Guest Post by Melissa Tamura
For many of us, our lives revolve around the Internet. It influences our home lives and how we work. With each new account, affiliation and favored website, comes a new password for us to remember. The sheer number of these passwords is overwhelming for many, and this has led to password management software growing into a thriving business. Choices are a benefit, but too many of them leads to difficult decision-making. Here’s our attempt to help, a look at 8 great programs for managing passwords.
1. RoboForm Pro
RoboForm Pro is the crown jewel of password management software. For many consumers, the search for password management software will start and end here with RoboForm. The application integrates with the web browser seamlessly with a small footprint and load times that go unnoticed. In addition to being a comprehensive password manager, RoboForm acts as a virtual notepad through a suite of features called Safenote. However, it is RoboForm Pro’s ability to fill out complete web forms for the user that has set the bar for all other password management software.
The SurfSecret KeyPad software emulates most of the key features that make RoboForm Pro the standard-bearer. However, a couple of elements distinguish it, and these aspects might entice customers to choose KeyPad over RoboForm. No other password management software boasts KeyPad’s level of portability. Users can easily run it from a USB flash drive, and synchronize it with multiple PCs and a wide range of other devices. Secondly, KeyPad tailors itself to Internet Explorer, and it provides the best integration with that web browser.
Password Manager XP sets itself apart from its competitors with password/account expiration notification and the most thorough implementation of hotkeys among all password managers. In addition to these key features, Password Manager XP boasts most of the capabilities that RoboForm and KeyPad share. Unfortunately, the software can be difficult to use, and this knocks it down a peg below the big boys. If you can overcome the steep learning curve, you can make an argument that this is the best of the bunch.
The Aurora Password manager is the most intuitive and easy to use password manager on the market. This ease comes at a price. It does not include a feature set comparable to the top three options. However, we rank it highly because this will be a favorite for many non-tech-savvy consumers. In other words, this is a great choice for the mom who still struggles with her email software.
5. TK8 Safe
TK8 is a relatively young but promising password management program. It doesn’t yet offer the feature set of our top three options, and it doesn’t offer the intuitiveness of Aurora. However, it does provide a good blend of both, and it does it at the lowest price point. TK8 Safe also allows clients to update to the newest version of the software for two full years after purchase.
Password Agent is a full-featured password management program that accentuates the database over the user interface. This niche program targets the user who wants absolute control over the database. In addition, it provides simple implementations of the most common password management software features.
My Password Agent is loaded with features, but it is time-consuming and difficult to use. Unlike Password Manager XP, My Password Agent doesn’t have the payoff at the end of the learning curve. Functionality remains time-consuming. This application does distinguish itself by working inside of a self-contained browser. This is useful for customers who specifically need this feature.
Password Organizer is full-featured. It is also pricey, and it is currently lacking in security compared to the other options on this list. What it does offer is advanced dual screen support. It makes our list because it is the only application currently to offer this feature set.
These eight password management applications are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. However, these are the finest solutions, and most customers should be able to find a perfect match among them.
Melissa Tamura is Editor at Large for the Zen College Life online degrees directory. She most recently ranked the best online colleges.
Simrandeep Singh is the Editor-in-chief of TricksDaddy and a blogger from Chandigarh (India).
He loves to write about WordPress, Freewares, Mobile Phones and Blogging Tips. Apart from Blogging, he loves travelling, photgraphy and cooking.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanx for sharing. Any info regarding price details?
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You should also add Keepass Portable to the list. Keepass is one of the best portable password managers, can auto post username and password combination using hot keys and works without installation.
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Very useful information for bloggers , domainers and web entrepreneurs whose online existence is secured by passwords
I felt Password Manager XP is great. I am already using it. Nice post Melissa
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I’m using TK8 since 2003 so it is not that young
I use Chrome as my main browser since I mostly use my netbook at the moment (saves a ton of screen real estate with the minimal design).
I use LastPass to manage many passwords besides the ones I’m very protective of.
Thanks for sharing.
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Handy password manager is also good. I use it for a long time and it works well. Auto filling forms, generating strong passwords and encryption along with friendly interface make it very useful for me. It’s a shareware product but I use for free as I have only ten cards.
You are missing Sticky Password manager. It is a great and one of the greatest products on the market.