LastPass vs. KeePass - Login Lockdown

LastPass vs. KeePass

Katy Smith
February 18, 2021

Are you struggling with password management? Do you need a reliable solution that boasts different security features and password-sharing options? Then you might have heard about LastPass and KeePass, two popular password managers.

But which of these apps is a better choice? To help you out, we’ll provide a breakdown of both of these password management solutions, describe their features, target audience, and pricing. We’ll also give a recommendation based on your business type.

LastPass vs. KeePass: At a Glance

Familiarizing yourself with LastPass and KeePass and what they offer regarding password-security and password sharing can help you decide which password manager is best suited to you. So what are their features and how much do they cost?

lastpass example

LastPass

LastPass is one of the most popular password manager apps out there. Registering and setting it up only takes a couple of moments. Plus, it’s user-friendly and a favorite among those who aren’t tech-savvy.

The platform is also easy to navigate. It’s available as a browser extension or for smartphones.

This password manager boasts excellent security features. Besides the standard AES 256-bit encryption, it has multi-factor authentication, meaning you need a code with your master password to access websites and valuable information.

Its password generator is equally user-friendly and enables users to create a password of up to 99 characters. It also provides additional information and points out if you have a weak password. Additionally, it has a feature which tells you whether it’s easy to say or read your password. Such a function may be useful when users generate their Wi-Fi password with this password manager app.

Like most other password management platforms, LastPass also has a password-sharing option. Interestingly, other users can’t view the password, even when you share it with them.

However, LastPass packages determine the number of users that can share passwords. For example, a free plan only supports one user. Therefore, its purpose is to be a password management solution. Besides the free plan, there are two other options: Personal and Business.

LastPass bills annually and costs:

  • Premium and MFA plans – $3.50 per user per month
  • Families and Teams plans – $4.70 per user per month
  • Enterprise plan – $6.90 per user per month
lastpass plans and pricing

KeePass

KeePass is a free-plan, open-source platform. But what does it mean? Basically, when a password manager is open-source, developers worldwide have access to its code. Therefore, they can upgrade its features if there are lags or they want to add new plugins.

What distinguishes this password manager from other similar open-source apps is the complete control of data users have. It’s fully customizable, so users can employ all features and customize them to suit their needs. For tech-savvy users, such a function is desirable. It gives them more control and the ability to mold the password manager the way they want. But beginners might have issues using the KeePass platform.

KeePass utilizes SHA-256 encryption, considered one of the highest levels of security out there. It also employs two-factor authentication and enables users to store their data on a USB.

Like all other features of KeePass, its password generator is also fully-customizable. Namely, users can choose the number or types of characters to include in their master password. But the password generator is quite old-fashioned, which won’t appeal to some users.

As we’ve mentioned before, KeePass is an entirely free password-managing platform. It has two separate plans which differ in the features they offer. For example, the 2.x plan provides full Unicode support, whereas 1.x doesn’t.

Finally, KeePass offers some kind of password-sharing. But if users only want to share specific passwords with other people, they need to create a separate database and use it together. Since anyone can change the password if they have access to it, KeePass might not be suitable for everyone.

keepass example

Three Essential Features of LastPass and KeePass

The essential features of every password manager are security, password sharing, and app compatibility. Let’s see how LastPass and KeePass manage them:

Security

How Does LastPass Handle Security?

LastPass employs different types of encryption to keep your passwords and other data secure. With the hashing system in place, it’s virtually impossible for hackers to access your data. However, the company had an issue with a data breach in the past. Luckily, hackers weren’t able to decrypt the passwords.

 How Does KeePass Handle Security?

KeePass doesn’t store passwords and other sensitive information on a cloud. Instead, this information is stored locally. According to some users, this is a much better solution.

Password Sharing

How Does LastPass Handle Password Sharing?

Password-sharing via LastPass is relatively simple. But the number of users that can share passwords among themselves depends on the plan you purchase. All you’ve got to do is go to the vault and type the email address of who you want to share passwords with.

How Does KeePass Handle Password Sharing?

Unlike other password managers, KeePass doesn’t have a standard password-sharing feature. Instead, the 2.x version lets multiple users use the same database and share passwords through them. But such an option might be complicated if you don’t have technical knowledge.

lastpass share passwords

App Compatibility

How Does LastPass Handle App Compatibility?

LastPass is compatible with various browsers and has user-friendly smartphone apps.

How Does KeePass Handle App Compatibility?

Compared to LastPass, KeePass doesn’t offer much app compatibility. It only works with Windows, Mac, Linux, and the Berkley Development System. Moreover, smartphones don’t support it.

Small Businesses and Startups

If you run a small business and lack the budget for a platform to manage your master password, then you might consider KeePass. Both versions are free and will help you organize your passwords.

Medium-Sized Businesses

Medium-sized businesses need a password management app that can store passwords securely and enable password sharing. And LastPass does just that.

Enterprise-Level Businesses

Enterprise-level businesses need a platform that can support multiple users. For them, LastPass is a better choice.

Finally, if these platforms sound too complex, give monday.com a try.

Which Is a Better Choice?

LastPass and KeePass are two different password managers. While LastPass supports multiple users and works on different platforms, KeePass is free and fully customizable. The decision depends on your needs, level of technical skills, and budget. 

If you’re a developer, you might enjoy the features KeePass offers. You might also like the fact that you can access the code to make improvements.

But if you lack technical skills and need a platform for managing your passwords, then a smart solution would be LastPass. It also offers password sharing with multiple users, a feature suitable for companies.