8PWDHow 8PWD compares
Not a feature checklist — those change monthly. These are the design decisions that do not, and they are what you should choose on. “Cloud password manager” means the well-known subscription services in general; check any specific product's own pages for its details.
| 8PWD 2026 | Typical cloud password manager | Apple Passwords | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where your vault is stored | Only on your device | On the vendor's servers (encrypted), and on your devices | In iCloud Keychain and on your devices |
| Account required | None | Yes — email and master password with the vendor | An Apple ID |
| Sync between devices | None; you carry an encrypted file | Automatic, through the vendor | Automatic, through iCloud |
| Networking code in the app | None; Apple's StoreKit handles purchases | Yes — the whole product depends on it | Part of the system |
| Who holds a copy of your encrypted data | Nobody but you | The vendor | Apple (end-to-end encrypted) |
| Data recovery if you forget everything | Only from your own backups | Usually none either; some offer recovery contacts | Through Apple account recovery |
| Two-factor codes (TOTP) | Built in, plus a widget | Usually built in | Built in |
| Wi-Fi passwords with QR codes | Own module | Rarely | Shows a QR for known networks |
| Members (whose password is this) on one device | Yes, local labels | Family plans with separate accounts | Family sharing groups |
| Security grade and trend | A–J, on device | Usually a score, often computed server-side | Security recommendations |
| Open backup format | .8pwd — XML underneath | CSV / JSON export | CSV export |
| Platforms | iPhone, iPad, Mac | Most platforms and browsers | Apple devices; Windows via iCloud |
| Passkeys | Yes — on device, in encrypted backups only | Usually, synced through the vendor | Yes, synced through iCloud |
| Leaked-password check | Against a million leaked passwords bundled offline | Usually, by querying a service | Yes, through Apple |
| Account deletion guide | 2,100+ sites, in the app | Rarely | No |
| Price | Free for 10 passwords; Pro paid once (Lifetime, with Family Sharing), or yearly / monthly | Subscription; some free tiers | Free with the device |
| Telemetry in the app | None | Varies | Apple's system telemetry |
Who should not use 8PWD
If you need a password added on one device to appear on another within seconds, or you want a vendor to be able to help you recover a lost account, a cloud password manager is the better tool and we would rather say so than sell you the wrong one. If you want your passwords to exist only on hardware you hold, 8PWD is built for exactly that.
This table describes categories, not named products, and reflects our understanding as of 2026-10-09. Apple Passwords is Apple's own app; details are Apple's to change.