The Best Password Managers for Safari in 2024
Want to increase your security and enhance your browsing experience on Safari? These password managers are just what you need.
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Last Updated on Nov 08, 2024
- Third-party audited security processes
- Premium plans starting at $1.39 per month
- Most advanced encryption protocol on the market
- Watchtower password audit functionality
- Regularly updated and audited
- Month-to-month plans starting at $3.99
- Designed with user experience in mind
- Importing passwords is hassle-free
- Family plan supports up to 10 user accounts
If you’re looking for the best password manager for the Safari browser, there are a few assumptions we can likely make about you. One: You probably value ease of use and security, both things Macs are known for. Two: You like making smart choices. You know cyber threats are multifaceted, and ensuring the strength of your passwords is one of the best ways to prevent hackers, scammers, and identity thieves from accessing your most sensitive information.
Did You Know: Our report on password habits recently showed that 64 percent of Americans use between eight and 11 characters in a typical password. That’s good news, but really strong passwords should be at least double that.
If we checked all the boxes for you, keep reading. Our experts have spent hours testing and retesting some of the best password managers on the market, and we’ve taken that experience to develop this list of the best ones to use with the Safari browser.
Comparison of the Best Firefox Password Managers
| System |
NordPass
|
1Password
|
Dashlane
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| Ratings | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 |
| Cross-platform compatibility | iOS, macOS, Windows, Android, Linux | iOS, macOS, Windows, Android, Linux | iOS, macOS, Windows, Android |
| Free version | Lifetime | 14-day free trial | Lifetime |
| Pricing | Premium plans start at $1.29 per month | Premium plans start at $2.99 per month | Premium plans start at $4.99 per month |
| Read Review | NordPass Review | 1Password Review | Dashlane Review |
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1. NordPass - Best Security
Product Specs
App Store rating 4.7 Stars Supported platforms iOS, macOS, Windows, Android, Linux Encryption standard XChaCha20 Cross-device login Yes Data breach scans Yes Passwordless login Yes Lifetime free plan Yes, for one user Pricing Premium plans start at $1.29 per month 
NordPass Overview
Developed by the creators of NordVPN, NordPass is designed with digital security in mind. Where it really stands out is its use of the XChaCha20 encryption algorithm, which offers fast and robust protection for user data. You won’t have to get super technical to enjoy this high level of security, though, since it has an intuitive, user-friendly interface that integrates well with a ton of devices and browsers, including Safari.
Is NordPass Good for the Safari Browser?
NordPass offers really good compatibility with the Safari browser through an easy-to-use browser extension. While using it, we were happy to find autofill, password generation, and secure notes features directly in the extension.
The NordPass password generator can create a random password up to 60 characters long. We should point out, though, that certain premium features, such as the emergency contacts tool, are available only in the mobile app, which may be a little frustrating if you’re planning to use the Safari extension exclusively. That said, NordPass still provides a great experience for Safari users, especially if you’re just looking for core functionality that will run in the background.
Is NordPass Easy to Use?
When our experts tested NordPass, we found that it really was designed with user-friendliness in mind. Whether you’re tech savvy or tech illiterate, NordPass is super approachable. The sign-up and setup processes are really straightforward. You can create an account using just an email address or sign up via your Google account.
Once set up, NordPass offers a seamless experience across devices. We were able to easily import our passwords that were already stored in Safari, and the password-health feature helped us evaluate the strength of those passwords, pointing out any weak or reused ones. We were also impressed with their password-generator tool. It was customizable, which let us set up specific criteria for creating strong passwords on sites that require you to have certain elements, such as capital and lowercase letters or special characters and numbers.
NordPass also detected weak, reused, and old passwords. One thing we didn’t really like, however, was the requirement to enter the master password at the start of each browsing session. We get that it’s for extra security, but it feels a little repetitive when we’re multitasking or working on our MacBooks all day. Overall, though, NordPass is an excellent choice for Safari users looking to increase their digital protections and overall convenience.
Is NordPass Expensive?
We’ve tested a lot of these things, and we have to say NordPass’ pricing structure is pretty reasonable. Here’s a quick breakdown of what it looks like:
Plan Free Premium Family 1-year plan cost per month Free $1.89 $3.69 2-year plan cost per month Free $1.59 $2.79 Keep in mind, though, that your prices increase when it’s time to renew. The individual premium plan renews at $3.73 a month for one year and $3.36 a month for two years. They offer a free plan that allows you to store unlimited passwords, but it’s missing some of the premium features. As far as core functionality goes, however, it’s pretty tough to beat. In fact, it’s one of our favorite free password managers too.
