Dashlane: The secure and intuitive password manager

So in this Dashlane review, we're going to take a closer look at the feature set, compare pricing plans, and look at apps.

Find out if this great service is ideal for you to protect your personal data. (April 2023)

What is Dashlane?

Dashlane is the luxury sedan in the world of password managers.

It is a French start-up created in 2009 by Bernard Liautaud and Centraliens (Jean Guillou, Guillaume Maron and Alexis Fogel).

This software has more features than most other tools on the market to manage passwords, which puts it ahead of most competitors in terms of quality.

You'll love it if you're looking for an all-in-one cybersecurity suite that focuses on protecting your passwords.

Not only does it offer all the features of a password managere, but the tool also includes a VPN and protection against identity theft and other personal data.

How do I download and install Dashlane?

1. Download the Dashlane app from the official website.
2. Install and launch the application.
3. Open the app and sign in or create a new account.
4. Start saving passwords or import them from your web browsers or another password manager.

Features

Dashlane has a wide range of password management features.

It has all the useful functions for secure your passwords.

1. Password generator

The password generator is an important feature for everything password manager.

Dashlane offers a password generator for creating strong and secure passwords.

• Dashlane's password generator Creates passwords of 12 characters by default, using all character sets.
• Shorter or longer passwords can be used using letters and numbers only.
• Generated passwords are considered secure enough for most situations.
• Unfortunately, Dashlane cannot generate passwords based on pronounceable words.
• Users can Increase the length of the password to increase their security.

Although Dashlane cannot generate passwords based on pronounceable words, it is possible in each account to increase the length of passwords to increase their security.

2. Password Modifier

Changing your online account passwords frequently is crucial for the security of your personal data.

The password manager offers a robust password generator and a handy password changer to make it easier to update your existing passwords.

• The password changer you helps update all of your outdated or weak passwords all at once, without having to manually log in to each account.
• Unlike some other password managers, the password changer can automatically update passwords for hundreds of websites.
• The password generator creates strong, unique passwords that are 12 characters long by default, but you can also customize the length and characters used.

3. Detecting connections

Dashlane's credential capture feature is very useful every time for: automatically save your login details on any website in your vault where you have passwords

However, if you're not importing your password database, you'll need to capture each ID separately.

• Dashlane can automatically capture your login details and credentials when you sign in to an account in your vault.
• You can set up Dashlane to automatically or partially fill in login details.
• For multi-page websites, you may need to manually enter the second (or third) login by clicking on the Dashlane logo and selecting the correct credentials.

You can set up Dashlane to automatically or partially fill in login data, and even if you need to manually enter some credentials, that's not a major disadvantage.

4. Advanced form filling

In this text, we are going to talk about Dashlane automatic form filling features and login access

• Dashlane can fill in handy web forms with personal data like name, email address, and phone number, which you can store as much as you want in your safe.
• Payment information and identifiers can also be stored, including bank accounts, credit cards, and PayPal, each of which can be distinguished by a color and even the actual bank.

With Dashlane, you can quickly and easily fill out online forms and securely store your payment and identification information.

5. Secure notes

In this content, we are talking about the functionality of Dashlane Secure Notes.

• Dashlane offers the Secure Notes feature for store sensitive information in your safe such as wifi codes, software licenses, or membership numbers.
• Secure Notes have predefined options for stored item types such as passwords, finances, legal documents, memberships, server information, and software licenses.
• You can also add blank notes and attach files and images that you want to keep secure and accessible.
• This feature also allows data to be sent to your phone and shared securely with family and friends.
• However, the Secure Notes storage is limited to 1 GB for paying customers, which may not be enough
• Some of Dashlane's competitors offer better deals when it comes to secure note storage.

For your information, Dashlane Secure Notes is a useful feature for storing sensitive information securely, but the limited storage offer may not be suitable for everyone (windows system, macOS, etc.)

It may be a good idea to consider the offerings of Dashlane's competitors before choosing a secure note storage solution.

6. Dark Web Monitoring

The Dark Web is a place where cybercriminals sell stolen data.

