If you're an Apple user, you want a password manager that feels like it belongs on your Mac. That means smooth Safari integration, instant sync with your iPhone and iPad, and Touch ID support so you're not constantly typing your master password. A Mac password manager like LastPass stores everything securely and fills in your logins with one click.
This guide covers the top password manager options for Mac users. We'll compare Safari compatibility, iOS syncing, and biometric support so you can find the right fit for how you use your Apple devices.
Quick guide: 6 best password managers for Mac
- LastPass: The best overall password manager for Mac according to G2 global grid reports
- 1Password: Includes Travel Mode to hide sensitive data at borders
- Bitwarden: Open-source with self-hosting option available
- Dashlane: Includes VPN with premium plans
- NordPass: Creates masked email addresses to protect your real email
- Keeper: Lets you share passwords with people who don't have an account
How we evaluated the best password managers for Mac
We looked at password managers through the lens of what Mac users need. Your Mac, iPhone, and iPad should work together smoothly, and your browser needs full extension support. Here's what we focused on:
- Safari compatibility: Does the browser extension work reliably with Safari and support autofill?
- Apple ecosystem sync: How well does it sync between Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch?
- Touch ID and Face ID: Can you unlock your vault using biometrics instead of typing passwords?
- Cross-platform flexibility: Does it also work on Windows or Android devices?
- Ease of setup: How quickly can you get started?
- Security features: Does it protect your data with strong encryption and monitoring?
The 6 best password managers for Mac
1. LastPass: Best overall password manager for Mac
LastPass just works with your Mac. The Safari extension saves passwords automatically when you log in and fills them with one click the next time you visit. No hunting through menus or copying and pasting.
Setting up LastPass across your Apple devices takes minutes. Install the Safari extension on your Mac, download the iOS app, and everything syncs automatically. Save a password on your MacBook and it's ready to autofill on your iPhone before you can reach for it.
Touch ID and Face ID work everywhere. Unlock your vault on your Mac with a fingerprint tap, or let Face ID handle things on your iPhone. You're not stuck typing your master password dozens of times a day.
The Security Dashboard shows you which passwords need attention. You'll see color-coded scores that highlight weak, reused, or compromised passwords at a glance. Dark web monitoring runs in the background and alerts you if your information shows up in a data breach.
LastPass features
- Safari extension with autofill: Detects password fields automatically and fills credentials with one click across all your websites
- Instant Apple ecosystem sync: Save a password on your Mac and use it on your iPhone and iPad in seconds
- Touch ID and Face ID support: Unlock your vault with biometrics on Mac, iPhone, and iPad without typing your master password
- Security Dashboard: Visual password health scores help you identify and fix weak or reused passwords quickly
- Dark web monitoring: Alerts you when your email or credentials appear in known data breaches
- Multiple recovery options: Admin-assisted reset, one-time recovery passwords, and SMS recovery ensure you're never permanently locked out
LastPass pros and cons
Pros:
- "The syncing of passwords across devices makes it so easy to use when on the go!" –verified review
- "It is effortless to use on all devices, with a very good functionality that makes it fast and seamless." –verified review
- "All my passwords are kept safe, encrypted, and 2-factor authenticated so I don't have to worry." –verified review
Cons:
- "Sometimes it is slow to pull up the vault." –verified review
- "I would like to see an improvement in the speed of adding new passwords specifically on the iPhone." –verified review
- "The interface can feel a little clunky at times, and it's not always intuitive for new users." –verified review
2. 1Password: Includes Travel Mode to hide sensitive data at borders
1Password has native apps for macOS, iOS, and other platforms. The desktop app and Safari extension work together, sharing a lock state so you only need to authenticate once. When you unlock the desktop app with Touch ID, the browser extension unlocks too.
Travel Mode lets you temporarily remove sensitive vaults from your devices when crossing borders. The platform also uses a Secret Key alongside your master password for encryption. This 34-character code adds another layer of protection but also means you'll need to keep track of it.
1Password features
- Touch ID integration: You can unlock the desktop app and browser extension with your fingerprint on supported Macs
- Watchtower security: Monitors for compromised passwords and integrates with Have I Been Pwned
- Travel Mode: Temporarily removes sensitive vaults from your devices when crossing borders
(Platform features reflect the information available on the 1Password website as of the publication date.)
