Password security concept
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Password manager software helps users store and organize password information in a more effective way. A password manager typically stores users’ passwords in an encrypted database, which authorized users can unlock with a master password or key. Many password managers also offer additional features, such as randomized password generation, password sharing, and two-factor or multi-factor authentication.

SEE: Mobile device security policy (TechRepublic Premium)

While password manager software can be helpful in managing the complexities of individual and group passwords, it is crucial to choose a reputable solution that meets your business needs. There are many options to choose from, but two of the most popular and high-performing password managers are Keeper and LastPass. Learn more about each of them and how they compare in this guide.

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What is Keeper?

The Keeper logo.
Image: Keeper

Keeper is a secure password manager and digital vault that helps businesses and individuals protect, store and share passwords and other sensitive digital data. It uses AES-256 and PBKDF2 encryption, two-factor authentication, biometrics, and private sharing to keep data safe and secure.

Keeper dashboard of password management for government agencies.
Image: Keeper. Keeper dashboard of password management for government agencies.

Keeper’s solution is tailored to various users, including larger enterprises, small businesses, managed service providers, government agencies, individuals and families. Further, Keeper uses zero-trust architecture, a security model that works on the principle that all data needs to be monitored and validated, regardless of its source. With Keeper, you can store credit card information, documents, and private files such as photos or videos.

What is LastPass?

The LastPass logo.
Image: LastPass

LastPass is a password manager that helps users securely store and manage passwords and other important credentials. LastPass includes two-factor authentication and a password generator. The tool also offers a free version, making it an ideal option for individuals on a budget.

LastPass security score dashboard.
Image: LastPass. LastPass security score dashboard.

In December 2022, LastPass admitted to a severe data breach when an unknown malicious actor accessed a cloud-based storage environment using the credentials of a LastPass employee. The intruder took a backup copy of customer vault data.

LastPass assured users that the encrypted files are secured with military-grade 256-bit AES encryption and can only be decrypted with their master password, which the attacker cannot access. LastPass has since taken steps to improve its security measures and has encouraged users not to reuse their master password on other websites.

Want to learn more about LastPass? Compare it to another leading solution here: Bitwarden vs LastPass (2023): Which password manager is better for you?

Keeper vs. LastPass: Feature comparison table

FeatureKeeperLastPass
MFA authentication
MFA authentication with federated login🚫
Security alerts
256-bit AES encryption
Never URLs🚫
Emergency access
Unlimited device access
Unlimited password storage
Unlimited secure cloud backups
Unlimited secure password sharing
Secure random password generation
Secrets management
Multi-platform support
Wide range of business add-ons🚫
Free version available🚫

Keeper pros & cons

While Keeper has many advantages, it also has some potential drawbacks that should be considered before deciding whether it is the right password manager for you.

Pros

  • Offers a wide range of features, including auto-fill, two-factor authentication and password sharing.
  • User-friendly interface.
  • Compatible with multiple client devices and formats, including desktop, mobile, browser and command line.
  • Encrypts user data with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and multiple layers of security.
  • Includes dark web monitoring.

Cons

  • Advanced two-factor authentication is not available in Business Starter and Business plans.
  • Single sign-on (SAML 2.0) authentication is only available in the enterprise plan.

Keeper pricing

Keeper Security offers several pricing plans to accommodate business and enterprise, personal and family, student, military, and medical users. Free trials are available for Business and Enterprise and MSP users, and a 50% discount is available for students. Here’s how pricing tiers and packages break down.

Organizations

  • Business Starter: $2 per user per month for teams of up to 10 people.
  • Business: $3.75 per user per month.
  • Enterprise: Pricing information available upon request.

Personal & Family

  • Personal: $2.91 per month, or approximately $35 billed annually.
  • Family: $6.25 per month, or approximately $75 billed annually.

Both plans offer a 30% discount to former military and their family members as well as to first responders in law enforcement, fire and healthcare roles.

LastPass pros & cons

LastPass is a great tool to simplify the process of creating and managing secure passwords. Take a closer look at its pros and cons here.

Pros

  • Offers a free version as well as a premium version.
  • Offers over 1,200 pre-integrated SSO apps.
  • Easy-to-navigate user interface.
  • Allows users to generate strong passwords.
  • Easy to share and sync logins among multiple devices.

Cons

  • Some security concerns after data breach.
  • Customer support could be improved.
  • It can be expensive for larger organizations.

LastPass pricing

LastPass offers different pricing plans and package groups to meet the needs of different users. Here’s how pricing breaks down.

Single Users & Families

  • Free: Free for one user. This plan includes a 30-day trial of the Premium plan.
  • Premium: $3 per month billed annually. A 30-day free trial is available.
  • Families: $4 per month billed annually. A 30-day free trial is available.

Business

  • Teams: $4 per user per month billed annually. A 14-day free trial is available.
  • Business: $6 per user per month billed annually. A 14-day free trial is available.

Add-ons

  • Advanced SSO: $2 per user per month.
  • Advanced MFA: $3 per user per month.