Monitoring services are therefore increasingly important to protect your payment or personal information regardless of your system (windows, macOS, etc.)

• Dashlane's dark web monitoring service is available for Dashlane Premium customers.
• Verification is done by entering your email address, which can then be associated with your credit card or IP or physical address.
• Non-premium customers can use similar online tools to check if they have been the victims of a personal data leak.

7. Secure password sharing

Dashlane is accessible via a master password and allows you to store and secure all of a user's sensitive information in your safe on all of your devices.

• Access to a particular account or categories can be shared with friends, family, or colleagues using Dashlane.
• By selecting “Share an item” in your Dashlane account and entering the person's email address, the person will receive an invitation to access the account in question.
• You can specify the level of access given to this person to the data, limiting what they can see, edit, and share.
• Access to data can be revoked at any time.
• To be able to access the account, the invited person must sign up for a free Dashlane account if they haven't already done so.

This feature is very practical for situations where you need to share data such as access to an account with friends, family, or colleagues

8. Dashlane emergency access

Since the removal of the desktop apps, Dashlane's emergency access feature has also been removed.

Previously, this feature allowed you to designate a trusted person who could retrieve your data (passwords and secure documents) when needed, which was especially useful for business accounts and passwords. Unfortunately, this function is no longer available.

9. Password health checker

Dashlane offers a password health score feature that assesses the security of your passwords in your vault by considering their strength, reuse, and whether they have been compromised.

Your password health score is displayed in your Dashlane account on all of your devices.

If you have weak or compromised passwords, Dashlane will provide you with tools to update the data.

Security

Dashlane is a password manager that offers a number of features, including generating strong passwords and automatically saving login credentials and personal information.

But the most important question is whether Dashlane is safe to use on all of your devices.

• Dashlane is safe to use, with security features like2-factor authentication, encryption, the 256-bit AES encryption of military-grade data And thezero trust architecture.
• All data is encrypted if you click on ads with your master password as the key and stored securely on your device.
• Although desktop applications have been removed, Dashlane has promised not to compromise the most important quality of a password manager: security.

Dashlane is a safe choice for managing your passwords and personal information, thanks to its strong security features.

1. Dashlane 2FA

Dashlane has 2-factor authentication (2FA) to provide an extra layer of security when signing in on all of your devices.

This feature integrates with several different authentication applications, such as Google Authenticator and Authy, while premium subscribers can use the 2FA feature with YubiKey's USB authentication.

You can use 2FA every time you log in, or only when you connect from a new device.

Dashlane also offers two backup options if you lose your primary authentication device: a phone number or a one-time backup code.

However, sending temporary 2FA codes by SMS is not possible for security reasons.

2. Dashlane VPN

When connected to an unsecured network, it's important to protect your personal information.

The use of a VPN is a popular solution for increasing online security and privacy.

• Dashlane VPN is a unique feature among password managers.
• The VPN feature is only available for Premium customers.
• Dashlane's VPN is based on the Hotspot Shield service, which is known for its constant speed.
• Bandwidth is unlimited for Dashlane VPN users.
• Dashlane VPN offers servers in over 20 countries.
• Advanced users cannot choose a tunneling protocol or use a kill switch.

The VPN of Dashlane is a great feature for those who want to improve their online security. However, for advanced users, it may be best to choose a dedicated and well-known VPN service.

3. 256-bit AES encryption

Dashlane uses a encryption that is virtually unbreakable by malware on all your devices and data.

This military-grade encryption is used by the majority of its competitors, making it the industry standard for password managers.

Additionally, the Dashlane software encrypts all of your personal data locally on your device or any purchase, which means that no one within the company is examining or has access to your secure data. This zero-knowledge protocol adds an extra layer of protection.

4. Biometric authentication

You can access your Dashlane passwords with biometric authentication - using your fingerprint. To unlock the application using your fingerprint, you need to activate the biometrics on your device, then enable biometric unlocking in the Dashlane app.

Fingerprints are secure ways to lock and unlock your device.

However, this data cannot completely replace the master password, because the master password is required to decrypt your data.

5. Dashlane and Neeva: an alliance for more secure online research

Dashlane and Neeva team up to secure online search and eliminate targeted ads.

