Do you really need a password manager as part of your antivirus software?

Today’s antivirus programs are full security suites packed with extra features. Many of the best antivirus programs often include a built-in password manager. That makes sense, as a password manager is an essential online security tool.

You don’t need a password manager built into your antivirus suite — especially if you already have a password manager you prefer. But it can be convenient — especially for people who may not already use a password manager.

Do you need a password manager?

A password manager is an essential tool you should be using to keep your accounts safe. It’s important to use strong, unique passwords everywhere. This will help protect your accounts when services you use are breached and your passwords leak — something that unfortunately happens often. If you reuse the same password everywhere, your accounts are vulnerable.

A password manager can generate strong, unique passwords for you and automatically fill them in while you browse. It’s more secure and more convenient. If you don’t already use one, you absolutely should.

What’s the advantage of a bundled password manager?

Since modern antivirus tools are full-featured security suites that increasingly aim to bundle everything you need for online security, it’s no surprise that they include password managers. For example, Norton 360 Deluxe includes the Norton Password Manager.

For people who don’t use a password manager already, having their antivirus program nudge them towards a password manager is a big improvement. Everything is in one place and on one convenient security dashboard. You don’t have to hunt down a bunch of separate security tools.

Norton’s security dashboard.

Norton’s security dashboard.

Chris Hoffman/IDG

Norton’s security dashboard.

Chris Hoffman/IDG

Chris Hoffman/IDG

In theory, a password manager bundled with your antivirus could also save you money. You wouldn’t have to pay separate subscription fees for a password manager and an antivirus tool.

However, the bundled Norton Password Manager is also available for free to everyone. You can even use it if you don’t pay for Norton 360. We’re also big fans of Bitwarden, which offers a capable free plan. And you can also use the password manager built into Google Chrome or your web browser of choice. You can get a good password manager without spending any money at all.

What’s the downside of a bundled password manager?

If you start using a password manager because it’s bundled with your antivirus suite, that’s a win for your online security. However, a password manager built into your antivirus often isn’t the best solution.

Bundled antivirus password managers like Norton Password Manager are on the simple side. They’ll get the job done, but our favorite password managers have extra features and more polished interfaces. For example, password managers like 1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane now support passkeys for signing into your online accounts. Norton hasn’t added support for this yet.

Chris Hoffman/IDG

Chris Hoffman/IDG

Chris Hoffman/IDG

You’ll have to install a browser extension to use your antivirus’s password manager, so there’s about as much setup as there is with any other password manager. You could also just install another password manager’s browser extension or even use the built-in password manager in your browser. The antivirus suite nudges you towards its password manager on its convenient dashboard, but otherwise you’re not getting a lot of extra integration.

Any good password manager is better than no password manager

You don’t need a password manager as part of your antivirus software. But security experts do think you need a password manager.

It will be convenient for many people — especially less technically inclined PC users — to have “everything in one place” and use something like Norton Password Manager with Norton 360 antivirus. If they weren’t going to use a password manager but their antivirus suite pushed them to do so, that’s a win.

On the other hand, you’ll probably have a better, more polished experience with a dedicated password manager like one of our favorite password managers. And if you’re just looking for something that’s easy and integrated with the applications you use, you can try your web browser’s built-in password manager.

Norton 360 Deluxe Read our review Price When Reviewed: $49.99 for the first year Best Prices Today: $19.99 at PCWorld Software Store | $49.99 at Norton

There are lots of excellent free password managers you can choose from, too. We called Norton’s password manager “simple but good” in our review of Norton 360 Deluxe, the best overall security suite we’ve reviewed. It’s a fine option — but Norton offers its password manager free to everyone. You can use Norton Password Manager even if you don’t pay for a Norton subscription.

Still, it’s hard to go wrong with any solid password manager. The password managers bundled with the best antivirus programs are certainly fine. If you’re happy with them, that’s great. But you don’t need to focus on the password manager when you’re picking the best antivirus program for your needs.

Antivirus, Password Managers