Head-to-head comparison: Keeper vs. LastPass

Zero trust and user authentication capabilities

Keeper and LastPass employ a zero-trust security model, meaning they never assume users are who they say they are. Instead, users are constantly verified through multiple layers of security.

In terms of two-factor authentication, LastPass and Keeper offer several methods, including biometrics, one-time codes and push notifications. However, LastPass’s multi-factor authentication support is often limited or unavailable when federated login is used, while Keeper supports consistent MFA access via SSO Connect.

Adherence to information security standards

Keeper enjoys the longest-running SOC2 and ISO27001 certification in the security industry. Although certified for a shorter period of time, LastPass has achieved certifications for both of these standards as well. SOC2 and ISO27001 are two of the most popular standards for information security; they deal with security controls to manage sensitive information, including policies, procedures and technologies.

ISO 27001 emphasizes developing and maintaining an information security management system, while SOC 2 is more flexible and comprises five trust principles: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy. Both certifications are important indicators of the security and quality of a password manager.

Encryption and other credential management features

Keeper and LastPass both employ 256-bit AES encryption; however, LastPass only supports encryption at the vault level, while Keeper supports encryption at multiple levels.

In addition, both password managers alert users when their login credentials may have been breached. Keeper offers a feature called BreachWatch, which alerts users when stolen usernames and passwords match the user. This can be a helpful feature if users are worried about their account being compromised.

In contrast, LastPass offers a dark web monitoring feature. This feature evaluates all stored email addresses in vault items. It immediately alerts users via email and the LastPass dashboard if any client email addresses are found in the database of breached credentials.

SEE: Best encryption software (TechRepublic)

Ultimately, LastPass and Keeper have excellent data protection and security features. However, Keeper’s superior MFA support, encryption and history of favorable third-party certifications gives it the edge in the overall security category.

General password management features

Keeper and LastPass have robust administrative controls, allowing users to easily add, edit and delete passwords as needed. These software solutions allow password imports from other applications, such as Google Password Manager. In the premium versions of Keeper and LastPass, customers benefit from unlimited device access, password sharing and priority 24/7 customer support.

Keeper and LastPass also offer emergency access. This means if something happens to the primary account holder, a loved one or other designated user will still be able to access account information.

SEE: Password breach: Why pop culture and passwords don’t mix (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

Both password managers come with unlimited password storage and unlimited secure cloud backups. In addition, Keeper and LastPass enable secure password generation, using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, symbols and special characters.

However, despite their similar strengths in password management, there are some key differences when comparing Keeper and LastPass. For example, in LastPass, users can turn off specific sites, while Keeper does not offer this feature. This is advantageous if there are specific sensitive websites where users prefer to remember their passwords rather than use the password manager.

Supported platforms

Keeper and LastPass include support for a wide range of platforms. Keeper is available for Mac, Windows, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, IE, Edge and Opera. Users can also join the Beta Testing Program to gain access to new features before they are released to the general public. LastPass is supported on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS platforms.

Business add-ons

Keeper offers a few more options than LastPass when it comes to business-specific add-ons. Its business add-ons include the Advanced Reporting and Alerts Module, Compliance Reports, the Keeper Secrets Manager, secure file storage and sharing, and private hyper-secure messaging via KeeperChat.

How to choose between Keeper and LastPass

When deciding between Keeper and LastPass, the essential factor to consider is the security and usability of each service. Keeper is known for its cutting-edge security measures, including two-factor authentication and government-grade encryption technologies. It also offers various features, such as password sharing, dark web monitoring and a secure digital vault for storing files.

LastPass is known for its top-tier security, offering two-factor authentication and a password generator. It provides a wide range of features, such as password auditing, a secure digital vault and the ability to share passwords with other users.

In terms of cost, LastPass offers a free version, while Keeper requires a subscription for access to all features. However, Keeper provides discounts to students, military and first responders.

SEE: How to recruit and hire a security analyst (TechRepublic Premium)

Overall, Keeper and LastPass each offer a password management solution that is reliable, secure and easy to use. However, Keeper’s superior data protection and security features, password management features and business add-ons give it the edge over LastPass for most use cases.

Ultimately, the decision between Keeper and LastPass comes down to personal preference. Both services offer similar features and are highly secure. However, Keeper may be better suited for those who require more advanced data protection and security features, while LastPass could be a better choice for those looking for an easy-to-use password manager.

Leading Password Managers

Aside from Keeper and LastPass, several other leading password managers provide secure and convenient credentials management for online accounts. These password managers offer a range of features, such as secure storage, auto-fill and multi-factor authentication. Some of the top password managers to consider include the following:

1 NordPass

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NordPass uses a zero-knowledge setup that encrypts all password data on a device before it ever reaches NordVPN’s servers. This means not even the company can access your data. It also offers a personal information storage feature that secures and encrypts a variety of personal information, such as addresses, phone numbers, credit card information and more, which can be easily accessed when filling out forms.

Learn more about NordPass