Dashlane Reviews

Once the simple and straightforward program is installed and the master password is provided, Dashlane instantly taps into previously installed browsers to automatically collect existing credentials. This process can be repeated at any time, and you can also manually import CSV files or let Dashlane import automatically from other password managers or browsers.

When it comes to logging into websites, the program offers two choices, either an autofill option or a toggleable auto-login feature that can be selected for certain websites saved on the password manager. And, as a nice addition, all account credentials can be exported to Dashlane’s archive or as a strictly read-only Excel/CSV file.

Dashlane has three very distinct categories. The first is ‘Security’ where the health of passwords and security breaches can be checked. Next you have ‘Contacts’, which as you might expect is where encrypted passwords are shared and emergency contacts added.

Then there is the primary category – ‘Vault’ – where personal data, passwords, ID cards, credit cards, PayPal account information, and online receipts are created and kept. Any data in the vault can be searched and sorted either alphabetically or according to various categories. By double-clicking on an entry within this section, the password can be quickly shared, edited, its associated website opened, or even have its password history displayed. Dashlane helpfully places visual warnings on saved credentials that lack either a username or an email address associated.

Password changer

Dashlane seamlessly integrates with all major web browsers, which work independently from the desktop app. In other words, the browser extension gives access to the browser version of Dashlane without the need to launch the desktop program. This add-on, which is the same for all browsers, only displays the most necessary data from your account, allowing you to generate and save passwords while you surf the web. Bear in mind it’s required to have the add-on installed for the app to swiftly autofill credentials on the computer.

The process to enable the autofill on iOS and Android apps is a bit more daunting, as you’ll need to configure the phone to enable Dashlane to do so. However, when everything is set up, it will work the same way as on the computer. Additionally, all features you find on desktop are also included in the mobile app, like password health, dark web monitoring, and the built-in VPN. To top it all off, Dashlane’s mobile version is incredibly secure, as it allows you to log in via biometrics and prevents the phone from taking screenshots while using the app.

On mobile, the setup process continues to be straightforward. You just need to download it from the App or Play Store, insert your email and master password, and you’re done. The most challenging part is to import all data and enable autofill, as you’ll need to go through your browser and phone’s settings to do so. Fortunately, Dashlane provides guides for you to set up everything on its website.

Dashlane takes user security and privacy very seriously, the company even has a U.S. patent for its extra safe security architecture. The most important security feature is the AES-256 bank-level encryption that Dashlane uses, which ensures that your master password and any passwords gathered from other sites are only known and modified by you. In fact, the only way for others to see your passwords is if you choose to share them via the sharing feature that further encrypts each of your account credentials before sending them out to the designated person.

Dashlane evaluates all your passwords and warns of any that have to be replaced by a stronger password either manually or via the software’s own tools. While the program and the app can only be accessed from devices that are authenticated, the two-step authentication adds an extra level of security by requiring the use of a secondary authenticator (Google Authenticator, Authy, or Duo Mobile). Finally, as a couple of cherries on top, Dashlane comes with a built-in VPN to protect users from unsafe Wi-Fi networks and dark web monitoring to find and warn about compromised accounts.

While Dashlane does provide many useful features to securely store your passwords, this wide range of functions also comes with an equally high cost for both its personal and business customers. Admittedly, the free forever version contains core features like security monitoring and alerts, the password generator, and so on, but upgrading to the pay-only Premium subscription comes with numerous worthwhile benefits. In addition to the obvious, such as unlimited storage, password sharing, syncing, and online backup, a paid subscription also unlocks the more advanced tools, like the built-in VPN and two-step authentication.

Unfortunately, Dashlane Premium is a bit pricey. Even if you get an annual subscription, which comes with a discount of 20%, the app still costs $4.99 per month. But on the bright side, you can test the premium version for 60 days through the company’s 30-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee. Better yet, Dashlane offers six months of premium for each successful referral.

Last but not least, companies can also take advantage of Dashlane through its business edition for $5 per month per user. On top of all the features already mentioned, businesses get access to an admin console, group sharing, and 24/7 support, just to name a few.