Is NordPass Secure?
When it comes to security, NordPass is head and shoulders above the competition. They’re set up using a zero-knowledge architecture, which means only users have access to their encrypted data. When a user creates a NordPass vault, their information is encrypted locally on their device before being stored on NordPass servers. That means NordPass wouldn’t be able to access your data even if they wanted to.
NordPass also uses the XChaCha20 encryption algorithm. It’s every bit as strong as AES-256, which is what most password managers use, but it’s a lot faster and more efficient. If you’re looking for cutting edge, this is it.
Did You Know? XChaCha20 is an advanced stream cipher that is a variant of the well-known ChaCha20 cipher, designed to provide improved security and performance.
One of our veteran digital security experts checking out NordPass security and privacy features. It’s also worth pointing out that NordPass has participated in independent security audits, confirming its claims of really high security standards. Some users may be cautious about importing sensitive data into a password manager, but we have every confidence in NordPass’ security claims. If you’re looking for a strong, secure, easy-to-use password manager for Safari, NordPass is easily our No. 1 pick.
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2. 1Password - Best Analytics
Product Specs
App store rating 3.5 stars Supported platforms iOS, macOS, Windows, Android, Linux Encryption standard AES-256 Cross-device login No Data breach scans Yes Passwordless login Yes Lifetime free plan No, only a 14-day free trial Pricing Premium plans start at $2.99 per month 
1Password Overview
1Password is another great choice if you’re a Safari user. One of the cool things about it is that it uses a dual-layer security system, combining a master password with a unique Secret Key, effectively doubling your protection. Although it offers great security and useful analytic tools, at times our experts felt that the user interface was a little clunky and the navigation a little bit disorganized. It’s definitely not enough to knock it off our list, but it’s enough to move it down to the No. 2 position.
Is 1Password Good for the Safari Browser?
Great news: 1Password integrates seamlessly with the Safari browser, enhancing its functionality and user experience. The browser extension allows for easy autofill of login credentials, credit card information, and personal details, streamlining the online shopping and browsing process.
It was easy to import our login credentials, notes, and other information into our 1Password vault. We were also able to generate strong passwords directly within the Safari browser, which helped make sure they were protected by unique, complex passwords — no more repeating variations of the password you were assigned at your college orientation.
FYI: 1Password works really well on browsers. We tested it on several, including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and Brave.
That said, we think some users may encounter a few hiccups during setup, particularly when you’re switching between the browser extension and the desktop application. Since some features live only in one place or the other, you may be left scratching your head trying to find the Watchtower analytic tool, for instance. A cleaner UI would probably make it a contender for the No. 1 spot.
Is 1Password Easy to Use?
Here’s a look at 1Password’s user interface. After the initial setup, we thought 1Password proved to be really user-friendly during day-to-day operations. The system is straightforward, allowing users to manage their vaults and passwords effectively, and the Watchtower feature helped assess password strength and vulnerabilities. We recommend using the feature to update all your old passwords to unbreakable, super-complex strings of characters and numbers. Since you’re using a manager, you’ll never have to memorize them — you just need to remember your vault password to unlock it.
New users and people who aren’t tech-minded may have a bit of a learning curve to get over, but we’re being a little nitpicky here. Once you’re accustomed to the layout, 1Password offers a smooth experience on Safari.
Is 1Password Expensive?
It’s a little bit more expensive than NordPass, but 1Password offers reasonable pricing plans for individuals, families, and businesses. When you compare the convenience it offers to the actual cost, we’d say it’s well worth it. To help you make up your mind, here’s a quick breakdown:
Plan Individual Family Free trial 14 days 14 days Monthly price $3.99 per month $6.95 per month Annual price $2.99 per month ($35.88 total) $4.99 per month ($59.88 total) The individual plan starts at $3.99 per month, while the family plan is available for $6.95 per month, allowing up to five members to share the service. Users can choose between monthly or annual subscriptions. The former provides flexibility since you don’t have to shell out more than $3.99 to get started, while the latter offers savings.
