Password Manager Review: Keeper

Cybersecurity starts with a solid password. Because one good password isn't enough, password managers help you safely keep track of all your strong passwords or beef up any weak passwords you might be using. Keeper claims to be "the top-rated cybersecurity software." Below, we'll let you know whether we can attest to this, or if you should throw this one back.

Keeper is a digital vault and password manager that protects and encrypts passwords, financial information, and other sensitive data, for individuals and businesses. The software's desktop version is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux, while its mobile app can be used on iOS and Android devices. Keeper also offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Edge, and Opera.

We tested Keeper on Windows and Android.

As with most other password managers, setting up Keeper begins with creating a master password. Unlike the majority of its competitors though, Keeper makes a recovery method available from the getgo (user-defined security questions), which are helpful in the event that you ever lose or forget your password.

While this method of recovery is popular for single accounts, it seems out of place for a password manager. After all, your master password protects not just one account, but all of them. Answers to security questions are also far easier to figure out than passwords, since they typically don't contain special characters or numbers, and are 'logical'. All the same, resetting your password still requires entry of a verification code that is sent to your email address.

Like most other password managers, Keeper is divided between a dedicated desktop app and a browser extension (KeeperFill). The service also includes a web vault, which is accessible via the browser's online interface. Following a brief tutorial, the program will prompt you to install the browser extension, however, manually installing the extension only takes a few seconds.

Under Settings, you'll find an option to import passwords you've saved using other services. Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Edge, and Opera are supported, and you can transfer data sets from password managers including Dashlane, LastPass, Sticky Password, and many others.

In the dropdown menu, you can assign each column to a Keeper field in order to ensure that the correct information is loaded where you need it. Unfortunately, all entries need to be imported at the same time, meaning that you can't select which entries are saved.

User Interface: Folder-based Organization

Along with its browser interface and mobile version, Keeper also spreads its features across a desktop app and a browser extension. The desktop app is identical to the browser interface, however, a dedicated desktop app is simply more convenient to use than a browser window when wanting to utilize all of the service's features.

Desktop App

The program is divided into three sections: On the left, you'll find a navigable main menu, in the center you can access folders, and on the right, individual data sets that are located within folders. Folders and subfolders can be created, and it's possible to move or copy your data sets at will, making it possible to quickly organize all of the entries you've imported.

If using the folder view, you can assign colors to your records, however, web page logos are only displayed in tile view, and even then, not all of them. Other password managers definitely provide a better overview of data sets.

Browser Extension KeepFill

Keeper has overhauled its browser extension since our last review, adding important features like the password generator. The main emphasis, however, remains on autofill, as Keeper allows its users to set how the extension should interact with login or data forms in your browser.

By and large, Keeper is intuitive to use, thanks in no small part to its drag and drop folder functionality. In comparison to more elegant password managers, the app isn't particularly stunning, however, you can adjust its color scheme.

Score: 4 / 5

Keeper boasts a solid range of features, but, despite being a premium program, puts a number of these behind paywalls.

Security Check

Here, Keeper provides an overview of how strong each of your passwords are. The password generator in Keeper's browser extension is directly built-in to the data set field, making it very convenient to change passwords, even without a dedicated tool.

Autofill Options

Keeper truly excels when it comes to allowing users to personalize autofill settings, far surpassing what its competitors put out there. It's possible to configure when Keeper should and should not supply data sets for forms. This ability to digitally 'muzzle' the program is a welcome option.

Of course, what matters most is that autofill works reliably. During our last review, some websites, such as Reddit, caused problems in this regard. Now, automatic login worked even for complicated login forms, such as those that open through a pop-up or are spread across multiple sites.

When clicking on the Keeper icon in a login form, a small window will open displaying all pertinent information about the data set in question as well as autofill options.

In addition to web logins, Keeper can also store app logins, something not offered by every service.

Access Rights & Sharing

Another standard feature that Keeper masters brilliantly is access rights to individual entries. You can input the email addresses of those who you want to be able to access specific data sets. Existing folders cannot be shared with others: For this, you'll need to create shared folders.

