If you've ever typed your passwords into Notepad, Apple Notes, or a Samsung Notes file, you're not alone. It feels quick and convenient, but then you realize how easy it would be for anyone with access to your device to see everything. A secure password manager like LastPass offers a smarter way to store your login details, keeping them encrypted and accessible only to you.
This guide walks you through why notes apps put your accounts at risk, how password managers solve that problem, and which options are worth considering. Whether you're looking for something free or willing to invest a few dollars a month, you'll find a tool that fits.
Why you shouldn't save passwords in notes apps
Notes apps like Notepad, Apple Notes, and Samsung Notes weren't built to protect sensitive information. They store your text as plain, readable files that anyone can open. If someone picks up your phone or laptop (whether it's a roommate, a repair technician, or a thief) they can scroll through your passwords in seconds.
Text files also lack any real protection against malware. If a virus or spyware infects your device, it can scan for files containing words like "password" or "login" and send them straight to hackers. Your carefully saved list becomes a gift to bad actors.
There's no backup safety net either. If your device breaks or gets lost, or you accidentally delete the file, your passwords vanish with it. You'd have to reset every account from scratch, which can take hours and leave you locked out of important services.
How a password manager like LastPass helps you stop storing passwords as notes
A password manager encrypts your passwords so only you can read them. Instead of a plain text file sitting on your desktop, your login details live in a secure vault protected by a master password. Even if someone gets hold of your device, they can't access your passwords without that key.
Password managers also create strong, unique passwords for every account. You don't have to come up with "P@ssw0rd123" variations anymore. The manager generates random combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols, then remembers them for you.
With a tool like LastPass, your passwords sync across all your devices automatically. Log in on your laptop, and those same passwords appear on your phone. You get the convenience you wanted from a notes app, plus strong passwords protecting your accounts.
Quick guide: 6 best alternatives to storing passwords as notes
- LastPass: The best password manager for beginners according to G2 global grid reports
- Bitwarden: A simple, no-frills option for basic password storage
- 1Password: A password manager that adds a Secret Key to your login
- Dashlane: Built-in phishing alerts and VPN included on some plans
- Keeper: Flexible sharing options, including with non-users
- NordPass: Email masking lets you hide your real address from websites
The 6 best alternatives to storing passwords as notes
1. LastPass: The best password manager for beginners
Switching from notes apps to a password manager might sound like a hassle, but LastPass keeps things simple. You save your passwords once, and LastPass remembers them for you. When you visit a website, your login details fill in automatically, so there's no copying and pasting from a notes file.
The browser extension works quietly in the background, saving new passwords as you create accounts and filling them in when you return. If you're ever worried about forgetting your master password, LastPass offers multiple ways to recover your account, including SMS recovery and trusted emergency contacts.
Getting started is free on one device (mobile or computer), and you can upgrade to Premium to sync across all your devices. There's also a Families plan if you want to protect your entire household.
LastPass features
- Automatic password save: Saves your login details as you log in to websites without any extra steps
- Password generator: Creates strong, random passwords so you don't have to think of them yourself
- Security Dashboard: Shows you which passwords are weak, reused, or old so you can fix them
- Dark web monitoring: Alerts you if your information shows up in known data breaches
- Secure notes: Stores sensitive documents like insurance info and credit cards with encryption
- Cross-device sync: Keeps your passwords updated across your phone, tablet, and computer
LastPass pros and cons
Pros:
- "The syncing of passwords across devices makes it so easy to use when on the go!" –verified review
- "The option to import passwords is amazing and helps get passwords from various sources saved in one place with a master lock which maintains privacy." – verified review
- "LastPass just does its thing in the background, populates password fields, automatically saves new passwords and enables you to keep your vault of passwords nice and safe in the digital world." – verified review
Cons:
- "I wish it tracked the last time a login was used; that would be a nice-to-have feature." –verified review
- "Sometimes the browser plugin logs you out." –verified review
2. Bitwarden: A simple, no-frills option for basic password storage
Bitwarden focuses on the essentials, giving you a clean interface for storing and managing your passwords. The app encrypts your data before it leaves your device, meaning Bitwarden never sees your actual passwords.
Bitwarden features
- Browser extension: Fills in your passwords automatically when you visit websites
- Cross-device sync: Access your vault from any device on any plan
- Send feature: Share encrypted text or files with anyone, even non-users
(Platform features reflect the information available on the Bitwarden website as of the publication date.)
Bitwarden pros and cons
Pros:
- "It allows me to store all my application logins securely in one place, protected by a single master password." –verified review
- "The password generator easily creates complex passwords to use with any service." –verified review
- "Bitwarden offers strong security, end-to-end encryption, and cross-platform compatibility." –verified review
Cons:
- "Some advanced features might be somewhat difficult to understand for less technical users." –verified review
- "The user interface, while functional, sometimes feels less intuitive than alternatives." – verified review
- "The autofill option is inoperative on specific websites, which means I have to copy and paste passwords." – verified review
3. 1Password: A password manager that adds a Secret Key to your login
1Password stores your passwords in vaults that you can organize with tags and favorites. The Watchtower feature keeps an eye on your passwords, alerting you if any are weak, reused, or found in a data breach.