1Password pros and cons
Pros:
- "I like how it integrates well with my Mac and the browser extensions." –verified review
- "It just works. I don't have to remember dozens of passwords anymore, and the auto-fill is super smooth." –verified review
- "It works seamlessly across all devices, making it easy and convenient for users." –verified review
Cons:
- "I get kicked out of my account more often that I would like. I understand it is for security purposes but it does mean it takes a bit longer to get to my passwords." –verified review
- "There are many instances where options for logins do not pop up, and there is no clear way to initiate that." –verified review
- "Multiple apps (browser, pop up app, desktop app) can be a bit confusing sometimes." –verified review
3. Bitwarden: Open-source with self-hosting option available
Bitwarden takes an open-source approach to password management. The code is publicly available, and independent security firms like Cure53 conduct regular reviews.
If you want complete control over where your data lives, Bitwarden offers a self-hosting option. You can run your own Bitwarden server instead of using their cloud. This requires technical setup but gives you full ownership of your password vault.
Bitwarden features
Safari extension: Works with Safari and supports the inline autofill menu in form fields
Self-hosting option: You can host your own Bitwarden server for complete control over your data
Open-source code: Publicly auditable codebase with regular third-party security reviews
(Platform features reflect the information available on the 1Password website as of the publication date.)
Bitwarden pros and cons
Pros:
- "Bitwarden offers strong security, end-to-end encryption, and cross-platform compatibility and easy to use." –verified review
- "Its simplicity in its interface. It has a ton of features but does not bombard you with them." –verified review
- "Support with very quick response time and knowledge, easy password management, works on all OSes, works in all browsers." –verified review
Cons:
- "On Android, sometimes it freezes and does not generate passwords automatically." –verified review
- "Sometimes the autofill feature can be inconsistent on some browsers." –verified review
- "There is no easy ability to modify, remove or add rows in bulk." –verified review
4. Dashlane: Includes VPN with premium plans
Dashlane bundles a VPN with its premium subscriptions through a partnership with Hotspot Shield. If you're looking to consolidate security tools, this gives you password management and encrypted browsing in one package.
The browser extension handles autofill across Safari and Chromium-based browsers. Machine learning powers the form detection, which helps it recognize different field types. Dashlane discontinued its desktop apps, so you'll work primarily through the web app and browser extension on Mac.
Dashlane features
- Built-in VPN: Unlimited bandwidth VPN included with Premium plans for encrypted browsing
- Safari extension: Machine learning-powered autofill with form field detection
- Dark web monitoring: Scans 20+ billion breach records for your credentials
(Platform features reflect the information available on the 1Password website as of the publication date.)
Dashlane pros and cons
Pros:
- "Makes it very easy to securely store and share passwords, payments, and personal information." –verified review
- "The Password Health monitoring is nice. It makes it easy to see which passwords need improvement." –verified review
- "I like the ability to share payment and passwords with my business partner in one space." –verified review
Cons:
- "The mobile app is glitchy, and often doesn't stay logged in." –verified review
- "The mobile app often runs into autofill issues." –verified review
- "Some of the newer competitors have a more user friendly interface." –verified review
5. NordPass: Creates masked email addresses to protect your real email
NordPass includes an email masking feature that lets you create up to 200 disposable email addresses. These forward to your real inbox, keeping your actual email hidden when signing up for websites.
The free tier syncs across devices but limits you to one active session at a time. You'll need to log out of your Mac to access passwords on your iPhone. Premium removes this limitation and adds features like emergency access.
NordPass features
- Email masking: You can create up to 200 disposable email addresses that forward to your inbox
- Cross-device sync: Passwords sync across Mac, iOS, and other platforms
- Data breach scanner: Checks if your passwords have been exposed in known breaches
(Platform features reflect the information available on the 1Password website as of the publication date.)
