Google Password Manager and LastPass are among the most widely used password managers. Google's solution commands a 30% market share, and LastPass comes in third with 10%, behind Apple's iCloud Keychain^[1].

In this Google Password Manager vs. LastPass comparison, we'll examine each service's offerings to determine what sets them apart and which one might be the better option for your needs. We'll also introduce you to virtual cards, an effective tool for protecting your card information from potential hackers when shopping online.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is valid as of September 2024. For more up-to-date information, please visit the services' official websites.

LastPass vs. Google Password Manager—Detailed Breakdown

We'll examine how LastPass and Google Password Manager measure up against each other in four key areas:

1. Security measures
2. Password and file management features
3. Device compatibility and customer support
4. Pricing plans

Security Measures

LastPass and Google Password Manager use encryption to secure users' passwords. LastPass employs AES-256-bit to encrypt sensitive user data locally before transferring it to its servers^[2]. Google Password Manager doesn't disclose the type of encryption it employs. 

Both services offer additional authentication but differ slightly in implementation. Google Password Manager lets users set up device-based authentication when autofilling passwords^[3]. LastPass offers MFA with options including SMS, one-time passwords, biometric data, and push notifications^[4].

LastPass is a zero-knowledge password manager, which means it only stores user data in an encrypted form and doesn't store the user's master keys^[2]. This prevents the service provider from being able to access user data. 

Google Password Manager offers two encryption models, the first of which isn't zero-knowledge^[5]:

• Standard password encryption—Data is encrypted in transit and while in storage at Google's servers. The encryption key is securely stored within the user's Google account, where Google can use it to decrypt data.
• On-device encryption—Data is encrypted locally on users' devices using their Google password or screen lock. This adds an extra layer of security for users looking to protect their data even further, as the data can only be decrypted on the device.

LastPass has a bug bounty program that rewards researchers who find and report vulnerabilities in its service. It also undergoes third-party audits that ensure compliance with high-security industry standards^[6]. LastPass also supports passwordless login with biometrics^[7].

Password and File Management Features

Both services offer a password generator that creates complex and unique passwords^[4][8]. With the password managers' save and autofill features, users can save login credentials and have them automatically filled in when they want to log in^[4][8], which can protect against keyloggers and phishing attacks. 

Other file management features these two services offer include:

• Secure notes^[3][4]—Google lets users add notes to their saved passwords, while  LastPass users can add secure notes to their password vault to store sensitive information such as credit card numbers, passport numbers, and WiFi passwords.
• Password health and security check^[3][4]—Both providers have features that check for weak or reused passwords and alert users if their login credentials were exposed in a data breach.
• Password sharing^[3][4]—LastPass and Google Password Manager allow users to securely share passwords with family or trusted individuals.
• Import/export^{[3][4][9][10]}—This feature allows users to import or export their passwords from/to other password managers, such as RoboForm, Bitdefender, and Dashlane, making it easier to switch between them.
• Authenticator apps^[11][12]—With Google Authenticator and LastPass Authenticator, users can create one-time passwords for accounts that support the feature.

Each tool has additional features that might interest different users. For instance, Google Password Manager supports passkeys^[3] (a modern alternative to passwords), while LastPass offers emergency access, which allows trusted individuals to access a user's password vault in case of an emergency^[13]. 

Device Compatibility and Customer Support

Both services offer cross-platform compatibility to cater to users with multiple devices. LastPass supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices^[4], while Google Password Manager is compatible with operating systems that run Chrome, including Windows, Mac, and Linux^[14], as well as Android and iOS^[3]. 

For browser compatibility, LastPass supports Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera browsers^[4]. Google Password Manager is integrated into Chrome. However, users can still access their passwords on other browsers by logging into their Google account^[15].

To help users troubleshoot issues or get technical assistance, both services offer several customer support options, including:

Pricing Plans

Google Password Manager is free for all Chrome users. While LastPass offers a free plan^[18], it comes with some limitations:

• Limits device type to one (computer or mobile)
• Offers only 50 MB of secure notes
• Lacks dedicated personal support
• No emergency access feature
• Users can only share passwords with one person

Premium plan, which costs $3 per month, provides access to a full range of features. LastPass also offers a family plan, at $4 per month (billed annually), that provides six user accounts, unlimited password sharing, and access to shared folders.

Users who want other password managers that offer free plans without limitations can consider Norton Password Manager or Microsoft. Alternatively, users can look into standalone options like Proton Pass, Bitwarden, and NordPass which also have free plans, but might have different limitations than LastPass.

For teams and businesses, LastPass offers business plans starting at $3.2 per user per month. It includes features catering to team management, user access controls, and enterprise-level security.

How Does LastPass Compare With Other Password Managers?

Google Password Manager operates like a browser-based password manager for Chrome and has similar limitations as Firefox's or Edge's credential management solution. As a standalone password manager, LastPass might have more to offer in terms of security and features. 

If you want to see how LastPass stacks up against other products in its category, you can read the following comparison articles:

1. 1Password vs. LastPass
2. Bitwarden vs. LastPass
3. Keeper vs. LastPass

Are Password Managers Enough To Secure Financial Info Online?

While password managers can reduce the risk of your passwords being stolen, their safety also depends on the security of the websites you use them on. If the website is compromised, your passwords might be, too. 

The same principle applies to other sensitive information password managers can store, such as payment card numbers. When you shop online, the safety of your card details depends on the merchant's security measures. If the merchant's safeguards are insufficient, cybercriminals might gain access to your financial data.

