To avoid drowning in your usernames and passwords you have to remember

To avoid drowning in your usernames and passwords you have to remember, we will help you choose a password manager. We take important decisions set that you have to create a password manager and then we tell how popular password managers deal with those choices.

01 Introduction
We literally drown in the huge amount of user names and passwords that we should remember. Too much use the same password is not safe, too many simply can not remember. And besides all that strong, long passwords, we should increasingly refrain kinds of security questions (and the answers), in case we have forgotten one time password. Also read: way you get back a lost password.

In short, too many to remember for a normal human brain. So is the use of a right password manager absolutely recommendable. We treat KeePass, 1Password, LastPass Dash Lane and four popular and very well known password managers. Only they all do some things slightly different. We try to help you determine which password manager for you is most appropriate.

KeePass is primarily a Windows application and probably the best known password manager. 1Password focuses on OS X and iOS, and has the best apps out there. However, there is simply support for Windows and Android. Dash Lane focuses on all platforms and also works mainly with a desktop application. Only LastPass lives really completely in the browser.

1Password is the only really intended for OS X and iOS.
02 Online or Offline
The first and most important choice you have to make is whether you want to synchronize your passwords and if so, how do you want to do that. If you use multiple devices, you probably want some form of synchronization. You have often also the possibility anywhere login. You can choose to put your entire password database in the cloud and to pass on the synchronization in its entirety. Another option is to arrange it yourself, through a cloud service like Dropbox , a network drive, or simply connect two devices.

If you give everything out of your hands, you must take into account attacks. Load Pass , for example, has been hacked already more than once. Now such services as somewhat withstand. In the case of LastPass were the hackers eventually only encrypted password databases in the hands where they can not do anything with, provided you have set a strong password. Ideally, you also make use of two-step verification.

KeePass well as 1Password both working with databases that you know where you can also store. You can then choose for themselves whether and how you want to synchronize the databases. With KeePass, you can use third-party apps and sync via a cloud service like Dropbox passwords. 1Password can also through a cloud service to synchronize your passwords, but adds the option to allow us to do that only over Wi-Fi in a local network. That works well only from a PC to mobile device. Dash Lane and LastPass both work entirely online where all stored encrypted passwords. Both services save your master password (which you use to access your passwords) course online at.


KeePass can sync with another file or via a web link.
03 Browser Integration
Most of your passwords you enter in the browser, so it is an important part of a password manager how well it integrates with your favorite browser. Of course, most password managers integrate with the most popular browsers, but there is still considerable difference in quality. Besides filling passwords, it is also a password manager for you to store and remember passwords and generate passwords, so login and registration of websites as simple as possible.

is quite useful as a password manager has the option to change automatically at specific sites your password, something which is often difficult to find on various sites and therefore only being done by few people. Finally, some password managers notifications off if a website has been hacked. Then you know when you should change your password here.

Regarding browser integration, only LastPass lives entirely in the browser. With KeePass, you're on extensions from third parties. LastPass and Dash Lane both have good integration of the browser with options to store credentials, create, generate and automatically fill in. LastPass supports most browsers. While 1Password also has an extension, but it works less than the other. For example, automatically fill it you just have to search the desktop application.

All services, except KeePass, have the option to analyze your passwords and websites. For LastPass give you one-time permission to open your safe and analysis. Then shows which sites you have to change your password, because those websites have been hacked for example. Moreover, the weather on the websites you use weak passwords, same passwords and old passwords. Dash Lane and 1Password do something better and give you continuous weather the weak passwords, are double or hacked. At 1Password you have that function well as enable itself using Show / Watchtower . With LastPass and Dash Lane is possible to change the password directly from the password manager at a number of websites without actually having to log on.

Dash Lane can, like LastPass, for example, directly from a record field to generate a secure password.
04 Mobile
Password Managers on your phone have the advantage that you even there you can sign up easily to your favorite services. Many password managers are supported by both iOS and Android, but as with the browser integration are there varying degrees. For example, some apps can automatically fill in passwords in the browser and other apps. That goes for both Android and iOS , although it often works better on Android. In addition, it may be that you want to move can manage your passwords. Some apps have an integrated browser, taking you even easier you can sign up on the website, or a separate keyboard to enter passwords quickly.

LastPass has apps for iOS, Android and Windows Phone, both the tablet and the smartphone . The apps include a built-in browser that allows you to log in easily. It is possible to add new passwords, profiles and forms. Dash Lane has apps available for iOS and Android. The mobile apps include all functions of the program on the desktop, with one exception: keep track of your online purchases. A major drawback is that Dash Lane can fill in passwords on Android's browser. For that you should necessarily use the built Dash Lane browser.

LastPass has the possibility for example though. 1Password also has apps for Android and iOS. On Android uses a special keyboard to enter passwords. With 1Password you so designated for synchronization on a cloud service or through the desktop application. For the latter option, you need to activate a Wi-server on your desktop to synchronize your passwords. With KeePass, you rely on third-party apps. One option is for instance KeePass Touch for iOS. This app has the ability to enter passwords directly from Safari, as the competition does.