One thing that sets 1Password apart is its Secret Key, a 34-character code that adds an extra layer of protection to your account. The downside is that if you lose this key, you could be locked out of your vault permanently. There's also no free plan, so you'll need to pay from day one.
1Password features
- Secret Key protection: Adds a second layer of encryption beyond your master password
- Watchtower alerts: Notifies you about weak passwords and breached accounts
- Travel Mode: Hides sensitive data when you're going through customs
(Platform features reflect the information available on the 1Password website as of the publication date.)
1Password pros and cons
Pros:
- "1Password generates secure passwords for me to keep the password for every account different." –verified review
- "The mobile app is especially reliable." –verified review
- "I personally like Watchtower which sends alerts in case of weak credentials or any system breach." –verified review
Cons:
- "A few features are harder to find at first, so it takes time to learn where everything is." –verified review
- "The learning curve is a little confusing, especially with the different setting menus." –verified review
- "Having to remember a really long password each time I need to review the vault." – verified review
4. Dashlane: Built-in phishing alerts and VPN included on some plans
Dashlane uses AI to detect phishing websites in real time. If you land on a fake login page designed to steal your credentials, Dashlane warns you before you type anything.
Some plans also include a VPN (virtual private network) at no extra charge. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address, which adds privacy when you're browsing online.
Dashlane features
- AI phishing detection: Warns you about suspicious websites before you enter passwords
- Built-in VPN: Keeps your browsing private on public networks (on some plans)
- Dark web monitoring: Scans billions of records to check if your data was exposed
(Platform features reflect the information available on the Dashlane website as of the publication date.)
Dashlane pros and cons
Pros:
- "It's so quick and easy to use to save, retrieve, and even share passwords." –verified review
- "Can easily update passwords that expire frequently without having to remember them." –verified review
- "The clean interface and built-in VPN also make it easy to manage and protect all your credentials in one place." – verified review
Cons:
- "Sometimes it doesn't autofill when I want." –verified review
- "It will prompt you to create passwords for any fill-in box on webpages, which can make filling out forms or paperwork online tedious." – verified review
- "The prompts to fill in fields are very intrusive and come up on too many fields where it is not needed." –verified review
5. Keeper: Flexible sharing options, including with non-users
Keeper's One-Time Share feature lets you send a password to someone who doesn't have a Keeper account. The link expires after a set time, and the recipient's device gets tied to that specific share, so forwarding the link won't work. This makes it useful for sharing a Wi-Fi password with a guest or sending login details to a family member.
The app includes a built-in authenticator that generates 2-factor codes, so you don't need a separate app for that. If you want dark web monitoring to check whether your passwords have appeared in data breaches, that costs extra on top of your subscription.
Keeper features
- One-Time Share: Send passwords to anyone without requiring them to sign up
- BreachWatch: Monitors the dark web for your compromised credentials (paid add-on)
- Built-in authenticator: Generates 2-factor codes so you don't need a separate app
(Platform features reflect the information available on the Keeper website as of the publication date.)
Keeper pros and cons
Pros:
- "Keeper allows you to have many logins without the need to remember all the passwords." –verified review
- "It's a very easy to use, secure password manager, with built in two factor authentication capabilities." –verified review
- "It provides peace of mind knowing my passwords are secure." –verified review
Cons:
- "The learning curve for brand new users can be a little steep, particularly for non-techie folks." –verified review
- "The browser extension has issue recognizing fields on some websites and SaaS applications." –verified review
- "It sometimes fails to autofill the password even after having it toggled within the settings." –verified review
6. NordPass: Email masking lets you hide your real address from websites
NordPass lets you create up to 200 disposable email addresses through its email masking feature. When you sign up for a website, NordPass generates a unique address that forwards to your real inbox. If that site gets hacked or sells your data, you can delete the mask without affecting your main email.
The free plan lets you store unlimited passwords, but you'll need to upgrade to Premium to access them across multiple devices.
NordPass features
- Email masking: Create disposable email addresses to protect your real inbox
- Passkey support: Log in to compatible sites without passwords using biometrics
- Password health checker: Identifies weak, reused, or old passwords in your vault
(Platform features reflect the information available on the NordPass website as of the publication date.)
NordPass pros and cons
Pros:
- "It stores all of your passwords in one place and allows multiple team members to access it." –verified review
- "I can organize passwords into folders, generate strong passwords, and share them individually or via shared project/role folders." –verified review
- "It's pretty easily accessible and very convenient while still being secure, and it works well across devices." –verified review
Cons:
- "No native desktop app yet—relying solely on the browser extension feels limiting." –verified review
- "The mobile app, though functional, feels slightly less streamlined compared to the desktop version." – verified review
- "It logs you out of the main password portal every time you close Chrome." –verified review
Why LastPass is the best password manager for beginners
All of the password managers in this list are better than storing passwords in a notes app. LastPass stands out because it balances security with ease of use, which is why it leads the G2 global grid reports for password managers. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, so you can get comfortable with it quickly and start boosting your online security right away.
On Premium plans, your passwords sync across all your devices, so you can log in from your phone, tablet, or computer. You also get access to personal support via email and chat if you ever need help.
Start your free LastPass trial today and leave those notes files behind.
