Top 3 Password Managers for Android [+Alternatives]

Whether you call the Web your second home or only use it for work purposes or to use certain services – the amount of accounts, and therefore passwords, you have is probably growing. You might have started using one and the same password – or hopefully deviations of it – for every account. We understand your reasoning behind that decision very well.

Nobody wants to deal with a wrong password when using a rather rudimentary browser, especially on phones on which typing is not the most efficient thing, regardless of how good keyboards have become. Saving passwords automatically within the browser provides some relief but has rather little to do with security. This is where password managers come into play: What does wonders on your desktop can making surfing on your phone easier and more secure as well.

Managing passwords on the go: different approaches, different solutions

Most password managers on the market understand the demand for mobile password security and offer apps for mobile operating systems alongside their desktop clients. As the dominating mobile OS, Android is usually provided with a plethora of app options to choose from. On the other hand, some developers prefer to work with iOS. Still, most apps are usually very similar when it comes to functionality and user experience. One developer's approach to making a functioning mobile version of their desktop app can differ greatly from that of others. Oftentimes, they're relatively direct mobile adaptations of a developer's main app which can make it easier for users to get started. Some developers see their Android app as a totally independent product and prioritize mobile usability over uniformity.

During our tests, we came across both approaches more than once. Keep on reading to find out which three mobile password managers we think are the best you can get.

When reviewing desktops apps, we mainly look at how many features an app comes with. For mobile apps, on the other hand, it's more important that they're easy and intuitive to use. A failing autofill on a PC or laptop isn't all that bad; it doesn't take much time and effort to copy-and-past login data with a mouse and a keyboard. With a phone, that takes a lot more patience. Filling in login data just has to work on mobile devices.

We believe the following three apps excelled at mastering the challenges we faced them with on an Android device.

LastPass's mobile app is intuitive, easy to use and so similar to its browser extension that we immediately knew how to use it. After the initial installation process, you're guided through the permissions you need to give the app for optimal user experience. That way, you won't have to search around in the setting for too long and manually give the app the access it needs.

What we liked about LastPass's app is that it just works. The autofill is triggered reliably when you come across an input field. The chances of the autofill failing are the lowest when using the integrated browser. Using it in an external browser such as Chrome can cause some issues. This is a problem every password manager we tested had.

Aside from that, LastPass's Android app comes with a lot of convenient features. In the "Security" section, you can find the handy password generator and the Security Challenge that analyzes all your passwords in your vault and gives them an individual security score between 0 and 100. Not every password manager puts its desktops app's handy analytic tools into their mobile app. LastPass does and that makes them stand out from other providers.

Overall, we really liked LastPass's Android app. Of all the password managers we tested, it might offer the best mobile experience.

During our test, Kaspersky wasn't quite on par with other top password managers for desktop. Due to regular crashes and a lack of two-factor authentication, the app never made it onto the winner's podium. But it did make it onto our list of top three password managers for Android, because it's an excellent password manager for mobile platforms.

Kaspersky's password manager for Android devices is fast, intuitive and very easy to use. The settings and datasets you use in the desktop app can be found in the app in mere seconds, and the autofill does what it's supposed to do. As per usual, the app's features work better with its internal browser as opposed to Chrome (other browsers are not supported by the app).

In addition to passwords, you can access other saved datasets with the app, such as bank cards, addresses, secure notes or saved documents. This feature can be useful if you need to access information only meant for your eyes when you're on the go.

Overall, Kaspersky's password manager for Android does most things right.

Unlike many other mobile password managers, RoboForm's mobile app is visually vastly different from its cousin on the desktop. This deviation requires a little bit of confidence in one's own product - and RoboForm's got it.

The vertically arrayed menu might take some getting used to, especially if you're used to the desktop version and its three-column build. It'll take some time, but you'll get used to the app's mechanics.

Among your "Tools", you'll find the password generator as well as the Security Center with which you can monitor your password security. This is where you'll find your personal Security Score as well as your emergency contacts and the Sharing Center which gives you a concise overview of the datasets you've shared and others have shared with you.

During our tests, the autofill features worked well for the most part. There were some issues with websites like Amazon, and we had to manually copy-and-paste login data.

Although it requires some getting used to, the RoboForm mobile app is still one of our favorites.

Most of the mobile applications we tested are good password managers. Because we looked at the intuitiveness and ease-of-use of Android apps, this list of our top three choices entails some subjective preferences. There are many other password manager apps that offer a great mobile experience as well. Keeper and Dashlane, for example, are two very solid options for mobile devices.

If you want to take a closer look at password managers, check out our password manager review and comparison.