Are premium tools worth it?

Many password managers have both free and paid versions, but it can sometimes be risky to upgrade without knowing what extra features you’re getting. I’ve spent time using both over the years, and I have a good idea of ​​whether it’s worth it to use a paid password manager or stick with the free version.

Reasons to Use a Free Password Manager

First, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you should still use a free password manager. You may want to pay attention to these reasons in particular if you’re a complete beginner.

1. You don't know which password manager you should use

I always recommend trying out the free version of any software you’re using before upgrading. That way, you’ll get a much better understanding of whether it’s reasonable to say you’re going to use the paid version. If you’re completely new to password managers and are just checking out what’s available, you should probably wait a few months before upgrading.

Some password managers also have free trials available, which you should consider trying out if you want to upgrade to the full version. You can always start with these password managers for every occasion if you are not sure where to start.

2. You only need a basic password manager.

Most of the time, you won’t need a paid password manager unless you need to upgrade to get certain features. For example, Bitwarden Families—one of Bitwarden’s paid plans—has unlimited combinations. However, the free version actually lets you manage your passwords without much hassle.

Most free password managers are more than enough if you just want to keep your details in one place. Always make sure you trust the security of your password manager first; check out the offers before choosing.

3. You are using a secure, system-bound password manager.

You also probably don’t need a paid password manager if you already use secure software on your system. As an Apple user, for example, I see no reason to get a separate password manager. Passkeys is more than good enough, and the Passwords app also gets positive reviews.

If you use an app like Passkeys or Apple’s Passwords app, ask yourself if a paid password manager app is really necessary. For example, a password app gives you ratings and other features that you might be willing to pay for.

If you have devices that run multiple operating systems (for example, an iPhone but a Windows PC), you may find some benefit in paying for a password manager that lets you keep everything in one place.

Reasons to Use a Paid Password Manager

While many users probably don’t need a paid password manager, having a paid program can be useful in some situations. Based on my extensive experience using password managers, here are some situations where I think you should upgrade to a paid version.

1. More features

Some password managers have features that aren't available in the free version, but you want to have access to. For example, while the free version of NordPass has the option to autosave and autofill passwords, it doesn't have the option to hide your email.

If you've been using a password manager for a while and don't want to change it, you should consider upgrading. This is especially true if you want features that aren't available in the free version. This can make it easier for you to keep your passwords safe.

2. Better availability

Another limitation of many free password managers is that you can only use one user account. In these cases, you may need to upgrade to a family plan.

Here are two examples. NordPass gives you up to six user accounts with its family plan but only one with the free plan. Similarly, while Bitwarden offers unlimited devices on the free plan, you can only have one user. So if you don’t want others to see your passwords, you’ll have to upgrade.

3. Storing documents and other files

In addition to passwords, many password managers also let you store files. However, you often need to upgrade. For example, Bitwarden and NordPass let you add file attachments with a paid subscription. If this is important to you, and your chosen password manager only has these options with a paid plan, you should upgrade.

The need to store documents may convince you to change your password manager entirely. For example, 1Password doesn’t offer a free plan, but you get 1-5GB of document storage per user. In the same way you would look at cloud storage and physical storage, you should consider looking at physical versus software password storage for security.

4. Improve sharing features

Sometimes you may want to share passwords with others, such as your Wi-Fi or streaming service subscription details. In some cases, you’ll need a paid subscription before you can do this. You may also need to upgrade to get encrypted sharing features (Bitwarden’s free plan lets you share only encrypted text, while the paid version lets you share text and files).

To determine if it's time to upgrade, you'll need to take a look at what your password manager offers. Furthermore, you'll need to make sure that you'll actually use these features.

5. Reporting and Feedback

You may be using a password manager because you care about your online security, and if so, it may be worth upgrading to a paid plan for reporting and feedback. You don’t need to do this if you use Apple’s Passkeys or Passwords app because you’ll see when your password is compromised. However, it can be useful sometimes.

Some paid password managers, like 1Password, have reporting controls (this feature is available with 1Password’s Business plan). Similarly, you can get breach reports using Teams or higher. Meanwhile, NordPass’s Premium plan scans for data breaches and detects reused passwords.

Free password managers offer basic security features that will be more than enough for many users. However, you will also need to upgrade to a paid subscription in some cases. This will largely depend on the specific password manager you use, as its features will vary.