Proton Pass Review (2025): Before You Buy, Is It Worth It?

When it comes to password protection, there’s no shortage of services vying for your trust. In this Proton Pass Review, I’m diving deep into whether Proton’s password manager matches the high privacy standards we’ve come to expect from Proton AG.

If you’re familiar with their other offerings like Proton Mail or Proton VPN, you already know privacy and security are at the core of what they do. But can Proton Pass keep your credentials safe? Let’s break down its features, security, and pricing to see if it’s worth your time (and money).

⭐ Rating:	4.3
🥇 Overall rank:	#12 out of #19
💵 Price:	From $1.99/month
✂️ Free version:	Yes, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee
🌐 Browser extensions:	Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge, Safari, Web App

Can You Trust Proton Pass?

We live in a world where security breaches, phishing scams, and password dumps are daily headlines. Weak or reused passwords? They’re a hacker’s dream come true. This is why password managers are essential today.

Proton comes with that baked-in trust, but even the best tools aren’t immune to mistakes. What makes Proton Pass particularly interesting is how well it aligns with their strong focus on user privacy and security.

Strong Encryption and Open-Source Transparency

Proton Pass follows the same strong encryption principles that the rest of Proton’s tools use. Essentially, this means if anyone wants to steal your passwords good luck. They’re locked away with encryption so tough even Proton themselves can’t see your passwords.

Plus, the open-source nature of Proton Pass means anyone can inspect their code. This gives it transparency few companies offer. Want to scrutinize their security practices?

A Notable Security Incident

But here’s where things get dicey. In 2023, it came to light that Proton had stored sensitive data, including passwords, in plain text on Firefox. Not the best look for a security-first company.

While there were no reports of this issue leading to any actual harm (since it required physical access to the user’s device), it was still a glaring issue at the time. Thankfully, Proton quickly fixed the problem, showing they’re on top of vulnerabilities. But, hey, mistakes do happen, even to the pros.

Security Features You Should Care About

Beyond basic password protection, Proton Pass adds a few key features that make it stand apart in the crowded password management market.

Dark Web Monitoring

Wouldn’t you want to know if your passwords were floating around on the dark web? Proton Pass includes a dark web monitor that scans compromised databases for your credentials and notifies you when they’ve been exposed. This is a great proactive measure for staying ahead of the bad guys.

Integrated Two-Factor Authentication

Another vital layer of security is two-factor authentication (2FA). Proton Pass makes 2FA even easier by integrating it directly, so logging in feels more secure without becoming a hassle. Combined with their focus on encryption, this makes your accounts even harder to hack.

Essential Features of Proton Pass

All right, let’s shift gears and talk about the core of any password manager: its ability to handle your passwords both saving and using them with ease. Proton Pass doesn’t disappoint, but some features stand out more than others.

Password Generator

Every password manager comes with a password generator these days, and Proton Pass is no exception. This feature makes it simple to create strong, complex passwords. It lets you customize the length and the type of characters you want, balancing security with the need not to make every password impossible to remember (even though Proton does store them for you).

Secure Password Sharing

Imagine setting up a Netflix account and safely sharing that password with your family without the risk of it leaking. With Proton Pass, you can securely share login details with others, whether it’s family, friends, or coworkers.

This encrypted password-sharing feature feels particularly useful for teams or households with shared streaming accounts, banking logins, or team resources.

Autofill

Let’s talk autofill. Proton Pass’s autofill feature quickly and securely logs you into websites and apps without needing to copy and paste or search through your vault. This saves you time, but here’s a word of caution: some users find autofill to be hit or miss with other password managers. Luckily, Proton Pass seems reliable here. It didn’t give me the usual headache of glitches or needing extra clicks.

Proton Pass Subscription and Pricing

For a lot of people, the tipping point in choosing a password manager is the cost and guess what, Proton Pass has both free and paid options. Let’s break it down.

Free Option

Sure, you can get unlimited password storage with Proton Pass’s free version. Not bad, right? But…and it’s a big but…it’s missing some must-have features like integrated 2FA and multiple vaults.

If all you need is basic functionality, the free version can serve you well for a while, but don’t expect it to be long-term material. There’s a reason they save some of the good stuff for paying customers.

