your data does not sync across multiple devices with a local password manager: your passwords are only available on the device they’re saved on.

    Browser-integrated password managers

    Browser password managers are password managers that are built into the browser itself, like Safari, Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. While convenient, they’re not as secure as other types of password managers due to their lack of high-end security protocols.


    Best practices for password management

    Creating strong and unique passwords

    You should create a strong password every time you make a new account. It’s one of the simplest ways to secure your account, as weak passwords are the easiest entry point for hackers. To create a unique password, use the built-in LastPass password generator.

    Regularly updating and changing passwords

    It’s a good idea to update your passwords every so often. Making it a habit protects against compromised accounts and potential data breach risks. It’s also smart to do when you first create your password manager account, as you may realize you’ve been using reused and weak passwords.

    Enabling multi-factor authentication

    Multifactor authentication adds an additional layer of security to your LastPass password vault by putting another layer of authentication on top of your master password. Whether it’s a push notification to your phone, a one-time password, or a fingerprint verification, it’s a simple way to protect your sensitive information, as you’ll be the only person who can authenticate your identity and unlock your password vault.  

    People love LastPass

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    Chrome and App Store rating

    Based on 79,300+ reviews

    Millions

    Customers secure their passwords with LastPass

    Leader in Password Management

    Based on 1,599+ reviews
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    “I like that LastPass is easy to use and intuitive. It integrates well with all websites and allows me to keep secure encryption for all my personal and work-related accounts. It allows me to organize folders, share with others, and only memorizing one master password for all of those while keeping encryption secure is a relief.”

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    Kenny Kolijn

    Independant business coach
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    “I use LastPass both corporately and personally. It allows me to securely store and share passwords with my family and co-workers in separate environments and happily generates random secure passwords for me, which prevents me from re-using the same one.”

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    Erik Eckert

    System administrator, MPE Engineering Ltd.

    “I have been with LastPass for about two years now and it's one of those apps that you wonder why it took so long to start using. The absolute frustration of trying to keep track of passwords manually was so stressful. LastPass takes the stress away. It is extremely easy to use in my opinion, and has some great security features.”

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    Bart Nanni

    Security services sales executive

    Frequently asked questions

    What does a password manager do?

    A password manager stores all your passwords in one place, in a password vault only accessible to you. A password manager app like LastPass allows you to save passwords, payment information, and personal notes to your password manager, which are then auto-synced across all your trusted devices. Also, LastPass will monitor your cybersecurity practices so you can always be aware of your security habits.

    Should I write my passwords down?

    No, under no circumstances should you write your password down. The chances of a stranger finding your password – especially if you work outside the home or in an office – are high, and that significantly increases your risk. It’s much safer to save your passwords in your password vault rather than relying on memorization or writing them down.

    Do I really need a password manager?

    The average person has over 100 digital accounts, which include banking platforms, social media apps, work tools, and more. That includes over 100 logins. If you rely on password memorization, chances are you are using weak passwords and/or reusing passwords. Such practices put the security of your digital life at risk.

     

    A password manager is the surefire way to protect your digital life. By using a password vault, you can create strong, unique passwords for every account. With other unique security features, a password manager can do a lot to secure your personal information online.

    Are password managers safe?

    Yes! Password managers are designed with the highest security standards, implementing zero-knowledge encryption models to hide your data from everyone but you. With a strong master password and unique passwords for all your accounts, you’re taking the necessary measures to get the most out of your personal password manager.

    What is the easiest password manager to use?

    When it comes to ease of use, LastPass is the preferred choice for millions of users. It’s simple user interface and experience make it the ideal choice for people who want the ultimate in security and simplicity in one solution.

    Is a password manager better than using your own password?

    A password manager allows you to use your own passwords. The difference is that your store your passwords in your password manager, which will autofill your passwords for you when you need to log in. With a password manager, you can set stronger password requirements, because the only password you’ll need to remember is your master password: the only key which can unencrypt your password vault.

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