Padloc

Padloc is an open-source password manager for individuals, households and teams that need more than a place for logins. Its broad device support and sharing options are useful, but plan limits matter: the free tier omits several security and storage tools, and there is no way to recover a lost master password.

Overview

Padloc combines password storage with notes, file storage, authentication and secret sharing. Its vault can hold credit cards, banking data, documents and other sensitive records, making it a better fit for consolidating personal information than for users who only need a basic password list.

Padloc says data is encrypted locally, is never stored or transmitted in plain text, and cannot be decrypted by the company. Its security whitepaper describes AES in GCM mode for symmetric encryption. The company reports three independent audits; the 2022 Radically Open Security summary says identified issues were resolved or documented, with no high or critical issues found. This is useful assurance, though it does not remove the practical risk of losing access: Padloc does not store the master password and cannot recover unencrypted data if it is lost.

Cloud synchronization connects devices. Users who prefer to operate the service themselves can follow Padloc’s self-hosting documentation and guide. Its Security Report checks passwords against a known-breach database powered by Have I Been Pwned.

Key features

Multiple kinds of sensitive data: Passwords, cards, banking data, notes and documents can share one vault. Encrypted file storage and rich text notes are paid-plan features, so the free tier is less suitable for users who want a full document-and-notes repository.

Sharing with controls: Organizations and shared vaults let users control who can access, edit or share data. This makes Padloc relevant to families and teams, but shared vaults are not included with Free or Premium.

Security and recovery: Local encryption and the reported audit history are meaningful safeguards. The uncompromising master-password recovery limit makes careful credential backup essential.

Breach checks: The Security Report checks for compromised passwords against a breach database. Free does not include it.

Pricing

Padloc is freemium, with a 30-day trial. The free plan has unlimited vault items and devices, an unusually useful base for someone who needs cross-device password storage. It excludes MFA, shared vaults, encrypted file storage, Security Report, the built-in authenticator and rich text notes, so it is not the plan for users who want the broader toolkit.

PlanPriceWhat it includes and who it suitsFreefreeUnlimited items and devices; best for basic personal storage without MFA, sharing or the paid features above.Premium$3.49 a month (billed or $34.90 / year)Unlimited items and devices, MFA and up to 1GB encrypted file storage. It suits an individual wanting stronger account protection and file storage, but still has no shared vaults.Family$5.95 a month (billed or $59.50 / year)Up to 5 users, 5 shared vaults and 1GB encrypted file storage. A practical household option, with firm user and storage caps.Team$3.49 a month (billed or $34.90 / year)Up to 20 shared vaults, 10 groups and 5GB encrypted file storage. It supports small-team sharing but lacks directory sync and automatic provisioning.Business$6.99 a month (billed or $69.90 / year)Up to 50 shared vaults, 20 groups and 20GB storage, with directory sync and automatic provisioning for organizations that need those controls.EnterpriseCustom pricingUnlimited vaults, groups and encrypted file storage; appropriate when the smaller business caps are insufficient.Team and Business are priced per month in the plan terms shown, with annual amounts also given. The available plan terms do not state a seat count for those tiers, so buyers should confirm that before choosing between them.

Platforms

Padloc supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, with cloud synchronization and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Safari, Edge and other browser support was described as planned, rather than currently supported. Self-hosting is also an option for users willing to manage their own deployment.

Who it's for

Choose Padloc if you want passwords and other sensitive records in one encrypted service, need broad device coverage, or expect to share credentials through family or organizational vaults. The Free tier can work for personal storage across multiple devices; households should compare Family’s five-user limit, and teams should weigh the collaboration caps against the added provisioning controls in Business.

It is a weaker fit if account recovery is important: losing the master password can mean permanent loss of unencrypted data. It is also less compelling for someone who needs shared vaults on the lowest-cost individual plan, since Premium adds MFA and file storage but not sharing.

Pros and cons

Pros: Unlimited items and devices on Free make it possible to sync a substantial personal vault without a paid subscription.

Pros: Support for notes, banking data, documents and encrypted files extends the vault beyond passwords.

Pros: Family and organization plans offer shared vaults, while Business adds directory sync and automatic provisioning.

Cons: Free omits MFA, breach reporting, sharing, file storage, rich text notes and the built-in authenticator.

Cons: Premium still has no shared vaults, so an individual who needs to share must consider a different plan.

Cons: The company cannot recover data if the master password is lost, making recovery planning the user’s responsibility.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see Password Managers.

LastPass is worth comparing if you want a freemium password manager with a free plan limited to one device type.

Proton Pass is another freemium option with a free plan if you want to compare its tiers with Padloc’s.

NordPass offers a free plan described as lifetime access for one user account; consider it if that arrangement suits your needs.

RoboForm has a free single-device plan and a Premium plan at $2.49 a month, billed annually and renewing at $29.88/yr after the first year; compare it if a paid individual option is your priority.

Psono is a freemium alternative with self-hosting support and an Open Source plan for unlimited users; consider it if those are central requirements.

Intuitive Password is another freemium option with self-hosting support and no free trial.

Zoho Vault offers a free plan with unlimited storage and device access, making it worth comparing if those are your main criteria.

heylogin has a free plan and free trial; compare it if you want to consider a different password manager.

Verdict

Padloc is a sound choice for people who want an encrypted, cross-platform home for passwords and other sensitive records, especially households and teams that will use shared vaults. Its free tier covers unlimited items and devices, while paid plans add MFA, file storage and progressively stronger sharing administration. Look elsewhere if losing a master password must not risk unrecoverable data, or if you need shared vaults without moving beyond Premium.