As a freelancer, you're running your own business. That means managing client logins, project management tools, banking portals, and dozens of other accounts. Keeping track of all those passwords can feel overwhelming, especially when you're switching between personal and work accounts throughout the day.
A password manager like LastPass creates strong, unique passwords for every account and stores them in an encrypted vault that only you can access. No more resetting forgotten passwords mid-deadline or reusing the same password across client accounts.
This guide covers the best password managers for freelancers who want to stay organized and secure. We'll help you find a tool that fits your workflow and protects the sensitive data your clients trust you with.
Quick guide: 6 best password managers for freelancers
- LastPass: The best overall password manager according to G2 global grid reports
- Bitwarden: Open source with self-hosting option
- NordPass: Includes email masking for inbox privacy
- 1Password: Dual-layer encryption with Secret Key
- Dashlane: Includes VPN with premium plans
- Keeper: One-Time Share for client password handoffs
How we evaluated the best password managers for freelancers
No two freelance businesses look the same, and your password manager should fit the way you work. Maybe you need to share logins with clients regularly, or maybe you just want your passwords synced between your laptop and phone. The right tool depends on your priorities. Here's what we looked for:
- Cross-device sync: Will passwords sync automatically between your laptop, phone, and tablet?
- Secure sharing: Can you share credentials with clients or collaborators safely?
- Ease of use: Can you set it up quickly and let it work in the background?
- Pricing flexibility: Does it fit a freelancer's budget without sacrificing features?
- Browser extension quality: Does autofill work reliably across the sites you use?
- Recovery options: What happens if you forget your master password?
The 6 best password managers for freelancers
1. LastPass: Best overall password manager for freelancers
LastPass is quick and easy to set up, and once you’ve got it running, it saves your passwords automatically when you log in to websites and apps. The browser extension handles everything in the background, so you can focus on your work instead of hunting for login credentials. Once a password is saved, LastPass fills it in with one click.
For freelancers, the Security Dashboard is especially useful. It shows you which passwords are weak, reused, or have appeared in data breaches. The dark web monitoring feature alerts you if your information shows up in a new breach, so you can change the password before someone else uses it.
LastPass syncs your vault across all your devices instantly. Your passwords are available on your laptop at home, your phone at a client meeting, or any other device you use.
LastPass features
- Automatic password capture: Saves credentials after successful logins with no manual entry needed
- Security Dashboard: Shows password strength scores and flags weak, reused, or compromised passwords
- Cross-platform sync: Works across all browsers and devices you already use
- Dark web monitoring: Alerts you if your information appears in data breaches
- Secure Notes: Store sensitive documents like contracts, client NDAs, and tax info with encryption
- Password generator: Creates strong, unique passwords for every new account
LastPass pros and cons
Pros:
- "One of the best advantages of using LastPass is that it generates password suggestions for you that are so much more secure than what a person would make up." –verified review
- "The integration with multiple browsers, operating systems, and devices is convenient. The security of the vault is also something that is appreciated." –verified review
- "Helps me create and remember excellent strong passwords. I use it constantly on multiple platforms and it is easy to get up and running with it quickly." –verified review
Cons:
- "It would be nice to have the desktop app back, but I can understand not having it available." –verified review
- "Sometimes it does get confused and tries to fill fields that aren't username or password fields." –verified review
2. Bitwarden: Open source with self-hosting option
Bitwarden is an open-source password manager, which means anyone can inspect its code for security flaws. If you want full control over where your data is stored, Bitwarden offers a self-hosting option that lets you run the server on your own infrastructure.
The browser extension saves passwords as you log in and fills them automatically next time. If you're switching from another password manager, Bitwarden can import your data from over 30 different platforms.
Bitwarden features
- Self-hosting option: Run Bitwarden on your own server for complete data control
- Open-source code: Transparent security with regular third-party audits by Cure53
- Bitwarden Send: 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:
- "What I appreciate most about Bitwarden is its seamless blend of security and simplicity." –verified review
- "Its clean and intuitive interface allows you to store, generate, and autocomplete passwords with just a few clicks, without unnecessary complications." –verified review
- "It comes with a password generator whenever you set up a new account or when you have to change your password." –verified review
Cons:
- "Autofill, even when useful, sometimes malfunctions and is disabled, and I have to enter information in most of the time." –verified review
- "Sometimes I feel it's a bit inconsistent with autofill in mobile apps and some unusual login forms." –verified review
- "For some less tech-savvy users, it is a bit of a learning curve to use Bitwarden." –verified review
3. NordPass: Includes email masking for inbox privacy
NordPass includes an email masking feature that lets you create up to 200 alternative email addresses. These addresses forward to your real inbox, so you can sign up for services without exposing your primary email to spam or phishing attempts.
NordPass also supports passkeys, which let you log in to compatible sites using biometrics or a PIN instead of a password. The password health feature flags weak, reused, or old passwords so you know which accounts need stronger credentials.
NordPass features
- Data breach scanner: Monitors the dark web and alerts you if your credentials are found in a leak
- Email masking: Create up to 200 masked email addresses to protect your inbox
- Passkey support: Store and manage passkeys for passwordless authentication
(Platform features reflect the information available on the NordPass website as of the publication date.)
