Want the best password manager for families? Managing your family’s passwords is a big responsibility. Each device, each account, and each login is a potential weak point for your family’s online security. The best family password managers allow multiple users to manage their accounts.
Password managers with multiple licenses make it affordable for family members to set secure passwords for all accounts. The best password managers for kids offer parental controls and secure password sharing. This allows parents to keep their family safe against data breaches and hacking attempts.
A family-friendly password manager should offer more than a secure password vault. In this guide, we’ve highlighted family-friendly services that include a password health checker, AES-256 encryption for vaulted passwords, two-factor authentication (2FA), and biometric logins for added security. Password auditing features will help your family spot weak or reused passwords, ensuring your family is protected against credential stuffing attacks.
In 2025, the best password managers bundle extras like a VPN and dark web monitoring. This provides additional value and improves online security across all your family’s phones, tablets, and laptops. Need a free family password manager?
Keep reading to discover family password managers for every budget.
What are the best password managers for families?
A family password manager must have a user-friendly interface and protection for multiple users and devices. Smart online form-filling ensures that logging in is both secure and effortless.
Account recovery with emergency access can prevent lockouts. However, a zero-knowledge framework is better for security reasons. Later in this guide, we’ll explain different password storage methods so you can pick the right option for your needs.
In a hurry to improve your family’s password health? We’ve included a quick list of the best family password managers below:
- Total Password: Perfect for families on a budget. Total Security Plan costs just $49 per year and includes an antivirus, VPN, identity theft protection, parental controls, and a password manager for up to 7 people.
- Dashlane: Best for emergency access controls. Family plan for 10 people. Only costs $5 per month. Includes password syncing, secure password sharing, a VPN, and an easy-to-use interface.
- NordPass: Family plan covers up to 6 users for $79.99 per year. Offers strong XChaCha20 encryption, secure password sharing, biometric login, password health tools, and cross-device syncing.
- BitWarden: Best free family password manager. Family plan available for $10 per year (adds secure password sharing). Features include secure password sharing, unlimited password storage, cross-device syncing, and strong end-to-end encryption for your cloud vault. Cons: no central management features, so each user must fully control access to and recoverability of their vault.
- Aura: Best for users who want a full security suite. Plans start at $99 per year for 5 adults and unlimited kids. Includes antivirus, identity theft protection, VPN, parental controls, and password management. Great for families looking for an all-in-one digital security solution.
Family password managers compared
| Provider | Number of users | Emergency vault access | Parental controls | Free Plan | Platforms | Extras | Best for | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Password | 7 | No | Yes | No | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Bundled AV and VPN | Budget friendly families | $49 per year |
| Dashlane | 10 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Built-in VPN, dark web scanner | Large families who need vault recovery | $5 per month |
| NordPass | 6 | Yes | No | No | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Dark web monitoring, email masking | VPN enthusiasts | $79.99 per year ($2.79 per month with deal) |
| Bitwarden | 6 | Yes | No | Yes | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Open source, self hosted options | Free users and the tech savvy | $10 per year |
| Aura | 5 + Kids | No | Yes | No | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Web | Full secueity suite with identity theft insurance (US only) | All in one cybersecurity solution | $99 per year |
Best password manager for families
Below, you can learn more about the best password managers for families:
1. Total Password
Total Password is a solid option for families seeking a secure, easy-to-use password manager with robust family features. It represents superb value for money because it can be purchased as part of a bundle that comes with Total Antivirus and Total VPN. The family plan (Total Security) costs just $49 per year for 7 users.
Total Password offers full end-to-end encryption (E2EE) and a zero-knowledge architecture. Your vault is always encrypted locally on your devices before syncing securely to Total Password’s cloud servers, so only you and your family members can decrypt and access your passwords.
The family plan, included with the TotalAV Total Security bundle, supports up to 7 users, each with their own private vault. This lets everyone securely manage their passwords while benefiting from easy password sharing.
The only drawback is that Total Password lacks an emergency access feature, where the primary account holder can access any family member’s vault if needed. This is helpful for parents who are afraid that their kids, or an elderly family member, may forget their master password. If you want this feature, you may prefer a different password manager for families.
Total Password has apps for all major platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. This ensures that you can access your passwords and log in to your accounts regardless of which device you own. It also provides biometric login support and autofill capabilities, which make logging in to websites or apps effortless, without needing to copy and paste passwords into forms manually.
The interface is user-friendly and intuitive, suitable for family members of all ages. And you get a handy password health checker that warns you if you need to update a password to ensure it is safe against common threats.
