Local vs Cloud Password Managers: What is the Difference?

What is a password manager? Are there different kinds? Have you heard about the local vs cloud password managers dilemma? This guide covers all you need to know about them and more. 

TIP – choosing a password manager requires time. There are many kinds, and each sometimes offers different prices, features, storage capacity, and more. With this said, FastestPass makes the best fit, because not only are the prices affordable, but you’re able to secure and create the strongest passwords. 

In today’s digital era, there are many social media platforms and apps. Each normally requires a password. However, in most cases, users set the same password for all media accounts. That, in itself, is not safe for online privacy and security. For this reason, creating a different and stronger password is required. Of course, it wouldn’t make sense for anyone to remember each and every password, and this is where the best password manager comes in. There are two different kinds of password managers: local and cloud. Let’s deep dive into its differences. 

What is a Password Manager?

Think of a password manager like a digital vault. It’s an application that allows you to store all your passwords and other kinds of sensitive data. This digital vault is secured by a master password that only you have access to, and that would be the only password you’ll need to remember. 

Apart from that, you can use the password manager to generate stronger and more unique passwords that are impenetrable. After this, when you store the passwords in the digital vault, you can use the autofill option to sign in to your media accounts automatically. 

Other than this, there are four different kinds of password managers: Cloud-based password managers, locally stored password managers, browser-based password managers, and enterprise or business password managers. 

However, below, we will only discuss the primary differences between cloud vs local password managers, since these are the two most widely used. 

What is a Cloud Password Manager?

A cloud password manager is a security and storage tool that encrypts and stores all your passwords, credentials, and sensitive data via remote servers or the Cloud. It uses this process instead of saving them on your local devices. With a cloud-based password manager, you can create, store, and access all your passwords or saved data from any device that’s connected to the internet. This can include your smartphone, PC, tablet, etc.  

What is a Local Password Manager?

Unlike a cloud password manager, a local password manager works in a completely opposite manner. With a local password manager software, you can save your passwords and other various kinds of data directly onto the device you’re using and not on the cloud. You may get full control of using and managing your codes, but it comes with vulnerabilities. This means you are entirely responsible for maintaining it on your device. It’s not the safest choice, given that if your device is hacked or crashes, you lose all backup.  

Local vs Cloud Password Managers – What Are the Differences?

As mentioned, there are two core password managers that are widely used: Local vs Cloud password managers. Here are the main differences between the two:

Privacy and Control

Cloud-based password managers are considered convenient and the safest option, but it does have drawbacks, depending on the provider you choose. Sure, you’re handing over your passwords and sensitive data to the provider, and that can be risky. However, again, it entirely depends on which provider you go for. Where control matters, a cloud-based password manager works smoothly across devices. 

On the other hand, local password managers give users a little more privacy, considering that passwords are not stored on cloud servers. However, this too comes with major security concerns. 

Security – Local vs Cloud Password Managers

The security of a password manager depends on many factors, with the main focus on how well it can keep external threats out of your devices and vaults. In short, the security of both cloud and local password managers is relatively good. 

However, again, it depends on how you use it and which software you choose. With the case of FastestPass, it’s a cloud password manager and comes with solid encryption, among other security features. 

There are some common attacks that both cloud and local password managers can endure. For local password managers, if someone hacks your device, you will lose backup of all data with no recovery process. For cloud password managers, if you lose your master password, you can request a recovery. 

Backup and Recovery (Convenience)

Just in case you’re not into handling your own data via local password managers, the cloud-based password manager is the best choice. With it, you never have to do any heavy lifting. You won’t need to generate secure passwords or remember them. Plus, the software automatically updates, keeping your data secure. 

Even if you need to sync devices, it barely takes a few seconds for all your data to be synced across any supported device that you need. This way, all your passwords are accessible to you from anywhere. 

If, however, you end up with the wrong provider and forget to check in for updates or patches every now and then, you could lose access to every password and data you entered. However, this isn’t the case with FastestPass; tried and proven. 

On the other hand, if you’re not a tech-savvy person and use a local password manager, you need to pay close attention to your device and software on your own. If ever data is lost, it’s gone for good. 

Price

Both offline and cloud password managers have paid and free options, but not all are trustworthy, no matter the price. The price of password manager software varies. Your job is to see which one appeals to you the most, offers a trial period, what features come with it, and how much storage capacity it holds. All these factors contribute to its price. 

If you’re going for a free plan or provider, it won’t come in handy if you’re a person with a lot of data and have a huge social media presence. Once the storage runs out, you will need to move on to another free password manager. There’s no point in handling many when you can have one premium provider. 

FAQs – Local vs Cloud Password Managers

Cloud vs Local Password Managers – What Will it Be?

There is no one verdict, although all points direct towards cloud password managers. In the local vs paid password managers poll, the verdict always varies from person to person and also depends on the number of passwords and data you plan on storing. All in all, if you’re looking for a solid and affordable password manager, FastestPass is the best fit. It offers industry-leading features, unlimited password storage and generation, and much more.