- Greatest total: MacPass
- Greatest for multiplatform help: Bitwarden
- Greatest for tech-savvy Mac customers: gopass
- Greatest for Unix customers: QtPass
- Greatest open supply offline password supervisor: KeePassX
- Greatest for team-level password administration: Passbolt
Sustaining sturdy, distinctive passwords for each on-line account is crucial for Mac customers searching for to reinforce their digital safety and privateness. Whereas proprietary password managers supply comfort, open supply alternate options present transparency by permitting public scrutiny of their code, guaranteeing trustworthiness and powerful safety measures. Furthermore, open supply password managers grant customers full management over their knowledge, decreasing potential privateness issues related to closed-source software program.
SEE: How Do Password Managers Work and Why Do You Want One? (TechRepublic)
This text explores the highest open supply password supervisor choices for Mac customers, with a give attention to their core options, execs and cons, and pricing.
High open supply password managers for Mac: Comparability desk
The next desk compares a number of the high choices throughout important options like cloud sync, browser integration and cell apps.
| Software program | Cloud sync | Browser integration | Multifactor authentication | Cell apps | Free model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacPass | Sure | Sure, with plugins | No | No | Free |
| Bitwarden | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Free for particular person use |
| KeePassX | No | Sure (browser extension) | No | No | Sure |
| QtPass | No | No | No | No | Sure |
| gopass | No | Terminal solely | No | Sure | Sure |
| Passbolt | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
6 greatest open supply password managers for Mac
Here’s a complete evaluate of every resolution within the above desk, with their options, pricing, key takeaways and downsides.
MacPass: Greatest total
MacPass is an open-source password supervisor designed particularly for macOS customers. It employs encryption strategies comparable to AES and Twofish algorithms to make sure the safety of saved knowledge.
The applying presents a number of options, together with customizable icons, a password generator with adjustable settings and the flexibility to set expiration dates for passwords. You may reap the benefits of functionalities like auto-saving, undo/redo choices, drag-and-drop capabilities for straightforward group and autotype for authentication throughout numerous platforms.
MacPass additionally helps database synchronization to stop knowledge loss and features a historical past characteristic to trace adjustments made to entries over time. With its macOS-optimized interface and complete set of options, MacPass goals to offer a dependable and environment friendly password administration resolution for macOS customers.
Why we selected MacPass
We picked MacPass as one of the best total as a result of it’s tailor-made particularly for Mac customers in addition to boasting some superior password administration features, all at no cost.
Pricing
Options
- Drag and drop for straightforward management.
- Customizable icons for entries.
- Customizable password generator.
- Expiration date settings for passwords.
- Autofill characteristic for handy authentication.
- Historical past monitoring to watch password adjustments over time.
Execs
- It’s free.
- It may auto-update.
- Sturdy encryption for safe password storage.
- Customizable options like icons and password technology strategies.
- Encryption utilizing two algorithms.
Cons
- Restricted integration options in comparison with another choices.
- Requires handbook setup for browser integration.
Bitwarden: Greatest for multiplatform help
Bitwarden is a high contender for Mac customers searching for a safe and feature-packed password supervisor. The app presents a local Mac app with a modern, intuitive interface that blends with the macOS ecosystem.
The Safari internet extension comes with the Bitwarden desktop app, which suggests you don’t have to obtain it individually from the app retailer. Its cloud-based synchronization ensures your passwords and delicate knowledge are all the time up-to-date and accessible from anyplace, making it a perfect selection for people who often change between totally different Apple units or working techniques.
Notable options embrace single sign-on, password autofill, vault administration and group administration, limitless password storage and system syncing.
Why we selected Bitwarden
We chosen Bitwarden for its cross-platform compatibility and cloud synchronization help.
Pricing
Bitwarden presents two most important pricing factors: Private and Enterprise. Under is a breakdown of the costs.
Private plans
- Free: For particular person customers and presents limitless units, passkey administration and different core capabilities.
- Premium: Lower than $1 per thirty days, billed $10 yearly.
- Households: Prices $3.33 for as much as six customers, billed $40 yearly.
Enterprise plans
- Groups: Begins at $4 per consumer /month, billed yearly.
- Enterprise: Begins at $6 per consumer/month, billed yearly.
Be aware: Households, Groups and Enterprise plans all include a free trial.
