⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: Pass Plus runs $2.99/month. Sticky Password Premium runs $29.99/year.
- Best for: Proton Pass suits privacy-first people who want hide my email aliases. Sticky Password suits people who want local control and form filling.
- Key difference: Proton Pass is an open source password manager built on end to end encryption. Sticky Password can skip the cloud entirely.
- Our pick: Proton Pass, because its free plan covers unlimited devices while the Sticky Password free version syncs nothing.
One of these tools wants to keep your vault on its servers.
The other lets you keep it off any server at all.
Proton Pass is a modern password manager built around privacy.
Sticky Password is a desktop-first vault with a lifetime licence.
That single split decides almost everything else between them.
Overview
This Proton Pass vs Sticky Password comparison covers pricing, security features, sync options and daily use.
Our writer installed Sticky Password’s desktop app and ran it for a week.
Notes on Proton Pass come from published documentation, public audits and G2 reviews.
We also break down who each password manager works best for.
By the end you will know which vault fits how you work.
What is Proton Pass?
Proton Pass is a free password manager from the maker of Proton Mail.
Proton AG owns Proton Pass and is based in Switzerland.
Proton Pass launched in 2023 as an open source password manager.
Its code is public and audited by the German firm Cure53.
One Proton account also covers Proton Calendar, Proton Drive and Proton VPN.
Every entry holds sensitive information that stays encrypted on your own device.
🏆 Winner: Proton Pass
Open source and end to end encrypted. The free plan is free forever with unlimited devices. Adds hide my email aliases and an integrated 2FA authenticator.
Proton Pass Pricing
Proton Pass offers one free tier and three paid plans.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | Unlimited logins, unlimited devices, 10 aliases |
| Pass Plus | $2.99/month | Dark web monitoring and vault sharing with 10 people |
| Pass Family | $4.99/month | Up to six users with Pass Plus features each |
| Proton Unlimited | $9.99/month | All Proton services including Proton Mail and Proton VPN |
Pricing verified July 2026.
Free trial: None needed. Proton Pass free is free forever and no card is required.
Money-back guarantee: Paid plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee.
📌 Note: Business buyers get separate tiers called Pass Essentials and Pass Professional. Proton Unlimited folds password management into the wider bundle of other Proton services.
⚠️ Warning: Proton lists prices in euros in some regions, so your card may be charged a converted amount. Paid plans here also cost more than NordPass and Bitwarden ask for similar security features.
Key Benefits of Proton Pass
Here is where Proton Pass earns its place:
- No device cap on free: You can store unlimited passwords across unlimited devices. Most rivals limit the free version somehow.
- Hide my email aliases: Generate a random address for each signup. Your personal email address never reaches the site.
- Integrated 2FA authenticator: Store and autofill TOTP codes without a separate authenticator app. Two factor authentication happens inside the vault.
- Pass Monitor: It flags weak passwords and reused entries. Dark web monitoring checks whether stored passwords have leaked.
- Proton Sentinel: These advanced security features watch for suspicious logins on your Proton Pass account. Alerts arrive before damage spreads.
- Zero knowledge design: Encryption happens on your device, so only you can read the vault. Proton’s servers never hold your keys.
- Open code and audits: Anyone can inspect the source. Cure53 audits back the strong encryption claims.
What Our Team Noticed
Note: We have not had extended hands-on time with Proton Pass yet. The points above come from Proton’s published documentation, its public audit reports and G2 reviews. Our full Proton Pass review covers the setup flow in more depth.
Proton Pass Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Free forever plan with unlimited logins on unlimited devices
- Hide my email aliases are rare among other password managers
- Open source code with independent Cure53 audits
- Integrated 2FA authenticator removes the need for a second app
- Imports existing passwords from JSON, CSV, ZIP or XML files
❌ Cons
- Paid plans cost more than NordPass and Bitwarden charge
- Lacks live chat support for quick help
- No emergency access feature at the time of writing
- Autofill can be less consistent than older rivals on complex forms
What is Sticky Password?
Sticky Password is a secure password manager that stores logins and personal data.
It keeps login details inside an encrypted database on your own machine.
You open that encrypted vault with just one password.
Sticky Password automatically saves new logins the first time you sign in.
After that it fills web forms, web accounts and app accounts for you.
You can download Sticky Password from the Sticky Password website in two clicks.
Runner Up: Sticky Password
A good password manager for people who prefer local control. Sync over Wi-Fi or skip syncing entirely. A lifetime licence is available.
Sticky Password Pricing
Sticky Password plans are short and easy to read.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | $0 | Single-device use and testing |
| 1 Year | $29.99/Year | Premium users syncing all your devices |
| Lifetime | $79.99 (one-time) | People who hate subscriptions |
Pricing verified July 2026.
