6 Best Alternatives to Saving Passwords in Spreadsheets in 2026

Storing your passwords in an Excel file or Google Sheets keeps everything in one place and makes them easy to find. But spreadsheets weren't designed with security in mind, and there are better ways to manage your logins. 

The main issue is that spreadsheet files don't encrypt what's inside them. If someone gets access to the file, whether it's shared by mistake or your device ends up in the wrong hands, they can see everything. Writing passwords on paper or saving them in your phone's notes app are similarly risky. 

The easiest and most secure solution is to use a password manager. They encrypt your passwords, autofill them on websites, and sync across all your devices so you never have to hunt through rows in your crowded spreadsheet again. 

We've put together this list to help you find a password manager that makes sense for your needs. 

Quick guide: 6 best alternatives to saving passwords in spreadsheets 

1. LastPass: The best overall password manager, according to G2 global grid reports
2. Keeper: Secure links for sharing passwords with people who don't have an account 
3. Dashlane: Built-in VPN for private browsing on premium plans 
4. 1Password: Option to hide sensitive passwords when traveling internationally 
5. Bitwarden: Built-in authenticator for generating two-factor authentication codes 
6. NordPass: 3GB of encrypted file storage included 

How we evaluated the best alternatives to saving passwords in spreadsheets 

When you switch from a spreadsheet to a password manager, you'll notice a few key differences right away. Your passwords are encrypted so only you can read them, they sync automatically across your devices, and you can share specific logins without giving someone access to everything. We used these differences as our starting point when evaluating the options on this list. 

Here's what we evaluated: 

1. Encryption standards: Does it encrypt your passwords so only you can access them? 
2. Cross-device syncing: Can you access your passwords from your phone, laptop, and tablet without manually copying them over? 
3. Password sharing: Can you share specific logins with family or coworkers without revealing the actual password? 
4. Autofill capability: Does it save you time by filling passwords automatically? 
5. Security monitoring: Does it alert you if one of your passwords appears in a data breach? 
6. Ease of use: How quickly can you import your existing passwords and get started? 

The 6 best alternatives to saving passwords in spreadsheets 

1. LastPass: Best overall password manager for security and ease of use 

LastPass gives you automatic encryption, instant syncing across devices, and smart features that keep your accounts secure. When you save a password, LastPass encrypts it immediately and only you can unlock it with your master password. Even LastPass can't see what you've stored. 

When you log into websites, LastPass fills passwords automatically for you. You'll never have to open a spreadsheet and search for the right login again. Your Security Dashboard shows you which passwords are weak and need updating, and dark web monitoring alerts you if logins from sites and apps you use appear in a breach so you can change them quickly. 

Whether you're using LastPass personally or setting it up for your team at work, getting started is simple. Import your spreadsheet passwords in minutes, and LastPass takes over from there, saving new passwords as you create them and syncing everything across your devices automatically. 

LastPass features

1. Autofill: Saves and auto-fills passwords on websites so you never have to type them manually 
2. Password generator: Creates strong, unique passwords for every account you sign up for 
3. Security Dashboard: Shows password health scores with your personal Security Dashboard 
4. Dark web monitoring: Monitors the dark web and alerts you if your information appears in breaches 
5. Cross-device syncing: Syncs across unlimited devices with Premium plans 
6. Password sharing: Lets you share passwords securely with team members through shared folders 
7. Secure document storage: Stores backup copies of your passport and insurance cards 
8. SaaS monitoring: Uncover unvetted apps and enforce app usage policies 
9. Passkey support: Create, store, and manage passkeys, which sync across all your devices 

LastPass pros and cons

Pros: 

• "LastPass makes creating and storing secure passwords for all your sites across multiple devices easy." –verified review
• "Passwords are securely stored and available on multiple devices so I never have to remember or reuse a PW." –verified review
• "I like how easy it is to use with all my devices. Laptop, phone, tablet, web browser, I use it everywhere." –verified review

Cons: 

• "Signing in on a new device can take a while but I suppose that is for the best." –verified review
• "It can occasionally be slow to sync across devices." –verified review

2. Keeper: Secure links for sharing passwords with people who don't have an account 

Keeper encrypts your passwords and syncs them across devices. It also includes a built-in authenticator, so when a website asks for a security code after you enter your password, you can generate one right inside Keeper instead of using a separate app. 