Options
- Auto-fill.
- Cross-platform compatibility (Mac, Home windows, Linux, iOS, Android).
- Cloud-based synchronization throughout units.
- Built-in password generator and safe password sharing.
- Biometric authentication (Contact ID, Face ID) help.
- Credential generator (username and password).
Execs
- Cloud sync for straightforward entry throughout units.
- Emergency entry for trusted people.
- Multi-platform help.
- Passkey help.
- Free model.
- Limitless units.
Cons
- No password breach monitoring within the free model.
- The free model lacks 24/7 electronic mail help.
gopass: Greatest for tech-savvy Mac customers
gopass is a light-weight however environment friendly open-source password supervisor designed for tech-savvy Mac customers searching for a easy but safe command-line resolution for storing and managing passwords.
Certainly one of its key functionalities is the flexibility to work seamlessly with present setups, supporting the initialization of a git repository within the retailer by default. This characteristic ensures environment friendly synchronization because it mechanically pulls and pushes knowledge when modifications are made on the app.
SEE: Brute Pressure and Dictionary Assaults: A Information for IT Leaders (TechRepublic Premium)
With gopass, you’ll be able to retailer not solely passwords but in addition numerous different sorts of knowledge as encrypted binary information throughout the password vault. The flexibility to create a number of separate shops, or mounts, permits for organized knowledge administration. As a safety measure, gopass prompts you to confirm recipient particulars throughout encryption to stop unintentional knowledge publicity.
Whereas it might lack some superior options in comparison with different password managers, its give attention to simplicity and safety makes it a sensible selection for these searching for a light-weight resolution. Though gopass is a good open-source password supervisor, its design makes it considerably unsuitable for non-technical Mac customers.
Why we selected gopass
We recognized gopass as the best resolution for tech-savvy Mac customers attributable to its technical strategy to password administration by means of command-line entry.
Pricing
gopass is cost-free.
Options
- Help for storing numerous sorts of knowledge as binary information.
- Creation of a number of shops for higher group.
- Default verification immediate throughout encryption.
- Compatibility with different password supervisor initiatives.
- Information storage is decentralized.
Execs
- It’s free.
- Auto sync with git repository.
- Compatibility with different password administration initiatives.
- It may run on Linux, macOS, Home windows and BSD(Unix-like working system).
- Appropriate with iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox apps.
Cons
- Solely accessible through the command line interface.
- Lacks key password administration options like MFA.
QtPass: Greatest for Unix customers
QtPass is a cross-platform password supervisor designed to simplify password administration whereas adhering to the Unix working system. The software is understood for its compatibility with Cross, a preferred Unix password supervisor.
With QtPass, every password is saved securely in an encrypted file, named after the associated web site or service. These information may be organized into folders and simply moved between units. QtPass presents multi-platform help on Linux, BSD, macOS and Home windows.
As well as, the answer presents configurable shoulder browsing safety choices, per-folder consumer choice for multi-recipient encryption, help for a number of profiles for grouping passwords based mostly on totally different repositories and GPG keys, and a straightforward onboarding course of with clear set up directions.
Why we selected QtPass
We recognized QtPass as the best choice for Unix customers attributable to its compatibility with a Unix-based working system.
Pricing
QtPass is free.
Options
- Cross-platform compatibility with Linux, BSD, macOS and Home windows.
- Safe password storage utilizing GPG encryption.
- Multi-key and multi-recipient encryption help.
- Integration with Git.
- Clipboard integration for copying passwords.
Execs
- Free and open-source software program.
- Cross-platform compatibility.
- Safe encryption with GPG.
- Multi-key and multi-recipient encryption help.
- Integrates with present Cross ecosystem.
Cons
- Depends on exterior instruments like GPG and Git for full performance.
- No built-in cloud synchronization (requires Git or WebDAV setup).
- Restricted options in comparison with some proprietary password managers.
KeePassX: Greatest open supply offline password supervisor
KeePassX is an open-source password supervisor that’s suitable with Mac, Linux and Home windows. It’s a community-developed fork of KeePass, a well-regarded password supervisor for Home windows.
The software program can handle passwords, login particulars, attachments, notes and paperwork. It features a customizable password generator, browser integration and choices to import databases. Nevertheless, it doesn’t help plug-ins, in contrast to the unique software program.
