What is a European password manager?

A European password manager is a password manager built and managed by a company based in Europe. It allows you to store passwords and other personal information, either on European servers or locally on your own device. When your data resides on European servers, it's protected by the GDPR. This gives you greater privacy and control, although it doesn't entirely prevent ads, tracking, or surveillance from non-EU countries.

Are European password managers more private?

A password manager isn't automatically more private just because it's European, but many password managers developed in Europe have been created as alternatives to more invasive American tools. Adhering to the GDPR does generally mean that companies are more protective and respectful of your data, but it's still worth researching a provider's specific practices before you commit to a new password manager.

Are European password managers as good as American ones?

Yes, European password managers can compete with and sometimes exceed the capabilities of American ones. Many of the most capable password managers on the market, including Proton Pass, are based in Europe. Features like email aliases, clear authentication standards, open source codebases, two-factor authentication (2FA) and secure sharing are features that aren't offered by many legacy US password managers.

European alternatives > Password managers

European password manager apps

Password managers help you organize your most valuable and sensitive data. They're tools that can make it easier and safer to log into your online accounts and protect your digital identity.

If you're using a US-based password manager, your data is subject to US laws and legal processes that may not provide the privacy protections you expect under European law. More broadly, European overreliance on US tech has put a growing share of people's digital lives in the hands of a small number of US companies with vast, data-driven ecosystems that profile and track them.

Thankfully, there are many secure, reliable European alternatives to US-based password managers and other digital tools.

Proton Pass

Based: Geneva, Switzerland

An end-to-end encrypted password manager for your online identity

Data protected by end-to-end encryption
Built-in native email aliases, powered by Proton's own SimpleLogin infrastructure with full two-way anonymous emailing
Fully customizable secure sharing
Built-in TOTP authenticator
Weak password alerts
Dark web monitoring
Access management for admins
Part of a complete private ecosystem
Apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and web, plus a CLI
Open source and independently audited
Aligns with GDPR
ISO 27001 certified and SOC 2 Type II attested

Get Proton Pass

Passbolt

Based: Luxembourg

A self-hostable password manager for security and IT teams

Data protected by end-to-end encryption
Can be self-hosted or cloud-managed
Secure password sharing
Built-in TOTP authenticator
Weak password alerts
Access management for admins
No dark web monitoring
GDPR compliant and SOC 2 Type II attested
Access management for admins
Apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and web, plus a CLI
No email aliases
Open source

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

KeePassXC

Based: Germany

Built by a small volunteer team and funded exclusively by donations

Data protected by full hardware-based end-to-end encryption
No data is stored in the cloud
True offline, hardware-isolated multi-factor security
Peer-to-peer syncing of vault folders via local networks or encrypted files
Built-in TOTP authenticator
Weak password alerts
No email aliases
Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus a CLI; no web app
Open source and independently audited
Aligns with GDPR
Not ISO 27001 certified or SOC 2 Type II attested

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bitdefender SecurePass

Based: Romania

End-to-end encrypted password protection bundled into Bitdefender's antivirus suite

Data protected by end-to-end encryption
Secure password sharing
Free plan limited to a single account on a single device
Apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and web; no CLI
No email aliases
Built-in TOTP authenticator
Weak password alerts
Dark web monitoring only by upgrading to a broader bundle
Built on open-source technology; consumer apps are closed-source
Aligns with GDPR
ISO 27001 certified and SOC 2 Type II attested

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

heylogin

Based: Germany

Built around a hardware security chip instead of a master password

Data protected by end-to-end encryption
Two-factor authentication by default
Log in via smartphone, security key, smartwatch, or Touch ID / Windows Hello
Weak password alerts
No dark web monitoring
No email aliases
Closed source
GDPR compliant
ISO 27001 certified but not SOC 2 Type II attested
Available on all browsers and devices

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Hypervault

Based: Belgium

Business password manager with a dual vault

Data protected by end-to-end encryption
Dual vault system for personal and work items
Built-in TOTP authenticator
Secure time-based team sharing
Weak password alerts
No dark web monitoring
GDPR compliant and independently audited
Not ISO 27001 certified or SOC 2 Type II attested
Closed source
No email aliases
Apps for Android, iOS, and web; no desktop apps or CLI

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

NordPass

Based: Lithuania

Built by Nord Security, the same company behind NordVPN

Data protected by end-to-end encryption, including metadata
Built-in email masking, a proprietary one-way email forwarding on Nord servers, exclusive to premium plans
Built-in TOTP authenticator
Weak password alerts
Dark web monitoring
Free plan limited to a single account on a single device
Closed source
Apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and web; no CLI
Fully compliant with GDPR
ISO 27001 certified and SOC 2 Type II attested

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Why choose a European password manager?

