Password Managers

Owned by Theepiga S
Jan 10, 2025
3 min read

For students and staff at the University of Waterloo, the use of a reliable password manager is highly recommended to protect personal and University-related accounts.

Overview of Password Managers

Password managers simplify the process of maintaining strong, unique passwords for various online accounts. They store passwords in an encrypted vault, autofill login credentials, and can even generate strong passwords for new accounts. The benefits of using a password manager include enhanced security, reduced risk of password reuse, and convenience in managing multiple accounts.

1Password and Bitwarden are two of the most popular password managers recommended for use. An Information Risk (IRA) has been completed for the use of these two password managers. For departmental/Faculty use of other password managers, an IRA must be completed prior to use. An IRA is not required for personal use.

Comparison of 1Password and Bitwarden

Feature/Aspect

1Password

Bitwarden

Security

Strong encryption, 2FA, custom security policies.

End-to-end encryption, 2FA, open source for audits.

User Experience

Polished, user-friendly interface across all devices.

Functional, less polished, but easy to navigate.

Features

Advanced features like Travel Mode, Watchtower, secure document storage, password strength checker.

Core password management, password generation, custom fields, self-hosting options.

Support & Integration

Excellent customer support, wide platform integration.

Strong community support, broad platform/browser availability.

Pricing

For personal use: $3.75 per month, for individual use

For more info about pricing: https://1password.com/pricing/ca

For personal use: free for individual use

For more info about pricing: Bitwarden Password Manager Pricing & Plans | Bitwarden

Ideal for

Users seeking advanced features and polished UI.

Budget-conscious users or those comfortable with open-source software.

Supported Platforms

  • Mac

  • iOS

  • Windows

  • Android

  • Linux

  • Mac

  • iOS

  • Windows

  • Android

  • Linux

Apple Passwords App

The Apple Passwords app securely manages passwords and passkeys with seamless integration across Apple devices and limited functionality for non-Apple platforms via http://iCloud.com .

Apple Passwords App

Security

End-to-end encryption with biometric authentication and phishing-resistant auto-fill.

User Experience

Seamless, built-in integration with Apple devices for ease of use.

Features

Password generation, passkey storage, syncing, and security alerts.

Support & Integration

Works across Apple devices and limited support on http://iCloud.com for non-Apple platforms.

Pricing

Free with Apple devices; no additional subscription required.

Ideal for

Apple users who want a simple, secure, and integrated password manager.

Supported Platforms

  • iOS (iPhones and iPads).

  • macOS (Mac computers).

  • watchOS (Apple Watch for AutoFill codes and notifications).

  • http://iCloud.com (limited password access and management on non-Apple devices).

Two-factor authentication (2FA) with DUO


Passwords alone are no longer sufficient, which is why two-factor authentication (2FA) is often used. Passwords can be stolen, guessed, or compromised. While authentication typically involves a computer, verifying a user's identity through a username and password, 2FA adds an extra layer of security, protecting against one of the most common threats—compromised credentials. For information on two-factor authentication at the University of Waterloo please refer to  the University's two-factor authentication overview and instructions page.

Password standards

For any questions about password standards, please refer to the University of Waterloo Password Standards page.

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