Buy this password manager if:
- You want complete zero-knowledge and end-to-end encryption
- You have up to seven family members needing coverage
- You want biometric login on all popular platforms
- You’re looking for the best value for money on the market
Don’t buy this password manager if:
- You don’t want to have to buy the antivirus bundle
- You need emergency access control
BEST VALUE FOR MONEY:Total Password offers security, ease of use, and family-friendly features at a cost that won’t break the bank. The only way to get a Family Plan is to purchase the TotalAV Total Security bundle (which comes with an antivirus, a VPN, parental control features, and PC optimization tools) for 7 users.
Check out our full TotalAV review to learn more.
2. Dashlane
Dashlane is a feature-rich password manager that is popular with families. It offers robust zero-knowledge architecture with full end-to-end encryption (E2EE), ensuring your passwords are encrypted locally and only decrypted on your devices. Dashlane’s intuitive interface and comprehensive feature set make it a superb choice for larger households or families that want extras like a VPN and dark web monitoring.
Dashlane’s Friends & Family plan covers up to 10 users, which is higher than many competitors, including our top pick. This makes it attractive to larger families. Each user gets their own private vault and the ability to securely share passwords through customizable shared Collections. This is useful for parents who want to control what children can access, add, or modify.
One feature that makes it even better for families is Dashlane’s emergency access control. This allows parents to gain access to other vaults if necessary. This offers peace of mind for parents worried that their kids might forget their master password and lose access to all their passwords.
Use Hotspot Shield with your subscription
Dashlane bundles a VPN with unlimited data (provided by the third-party VPN Hotspot Shield Premium) and dark web monitoring with real-time alerts if family credentials appear online. You also get advanced anti-phishing protection that helps your family avoid scams.
Dashlane has apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, ensuring that your family can access their passwords on any device. Plus, each user also receives 1 GB of encrypted file storage for sensitive documents, which is pretty impressive considering it costs $89.99 per year.
This makes Dashlane’s family plan pricier than our top pick. However, its capacity for 10 family members, the bundled VPN, and its excellent security features still make it one of the most impressive password managers on the market.
Plus, if you don’t mind managing separate accounts for each family member, Dashlane also offers a basic free plan. This can help you secure accounts even if you can’t afford a premium family plan.
Buy this password manager if:
- You want to protect up to ten family members with one subscription
- You need emergency access to your passwords
- You would benefit from a built-in VPN with unlimited data
- You want to try the basic free plan before you commit
Don’t buy this password manager if:
- You’re on a budget and want the cheapest option
BEST FOR EMERGENCY ACCESS:Dashlane’s extensive features and high user limit make it a premium choice for families seeking a comprehensive security suite alongside password management. Its emergency access feature allows parents to recover their children’s passwords when needed.
Check out our full Dashlane review to learn more.
3. NordPass
NordPass is a great choice for families who want a secure, affordable password manager that’s easy to use. It enforces a solid privacy policy and zero-knowledge architecture with full end-to-end encryption (E2EE). This ensures that only you and your family can ever access your password vaults.
The NordPass Family plan supports up to 6 users, each with their own private vault and unlimited device syncing. You can securely share individual passwords or vaulted items with family members, but there is no shared folder feature as with some competitors.
One feature that stands out for families is NordPass’s Emergency Access. It lets users grant a trusted family member access to their vault. This allows kids to regain access to their password vault if they forget their password, so be sure to set this up from the get-go to prevent anyone from being locked out.
The NordPass Family Plan keeps things simple by providing the essentials: a password health checker that flags weak or reused passwords, and dark web monitoring that scans for leaked credentials and sends real-time alerts.
NordVPN bundle: Best value option
That said, you can also get NordPass as part of NordVPN’s Plus bundle. This will give 10 family members access to the VPN, anti-malware and browsing protection, ad and tracker blocking, password manager, and a breach scanner. All of this for just $4.39 per month represents incredible value.
Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and you get browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and Opera. The main drawback is the lack of a web vault, so you must install the app to manage passwords. The good news? The app is easy to set up and use on any device.
Even better news? We have agreed on an exclusive discount for our readers! If you follow the link in this guide, you’ll get 53% off, which reduces the cost to $2.79 per month (for six family members). This makes NordPass Family plan one of the most affordable family password managers on the market.
Buy this password manager if:
- You want complete end-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge
- You need up to six seats to protect your family
- You want to nominate emergency access to specific users
- You want dark web monitoring included
Don’t buy this password manager if:
- You want to be able to share folders with family members
- You want web vault access
LOW COST:NordPass offers strong security and family-friendly features at a competitive price. It’s perfect for households seeking peace of mind and solid password health tools. You can also get it as part of the NordVPN Plus, Complete, or Prime bundles, which add plenty of extra features for even better value.
Check out our full NordPass review to learn more.
4. Bitwarden
Bitwarden is a trusted, open-source password manager for families. It works seamlessly on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, ensuring that Bitwarden provides a seamless cross-platform experience for all family members, regardless of the devices they own.