When you need to share a password with someone who doesn't use Keeper, the One-Time Share feature creates a secure link that works even without an account. You can set when the link expires, giving you control over access. 

Keeper features

• Zero-knowledge encryption ensures only you can decrypt your passwords 
• One-Time Share lets you send passwords to anyone securely 
• Built-in authenticator generates security codes in your vault 

(Platform features reflect the information available on the Keeper website as of the publication date.) 

 

Keeper pros and cons

Pros: 

• "It integrates with all my devices and makes keeping passwords up to date very easy." –verified review
• "Keeper autofills your member ID and password for those forgetful times." –verified review
• "The security features are top-notch, and the autofill function works smoothly across devices." –verified review

Cons: 

• "It sometimes fails to autofill the password even after having it toggled within the settings which can be annoying." –verified review
• "Keeper extension autofill sometimes replaces fields we don't want, and we need to temporarily disable it." –verified review
• "The price increases have been steep and there's no going back." –verified review

3. Dashlane: Built-in VPN for private browsing on premium plans 

Dashlane encrypts your passwords and stores them in a vault you can access from any device. The service also bundles a VPN for private browsing alongside password management in some of its subscription tiers. 

Dashlane includes dark web monitoring that scans breach records and alerts you if your emails or passwords are compromised. It also has AI-powered phishing detection that analyzes webpages before you enter your login details. 

Dashlane features

• Zero-knowledge encryption ensures Dashlane can't access your data 
• VPN included with premium plans for private browsing 
• AI-powered phishing detection analyzes websites in real-time 

(Platform features reflect the information available on the Dashlane website as of the publication date.) 

 

Dashlane pros and cons

Pros: 

• "Dashlane makes password management effortless and secure." –verified review
• "I love that it auto fills passwords for me, which dramatically speeds up my productivity." –verified review
• "Dashlane is easy to use and integrates well with almost every website I've tried it with." –verified review

Cons: 

• "Sometimes the autofill gets really frustrating when you have multiple login options and it selects the wrong one." –verified review
• "The mobile app is glitchy, and often doesn't stay logged in." –verified review
• "The free plan has limited features, and the premium pricing can feel a bit high for some users." –verified review

4. 1Password: Option to hide sensitive passwords when traveling internationally 

1Password encrypts and syncs your passwords across devices. It includes a feature called Travel Mode that lets you hide sensitive passwords when you travel internationally. If your device is searched at a border crossing, those hidden vaults won't appear. 

The Watchtower dashboard monitors for breaches and integrates with Have I Been Pwned to check if your passwords have been compromised. 

1Password uses a Secret Key system that combines a separate code with your master password to encrypt your vault. This means you'll need to keep both your master password and Secret Key safe, as losing either one could lock you out of your account. 

1Password features

• Travel Mode hides sensitive vaults when crossing borders 
• Watchtower monitors breaches and weak passwords 
• Secret Key adds an extra code on top of your master password 

(Platform features reflect the information available on the 1Password website as of the publication date.)

 

1Password pros and cons

Pros: 

• "1Password offers strong security with end-to-end encryption and a unique Secret Key for extra protection." –verified review
• "It works across many platforms, and can be separated into different ways of sharing information with different people." –verified review
• "I love the security that this password management tool gives me, I feel that everything is well stored." –verified review

Cons: 

• "Unlike some competitors, 1Password does not offer a free tier." –verified review
• "Sometimes the setup feels a little bit complex for new users." –verified review
• "Took a little time to get used to organizing vaults." –verified review

5. Bitwarden: Built-in authenticator for generating two-factor authentication codes 

Bitwarden encrypts your passwords and syncs them across all your devices. On premium plans, it includes a built-in authenticator that generates two-factor authentication codes right inside the app. This means you don't need a separate authenticator app when logging into accounts that require a security code. 

The premium subscription also adds encrypted file attachments and emergency access, which lets trusted contacts request access to your vault after a waiting period you set. 