Get better data protections

Hosting your data on European servers means it's protected by more stringent guidelines. The GDPR limits the purposes your data can be collected and used for, requires providers to secure it, and holds those storing it accountable.

Break away from Big Tech

Relying on a password manager made by Big Tech, such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator, keeps you inside the company's ad-fueled ecosystem. Choosing an independent, privacy-first alternative means using a provider whose business isn't built around your data.

Keep a proper audit trail

European businesses need to align with GDPR. Using a GDPR-compliant password manager makes it easier to produce proper records and incident logs if something goes wrong.

Limit exposure to US surveillance laws

Using an American password manager means the company can be legally compelled, under the CLOUD act, to hand over data it stores, wherever it's hosted. A European password manager keeps your data outside US legal jurisdiction.

What to look for in a European password manager

No matter your use case, any good password manager should have security principles built into its architecture. Here are some baseline questions to ask about any password manager you're considering:

Are its servers based in Europe?
Is it open source and independently audited?
Does the company share data with third parties or serve ads?
Is it end-to-end encrypted?
Can you securely share passwords?
Can you create email aliases to protect your email address?
Do passwords sync across platforms and devices?
Does it scan for data breaches and alert you to weak passwords?
Does it have a built-in TOTP authenticator to secure all your stored accounts?

Tips for switching to a European password manager

Export your passwords safely

Export your passwords only when you’re ready to move them to your end-to-end encrypted password manager.

Create a backup

As a precaution, keep an encrypted backup of your exported passwords, so an import error doesn't cost you all of your data.

Delete your exported passwords

After importing your passwords to your new password manager, delete the exported file. Keeping it on your device isn't secure.

Set up two-factor authentication

For better safety, set up 2FA using biometric unlock or a hardware key to secure your most sensitive data.

Update weak and repeated passwords

Use your new password manager to identify passwords that need to be updated and secure your accounts.

Change your default password manager

Update your password autofill preference on all your devices to your new password manager, and remove the old one.

Not European, but still not Big Tech password managers

A European base isn't the only way to get out from under Big Tech's default password managers. Here are some options worth a look. Just keep in mind that a provider's jurisdiction still shapes which laws and government access rules apply to your data.

Bitwarden

Based: California, United States

An open source password manager with independently verified security claims

Data protected by end-to-end encryption
Third-party email alias integrations; connects via API to SimpleLogin and other services
Secure link sharing
Built-in TOTP authenticator
Weak password alerts
Dark web monitoring
Funded by venture capital
Aligns with GDPR
ISO 27001 certified and SOC 2 Type II attested
Open source
Apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus a CLI

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Proton Pass vs. Bitwarden

1Password

Based: Toronto, Canada

A popular password manager offering business tools such as unified access management

Data protected by end-to-end encryption
Third-party email alias integration; integrates with Fastmail's "Masked Email" feature
Built-in TOTP authenticator
Weak password alerts
Dark web monitoring
Suitable for businesses adopting AI agents
Closed source
Aligns with GDPR
ISO 27001 certified and SOC 2 Type II attested
Apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus a CLI

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

A comparison of 1Password alternatives

Norton Password Manager

Based: Arizona, United States

A password manager from the company behind Norton Antivirus

Password strength reporting
Dark web monitoring
No built-in TOTP authenticator
No password sharing
Limited autofill
Closed source
Aligns with GDPR
ISO 27001 certified and SOC 2 Type II attested (company-wide only)
Can share behavioral data with third parties for ads
Apps for iOS, Android, and web only; no desktop apps or CLI

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

Frequently asked questions about European password managers

What is a European password manager?: A European password manager is a password manager built and managed by a company based in Europe. It allows you to store passwords and other personal information, either on European servers or locally on your own device. When your data resides on European servers, it's protected by the GDPR. This gives you greater privacy and control, although it doesn't entirely prevent ads, tracking, or surveillance from non-EU countries.
Are European password managers more private?: A password manager isn't automatically more private just because it's European, but many password managers developed in Europe have been created as alternatives to more invasive American tools. Adhering to the GDPR does generally mean that companies are more protective and respectful of your data, but it's still worth researching a provider's specific practices before you commit to a new password manager.
Are European password managers as good as American ones?: Yes, European password managers can compete with and sometimes exceed the capabilities of American ones. Many of the most capable password managers on the market, including Proton Pass, are based in Europe. Features like email aliases, clear authentication standards, open source codebases, two-factor authentication (2FA) and secure sharing are features that aren't offered by many legacy US password managers.

Explore more European alternatives

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