Best Password Managers for Digital Estate Planning
A password manager isn't just about security—it's one of the kindest things you can do for your family. Here's how to choose the right one.
The average person has over 100 online accounts. Banking, utilities, subscriptions, social media, shopping, government services—the list goes on. Most of us can barely remember our own passwords, let alone expect our family to figure them out if something happens to us.
That's where a password manager comes in. And while most people think of them purely as security tools, they're actually one of the most practical things you can set up for digital estate planning.
Why This Matters
When someone passes away, their family often faces a frustrating reality: dozens of accounts they can't access, subscriptions still charging, and no clear record of what exists. A well-organised password manager—with shared access for a trusted person—solves this problem entirely.
What to Look for in a Password Manager
For digital estate planning purposes, these features matter most:
- Emergency access or sharing — Can you give a trusted person access if something happens to you?
- Family plans — Shared vaults for couples and families make management easier
- Secure notes — Store more than passwords: PINs, security questions, instructions
- Cross-platform sync — Works on phone, computer, and browser
- Reliability — You need it to work when it matters most
Let's look at the best options available in Australia.
Our Top Picks
1Password
Best overall for families
1Password has been the gold standard for years, and for good reason. It's polished, reliable, and has excellent family sharing features.
Key features for estate planning:
- Family plan includes 5 members with shared vaults
- Emergency Kit PDF with recovery information
- Secure document storage
- Excellent apps for all platforms
Pricing: Individual $4.59/month, Family $7.69/month (5 users)
Bitwarden
Best free option
Bitwarden is open-source, highly secure, and offers an excellent free tier. If budget is a concern, this is where to start.
Key features for estate planning:
- Emergency access feature (premium) - grant access after a waiting period
- Free tier is genuinely usable
- Family plan for 6 users
- Open source = transparent security
Pricing: Free, Premium $1.45/month, Family $5.33/month (6 users)
Dashlane
Best for beginners
Dashlane is incredibly user-friendly, making it ideal for people who aren't tech-savvy. The interface is clean and the setup process is straightforward.
Key features for estate planning:
- Emergency contact feature - share access with trusted people
- Very intuitive interface
- Password health monitoring
- Dark web monitoring included
Pricing: Free (limited), Premium $6.49/month, Family $9.99/month (10 users)
NordPass
Best from a trusted brand
From the makers of NordVPN, NordPass is a solid, modern option with competitive pricing and good family features.
Key features for estate planning:
- Emergency access feature
- Secure item sharing
- Family plan for 6 users
- Data breach scanner
Pricing: Free (limited), Premium $2.49/month, Family $5.99/month (6 users)
LastPass
Most widely used
LastPass is one of the most popular password managers, with a large user base and solid features. Note: they experienced security incidents in 2022, but have since strengthened their security.
Key features for estate planning:
- Emergency access with customisable wait time
- Shared folders for families
- Security dashboard
- Wide platform support
Pricing: Free (single device), Premium $4.50/month, Family $6.00/month (6 users)
Quick Comparison
| Manager | Free Tier | Family Price | Emergency Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Password | No | $7.69/mo | Via sharing | Families |
| Bitwarden | Yes (great) | $5.33/mo | Yes (premium) | Budget-conscious |
| Dashlane | Limited | $9.99/mo | Yes | Beginners |
| NordPass | Limited | $5.99/mo | Yes | NordVPN users |
| LastPass | Single device | $6.00/mo | Yes | Existing users |
How to Set Up Emergency Access
Having a password manager is only useful for your family if they can actually access it. Here's how to set that up:
Option 1: Emergency Access Feature
Bitwarden, Dashlane, LastPass, and NordPass all have emergency access features. You designate a trusted contact who can request access. After a waiting period you set (e.g., 7 days), they gain access—unless you deny the request.
Best for: People who want automatic handover without sharing the master password.
Option 2: Shared Vault
Family plans let you create shared vaults. You can share specific passwords with your partner or family members right now, while keeping others private.
Best for: Couples who want ongoing access to shared accounts.
Option 3: Emergency Kit
1Password generates an Emergency Kit PDF with your account details and Secret Key. Print this, store it securely (safe deposit box, with your will), and tell your executor where to find it.
Best for: People who want a physical backup.
Beyond the Password Manager
A password manager is a great start, but it's just one piece of digital estate planning. You also need to think about:
- What should happen to each account? — Some you'll want closed, others transferred, some memorialised
- Who should handle it? — Your executor may not be the most tech-savvy person
- What about accounts not in the password manager? — Old accounts, forgotten subscriptions
- How will they know what exists? — A list of accounts is as important as the passwords
This Is Why We Built The Vault
The Vault is our digital estate planning service. You document your accounts, specify what should happen to each one, and nominate who should handle things. When the time comes, we take care of everything—closing accounts, cancelling subscriptions, and handling the platforms so your family doesn't have to.
It works alongside your password manager: you handle the security, we handle the process.
Learn About The VaultOur Recommendation
If you're starting fresh and want the best experience, go with 1Password. It's polished, reliable, and the family sharing is excellent.
If budget matters, Bitwarden is remarkable for a free product, and the premium version is extremely affordable.
Whichever you choose, the most important thing is to actually use it and set up emergency access for someone you trust. Your family will thank you.
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