I have been utilizing password managers for a decade or so, with Bitwarden being my go-to password supervisor since 2021. I find it irresistible, and I do not plan to modify anytime quickly. Here is why.

Solely I Have Entry to My Passwords

I had initially used LastPass, however after the company’s announcement that it could take away cross-device syncing from its free tier, adopted by reports concerning the LastPass cell app hiding fishy trackers up its sleeve, I began perusing alternatives. Good factor I bailed earlier than that 2022 security breach when a hacker stole buyer private data comparable to names, emails, cellphone numbers, IP addresses, and extra.

The principle cause why Bitwarden piqued my curiosity was its open-source background coupled with the very fact the service makes use of zero-knowledge encryption.

Whereas zero-knowledge setup is current in lots of different options and whereas Bitwarden is not the one open-source password supervisor round, the truth that its free tier affords a ton of options and has all the pieces I am in search of in a password supervisor received me over immediately.

The Free Model Provides Me Each Characteristic I Want

Bitwarden’s free tier is beneficiant. Whereas your mileage could differ, the free tier affords each function I’d want in a password supervisor. You’ve got obtained help for limitless gadgets, which is nice as a result of I am utilizing Bitwarden on all my computer systems (two handhelds, one desktop PC, and a Mac Mini), passkey and bank card help, and extra.

The function from Bitwarden’s premium tier that intrigued me essentially the most was an built-in 2FA authenticator, however since I used to be utilizing a distinct 2FA app earlier than Bitwarden, I did not actually need it. That stated, the annual worth of simply $10 was low sufficient to subscribe on a whim to help the builders, and I have been a Premium subscriber for nearly a 12 months now.

Whereas I am not utilizing the 2FA function, I do discover varied vault reviews out there to premium customers, informing you about weak passwords in your vault, or if any of your passwords have been uncovered in a knowledge breach, fairly useful. I simply want Bitwarden would allow this function without cost customers as effectively.

It Works Completely on All My Units

Bitwarden has been working nice on all my gadgets with out even a single occasion the place it bugged out, had points with logging me in, or stopped working. My foremost means of utilizing Bitwarden is as a browser extension, which capabilities flawlessly on Firefox and Chrome. The excellent news is that Bitwarden additionally helps Courageous, Vivaldi, Edge, Safari, Tor, DuckDuckGo, and Opera browsers, which just about covers all of the bases.

The Android app additionally works flawlessly, and all you iOS customers are covered as well. I do not forget that the LastPass Android app had plenty of points with autofill popups—which could be Google Chrome’s fault, to be trustworthy. It was so annoying to must open the app and manually copy and paste login credentials, however Bitwarden is a champ on this division. Since I began utilizing Bitwarden, I’ve solely skilled autofill points with sure apps which can be buggy on the whole.

Bitwarden’s browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox additionally work effectively. Autofill popups are prompt. Enhancing credentials is straightforward and straightforward to entry, and despite the fact that I discover it a tad annoying, the browser extension locking your vault every time you shut the browser by default is an efficient factor.

You possibly can change the vault lock habits in choices in a number of seconds, making it nothing greater than a slight nuisance. In the event you personal a tool with a fingerprint sensor, a laptop computer, as an example, you possibly can unlock the vault with biometrics immediately, and never compromise your safety by disabling vault lock utterly like I did.

I Love Its Design and UI

I favored Bitwarden’s previous UI however had points with the browser extension’s buttons being too small, which made it tough to make use of on handheld PCs. The up to date UI design that rolled out to the browser extensions solved that difficulty.

Components are bigger now, making the extension work significantly better with touch-screen gadgets. That is fairly vital to me since I apply it to my Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally as a result of I do not wish to kind passwords on my handheld PCs; I simply wish to autofill them with as few faucets as potential.

Earlier than the UI replace, utilizing Bitwarden in a browser on a touch-screen gadget was a bit tough as a result of the UI parts and the popup window that opens once you click on the extension icon have been too small for consolation. However now that that is solved, I do not actually have any destructive issues to say concerning the UI.

Filling credentials can be simple in instances when Bitwarden would not have a URL of the service saved. A few clicks and some keyboard hits do the job. I can fill in credentials straight from the search checklist as an alternative of getting to click on on a end result to open an autofill merchandise, and solely then having the ability to copy credentials. What I do not like is that, generally, I am not provided each alternative for web sites the place I’ve a number of accounts.

I can even come out the extension in a brand new window with a single click on, proper from the extension’s house display screen. I do not actually use this function on macOS, however on Home windows, this can be a godsend due to annoying game launchers, half of which continuously nag me to log in despite the fact that I at all times click on the “hold me logged in” button (taking a look at you EA app and Ubisoft Join, or no matter you are referred to as in the meanwhile).

The Bitwarden Android app works nice as effectively. It is quick, works with out hiccups, is tremendous steady, and would not bug out once you want it most. It encompasses a easy design language, has a great-looking darkish mode, and has by no means “forgotten” to supply me verification through fingerprint (it is so annoying when a cell app that helps it would not present you biometric verification, after which it’s a must to kind your password like some caveman).

As for the macOS app, I had solely used it for a few days earlier than realizing that I choose the browser extension, however I can say that it labored advantageous for what it’s. That stated, this present day, I haven’t got any cause to make use of my password supervisor as a standalone macOS or Windows app, however your mileage could differ. Bitwarden is on the market as a standalone app for Linux too. It helps just about each distro, and you may choose between varied set up packages (Flatpak, Snap, AppImage, DEB, RPM).

Bitwarden’s open-source, implements zero-knowledge encryption, its free tier affords all the pieces an everyday consumer would possibly want, its Premium tier is extraordinarily reasonably priced, the platform works nice in each type it is out there, it seems to be good and is simple to make use of, and it is my favourite password supervisor. I do not assume I’ll change to a different answer anytime quickly.