Bitvarden Review: A FREE and Easy Password Administrator

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When it comes to password managers, we would usually recommend that you go for a paid service as they have a financial incentive to keep their security and functioning levels high or risk losing the funds from customers. Bitwardden challenges this ethos, but after building a formidable reputation over the years as a safe and reliable service, but one that does not ask you to pay. So is there really something like a free lunch?

Software and features

• Unlimited devices and passwords at free level
• Auto-filling for sites
• Cross platform

The Bitvarden follows the template that is well known to anyone who has used a password administrator in recent years. The interface is clean and modern, with a light learning curve that makes it feel instinctive rather than you need to understand the complexity of internet security (which can be absolutely confusing).

Once you open the app, you have the option of choosing which region your data will be saved-USA, Europe or self-hosted. This is an important choice, so be sure to choose what you feel is the most reliable (apparently this will vary depending on where you live and the governments you find safe).

Once you have created a free account, both MacOS and iOS apps will lead you to the My Vault page where your passwords live (plus there are also options for accessing the secure messages, password generator and setting sections in the app).

At the first opening of the app, there are obviously no passwords there. If you are using another password administrator, you can export your existing passwords (usually as a .CSV file or similar – the service will tell you how to do it), then import them to the bitvarden. On the Mac, this is reasonably straightforward, the iOS app requires you to use the bitvarden servers that then sync up to the mobile app.

Unlike many of the other password managers out there, the bitter’s free level allows to sync across unlimited devices, and you also have permission for unlimited passwords, making it a complete solution if you are not looking for all bells and whistles.

That is not to say that the bitvarden is barren, far from what you can also save credit card information for payments, secure notes and ID credentials so you can access them everywhere. The send feature also means that you can quickly share encrypted messages to other people (and if you sign up for the Premium level, you will also be able to do the same with files). There are also the standard password generator, which also allows for the creation of access phrases and usernames.

Martyn Casserly & Dominick Tomaszewski

The whole thing is that most people will have to intensify their security from browser -based free services, or if you just want to be able to organize things a little more effortlessly.

However, there are a few elements that do not shine just as bright. Setting up features like Auto-Fill can be confusing as you need to know it’s there to start with (as it isn’t on by default) and if you’ve used other passwords (including Apple passwords (former Keychain) and Google Password Manager), deactivate them first-what is not exactly as simple as it sounds. It is not complicated, but it is not explained as clearly as it could be of the app.

Some of the more advanced features are reserved for the paid levels (which they must be fair is very cheap), including encrypted file films for messages, an integrated authentication and emergency access (if you get sick or go away, you can identify a specific person to be able to retrieve all passwords in your vault). That said, the full price for one year subscription is only $ 10 (about £ 7.50) and it can be shared with another user so it is excellent value.

The Bitvarden is available on a wide range of platforms, including dedicated macOs and iOS apps, plus plugins for all the major browsers as well as Windows and Android. Reviews in the App Store pointed to a recent edition with Safari-Plug-In, and I encountered a few times when an error message said ‘Load failed’ appeared. Fortunately, this was not the case most of the time, so it seems the problem is being treated.

Security and encryption

• Zero knowledge end to end 256-bit encryption
• Monitoring of data violation
• Open source
• Support for Packier

Security is an important part of any password administrator and the bitter has all the levels of protection you would find on many of its rivals. The company runs a zero knowledge policy so they cannot read your passwords as they are encrypted on your device and stored in this mode on the bitvaarden servers.

By default, 256-bit encryption is used to keep your data secure against hackers, with the bitvarden also provided constant monitoring of data violations on other sites that may include your login information. At the paid level, you also get an analysis of your vault to help you know how safe and effective your existing passwords are against attacks.

Martyn Casserly & Dominick Tomaszewski

If you do not want passwords at all, the bitter supports the creation and storage of bags, all of which are rage these days, so the app seems somewhat future -proof.

To further unlock Vault, you can create a 2-factor permission, giving you a text message to your phone when you want to access your vault. Alternatively, there is support for hardware safety keys as well as the possibility of the built -in authentication that comes with the paid level.

Bitwardhen is open sourced, which means that the source code can be examined so that society can hopefully see any problems before hackers become aware of them. It is not a guarantee of security, but the transparent nature offers a different level of security.

Price and accessibility

The base level of the bitward is available for free and is probably enough for most people to start on their trip with password managers. If you want the additional features such as secure files, full password security reports, plus the emergency access for a nominated person, the Premium level includes these for $ 10 (£ 7.50) per Years and you can share this vault with another user.

There is also a family plan that gives you up to 6 premium accounts for $ 40 (about £ 30) a year.

Bitwardhen is available for iOS, MacOS, Windows, Linux, Android and has plug-ins for Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Duckduckgo, Vivaldi, Brave and Tor Browsers.

Should you buy the bitvarden?

If you want to dip your toe in the water of password administrators, the bitvarden is a good place to start. You get a lot of functionality without having to pay anything at all. Yes, the premium plan has its advantages and fortunately it is very affordable, but the free account is enough to get you started. The bitvarden does not have the streamline polishing of some rivals and the documentation could be better, but it is a robust and reliable service that will make control of your passwords a lot easier than just trying to remember them all.

To check out the other services we currently recommend, read our Roundup of the best password managers. For some tips on how to avoid using easy to-hack combinations of pet names and birthdays, look at our tips on how to make your passwords stronger.