• Neeva is the first private search engine without ads.
• Dashlane Premium users get a free 1-year subscription to Neeva Unlimited.
• Anyone with Dashlane accounts can try Neeva for 30 days for free.
• Neeva protects your privacy by not collecting your personal data all the time.
• Neeva's search results are not biased by advertisers.
• Enjoy an ad-free online search experience with Dashlane and Neeva.

Pricing

1. Individuals

The Dashlane software is a password manager to preserve the security of your credentials offering simple pricing with a free version, a premium version and a family version.

On their website, Dashlane's pricing is simple, with a free version that includes 50 passwords (+ 1 master password), a premium version, a family version, and a Business version for more advanced uses.

Users can also purchase Dashlane on a monthly plan.

• Dashlane Free vs paid Dashlane Family (or Premium): The main difference between the free options and the paid version of Dashlane is the limited number of passwords and devices included. The free plan allows unlimited passwords to be stored on a single device, while the premium plan allows passwords to be synced across multiple devices.
• Features: Dashlane's free plan includes two-factor authentication, unlimited password sharing, browser extensions, secure notes, and automatic form and payment completion. Advanced features such as encrypted file storage, VPN, and dark web monitoring are available in the premium version, interface in French

While Dashlane's prices are slightly higher than most competitors, the features included in the Premium and Family plans make it one of the best value password managers.

The free version is still useful and safe, but advanced features require an upgrade to the premium version.

2. Businesses

Dashlane software also offers offerings for businesses to protect credentials across all of your devices.

Business plans:

• Team accounts: $5 per user
• Business accounts: $8 per user
• Starter plan accounts: monthly subscription of $20 per month

Professional offerings include:

• Unlimited login data storage
• VPN
• Master password
• Chrome extension
• Automatic synchronization of devices and all of your account identifiers
• Priority support
• Dark web credential monitoring
• Master password access
• Sharing passwords and account identifiers
• Single sign-on based on SAML and a free family subscription for each seat (Business plan)
• Management of the accounts of other users through an intuitive administration console.
• Possibility to separate personal and business identification information.

Notice: Dashlane offers plans for businesses to protect credentials with several features tailored to business needs.

Compatibility

Dashlane software is a password manager that offers a variety of security features to protect your credentials across all of your devices.

However, Dashlane's compatibility with different devices and operating systems is a important factor to consider when buying a subscription.

• Paid Dashlane subscribers can access their information and use security features across a number of web apps, mobile apps, and web browsers.
• As of January 10, 2022, Dashlane stopped supporting its Windows and Mac apps, meaning that only mobile and web experiences are available.
• Dashlane uses a zero-knowledge architecture to protect the credentials of its users, and promises an additional layer of protection through third-party validation.

Notice: Dashlane is a password and login manager with a variety of security features, but users should be aware of compatibility limitations with Windows and Mac operating systems.

1. Mobile application

Dashlane offers a mobile application that is compatible with most of the features available on the full version of your accounts.

You can access all of your passwords, VPNs, secure notes, and autofill information no matter where you are and what device you're using.

• Mobile browser compatibility :The Dashlane mobile app supports all major mobile browsers when running on iOS and Android.
• Mobile application management :The Android mobile app can easily manage popular apps like Facebook and LinkedIn, and simply push the button when prompted to reconnect to the apps. However, if the application in question has the 2FA function, you will have to wait for a one-time code to be sent to you via the authentication application of your choice.
• Authentication application :The Dashlane mobile app can also be used as an authenticator, which means you can use the app to access websites that use two-factor authentication without needing an additional third-party app like Microsoft Authenticator.
• Interface in French

Mobile browsers compatible with iOS (iPhone, iPad) :

• Google Chrome
• firefox
• Safari
• Apple Watch

Mobile browsers compatible with Android :

• Google Chrome
• firefox
• Firefox Focus
• DuckDuckGo

The Dashlane mobile app is compatible with Most popular mobile browsers and mobile applications.