Fortunately, virtual cards can bolster the security of your financial data beyond what password managers can provide. Virtual cards serve as a barrier between your payment card info and merchant servers, protecting your actual bank details from potential theft. With a dedicated card provider like Privacy, you get robust security and spending controls for greater financial protection. 

Make Secure Online Transactions With Privacy Cards

After linking your bank account or debit card to Privacy, you can create virtual cards with unique card numbers, expiration dates, and CVVs. Privacy Virtual Cards work like regular payment cards but provide an additional layer of security. If a merchant suffers a data breach, hackers can only get hold of your virtual card info while your actual bank details remain safe.

Privacy is PCI-DSS compliant and employs the same rigorous security standards as your bank to safeguard your funds and data, including:

• Robust encryption—Privacy encrypts your data using AES-256-bit encryption, ensuring it can't be read by third parties.
• Transaction alerts—You will receive a notification whenever your virtual cards are used or declined, allowing you to monitor all activity in real time.
• Third-party audits—Privacy undergoes periodic audits to ensure that all its security measures are up to date and meet PCI and SOC 2 standards.
• Fraud detection—If you dispute a charge, Privacy investigates it and initiates a chargeback if necessary, protecting you from unauthorized transactions.
• Adherence to OWASP guidelines—Privacy adheres to industry best practices outlined by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), including secure web application development.

Virtual Card Types and Features

With Privacy, you can generate three card types:

1. Single-Use Cards—These cards close shortly after the first transaction, and Privacy will decline any further charges. This makes them useless to potential hackers. Single-Use Cards are ideal for one-time purchases on websites you don't trust yet.
2. Merchant-Locked Cards—These cards "lock" to the first merchant you use them with and cannot be used with any other vendor. You can use them to shop on your favorite e-commerce websites and pay for subscriptions like ExpressVPN, Amazon Prime, and Google One.
3. Category-Locked Cards—These cards are "tied" to a predefined merchant category like travel or entertainment, allowing you to use them only with vendors who meet the set criteria. They're designed to help you manage your expenses.
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You can pause or close your Privacy Cards, blocking all future charges. Privacy also lets you set spending limits on each card and will decline any charge above the limit. This provides additional protection against excessive charges like accidental double billing and price hikes by sneaky merchants.

Privacy Convenience Features

To streamline your online transactions, Privacy offers the following convenience features:

• 1Password integration—You can manage your virtual cards and passwords directly from 1Password's browser extension.
• Privacy App—With the mobile app, available for iOS and Android, you can create and manage your virtual cards on the go.
• Privacy Browser Extension—After installing the browser extension, available for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Safari for iOS, you can quickly generate virtual cards while shopping online and autofill card details for faster checkouts.
• Card Notes—Attach notes to your Privacy Virtual Cards to help you remember merchant details or subscription renewal dates.
• Shared Cards—You can allow friends and family members to use your Privacy Cards without sharing your financial information. If you combine this feature with Category Cards, you can use them to give your children allowances.

How To Join Privacy and Secure Your Transactions

To get started with Privacy, take these steps:

1. Create an account on the Privacy website
2. Provide the required KYC information to verify your identity
3. Connect your bank account or debit card to your Privacy account
4. Request and generate your first Privacy Card
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Depending on your specific needs, you can choose from four Privacy plans:

You can use Privacy Cards if you are a U.S. resident older than 18 and you have a checking account at a U.S. bank or credit union. Privacy Cards can be used for shopping at most websites that accept Mastercard^® and Visa^® payments.

References

^[1] Security.org. https://www.security.org/digital-safety/password-manager-annual-report/, sourced September 9, 2024

^[2] LastPass. https://www.lastpass.com/security/zero-knowledge-security, sourced September 9, 2024

^[3] Google. https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95606, sourced September 9, 2024

^[4] LastPass. https://www.lastpass.com/password-manager, sourced September 

^[5] Google. https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/11350823, sourced September 9, 2024

^[6] LastPass. https://www.lastpass.com/security, sourced September 9, 2024

^[7] LastPass. https://www.lastpass.com/features/passwordless-authentication, sourced September 9, 2024

^[8] Google.https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6208650, sourced September 9, 2024

^[9] LastPass. https://support.lastpass.com/s/document-item?language=en_US&bundleId=lastpass&topicId=LastPass/export-vault.html&_LANG=enus, sourced September 9, 2024

^[10] Google. https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/10500247?hl=en, sourced September 9, 2024

^[11] Google. https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1066447?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid, sourced September 9, 2024

^[12] LastPass. https://blog.lastpass.com/posts/2022/05/how-to-use-lastpass-authenticator, sourced September 9, 2024

^[13] LastPass. https://www.lastpass.com/features/emergency-access, sourced September 9, 2024

^[14] Google. https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/7100626?hl=en, sourced September 9, 2024

^[15] Google. https://passwords.google.com/, sourced September 9, 2024

^[16] Google. https://support.google.com/accounts/?hl=en&sjid=8001910569270338856-EU#topic=3382296, sourced September 9, 2024

^[17] LastPass. https://support.lastpass.com/s/document-item?language=en_US&bundleId=lastpass&topicId=LastPass/contact-support-offerings.html&_LANG=enus, sourced September 9, 2024

^[18] LastPass. https://www.lastpass.com/pricing, sourced September 9, 2024

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