Password Safe Review 2024: Is It Worth It?

Password Safe by Rhythm Software is a useful offline password manager for Android, though its design may not be to everyone’s liking. If you can look past the outdated Android Marshmallow-era interface, it still offers great features — but it also comes with certain drawbacks.

Let’s start with the good. All your data is secured locally, and the vault is protected with military-grade 256-bit AES encryption. But to be fair, the latter isn’t a unique feature at all. All of the top password managers come with this type of encryption, so it’s pretty standard.

I do like the customizable templates, which let you store all sorts of handy info like bank accounts, details about your car or other vehicle, credit cards, email accounts, emergency numbers, and more. I also love how customizable the app is — the options are endless, and you can sort your passwords however you like. I could easily set up categories for my bank accounts and streaming services and organize them nicely.

However, with the good comes the bad — and there definitely are big drawbacks. Most importantly, Password Safe has no password syncing or sharing, or auto-fill and auto-save, which are really basic features for a password manager, and the reason most people even use one. There’s no biometric login either, which is very inconvenient and unexpected for an Android-only app. Overall, top password managers like 1Password and Dashlane have far better offerings for Android users (and they work great across other operating systems, too).

Password Safe Full Review — Secure Offline Password Manager, but It’s Not User-Friendly

Password Safe is a customizable offline password manager with strong encryption. It lets you organize your passwords by category and use templates to store various pieces of info like your vehicle details, bank account, email accounts, passport details, and much more.

However, its lack of auto-save, auto-fill, password sharing, and syncing across devices is a huge drawback. And unlike the top password managers, it doesn’t offer any extras. Overall, you’d be better off with a more feature-rich and convenient password manager like 1Password or Dashlane.

Password Safe Plans & Pricing — Free & Low-Cost Premium Options

Password Safe has 2 versions: a free and a premium one. You can find the free version by searching for “Password Safe Lite” in the Google Play Store. The Lite version includes most features, but it doesn’t allow for password importing or exporting, and it’s missing the backup and restore feature. If you need to import or export passwords via CSV, or if you want to back up your data with the option to restore it, you can upgrade to the paid version for a one-time fee of $4.29.

Here’s a quick comparison of the free and paid plans:

One downside of Password Safe is the lack of a money-back guarantee — though the Google Play Store has its own refund policy under which you can request a refund for a purchase within 48 hours if you’re not satisfied. Refund requests are reviewed, and most eligible cases are processed automatically. If more than 48 hours have passed, you can try contacting the app developer for help.

Password Safe Security Features — Customizable Data Storage (But Not Much Else)

Password Safe is a straightforward password manager with some useful features. Your passwords are stored offline and secured with 256-bit AES encryption, the same encryption method used by banks and the military. However, since your passwords aren’t stored in the cloud, you can’t sync them across multiple devices.

Password Safe goes beyond just storing passwords. It can also help you keep track of various important information, including:

• Websites: Store login credentials, including site name, URL, username, password, and notes.
• Bank accounts: Store details like account type, account number, password, and notes.
• Vehicles: Add information like the year, make, and model of your car, license number, VIN, insurance details, and policy expiry date.
• Credit cards: Keep track of your credit card provider, card type, card number, expiry date, and PIN.
• Email accounts: Store your email provider, username, password, login URL, and server names (SMTP/POP).
• Emergency numbers: Store contacts for local fire, police, and ambulance services, your doctor, poison control, emergency contacts, and insurance. (But since most of these are public anyway, I’m not sure why anyone would want to keep them in an encrypted vault.)
• Passports: Save all the details found on your passport, including number, type, state code, and nationality.
• Software: Track software licenses, expiration dates, versions, purchase dates, serial numbers, and customer support contacts.

You can assign a category to each entry, whether it’s a password or anything else. Unfortunately, you can’t create a category while creating an entry. You have to exit, create the category on a separate screen, then return to assign it — a bit of a hassle, but it works.

I also like the inclusion of a backup and restore function, which allows you to create a copy of your data and save it to an SD card in the form of an encrypted BAKX file. You can also import or export passwords to and from Password Safe using a CSV file. However, you’ll need the paid version to back up, restore, or import/export data — but at least the paid version is reasonably priced.

Customizing templates is a strong point of Password Safe. You can easily modify existing ones by deleting fields or creating your own, and you can rename templates or create new ones from scratch. This lets you organize your information exactly the way you want without being restricted by the app’s limitations.

And that is about the extent of Password Safe’s features. I wish Password Safe had the ability to auto-fill and auto-save passwords, which is a standard feature in many top password managers. Unfortunately, Password Safe is missing several other key features as well. For example, it lacks any kind of secure password sharing, two-factor authentication (2FA) for enhanced login security, and data breach monitoring to check your passwords are strong and safe. Compared to modern password managers, this is pretty barebones.