NordPass pros and cons
Pros:
- "I'm a new user to NordPass and I appreciate the intuitive interface and ease of use." –verified review
- "Works consistently across all platforms. We use this daily across the whole business, it was easy to integrate." –verified review
- "What we like most is the high level of security and encryption." –verified review
Cons:
- "The browser extension occasionally logs out or takes a bit to sync across devices." –verified review
- "The autofill feature can be slow or not work well on some websites." –verified review
- "NordPass appears in almost every single input field on any website which tends to get annoying." –verified review
6. Keeper: Lets you share passwords with people who don't have an account
Keeper has a One-Time Share feature that lets you send passwords to anyone via a time-limited link. The recipient doesn't need a Keeper account to view the password, which makes it easy to share login credentials with contractors or family members.
The browser extension recognizes form fields and fills them automatically. Note that some features like dark web monitoring require additional paid add-ons beyond the base subscription.
Keeper features
- One-Time Share: You can send passwords to anyone via a time-limited link, even if they don't use Keeper
- Built-in authenticator: Generates two-factor codes directly in your vault so you don't need a separate app
- Emergency access: Lets you grant up to 5 trusted contacts access to your vault with customizable wait times
(Platform features reflect the information available on the 1Password website as of the publication date.)
Keeper pros and cons
Pros:
- "Browser and app flexibility makes using the tool very easy to use." –verified review
- "One time password share links are really helpful for our teams." –verified review
- "The quick access to passwords and the ability to have them auto fill on websites!" –verified review
Cons:
- "The keeper icon can occasionally block the view password button on some websites." –verified review
- "Needs more development around the browser extension to be compatible with various SaaS vendors." –verified review
- "As an admin, there is no option to reset the master password if a user forgets it." –verified review
Comparison table: The best password managers for Mac
|
Platform |
Free Trial |
Security Dashboard |
Emergency Access |
|
LastPass |
30days |
✓ |
✓ |
|
1Password |
14 days |
✓ |
✗ |
|
Bitwarden |
None |
✗ |
✓ |
|
Dashlane |
14 days |
✓ |
✗ |
|
NordPass |
14 days |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Keeper |
14days |
✓ |
✓ |
What should I look for in a Mac password manager?
Check browser extension support first. You want a password manager with extensions for whatever browsers you use, whether that's Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or something else. Look for autofill that detects login fields automatically rather than requiring you to click through menus.
Touch ID support matters for everyday convenience. Typing your master password every time you need a login gets old fast. A good Mac password manager lets you unlock your vault with your fingerprint, which keeps things secure without slowing you down.
Think about your other Apple devices too. If you use an iPhone or iPad, you want passwords to sync instantly between devices. Look for a password manager that updates across all your devices as soon as you save something new.
Do I need a password manager if I already use iCloud Keychain?
iCloud Keychain saves passwords in Safari and syncs them across your Apple devices. But it's limited in a few important ways.
First, Keychain works natively only in Safari. You can use it in Chrome or Firefox, but you'll need to download and install additional software to make it work. A dedicated password manager works across all your browsers out of the box.
Second, Keychain doesn't monitor the dark web for your credentials. If your email and password appear in a data breach, a dedicated password manager like LastPass alerts you so you can change the password before someone uses it.
Third, sharing passwords with Keychain is clunky. If you need to give a family member access to a streaming account or share a Wi-Fi password, a dedicated password manager makes this simple and secure.
Why LastPass is the best password manager for Mac
LastPass gives Mac users a password manager that fits naturally into the Apple ecosystem. The Safari extension detects password fields and fills them with one click. Touch ID works on your Mac, and Face ID handles things on your iPhone. Everything syncs instantly between your devices.
Getting started takes just a few minutes. Install the Safari extension, download the iOS app, and you're ready to go. LastPass walks you through the basics and saves passwords automatically as you browse. Most people figure it out just by using it.
The Security Dashboard makes it easy to see where your password health stands. Color-coded scores show which passwords need attention, and dark web monitoring alerts you if your credentials appear in a breach. You get proactive protection without having to think about it.
LastPass Premium gives you cross-device sync with no restrictions, plus emergency access and advanced sharing. Business plans add admin controls, security policies, and centralized management for teams. Ready to see how LastPass protects your passwords? Start your free trial today.


