Password managers: 3 alternatives to 1Password without subscription

March 9 update: Added new Uno app. And on the occasion of women's rights days,Enpass launches a promotionand offers the first year of subscription reduced to 60%: i.e. €0.71 per month for 12 months.

1Password is one of the benchmark password managers for iOS and macOS. Being a big fan of the service since version 3, I stayed with version 6 for a long time, which was still functional on my Mac and my iOS devices. The reason is simple: version 7 placed emphasis on subscription plans. And if the permanent license purchase was then always possible, the paid update from 6 to 7 was not cheap.

But with version 8 available since 2021, 1Password iswent even further on the path to subscriptions. Indeed, for its service, AgileBits no longer offers a permanent license. To take advantage of 1Password, to date, there is nono choice but to subscribe.

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Subscription? No thanks

Wanting to limit my number of subscriptions to which I subscribe for services, I went in search of an alternative solution with the following conditions:

Accessible without monthly subscription, with permanent license or for free
Applications iOS et macOS minimum
If possible, no storage of passwords on a proprietary server (possible use of iCloud, Dropbox or other cloud service of your choice)

Here are the 3 solutions that caught my attention and some suggestions at the end of the articles for those who want to go even further.

Enpass: high quality service

Enpass is the application that appealed to me the most. It has all the advantages of 1Password (classification of information by categories, by tags, detection of weak passwords, choice of the cloud for synchronization of bass words, etc.) with even a few bonuses (customizable categories, history old passwords).

Enpass also offers an import function from your 1Password backup, making it easy to switch between apps and say ditch 1Password for good.

The other side of the coin is that without paying, only the macOS application can be used. Synchronization with the iOS app does not take place.

What I particularly like with this application is the possibility of using a WebDav server to synchronize your safes, or of limiting yourself to local operation with synchronization via Wi-Fi!

To benefit from all the features, you must purchase apermanent license for €92.99. A subscription is also available from €1.79 per month. This is still less than the €2.5 charged each month for 1Password. In any case, in the long term, with the purchase of the Enpass lifetime license for 92.99 euros, you are a winner (it is the equivalent of 3 years of 1Password subscription). So already in subscription, Enpass is more advantageous compared to 1Password, even with its permanent license at a high price, after a time, Enpass also wins over 1Password.

Secrets: good value for money

Secrets is a password management service available on Mac and iPhone/iPad.

Just like Enpass, Secrets has a1Password quick data import feature. Very practical!

Both Secrets' macOS and mobile apps can be used for free, with data synchronization, but with the limitationto only be able to save 10 elements.

To unlock this limitation of 10 elements, simply completein-app purchase of €19.99. If Secrets is more minimalist than Enpass and 1Password in its interface, the app remains no less powerful with a display system by type of elements and extensions available for Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Brave or even Vivaldi.

We regret that theonly possibility of synchronization is iCloud. However, we like theremote access functionality, which allows other devices to access certain information from the host containing the vault.

Note that the Secrets service is integrated into the application subscriptionSetapp, which allows you, for around €10 per month, to benefit from several dozen excellent applications on macOS and iOS, including CleanMyMac X, uBar, Craft and many others. To discover the offer in question,see here.

Uno: the newcomer, very beautiful and young

If you are looking forabsolutely a free solution, we advise you the newcomerA. Designed by Parteek Saran, a design specialist who has notably worked for Facebook and Lady Gaga, Uno has some major advantages.

Already, with Uno, there is no limit to the number of passwords contained in its safe. Then, Uno displays a superb interface, which is minimalist, colorful and efficient. The features are not numerous. Here you get straight to the point.

Everything is not perfect, however, with one point that may bother some: synchronization between devices is done via Uno servers. However, the developers guarantee high-level security for your safes. On this subject, it is true that Uno proposes an ideaquite innovative. Your safe is not protected by a password, but by a unique key in addition to the biometric solution of your device. And in case of problems, you canserve as one of your trusted contactssaved in the app to regain access to your passwords. Clever!

At the moment, Uno is still in beta. We hope to see the addition of a password generator soon. In any case, we are monitoring the development of this potential little gem closely!

For broke or stingy users, Uno seems to be the perfect solution..

And if not?

If among these first three choices, you have not found what you are looking for, here is a list of other solutions existing on the market and operating free of charge or via the purchase of a permanent license:

Bitwarden :the reference for free and open source with official applications

Zoho Vault :the solution from Zoho, known for its Google-like services, completely free for an unlimited number of passwords

Dropbox Passwords :50 passwords can be saved in the Dropbox free tier. This will be enough for some, knowing that Dropbox,known for its Cloud, provides quality services. Please note, on macOS, Dropbox Passwords is only available in extension format for browsers, including Safari. On iOS, a dedicated app is required.

Dropbox Passwords pour iOS

SafeInCloud :only €6 to take advantage of all the features of this potentially interesting solution

Sticky Password :alternative to Enpass, but much more expensive for the permanent license, €200! In addition, ergonomically, the apps appear less polished

Password Wallet :cross-platform, but with an austere interface

KeePass :free and open source solution, but applications not always of quality