It’s also worth pointing out that the 14-day free trial lets you check out all the features and benefits without commitment. That’s definitely a good option if you’re shopping around. Just be careful: You’ll get charged when the free trial ends, and you may miss the email letting you know your credit card is about to be charged.
Is 1Password Secure?
Like NordPass, 1Password clearly prioritizes user security with advanced encryption methods. Your data will be protected using end-to-end encryption, ensuring that you’re the only one who will have access to your vault.
We also mentioned 1Password’s dual-layer protection, which combines a master password and a Secret Key to further enhance overall security, making unauthorized access extremely unlikely. We’d even go so far as to say it’s impossible.
1Password had us download this PDF containing our Secret Key in case we need to log in using a new device or recover our vault. Unlike NordPass, 1Password uses AES-GCM-256 encryption and PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256 for key derivation. NordPass’ XChaCha20 isn’t necessarily better than 1Password, just different. They both provide a high level of protection. 1Password also boasts features such as two-factor authentication and the Watchtower tool, which helps you monitor your password strength and vulnerability, similar to what we saw in NordPass. If NordPass doesn’t do it for you, we’re pretty confident 1Password will.
In case we’re wrong, though, we have one more password manager to look at.
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3. Dashlane - Best Free Version
Product Specs
App Store rating 4.6 stars Supported platforms iOS, macOS, Windows, Android Encryption standard AES-256 Cross-device login No Data breach scans Yes Passwordless login Yes Lifetime free plan Yes Pricing Premium plans start at $4.99 per month 
Dashlane Overview
If you’re looking for cheap, we’ve got something you might be interested in. Because there’s nothing cheaper than free.
Dashlane’s free plan allows you to store up to 25 passwords on one device, which is a great way to test the service. Since this isn’t a trial — it’s a legitimate free version — you can test Dashlane pretty much indefinitely.
Here’s Dashlane’s user interface with the free plan. That said, its premium tier unlocks additional functionalities, including unlimited password storage, dark web monitoring, and a built-in VPN through Hotspot Shield, making it a one-stop shop for overall online security. Want to be uber-secure while browsing on Safari? This suite of services can get the job done.
Is Dashlane Good for the Safari Browser?
We thought Dashlane performed really well with the Safari browser. The integration was seamless and it was really easy to access its features. In our tests, we were easily able to download the Dashlane extension for Safari and found that it allowed us to autofill passwords, generate secure passwords, and store login credentials without hassle — exactly what you want from a password manager.
Pro Tip: To set up a browser extension in Safari, go to the App Store or the password manager’s website and download the Safari extension. Open Safari, go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions, and check the box next to the password-manager extension to enable it.
Similar to 1Password and NordPass, some features were a little less accessible in Safari than the desktop app. Secure Notes, for instance, was not available in the mobile version, which could be frustrating for users who switch between devices frequently. For regular Safari users looking for a password manager, though, Dashlane is a great solution.
We could only add notes to Dashlane via the desktop app and extension. Is Dashlane Easy to Use?
Dashlane is designed with user-friendliness in mind, making it easy to navigate for both tech-savvy individuals and those less familiar with technology. The sign-up process was straightforward, requiring just a few steps to create an account and set a master password.
We were also able to quickly import existing passwords in Safari, making the transition to Dashlane super straightforward. The user interface is clean and intuitive, allowing for easy access to all the features. Again, however, some of those features were accessible only on the desktop version. Regardless, Dashlane is still one of our top picks if you need a password manager for Safari.
Is Dashlane Expensive?
Dashlane’s pricing structure reflects its comprehensive feature set, but it’s a little more expensive than the other two on our list. Here’s how Dashlane breaks down their prices.
Plan Free Premium Friends & Family Cost per month Free $4.99 $7.49 The free plan offers basic functionality, but it limits users to only 25 passwords and does not include dark web monitoring or a VPN. The premium plan is priced at $4.99 per month when billed annually.
The Friends & Family plan starts at $7.49 per month, allowing up to 10 users to share premium features — the most of any password manager on our list. This tier provides unlimited password storage and includes the same security features as the individual premium plan. Keep in mind, though, that only the account holder has access to the VPN service, which may not justify the price for everyone.
FYI: With 10 seats available, Dashlane easily made our list of best password managers for families. Keep in mind NordPass only allows six people, and 1Password’s family plan is limited to just five.
Is Dashlane Secure?