NordPass pros and cons
Pros:
- "What stands out most is its clean interface and how easy it is to store, organize, and autofill passwords across devices." –verified review
- "My work life has been simplified because I don't have to remember passwords." –verified review
- "Easy to use interface, can split passwords into folders for better organisation." –verified review
Cons:
- "Auto-fill is very temperamental, sometimes it does it correctly, sometimes it only does username or password." –verified review
- "The NordPass popup appears even when I'm not entering login information." –verified review
- "The browser extension can be a bit difficult to use at times and occasionally will stop autofilling data." –verified review
4. 1Password: Dual-layer encryption with Secret Key
1Password adds an extra layer of protection with a feature called Secret Key. This 128-bit code combines with your master password to encrypt your data. Even if someone steals your password, they can't access your vault without the Secret Key.
If you travel for work, Travel Mode is worth knowing about. It temporarily removes sensitive vaults from your devices when you cross borders, protecting your data from unwanted searches at customs. When you arrive at your destination, you can restore access with a few clicks.
1Password features
- Secret Key: 128-bit machine-generated code adds a second encryption layer
- Watchtower: Monitors for breaches, weak passwords, and missing two-factor authentication
- Travel Mode: Temporarily removes sensitive vaults when crossing borders
(Platform features reflect the information available on the 1Password website as of the publication date.)
1Password pros and cons
Pros:
- "I also really appreciate the sync feature, which lets me access my passwords across all my devices." –verified review
- “1Password is valuable in offering encrypted sharing and this protects the login credentials." –verified review
- " It’s a must-have for anyone looking to boost their online security." –verified review
Cons:
- "It does seem a little complicated to new users until they get used to the setup, particularly when creating shared vaults and syncing across devices." – verified review
- "The pricing feels a bit high compared to other tools that offer similar features." – verified review
- "I have to come up with workarounds like reopening pages several times. Very frustrating for what I pay." – verified review
5. Dashlane: Includes VPN with premium plans
Dashlane bundles a VPN with its premium subscription. The VPN encrypts your internet traffic and protects you from snooping, which can be especially useful if you're working from public Wi-Fi at coffee shops or coworking spaces.
The Collections feature helps you organize passwords by client or project. You can create a collection for each client, add all their related logins, and share the entire collection when you need to hand off access. When the project ends, you can revoke access to the whole collection at once.
Dashlane features
- Built-in VPN: Hotspot Shield VPN included with Premium plans
- Collections: Organize passwords into folders by client or project
- AI phishing detection: Real-time warnings when visiting suspicious websites
(Platform features reflect the information available on the Dashlane website as of the publication date.)
Dashlane pros and cons
Pros:
- "What I like most is only having to remember one password to unlock the system." –verified review
- "It's so quick and easy to use to save, retrieve, and even share passwords." –verified review
- "The integration in iOS and Chrome make my most used login experiences easy." –verified review
Cons:
- "Dashlane’s paid plans tend to be more expensive compared to competitors." – verified review
- "The mobile app often runs into autofill issues." –verified review
- "At times it can be frustrating that it won't 'go away' when your information is not your normal fill ins." –verified review
6. Keeper: One-Time Share for client password handoffs
Keeper includes a feature called One-Time Share that's useful for handing off credentials to clients. You can send a password link that expires after a set time and only works on the recipient's device. The client doesn't need to create a Keeper account to receive it.
Keeper also lets you organize passwords into folders by client or project. When you finish working with a client, you can delete or archive that folder without affecting your other credentials.
Keeper features
- One-Time Share: Send time-limited credentials to clients without requiring them to sign up
- Folder organization: Group passwords by client or project for easy management
- Emergency Access: Designate up to 5 trusted contacts who can request access to your vault
(Platform features reflect the information available on the Keeper website as of the publication date.)
Keeper pros and cons
Pros:
- "What stands out most is Keeper’s responsive and knowledgeable support." – verified review
- "One feature I find useful is the guided assistant, which helps with changing passwords on linked websites." – verified review
- "The interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate." – verified review
Cons:
- "Autofill doesn't work with as many websites as some other competitor password managers." –verified review
- "It doesn't seem to be able to create passwords and remember passwords when using the iPhone app." –verified review
- "The login popups are a bit cumbersome vs what Google/Chrome provides in autofilling." –verified review
How do I switch from browser-saved passwords to a password manager?
Most password managers can import the passwords you've saved in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. You'll export your browser passwords as a file, then import that file into your new password manager. The whole process takes a few minutes.
Once your passwords are imported, turn off your browser's built-in password saving. This prevents confusion about which tool is filling in your credentials. From that point on, your password manager handles everything.
After a week or two, you might discover accounts the import missed. When you log in to those sites, your password manager will offer to save the credentials. Over time, yourvault becomes a complete record of all your accounts.
Should I use a separate password manager for my freelance business?
You don't need to. Most freelancers find it easier to keep everything in one password manager and use folders to separate personal accounts from client work. This way, you only have one master password to remember and one app to manage.
If you work with particularly sensitive client data or want a clear boundary between work and personal life, you could set up 2 separate accounts. The downside is the extra hassle of remembering which tool has which credentials and switching between apps when you need to log in quickly.
Why LastPass is the best password manager for freelancers
LastPass hits the right balance between security and ease of use. You can set it up in minutes and let it work in the background while you focus on client work. The interface is intuitive enough that you won't need to read a manual or watch tutorials to get started.
If you're not ready to commit, LastPass offers a free plan that covers the basics on one device type. When you're ready for more, the 14-day free trial lets you test premium features like dark web monitoring and cross-device sync before you pay anything.
LastPass also stands out with 24/7 support and more account recovery options than most competitors. If you forget your master password, you have multiple ways to regain access to your vault.
Ready to protect your freelance business? Try LastPass now and see how it simplifies password management for independent professionals.