Ease of Use & Setup — Easy to Understand, but Processes Are Clunky

Password Safe doesn’t have all that many features, so it’s fairly simple to use. It’s also very easy to set up. The only thing you need to do is download and install it on your Android phone or tablet from Google Play and open up the app. After that, you’ll set a master password (and confirm it a second time), choose your security question, log in, and you’re all set. You can begin adding entries, customizing categories, and everything else. However, you’ll have to do this manually for every new entry, since there’s no auto-save.

Now, while the app is easy to use in the sense that it’s easy to understand, there are many grating aspects about it. The most frustrating part is having to re-enter the master password every time you exit the app, whether intentionally or by accident. This becomes especially aggravating due to the absence of biometric login. If you’ve created a complex master password — which you should always do — the login process can feel tedious.

Fortunately, you can set different time-out durations to lessen this inconvenience — but keep in mind that you’ll still need to enter your master password if you accidentally close the app, even with the timeout set to “never”. This is highly irritating.

Speaking of which, logging in to accounts also becomes really tiring after a while as well thanks to the complete lack of auto-fill. To log into an account, you’ll have to first type in your master password, retrieve your username or password entry in the app, tap on it, long-press it to copy it to the clipboard, go back to the website or app, and finally paste the info into the appropriate fields. This gets really annoying after the first few times — password managers like RoboForm make the login process far more intuitive and hassle-free.

Customer Support — Helpful & Responsive Email Support

Customer support for Password Safe is available via email at support@rhmsoft.com, though you can’t access it directly through the app. There’s also a support page that acts as a knowledge base where you’ll find some more information, along with a frequently asked questions section.

However, the support page is really basic, and it hasn’t been updated in many, many years. I therefore wouldn’t rely on this page for actual help with the app. You’ll be better off emailing the support team if you have any questions.

I tried out email support myself to see what the experience would be like. I’m happy to report that the agent was friendly and answered my email really quickly. I actually sent in some additional questions — and again, they answered within just a few hours, which is great.

That said, top password managers like Dashlane offer additional support options like live chat and social media support, which is more convenient.

So, Is Password Safe Still Worth All the Hype?

Password Safe offers some value, especially as a free offline password manager for Android. Its strong 256-bit AES encryption and ability to store not just passwords but a wide array of personal information make it a versatile tool for those who want to keep their data secure without relying on cloud storage. The customizable templates and categories add a level of personalization that many users will appreciate.

However, there are some significant drawbacks. The lack of biometric login, auto-save, and auto-fill features can make using the app feel cumbersome, particularly if you frequently need to access your data. Additionally, the absence of password syncing across devices and the inability to share passwords with others might be deal-breakers for those who need more advanced functionality.

In the end, whether Password Safe is worth it depends on your specific needs. If you’re looking for a simple, secure, and customizable password manager without the bells and whistles, it could be a good fit. But if you want to frequently access a lot of different online accounts on different devices (not just your Android phone), share passwords, or enjoy privacy-enhancing extras like Travel Mode or a VPN, you might want to consider other options like 1Password or Dashlane.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Password Safe still secure?

Yes, Password Safe is secure. It uses 256-bit AES encryption, which is the same level of security employed by banks and the military, ensuring that your data remains protected. Since your passwords are stored offline on your device, there’s no risk of them being exposed to cloud-based vulnerabilities.

However, security also depends on how you use the app. For example, if you choose to disable the app’s timeout feature or don’t create a strong master password, you could inadvertently lower your security. To maximize protection, it’s crucial to follow best practices like using a strong master password and keeping your device secure.

How do I use Password Safe software?

To use Password Safe, first download and install it from the Google Play Store. Once installed, you’ll need to set a master password to secure your data. After that, you can start adding your passwords and other personal information, organizing them into categories or using templates for easier management.

The app is straightforward, with options to customize templates and categories according to your needs. Although it lacks features like auto-fill and biometric login, it’s still effective for securely storing and managing your information. Remember to regularly back up your data, especially if you upgrade to the paid version that includes backup and restore capabilities.

Who makes Password Safe?

Password Safe is developed by Rhythm Software, a company that specializes in creating Android apps. The company is known for producing simple, functional applications that prioritize security and ease of use. While the app’s official website is a bit outdated, its commitment to customer support is evident through its responsive email support.

The company’s other apps also follow a similar pattern of providing basic yet effective tools for Android users. Despite the lack of a modern website or app design, Rhythm Software maintains a reputation for reliability in the Android community, particularly among users who value offline security solutions.