Like all our top picks, Bitwarden uses end-to-end encryption (E2EE) and a zero-knowledge framework. This means only the user with the master password can access the vault, keeping your passwords safe from hackers and accidental leaks.
The Bitwarden family plan supports up to 6 users with individual vaults. This gives each person exclusive control over their passwords. In addition, parents can share passwords securely through Bitwarden’s built-in sharing features. You also get password auditing tools that check the strength of your passwords and force you to update if a password is weak.
Despite being low-cost, Bitwarden offers emergency access controls. This feature allows the primary account holder to request access to other vaults, which guarantees that parents can recover passwords for their kids if needed.
Bitwarden’s apps are easy to use, but they also offer advanced features such as biometric logins and secure password sharing. A free tier is available if you don’t mind setting up multiple accounts, and you don’t care about emergency access for recovery.
Buy this password manager if:
- You want true zero-knowledge and E2E encryption
- You want up to six separate vaults for other family members
- You need emergency access for the account holder
- You want easy-to-use cross-platform apps
Don’t buy this password manager if:
- You don’t want to have to email for emergency access
- You need an easy self-hosted setup
OPEN SOURCE SECURITY:Bitwarden delivers robust encryption, flexible family sharing, and decent recovery options for families. You can try it risk-free thanks to its generous free plan. Family plan upgrade costs just $3.33 per month for six users.
Check out our full Bitwarden review to learn more.
5. Aura
Aura is well worth considering if you are in the market for an advanced cybersecurity bundle with password management, identity theft protection, and online data removal services.
Aura is a popular personal cybersecurity service that packs in credit monitoring, insurance against ID fraud, data breach alerts, parental controls, and cyberbullying monitoring for kids.
The only drawback is that Aura’s family bundle is quite expensive, starting at $32 per month. However, it still represents decent value if you need the features it provides. Just bear in mind that the insurance and expert fraud remediation are limited to US subscribers only. These are not available internationally.
The password manager uses strong 256-bit AES encryption and zero-knowledge architecture, ensuring that only you have access and control over your vault. Aura supports passwordless logins using biometrics and comes with useful privacy features like email masking to keep your real address hidden when signing up for new services.
Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, and you also get web-based access to vaults via your browser. No emergency access options are available, so bear that in mind.
If your main focus is password management, Aura might feel a touch expensive. However, if you need everything it has to offer, this service remains one of the best consumer cybersecurity bundles on the market.
Buy this password manager if:
- You want a plan that covers five adults and unlimited kids
- You want military-grade encryption and zero-knowledge
- You’d benefit from credit monitoring and breach alerts
Don’t buy this password manager if:
- You want a standalone password manager
- You are on a budget and want the cheapest price
DIGITAL SECURITY SUITE:Aura’s comprehensive identity and cybersecurity bundle delivers a password manager alongside many other useful features: a VPN, automated data removal from data brokers and people search sites, identity theft protection, and more. Ideal for families looking for a bundle of security features, and don’t mind paying more for additional services.
Check out our full Aura review to learn more.
How to set up a family password manager
- Choose a password manager: We recommend Total Password as it represents the best value and features for families in need of password management
- Sign up and create your account: Register on the provider’s website and choose a strong master password. Remember to pick a family plan.
- Install the app: Download the password manager app on all family devices (phones, tablets, computers).
- Invite family members: Use the app or dashboard to send invites to each family member’s email.
- Help everyone set up their vault: Each person accepts the invite and creates their own master password.
- Import or add passwords: Import existing passwords or add important accounts to each vault.
- Enable security features: Turn on two-factor authentication and set up emergency access (if available).
- Start sharing passwords securely: Share passwords or logins with family members using built-in sharing tools.
What is a zero-knowledge password manager?
A zero-knowledge password manager is the most secure type of service. The term “zero-knowledge” means the provider only ever has access to your fully encrypted vault. They only see encrypted ciphertext on their servers and can never access the contents of your password vault.
Some zero-knowledge password managers store all passwords locally on your device. When syncing is available, passwords are transferred in a fully encrypted state, ensuring they remain secure during transit.
Other zero-knowledge managers store your encrypted passwords on company servers. In this case, passwords are encrypted locally before being uploaded, allowing you to access them securely from any device or location.
The benefit of both approaches is that only you can access your passwords. However, this means you cannot rely on the company to recover your passwords if you forget your master password.
This places full responsibility for vault access in your hands, which can be challenging for families with children or elderly members. The upside is that your passwords are always protected by end-to-end encryption and stored in a fully encrypted manner.
This greatly reduces the risk of a password vault breach. Even if hackers access the company’s servers, they will only find encrypted data – unless they also crack your master password. For this reason, it’s crucial to choose a strong, unique master password.
Can I get a password manager with full password recoverability?
Some users wonder if it’s possible to get a password manager that offers full password recovery. This means the company can help you regain access to your vault if you forget your master password.