Note: The Dashlane mobile app can also be used as an authenticator for two-factor authentication of your accounts. However, some features are still quite limited on iOS due to Apple's restrictions on third-party apps and general security restrictions.

2. Web application

Dashlane is accessible via a password and offers security features to protect users' personal data.

Since its transition to a web experience, Dashlane has offered a dashboard to access the platform's functionalities.

• THEDashlane browser extension provides access to the web application and a standalone experience for Chromebook and Linux users.
• The extension allows you to store and organize passwords, payment methods, identifiers and secure notes.
• Depending on the plan chosen, users can access dark web monitoring, VPN, and secure notes features from the main dashboard.
• The major disadvantage is that without an Internet connection, access to Dashlane's features is not possible.

Dashlane offers a browser extension to access their website dashboard.

Notice: Users can store and organize passwords, payment methods, logins, and secure notes. Access to features depends on the plan chosen and requires an internet connection to be used.

3. Dashlane browser extensions

Dashlane browser extensions are available on popular browsers like:

• Chromium,
• Safari,
• Firefox,
• Opera, and
• Brave.

Notice: While you can use the extension to add and generate passwords, features such as payment methods, secure notes, and credentials are only accessible through the web application.

However, you can combine the two without having to download a dedicated Dashlane application on your computer, which is an advantage.

Customer SUpport

If you're using a password manager, it's important to know how to get help if you have a problem.

Dashlane offers multiple channels for getting support.

Here are the support channels that Dashlane offers:

• FAQS: a very detailed help section with step-by-step instructions for each topic. You can access it through the web app or the Chrome extension.
• Live chat: available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time, in English. This option is very responsive, providing support that is quick, professional, and with little to no wait.
• Email support: available 7 days a week in English, and from Monday to Friday in French and German.
• Twitter Support Account @DashlaneSupport

Notice: If there are issues outside of live chat hours, Dashlane also has an automated bot that can provide you with relevant resources. If that's not enough, email support is available seven days a week. Support forums run by competitors can be a useful alternative.

Alternatives

Dashlane is one of the best password managers out there. But how does it compare to some of its competitors?

1. NordPass

NordPass is a simple but powerful security tool that is particularly suitable for beginners.

Dashlane and NordPass also allow unlimited passwords to be stored for free users.

Additionally, Dashlane's Premium plan offers unlimited devices, while NordPass only allows six simultaneous connections.

Notice: Other than that, the services are a bit similar. They both offer features like secure notes, a data breach scanner, a password generator, and two-factor authentication.

2. 1Password.

As an alternative to Dashlane, the word generator 1Password has a lot of interesting features, and its security provisions make it a strong contender every time.

Dashlane and 1Password Both use 256-bit AES encryption and 2FA, but 1Password also generates a unique “secret key” for each user and asks them to enter that key along with the master password in order to unlock your vault.

Review: So, the Dashlane password manager is more user-friendly and has more features like VPN and password sharing, while 1Password is slightly cheaper and slightly more secure.

3. LastPass.

LastPass is probably the most popular alternative to Dashlane and it has many of the same features.

The biggest advantage of LastPass is its very solid free plan. Like Dashlane, the free version of LastPass comes with unlimited passwords, but it also has multi-factor authentication, audit reports, and multi-device sync.

The main limitation for LastPass free plan subscribers is that only one user can be added to your shared folder.

Notice: The Premium plan is where LastPass falls behind, as Dashlane offers more comprehensive audit reports, easy sharing, and the all-important VPN access included.

Final Verdict

Dashlane is a comprehensive and easy to use password manager.

After writing this article, I can even say that it is one of the best, and will remain so for some time to come. It offers an impressive number of features that will make your online life much, much easier.

For example, Dashlane's password changer is an incredible time saver. Plus, its included VPN makes Dashlane stand out from the competition. Remember that it offers unlimited data, which is rather rare with the VPNs that are included as an extra.

And while its Premium plan is slightly more expensive than that of the majority of its competitors, the cost is more than offset by the number of features included in your subscription in this tool.

In any case, you can start with the free version of the application to protect and upgrade as soon as you feel the need to take advantage of all the additional features offered by the paid subscription.

(updated April 2023)