Premium Plans: Pass Plus vs Proton Unlimited

Moving on to premium plans there are two options: Pass Plus and Proton Unlimited. Pass Plus is the standard paid plan, but honestly, I find it a little underwhelming for what they charge. Yes, you get plenty of features, but if you only want a password manager, you might feel it’s lacking compared to the competition.

However, if you’re interested in Proton’s broader ecosystem, Proton Unlimited is another story. Here, you’re not just getting Proton Pass you’re getting their entire arsenal of privacy tools like Mail, VPN, Calendar, and Drive. That’s a full-blown security suite. Are these plans cheap? No. But with Proton Unlimited, you get a ton of value for keeping your entire digital footprint safe.

Additional Features

If the essentials weren’t enough, Proton Pass packs some extra tricks that are genuinely useful for power users.

Import/Export Passwords

Need to import passwords from another manager or want to back yours up? Proton Pass makes importing and exporting credentials straightforward. This feature is essential if you’re migrating from another service or want added peace of mind with regular backups.

Vault Management

Here’s where you get next-level organization with vault management. You can sort your passwords by different vaults, which is great for separating personal and work-related credentials. Plus, you can set up shared vaults for team access, which is ideal for workgroups, families, or anyone who needs to manage multiple users without risking chaos.

Proton Pass User Interface: Clean and Seamless

User-friendliness is crucial, especially when handling something as sensitive as passwords. Proton Pass’s intuitive interface delivers on this front. Whether you’re using the desktop app, the mobile version, or extensions on Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, it flows smoothly and is easy to navigate. That said, if you do find it confusing, don’t stress I’ll guide you through the installation and setup process next.

Setting Up Proton Pass (Windows)

Getting Proton Pass up and running is simple. Here’s how to walk through it:

Download the app: Head to the Proton Pass website, download the installer, and follow the prompts.
Create or log in: If you already use Proton services like Mail or VPN, just log in with your existing credentials. If you’re new to Proton, you’ll need to create an account.
Integrate with your browser: Once installed, add the Proton Pass extension to your browser by searching for it in the extension store. When you log in, autofill instantly smoothens your browsing experience.

Using Key Features

Once set up, Proton Pass proves to be easy to use. Let’s walk through the main functions you’ll use every day.

Adding Passwords

When you need to manually add a password, open the app or extension, hit “Add Password,” and input both your username and password. In seconds, it’s saved, encrypted, and ready for you whenever you need to log in again.

Password Generator

For adding new secure passwords, Proton Pass includes a password generator hidden under the advanced tab. Select the character types, and with the click of a button, your new secure password is ready to go.

Autofill

From this point on, Proton Pass takes over all your login duties via autofill, freeing you from the hassle of manually searching for passwords every time you visit a website.

Sharing Passwords Securely

Securely sharing passwords is easy. Select the one you want to share, click on the “Share” option, and pick the recipient. The entire process remains encrypted, so you can trust it’ll remain private and secure.

Exploring Advanced Features

To import or export passwords, go to Proton Pass settings, hit import/export and follow the prompts. This is especially useful for switching services or creating backups.

Vault Management

If you’re juggling personal and work credentials, Proton Pass’s multiple vaults feature keeps everything organized. You can also create shared vaults for teams or family handy for managing group access to sensitive logins.

Pass Keys: Your Future Login Solution

Pass Keys offer a more robust form of authentication than even the strongest passwords. They protect against phishing and password leaks.

All it takes is visiting a website that supports Pass Keys, selecting the option to create one, and letting Proton Pass handle the rest. It’s a sleek, future-forward addition that’ll likely be a bigger part of online security as time goes on.

Conclusion

So, Proton Pass should you give it a shot? Yes, if you care about privacy, security, and a no-nonsense user experience. It seamlessly integrates into Proton’s ecosystem, packed with advanced features, and lets you rest easy knowing your credentials are locked tight.

While the free version is decent for a quick test, it’s the premium versions, especially Proton Unlimited, that truly shine for those who want more than a password manager. Happy password managing!

Proton Pass Review (2025): Before You Buy, Is It Worth It?

Can You Trust Proton Pass?