We understand this sounds convenient, and password resets via email are standard for many services. However, when it comes to password managers, this kind of simple recoverability harbors serious privacy risks.
Ultimately, it comes down to a balance between usability and security. When passwords and account access are involved, we strongly recommend opting for security.
Is full recoverability possible?
Technically, yes. Some password managers offer recovery options like backup keys, recovery codes, or secret questions. Others store encrypted copies of your master key or recovery data on their servers. This allows the company to return your master password (or the recovery key) to you if you forget or lose it.
Is a password manager with full recovery risky?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. If your password manager provider can access or decrypt your passwords, even partially, it creates significant security risks:
- Hacking threats: If a provider stores any decryptable data, a breach could expose your passwords. This could allow hackers to steal all your passwords.
- Insider threats: Employees with access to sensitive data could abuse their position and access your vault.
- Accidental leaks: Data stored on company servers can be vulnerable to bugs or misconfigurations. If the company or an employee makes a mistake, they could accidentally leak your master password online.
The reasons listed above are why we strongly recommend using a true zero-knowledge password manager. These providers do not offer full recoverability because they literally can’t decrypt your vault without your master password.
This means only you can access your passwords, but you must take full responsibility for remembering your master password and securely storing your recovery key offline.
Password manager pitfalls and scams
Although password managers significantly boost your online safety, they’re not a silver bullet that means you can stop being cautious.
Cybercriminals are constantly looking for new ways to bypass your security. Due to the advent of Artificial Intelligence, hackers are getting better at phishing, social engineering, and other techniques designed to frisk you of your passwords (or even the master password to your password vault!)
Below, we have included the most common pitfalls and scams related to password managers. Being aware of these scams and using the advice provided will help you keep your accounts secure.
| Scam/Pitfall | Description | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Phishing attacks that impersonate your password manager | Fake emails or websites that mimic your password manager, trying to steal your master password. | Verify sender URL before entering credentials; use official apps. |
| Malicious browser extensions or apps | Fake or compromised extensions/apps that steal passwords or inject malware. | Only install official extensions from trusted sources, review extensions regularly. |
| Master password theft via spyware or keyloggers | Malware records keystrokes to capture your master password. | Keep devices malware-free using an antivirus; avoid suspicious downloads. |
| Social engineering to gain emergency access | Attackers impersonate trusted contacts/family members to obtain recovery access (may involve a hacked social media or email account). | Never share recovery codes; confirm identity independently. |
| Weak master password | Easy to guess passwords that undermine your security. | Use a long, unique, random master password that has never been reused. |
| Ignoring software updates | Outdated apps or extensions can cause security vulnerabilties. | Enable automatic updates; install patches promptly. |
| Storing passwords insecurely outside of the password manager | Writing down or saving passwords in unencrypted files or notes. | Store passwords only in your encrypted vault. |
| Using public or insecure wifi | Data can be intercepted on open nerworks, risking session hijacking. | Use a trusted VPN when on public wifi. |
Frequently asked questions
Are password managers safe?
As long as you stick to one of our recommended password managers, your stored passwords (and any other data you store in your vault) will remain secure at all times.
We only recommend services that utilize strong encryption protocols, such as AES-256 or ChaCha20, for data at rest. When syncing across devices, your passwords are protected with end-to-end encryption. This ensures passwords remain secure against interception during transit.
Not all password managers treat your data equally. Some store recovery keys to help you regain access, but this creates privacy and security risks we advise avoiding.
Find out more in our in-depth password manager safety guide.
Is browser integration safe?
The best password managers allow you to auto-fill passwords in your browser by leveraging a secure extension. The important thing to remember is that browser extensions can create a weak point if they are not implemented securely. This is why it is essential to stick to reputable password managers that have been checked for underlying vulnerabilities, such as cross-site scripting, insecure communications methods, code injection, or remote code execution.
What makes a password secure?
Hundreds of thousands of people around the globe are guilty of using common passwords such as “12345” or “password”. Using common passwords such as your birthday, pet’s name, or other easy-to-remember passwords creates serious security risks.
Weak passwords can be quickly compromised using brute force. This is a method where hackers use computer programs to siphon through hundreds of thousands of password combinations until they find the right one.
Cybercriminals compile lists of common passwords from the dark web, past breaches, and other sources. They use these lists to test user accounts, gaining access if the account holder is careless enough to use a weak password.
A truly secure password is unique, at least 15 characters long, and includes a random mix of numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and symbols.
The strongest passwords are so long and complex that they’re nearly impossible to remember, especially when you have dozens of accounts. That’s why using a password manager is so important.
Password managers let you create long, unique, randomized passwords you’d otherwise struggle to remember. This greatly improves security and protects against credential stuffing, password reuse, brute force attacks, and other common hacking methods.