Security is a paramount concern for any password manager. The good news? Dashlane also takes it seriously. Like NordPass and 1Password, Dashlane uses a zero-knowledge architecture, ensuring that only users can access their stored passwords. Similar to 1Password, everything is scrambled up with 256-bit AES encryption, the same standard used by banks and other highly sensitive institutions.
Our expert testing the Dashlane Mac app’s security features. In addition to robust encryption, Dashlane includes dark web monitoring as part of its premium feature set. The functionality will alert you if your credentials are found in data breaches, which can help you act quickly before any real damage is done.
Although Dashlane monitors passwords for breaches, it does not scan the dark web for credit card information. That could be a drawback for people concerned about their financial security.
How Do Password Managers Work?
Now that we’ve talked about which password managers are best for Safari, you may be wondering how these things work in the first place.
Simply put, password managers are software applications designed to securely store and manage your passwords and sensitive information. They work by creating a centralized, encrypted vault where all your login credentials are kept. When you set up a password manager, you create a master password. This is the only password you’ll need to remember moving forward.
Once your vault is established, good password managers can generate strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts, replacing older, outdated, weaker passwords. While you’re browsing, it will autofill login forms in your web browser, eliminating the need to memorize passwords, which is often why most people use weak ones. A lot of password managers — like the ones on the list above — also offer additional features, such as storing credit card information and personal details for easier online transactions.
Why would you want all your passwords in one place? Isn’t that a security risk? Not with encryption, such as AES-256 and the more recent XChaCha20, to protect your data. Even if someone were to access the vault, they wouldn’t be able to read your information without the master password that decrypts the data. Many password managers also include security features such as two-factor authentication, alerts for data breaches, and tools to assess password strength.
What Is a Password Manager Extension and How Does It Work With Safari?
A password manager extension is a browser add-on that puts your password manager right where you need it most. When integrated with browsers like Safari, the extensions allow you to easily save, autofill, and generate passwords while you navigate the web.
Let’s say you visit a website that requires a login on Safari. The password manager extension can automatically fill in your saved credentials, saving you the hassle of remembering or typing passwords manually. This is particularly useful for users who have lots and lots of accounts, which the vast majority of us have. Ever struggle to remember which password you used to log in to some account you only need once a year? With a password manager, that’s a thing of the past.
To use a password manager extension with Safari, you first need to install it from the App Store or the password manager’s website. Once installed, you’ll usually sign in to your password manager account, linking the extension to your vault of stored passwords. The extension then works seamlessly with Safari, allowing you to access your credentials securely while browsing. Pretty handy!
Final Words: Do I Need to Use a Password Manager?
It’s not absolutely necessary to use a password manager, but it’s not absolutely necessary to lock your doors at night either. Get what we’re saying?
Using a password manager is highly recommended, especially when you consider how evolved cyber threats have become. If you use a password manager, it’ll help you avoid the pitfalls of using weak or repeated passwords, which are major vulnerabilities that hackers and identity thieves exploit on a regular basis.
Some people may be a little hesitant because of concerns about relying on a single tool for security, but reputable password managers do everything in their power to protect your data — and, frankly, they do a lot more than you’d be capable of. If you value your online security, investing in a password manager is a smart choice that can save your skin in a pinch.
If you’re looking for a password manager you can use on Safari, we highly recommend NordPass, 1Password, and Dashlane.
Safari Password Manager FAQs
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How do I install a password manager extension in Safari?
To install a password manager extension, open the App Store or visit the password manager’s website. Download and install the extension, then enable it in Safari by going to “Preferences,” selecting “Extensions,” and checking the box next to the password manager.
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Can I use a password manager with my iPhone and iPad?
Yes, most password managers offer apps for iOS devices. You can sync your passwords across devices, allowing you to access your credentials in Safari on your iPhone and iPad just as easily as on your Mac.
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Is my data safe with a password manager extension for Safari?
Yes, reputable password managers use strong encryption to protect your data. They typically store your passwords in an encrypted vault, ensuring that even if someone accesses the extension, they cannot view your information without your master password.
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Can a password manager generate strong passwords for me?
Absolutely! Most password managers include a password generator feature that creates strong, unique passwords for your accounts, helping to enhance your online security and reduce the risk of breaches.
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What happens if I forget my master password?
If you forget your master password, most password managers provide recovery options, such as an emergency kit with a recovery key or security questions. You may not be able to recover your vault without the information, so it’s really important to keep a secure backup.