LastPass Review 2022
- Sync across devices and platforms
- Easy-to-use business admin interface
- Extensive two-factor authentication
- Premium version on the expensive end
- Support is somewhat limited (email only)
Overview
LastPass was initially released in 2008. 7 years later, in 2015 it was acquired by LogMeIn, a SaaS company based in Boston. Since then, LastPass has introduced a few notable improvements, including two-factor authentication, password syncs across devices, and a new family plan.
Although the password management market has changed tremendously over the last few years, LastPass is still considered to be one of the most popular services, with close to 17 million people and nearly 60,000 businesses using its services.
One of the best things about LastPass is that it provides users with plenty of features, yet manages not to overwhelm them, much thanks to its appealing interface. Furthermore, its software is easy-to-use and fast across supported platforms.
When it comes to security, LastPass stores data on its own servers and also on users’ devices. This is a plus when it comes to syncing passwords and data across devices, yet may raise concerns about data security. Thankfully, LastPass secures data using AES-256-bit encryption and salted hashes, rendering it readable only on a particular device. What’s more, LastPass complies with Service-Organization-Controls-2 (Soc2), a common compliance requirement for security-conscious businesses and data-sensitive industries such as finance, health, etc.
LastPass Review – Usability
LastPass is easy to setup. Once you download the software, you are prompted to use the appropriate browser extension and are good to go. One small objection we have is that LastPass doesn’t prompt users to import their passwords. You can import passwords manually from another password manager, a .CSV file, or the browser itself.
However, we found the process to be a bit cumbersome. Other than that, the browser extension is highly recommendable. We tested the Chrome extension and found it responsive and accommodating. For example, it automatically saves new logins as you create them and generates strong passwords when required. It also makes it easier to access the LastPass Vault directly.
LastPass’s menu features ten sections altogether. The five main ones are Passwords, Notes, Addresses, Payment Cards, and Bank Accounts. Additional ones include Security Challenge, Sharing Center, Emergency Access, Account Settings, and More Options. Though some may consider a ten-section menu to be a bit crowded, in comparison with other password managers and given the menu’s icons and section hierarchy, we’d argue the app’s interface is just what the average user needs.
The core of the menu and entire app is the LasPass Vault. Inside it, you will find all passwords and login credentials in a tile layout. You can also organize the vault in folders to keep it tidy. A couple of small things we particularly like about LastPass are the fact that it offers automated password updates as well as automatically saves passwords generated by its browser extension.
Pricing
LastPass offers a free version, yet it lacks some essential features available for Premium users, such as emergency access, advanced two-factor authentication options, and, perhaps most importantly, 1GB of encrypted file storage. At $36 a year, LastPass Premium is perhaps not the cheapest password manager, but it’s still worthwhile.
You can also purchase the Family plan, which supports up to six users at $48 a year. This plan allows it’s admin user to access dashboard and also includes unlimited shared folders to the standard Premium offering.
Lastly, LastPass also targets businesses and offers four different business plans to choose from at $3-$8 per user a month ($36-$96 a year). Note that LastPass offers a 30-day trial for private users and a 14-day trial for enterprises.
Operating System
LastPass is a cross-platform product that is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android. The standard version of LastPass comes with a web interface, but also includes plugins for most web browsers and mobile apps. LastPass also offers a Universal Installer, which simultaneously installs browser extensions across all of the supported browsers on your operating system.
The mobile apps are available in their respective app stores and are ranked highly among users, 4.4 out of 5 stars both in Apple Store and Google Play.
Upon installing LastPass, users are prompted to log into the app using their master password. You can then switch if off completely, use a PIN code, or other, advanced two-factor authentication, depending on your subscription.
Customer Support
Customer support is, perhaps, LastPass’s greatest weakness. Surprisingly, no support resources are available other than email. We would have loved to see a live chat option or even a service number, a standard premium feature. Having said that, we found LastPass’s support center accommodating and were impressed by the app’s walk-through upon its installation.
Features
As previously mentioned, one of the best things about LastPass an offering that’s comprehensive yet far from overwhelming. The free plan offers all of the standard features you’d expect from a password manager, such as password autofill, password generator, secure note-taking, and security audit, plus two-factor authentication, and sync across devices. The Premium version offers all of the features available in the free version plus:
One-to-many sharing
Allows you to share passwords and other sensitive data with other LastPass users, so long as they have their own account. You can decide if you want the recipient to be able to view the password or can only use the login.
Emergency access
Allows nominated trusted people to access your LastPass Vault, if needed (for example, if you forget your master password). Note that the process requires you to specify a wait time, between immediately and up to 30 days.
Advanced multi-factor options
Allows you to use hardware-based two-factor authentication, such as fingerprint, Yubikey Multifactor Authentication, and Sesame Multifactor Authentication.
LastPass for applications
LastPass for Applications (also called LastApp) is a desktop app for Windows and allows you to store and access the contents of your LastPass Vault.
1GB encrypted file storage
Allows you to store and share a large number of sensitive files.
LastPass Business Plan
LastPass Review – Pricing
LastPass offers a few tiers of business plans starting at $3 USD per user a month ($36 USD a year). Larger enterprises will be required to pay between $6-$8 per user a month ($72-$96 USD a year), depending on their security needs and overall compliance.
For example, LastPass Identity, the pricier business plan, offers integrated SSO and password manager, biometric authentication, and contextual authentication policies, among other things. Both Enterprise and Identity plans offer a zero-knowledge security model, meaning LastPass will not store nor have any access to your data.