Bitwarden features

• Built-in authenticator generates two-factor authentication codes in the app 
• Encrypted file attachments for storing sensitive documents 
• Emergency access lets trusted contacts request vault access 

(Platform features reflect the information available on the Bitwarden website as of the publication date.)

 

Bitwarden pros and cons

Pros: 

• "I like having the option to use a password manager on all of my devices and have it sync to all of them." –verified review
• "Bitwarden offers strong security, end-to-end encryption, and cross-platform compatibility." –verified review
• "It provides an easy way for sharing passwords and secrets with your team in a secure and efficient way." –verified review

Cons: 

• "It's a bit inconsistent with autofill in mobile apps and some unusual login forms." –verified review
• "Sometimes the autofill feature can be inconsistent on some browsers." –verified review
• "The collections system could use some improvement for new-ish users." –verified review

6. NordPass: 3GB of encrypted file storage included 

NordPass includes 3GB of encrypted file storage on paid plans, which lets you save sensitive documents like passport scans or insurance cards alongside your passwords. Everything stays encrypted and accessible from any device. 

The free version gives you unlimited passwords on unlimited devices, though you can only be signed in on one device at a time. NordPass also supports passkeys, which let you log in with your fingerprint or face instead of typing passwords. 

NordPass features

• 3GB encrypted file storage for sensitive documents on paid plans 
• Passkey support for passwordless authentication 
• Data breach scanner monitors for compromised passwords 

(Platform features reflect the information available on the NordPass website as of the publication date.)

 

NordPass pros and cons

Pros: 

• "The auto-fill is efficient, and so is the saving." –verified review
• "Very easy to use and share passwords across devices. also rates the level of security of each of your passwords." –verified review
• "It saves all my passwords in one place and fills them in when I need them." –verified review

Cons: 

• "The browser extension occasionally logs out or takes a bit to sync across devices." –verified review
• "What I dislike about NordPass Business is that the autofill feature can be slow or not work well on some websites." –verified review
• "If you're using it within a company it might take a while to set everything up at the beginning." –verified review

Comparison table: The best alternatives to saving passwords in spreadsheets 

What are the security risks of storing passwords in spreadsheets? 

If you've been using a spreadsheet to track your passwords, you're not alone. It's a natural first step when you have too many logins to remember. The problem is that spreadsheet files don't have any built-in protection. If someone opens the file, they can see everything inside. 

This becomes tricky when you need to share the file or access it from different devices. Emailing it to yourself, saving it to a shared drive, or syncing it through cloud storage all create opportunities for the wrong person to stumble across it. 

There's also the risk of losing the file entirely. If your laptop crashes or you accidentally delete it, all those passwords are gone unless you've made backups. And if you do keep backups, that's just more copies of an unprotected file floating around. 

How do password managers protect your data better than spreadsheets? 

The biggest difference is encryption. When you save a password in a password manager, it gets converted into a coded format that can't be read without your master password. This happens on your device before anything gets sent to the company's servers, which means even the password manager provider can't see what you've stored. 

With a spreadsheet, your passwords are stored exactly as you typed them. Anyone who opens the file sees everything in plain text. 

Most password managers also alert you if one of your passwords appears in a data breach, so you can change it before someone tries to use it. With a spreadsheet, you'd have no way of knowing your login was compromised until something went wrong. 

When you need to share a login, password managers let you do it through an encrypted channel. You control exactly who has access and can revoke it at any time. Compare that to texting or emailing a password, where you have no control over where it ends up next. 

Why LastPass is the best alternative to saving passwords in spreadsheets 

If you're saving all your passwords in a spreadsheet because it seems like the easiest solution, LastPass is going to be a pleasant surprise. It's super convenient and easy to use, even if you've never used a password manager before. And have we mentioned how it's so much safer? 

Besides keeping all your passwords secure, LastPass goes the extra mile. If any of your passwords are compromised, you'll get an alert so you can change them right away. You also get a cool Security Dashboard where you can check if any of your existing passwords are too weak. And on our Premium plans, you can have it all on multiple devices, so all your logins are always right there when you need them. 

Ready to leave spreadsheets behind? Try LastPass free and give your online security a boost.