SEE: Are Password Managers Secure to Use? (TechRepublic)
KeePassX operates offline, which may be a bonus for customers preferring to handle their passwords independently. Nevertheless, the absence of built-in password synchronization is perhaps a downside for some customers. Moreover, some customers would possibly discover the interface outdated.
Whereas KeePassX is a safe and dependable open-source password supervisor for Mac customers, its lack of sure options and its interface may not enchantment to all customers.
Why we selected KeePassX
KeePassX is our greatest offline password supervisor attributable to its non-reliance on the cloud to carry out its features.
Pricing
KeePassX is a free service.
Options
- Password generator.
- Search operate.
- Import and export of entries.
- Database safety.
- Offline entry.
Execs
- It’s utterly free.
- Permits computerized technology of safe passwords.
- Permits import and export of entries.
- Can function offline.
- Permits sorting of entries in teams.
- KeePassX is cross-platform suitable.
Cons
- Auto-type isn’t supported on Mac.
- The interface isn’t constructed to help plug-ins.
- Consumer-interface is in some way outdated.
- Lacks built-in password synchronization.
Passbolt: Greatest for team-level password administration
Primarily based in Luxembourg, Passbolt is likely one of the open supply password managers with a give attention to groups and enterprise password administration. It distinguishes itself with safety measures like end-to-end encryption, user-controlled keys and common safety evaluations by professional testers.
Its workforce options make it attainable for customers to prepare their passwords and different knowledge in personal and shared folders, enhancing knowledge administration and collaboration. Passbolt permits for the environment friendly administration of customers and teams by means of its role-based entry characteristic. It helps two-factor authentication and multifactor authentication, including an additional layer of safety.
By way of compatibility, Passbolt can be utilized out of your browser — Google Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge — as an extension and on cellphones. This makes it appropriate for Mac customers, in addition to these utilizing Linux, Home windows, Android and iOS.
Why we selected Passbolt
We recognized Passbolt as your best option for workforce password administration attributable to its strong security measures and emphasis on collaboration.
Pricing
Passbolt presents three pricing tiers:
- Group: Affords fundamental options and comes free.
- Enterprise: Priced at $49 per 10 customers per thirty days. Appropriate for companies with 10–250 members.
- Enterprise: For groups with superior safety and compliance necessities. Attain out to Passbolt for a quote.
Options
- Single sign-on with Microsoft, Google and OpenID.
- Password administration and sharing.
- Helps native and cloud deployments.
- Auditing instruments for monitoring password utilization.
- Could be put in from GitHub.
Execs
- There’s a free plan.
- Consumer-friendly interface for straightforward navigation.
- Cell app help for on-the-go entry.
- Strong group of maintainers.
- Single sign-on for fluid login administration.
Cons
- No desktop app.
- The free plan lacks key options like SSO and account restoration.
How do I select one of the best open supply password supervisor for my enterprise?
Choosing the right open supply password supervisor for your enterprise is dependent upon a wide range of elements. Since we’re speaking about open supply password managers, the primary consideration needs to be safety and maintainability. All of the password managers talked about above supply strong encryption strategies to make sure your knowledge is safe, in addition to a wealthy historical past of upkeep.
Nevertheless, totally different companies have totally different wants. As an example, if your enterprise closely depends on workforce collaboration, Passbolt stands out with its consumer administration and sharing options. If your enterprise prioritizes a clear and intuitive consumer interface, Bitwarden and MacPass are value contemplating.
Be aware that one of the best password supervisor for your enterprise is the one that matches your particular wants, so, when making a choose, embrace elements like price, ease of use, buyer help and compatibility along with your present ecosystem. It’s additionally essential to think about the long run scalability of the software program as your enterprise grows.
Evaluate methodology
On this round-up of one of the best open supply password managers, my analysis was carried out based mostly on a complete evaluate of their options, usability, safety measures and buyer evaluations. Whereas I had hands-on testing on Bitwarden and Passbolt on my Chrome browser, I watched video demos to grasp a number of the options reviewed. Throughout my testing, I targeted on the usability of the interface, characteristic efficiency and the setup course of.
As well as, I relied on the documentation supplied by every vendor to grasp the standout characteristic of every password supervisor. Exterior evaluations and consumer suggestions had been additionally analyzed to realize insights into every product’s execs and cons.
