Anyone who entrusts their passwords to a US service is handing over sensitive data whose protection appears increasingly insecure. But the European market now offers strong alternatives with consistent data protection. We present four password managers from Switzerland, Germany and Luxembourg.
For decades, Europe’s dependence on American technology was accepted and formed the foundation of our modern IT infrastructure. But in addition to the aversion to digital services from China that has grown in recent years, products from the United States are now also being questioned.
Companies like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Meta not only have enormous market power, but they also exploit it – sometimes with anti-competitive practices. Many users also have concerns that sensitive data is not safe in the hands of US companies.
Since US President Donald Trump took office again, the topic has become more important again, as the question increasingly arises as to whether the USA is still a reliable partner for Europe. Trump’s foreign and trade policy decisions, such as his tariff policy, at least fuel doubts.
Why European password managers are in demand now
Critics see politics and business becoming ever more closely intertwined in the USA, as Trump appears to be cooperating with many tech CEOs. Money and progress come first, user interests and data protection must come second. Fortunately, Europe has caught up significantly technologically in recent years.
Many alternatives “Made in Europe” see themselves as a counter-model to American technologies. The providers often rely on sustainability, data protection and clear terms of use. That’s why we present four password managers from Europe here. Previously we looked at office applications and payment providers.
1. Proton Pass: Open source manager from Switzerland
Proton Pass comes from Switzerland and is part of the Proton ecosystem, known for its focus on privacy. The service is completely open source and is regularly audited by independent bodies to guarantee high security standards. In addition to the proven end-to-end encryption that protects all stored data such as usernames and web addresses, Proton Pass also offers a built-in “identity management service”. This allows users to create alternative names for their emails to hide their real addresses from third parties. This way, spam and tracking can be prevented. The software is available free of charge for all common platforms such as iOS, Android, Windows and macOS. The Plus version for 4.99 euros offers additional functions such as an integrated 2FA generator.
2. Password Depot: Full data control for companies
There is also a good alternative from Germany. The focus of Password Depot is particularly on companies that do not want to store sensitive information on external servers. The service allows customers to decide for themselves whether passwords are stored locally on the device, in the company’s server network, in a private cloud or on USB sticks. The manager also supports professional role and rights systems as well as SSO connections. This makes it ideal for complex team structures. Thanks to detailed audit reports and protocol functions, the software actively supports companies in complying with the GDPR proof requirements. The pricing is based on a license model – a configuration for five users, for example, costs a one-time fee of 499 euros.
3. Passbolt: OpenPGP encryption for IT teams
Passbolt was developed in Luxembourg specifically for IT teams with high security standards. The system is based entirely on open source and uses the proven OpenPGP standard for encryption. Permissions are assigned at the password level and sensitive data is encrypted individually for each authorized user. All operations are cryptographically signed so that it is always possible to trace who created or changed a password. Passbolt offers both cloud hosting in the EU and a self-hosting variant that gives the user complete control over their private keys. The community version is available free of charge for smaller teams. Larger organizations can upgrade to the Business plan (from €4.50 per user per month), which includes additional features such as Single Sign-On (SSO) and activity logs for audits.
4. heylogin: The password manager without a master password
heylogin from Germany is taking a completely new approach. There is no longer a master password that you have to remember and forget. Instead, heylogin uses the smartphone or a security key as a physical “key” to the digital data. Logins are confirmed simply by swiping on your cell phone or by touching the security key. This makes the service user-friendly and secure. The security architecture is based on a zero-knowledge structure with hardware-based end-to-end encryption. This means that the data can only be decrypted on the user’s device. heylogin is developed in Germany and is also hosted here. The service is free for personal use, and for companies the prices start at 4.99 euros per user per month. Seamless integration into systems such as Microsoft Entra ID or Google Workspace is possible.
Conclusion: Password manager from Europe
If you are looking for a classic, secure ecosystem with additional functions such as alternative names for emails, Proton Pass is the right choice. Companies that need absolute control over their stored data will find powerful services in Password Depot or Passbolt that also meet the requirements of the GDPR. And heylogin, with its innovative approach, offers the option of logging in completely without a password.
All four providers from Europe are united by their focus on protecting user data. These are not only protected from hackers, but also from the greedy grasping arms of other companies. The services clearly show that security and convenience can go hand in hand. If you want to rely on a partner from Europe, you have various valid alternatives to choose from.
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