Free trial: 30 days on the Premium plan, with no card needed upfront.
Money-back guarantee: 30 days on paid licences.
📌 Note: One sticky account unlocks all the features on any paid licence. Sticky Password donates a share of every Premium licence to manatee conservation. A Teams option costs $29.99 per user per year for business users.
⚠️ Pricing conflict flagged: Neither product has a row in our source spreadsheet, so this table uses FahimAI’s verified figures ($29.99/year, $79.99 lifetime). Separate 2026 research lists Sticky Password Premium at $39.99/year and the lifetime licence at $149.95. Check the vendor page before you buy.
Key Benefits of Sticky Password
Here is where Sticky Password’s features earn their keep:
- Local-only storage: You can keep all your passwords off the cloud entirely. Few competing password managers still offer that.
- Wi-Fi sync: Sync data between machines over your home network. The Sticky Password cloud stays optional.
- AES-256 password protection: Sticky Password data is encrypted at rest and during cloud sync. No master password is held on their servers.
- Security dashboard: It surfaces weak passwords and reused logins in one view. That makes multiple logins easier to clean up.
- Portable password vault: A USB build runs from a thumb drive with no install needed.
- Secure memos feature: Store secure notes, card details and identities. You can attach files to any item too.
- Emergency access: A trusted contact can reach your vault if you lose access.
Sticky Password’s browser extension covers every major browser, and unlimited identities speed up form filling.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer installed Sticky Password’s desktop app and ran it beside the Android app for a week. Here is what stood out:
The menu structure was easy to follow, though the visual design shows its age.
Sticky Password Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Local storage keeps sensitive data off any server
- Lifetime licence removes the yearly renewal
- Portable USB build is handy on shared machines
- Form filling handles messy checkout pages well
- Biometric authentication unlocks the mobile vault
❌ Cons
- The user interface looks dated next to newer rivals
- Autofill occasionally fails and needs a manual retry
- The free version does not sync across devices
- Password sharing is locked to paying users only
Feature Comparison
These two tools solve the same problem in opposite ways. We will walk through ten key features that decide which one fits your setup.
| Feature | Proton Pass | Sticky Password |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (paid) | $2.99/month | $29.99/year |
| Free plan device limit | Unlimited devices | 1 device, no sync |
| Local-only storage | ❌ | ✅ |
| Wi-Fi sync | ❌ | ✅ |
| Hide my email aliases | ✅ | ❌ |
| Integrated 2FA authenticator | ✅ | ❌ |
| Dark web monitoring | ✅ (Pass Plus) | ✅ (premium) |
| Open source code | ✅ | ❌ |
| Portable USB version | ❌ | ✅ |
| Lifetime licence | ❌ | ✅ |
| Best for | Privacy and a real free tier | Local control and one-time cost |
1. Encryption and Zero Knowledge Architecture
Proton Pass: Proton Pass uses AES-256 with end to end encryption on every field. Encryption happens on your device, so Proton’s servers never see your keys. That zero knowledge setup matches the design Proton built for secure communication in Proton Mail.
Sticky Password: The same AES-256 standard protects its encrypted database. Your master password never touches their servers, so nobody there can unlock it for you. Encrypted data stays protected during cloud sync, and stored data can stay offline entirely.
⚠️ Warning: Neither vendor can reset your master password for you. Lose it and you lose the vault, so write down your recovery method before you load real data.
2. Free Plan Limits
Proton Pass: The free plan lets you store unlimited passwords across unlimited devices. You also get ten aliases and unlimited logins at no cost. Free users give up dark web monitoring and vault sharing, but nothing else.
Sticky Password: The free version also holds unlimited passwords, but only on one machine. It cannot sync data between devices at all. That makes it a long trial rather than a permanent free password manager.
3. Password Generator and Password Generation
Proton Pass: Password generation here offers two styles. You pick either a memorable phrase or a random string. Both produce something strong enough for accounts online that matter.
Sticky Password: A strong password generator builds unique entries on demand. You control length and character types. It is a plain password generator with no scoring.
4. Autofill and Form Filling
Proton Pass: Autofill runs through the browser extension and the mobile apps. G2 reviews note it can be less consistent than older rivals on complex forms. For standard login details it does the job and lets you securely log in fast.
Sticky Password: Form filling is its strongest trick, with unlimited identities for long web forms. It captures credentials automatically so the next visit needs no typing. Autofill sometimes misfires and needs a manual nudge.
5. Sync Options and Platform Coverage
Proton Pass: Cloud sync is the only route, and it runs quietly in the background. The Proton Pass apps cover Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android, with desktop apps and a matching browser extension. There is no local-only mode.
Sticky Password: You choose cloud sync, local Wi-Fi sync, or nothing at all. Wi-Fi sync moves data between machines without touching a server. Sticky Password’s mobile app covers Android and iOS, and premium users sync all your devices.
6. Dark Web Monitoring and Security Dashboard
Proton Pass: Pass Monitor flags weak passwords and reused entries across your vault. Dark web monitoring on Pass Plus warns you when personal details surface in a data breach. Proton Sentinel adds login alerts on top.
Sticky Password: The security dashboard lists weak and reused entries in a plain table. Dark web monitoring arrives with a premium subscription, and free users get none of it. Coverage is narrower than what Proton Pass offers.
7. Email Aliases and Privacy Extras
Proton Pass: Hide my email aliases are the headline feature. Each signup gets a random address, so your personal email address never reaches the site. Mail still forwards to your real inbox, which cuts spam without extra work.
Sticky Password: There is no alias tool here. Multiple accounts on one site share the same email address unless you create aliases elsewhere. Its privacy angle is local storage instead, which keeps sensitive data off any server.
8. Two Factor Authentication and Recovery
Proton Pass: The integrated 2FA authenticator stores TOTP codes inside the vault itself. That single 2FA authenticator replaces a separate authenticator app on your phone. Recovery runs through your Proton account rather than a trusted contact.
Sticky Password: Two-step verification and biometric authentication both unlock the mobile vault. Multi factor authentication options are thinner than newer rivals offer. Emergency access lets a trusted contact in if you lose access to your Sticky Password account.
9. Sharing, Secure Notes and Business Support
Proton Pass: Password sharing works through secure links, and Pass Plus shares a vault with up to ten people. You can securely store secure notes and attach files to any entry. Business tiers are sold as Pass Essentials and Pass Professional, though it lacks live chat support.
Sticky Password: Sharing is limited to paid tiers and works item by item. The secure memos feature covers notes, cards and identities in the same encrypted vault. Sticky Password’s support runs mainly through email, so replies to business users can lag.
💡 Pro Tip: Moving in? Proton Pass imports existing passwords from JSON, CSV, ZIP or XML files. Export from your current tool first, then import before you cancel it.
10. Pricing & Cost
Here is how the money compares once you line the tiers up.
| Tier | Proton Pass | Sticky Password |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free: $0/month | Free Trial: $0 |
| Individual paid | Pass Plus: $2.99/month | 1 Year: $29.99/Year |
| Family / one-time | Pass Family: $4.99/month | Lifetime: $79.99 (one-time) |
| Full bundle | Proton Unlimited: $9.99/month | ❌ |
Proton Pass: Pass Plus costs roughly the same per year as Sticky Password Premium once you convert the monthly rate. Proton Unlimited folds in Proton Mail, Proton Drive and Proton VPN, so the maths changes if you want other Proton services anyway. For just your passwords, Proton Pass free may be all you need.
Sticky Password: The yearly licence is simple and the lifetime option ends renewals after roughly three years. Paid plans here buy sync and sharing rather than extra services.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A free plan on every device | Proton Pass | No device cap at all |
| No cloud storage at all | Sticky Password | Local-only mode available |
| Email aliases without paying | Proton Pass | Ten aliases on the free tier |
| One-time payment | Sticky Password | Lifetime licence available |
| Built-in 2FA codes | Proton Pass | Authenticator sits in the vault |
| Emergency access | Sticky Password | Proton Pass has no equivalent |
💰 Your Budget
Proton Pass wins outright if you refuse to pay anything, because its free tier is genuinely usable. Sticky Password wins if a one-time licence beats a monthly bill for you.
🔌 Your Tech Stack
Already paying for Proton Mail or Proton VPN? Proton Unlimited covers password management with no extra line item.
🔐 Your Privacy Stance
Proton Pass is open source, audited and based under Swiss privacy law. Sticky Password answers the same worry differently by letting you skip servers entirely.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Proton Pass has the cleaner user interface for anyone new to managing passwords. Sticky Password assumes you already know what a vault is.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
Sticky Password gives you 30 days on Premium with no card upfront. Proton Pass needs no trial because the free plan never expires. Test either one on a handful of low-risk online accounts first.
🛟 Support Options
Neither one runs live chat, so plan on tickets and documentation. Both password managers offer knowledge bases covering common setup questions.
Switching Guide
Already committed to one of them? Here is what moving actually costs you.
🔄 Switching from Proton Pass to Sticky Password?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Local-only storage and Wi-Fi sync
- A portable password vault that runs from a USB stick
- Emergency access for a trusted contact
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Hide my email aliases and the free unlimited tier
- The integrated 2FA authenticator
- Publicly auditable source code and Proton Sentinel
📋 How to switch:
- Export your Proton Pass vault to CSV
- Install the desktop app and set a master password
- Import the file, then delete the export from your disk
🔄 Switching from Sticky Password to Proton Pass?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- A free tier that syncs across unlimited devices
- Ten email aliases and dark web monitoring on Pass Plus
- Open code, Cure53 audits and a 2FA authenticator
❌ What you’ll lose:
- The local-only storage option and Wi-Fi sync
- The lifetime licence you already paid for
- Unlimited identities for heavy form filling
📋 How to switch:
- Export your entries from the Sticky Password desktop app
- Create a Proton account and set a strong master password
- Import the file, then run Pass Monitor to catch weak entries
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison focused on individuals and small teams. We did not test Pass Essentials or Pass Professional at scale, and we did not run the Sticky Password Teams licence across an office. Long-term autofill reliability on unusual sites also sits outside what we could check. Our notes reflect the July 2026 builds.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 🆓 Free plan | Proton Pass |
| 💰 Paid pricing | Sticky Password |
| 🔐 Security features | Proton Pass |
| 🕵️ Privacy extras | Proton Pass |
| 🔄 Sync flexibility | Sticky Password |
| 👶 Ease of use | Proton Pass |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | Proton Pass |
🏆 WINNER: PROTON PASS
Proton Pass wins 4 out of 6 categories.
Best for: Privacy-first users, people who want email aliases, anyone who needs a real free tier
These two are not really rivals. Both rate 3.5, but they answer different questions.
Proton Pass is the modern, audited vault with aliases, a built-in authenticator and open code. Its free tier alone beats what most other password managers charge for.
Sticky Password takes the opposite bet. It hands you local control, a lifetime licence and sync over your own network, and that settles the argument for some people outright.
For most readers, though, we recommend Proton Pass. Pick Sticky Password if offline storage or a one-time price is your dealbreaker.
More of Proton Pass Compared
Here is how it lands against the rest of the field:
Proton Pass wins on: a free tier with no device ceiling, publicly auditable code, aliases included before you pay anything
NordPass wins on: a premium tier under half the price, emergency access for trusted contacts, live chat when something breaks
Proton Pass wins on: alias generation nobody else bundles free, Sentinel login alerts, a friendlier first-run setup
Bitwarden wins on: a cheaper paid tier, self-hosting on your own hardware, a much longer public audit trail
Proton Pass wins on: a free plan that actually works long term, open source code, built-in email aliasing
1Password wins on: steadier autofill on awkward sites, deeper family and admin controls, a wider integration list
Proton Pass wins on: a clean security history, Swiss privacy law, code audits anyone can read
LastPass wins on: years of browser polish, more account recovery routes, a wider enterprise footprint
Our full Proton Pass review goes deeper on how Proton Pass works day to day.
The video below tests seven vaults side by side if you want a wider view first.
More of Sticky Password Compared
And here is where it sits among other password managers:
Sticky Password wins on: a one-time licence instead of renewals, sync that never touches a server, a USB build for borrowed machines
1Password wins on: far better mobile polish, shared vault management, a steady release cadence
Sticky Password wins on: an offline vault option, unlimited identities for form filling, no forced subscription
NordPass wins on: newer XChaCha20 encryption, a cleaner layout, quicker autofill on modern sites
Sticky Password wins on: Wi-Fi sync, a local database option, the charity donation model behind every licence
RoboForm wins on: more accurate form capture, broader browser coverage, tidier bookmark handling
Sticky Password vs Keeper Security
Sticky Password wins on: a lower entry price, no cloud requirement, the lifetime route
Keeper wins on: encrypted file storage, compliance certifications, granular team roles
Our full Sticky Password review covers the rest of its features in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Proton Pass a good password manager?
Yes. It is open source, Cure53 audited and end to end encrypted. The free tier covers unlimited devices, which few rivals match.
Is Sticky Password a good password manager?
Yes, especially for offline storage and form filling. The design feels dated and syncing needs a paid licence, but the core vault is solid.
Can I use Proton Pass for free?
Yes. The free plan is free forever, with unlimited logins on unlimited devices plus ten aliases. Dark web monitoring needs a paid upgrade.
What is the difference between Sticky Password free and premium?
The free tier stores unlimited entries on one device with no syncing. Premium adds cross-device sync, sharing, and dark web alerts.
What is the most trustworthy password manager here?
Proton Pass leads on transparency because its code is public and audited. Sticky Password leads if trusting no server at all matters more.
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