Customizable Data Sets

We were also satisfied with the configuration options offered for individual data sets. You can create user-defined fields or even secure specific entries with an additional password. All the same, there could be more default settings for identities: Other programs provide preset categories for documents such as passports or drivers licenses.

In addition to covering all of the basics, Keeper also comes with a few extensions that need to be installed separately. Some of these are free, such as KeeperChat, a secure messaging tool. Others, like secure data storage and BreachWatch, which searches in the Internet and DarkNet for stolen passwords, informing you if any are found, need to be paid for.

Overall, Keeper's package of features is very nearly complete, providing everything a password manager should and not suffering from any real lapses.

Score: 4.7 / 5

Keeper's password security is based on the zero-knowledge principle. The service retains neither your master password nor does it store any information on its own servers that has not been locally encrypted and/or decrypted beforehand. Because AES 256-bit is utilized, the highest level of security is guaranteed.

The self-destruct feature is interesting, allowing you to set all locally saved Keeper data to automatically be destroyed following five failed login attempts.

You can add additional security to your account by activating 2FA. Apart from mobile (number) authentication and its own dedicated authenticator app, Keeper is also compatible with Google Authenticator, RSA SecurID, and Duo Security.

Once you've activated 2FA, the security question recovery method mentioned above should not pose any significant risks. Nevertheless, we do have to stress again that by including an (easy to manipulate) recovery method, Keeper does provide hackers with an avenue of attack which its competitors have (by and large) sealed off.

Score: 4.3 / 5

Keeper's mobile version is available for Android and iOS. As mentioned above, the mobile app offers access to nearly the same features as the desktop version, including the security check and extras like BreachWatch. You can also easily share your data sets and folders with others from your smartphone.

You can visit websites either with Keeper's integrated browser or your default browser. During testing, autofill was reliable on our smartphone and we didn't notice any issues with websites, either in Keeper's browser or Chrome.

Overall, the latest version of Keeper's mobile app impressed us, excelling, in particular, as a result of the number of features from the desktop version which have found their way over to the mobile app.

Score: 4.7 / 5

Keeper offers a live chat, however, we weren't able to get in touch with a staffer (on an early Friday afternoon). A chatbot posed a few questions, however, this quickly led nowhere and didn't offer any way to connect with a real person. As such, we were only able to reach out to a human being via support ticket. Keeper promises round-the-clock support, and our query was answered within six hours, which is fairly good.

Should you be more of a DIY type, Keeper offers an extensive collection of guides, FAQs, and even video tutorials.

All in all, Keeper does fairly well in terms of support, specifically with its excellent static support and round-the-clock live assistance.

Score: 4 / 5

Unfortunately, Keeper is only available as a paid/premium product. Private users can book a Personal or Family subscription, the latter including up to five vaults.

Keeper is specifically positioned as a password manager for businesses and organizations. As such, it offers a variety of rates for large and small businesses, as well as special packages for managed service providers and the public sector.

Below, you can find an up-to-date overview of Keeper's prices:

It's possible to test the full version of Keeper for free for 30 days. Keeper doesn't offer a money-back guarantee on its subcriptions.

Keeper does a number of things extremely well, in some areas even surpassing its competitors. Its extensive autofill settings would be a welcome addition to other password managers, functioning well on the desktop as well as mobile devices. After all, autofill reliability is the backbone of any password manager and here, Keeper is definitely at the head of the pack.

While most password managers are available in a free version of some sort, Keeper can only be used against a monthly fee, with the booking of some additional features quickly nudging up what you'll pay per month. As such, users who keep an eye on price likely won't spend much time considering Keeper. Beyond that, we also weren't swept off our feet with Keeper's desktop interface.

All the same, thanks to its variety of features, reliability, and extensive customization options, Keeper is one of the best password managers on the market.

So far as customer reviews are concerned, Keeper does exceptionally, receiving (mostly) very good scores. Satisfied users emphasize the service's ease of use.

Should you be on the prowl for a password manager that won't break the bank, we liked the free versions of NordPass and Bitwarden, since neither imposes data set limits or restricts the number of devices that your records can be synced across.

If you're ready to pay for a password manager, Dashlane performs slightly better than Keeper, thanks primarily to its better user interface and powerful (automatic) password changer.

The best alternatives to Keeper can be found below: