If you‘re like most people, you‘ve accumulated dozens, if not hundreds, of online accounts over the years. And if you‘re still relying on the same few memorable (read: hackable) passwords to secure them all, it‘s past time to upgrade your login game. A password manager like RoboForm can help you create, store, and auto-fill strong unique passwords for each site, without overtaxing your memory or breaking the bank.
As one of the pioneers in the password management space, RoboForm has been simplifying logins since 1999. But after putting the latest Mac and iOS versions through their paces, I found a service that hasn‘t quite kept up with the times. While it ticks most of the basic password management boxes, RoboForm‘s clunky interface and spotty form filling left me yearning for slicker competitors.
However, its very affordable pricing may be enough to sway some users, especially those already entrenched in the RoboForm ecosystem. Let‘s dive in and see if this old-school solution is still relevant in 2023.
Getting Started with RoboForm
RoboForm is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices and all major browsers. I tested the Mac desktop app, iOS mobile app, and Chrome extension. Getting started was simple:
- Create a RoboForm account and master password. This is the one password you‘ll need to remember, so make it strong!
- Download the app for your device and log in with your new credentials.
- RoboForm will offer to import any existing passwords stored in your browser or another password manager. You can also add logins manually later.
Once you‘re up and running, RoboForm will capture new login details each time you sign into a secure site, or you can manually add them via the app. Unfortunately, this is where I started running into some usability snags.
While other password managers automatically prompt you to save your credentials whenever you log into a new site, RoboForm requires an extra manual click of the browser extension button:
This quickly became annoying, as I‘m used to a more seamless password capture experience with other tools. I also found the Mac app interface quite dated and clunky, especially compared to the slick designs of 1Password and Dashlane:
The iOS app is a bit more modern but still falls short of the competition in terms of polish and intuitive navigation.
RoboForm Features
Password Capture and Autofill
Once your logins are saved in RoboForm, the core functionality works as advertised. Navigate to a site you‘ve saved and click the RoboForm browser button to auto-fill your credentials and log in. Alternatively, you can launch the site directly from the RoboForm app.
RoboForm also supports auto-filling login details for desktop apps on Windows, a handy feature for securing things like Outlook or Skype. Sadly this doesn‘t seem to work for Mac apps, an unfortunate omission for those of us in the Apple ecosystem.
Password Generator
Like any good password manager, RoboForm includes a tool for generating strong, random passwords when creating new accounts or updating an old one:
However, the generator is a bit buried compared to other solutions. Rather than proactively popping up when you‘re creating a new account, you have to manually open the RoboForm extension to access it. A small annoyance, but one that exemplifies RoboForm‘s lack of polish compared to the seamless experience offered by market leaders.
Form Filling
While RoboForm originated as a password manager, it‘s grown over the years to offer more general web form filling as well. You can store multiple "identities" with personal, business, and billing details and use them to auto-fill web forms with a click:
In my testing, form auto-fill worked decently but not perfectly. RoboForm occasionally missed a field or put data in the wrong place. I also found adding and editing identities a bit cumbersome compared to more modern form-filling solutions like Dashlane. Still, it‘s a handy feature to have integrated with your password manager.
Secure Sharing
Need to share a login with a family member or coworker? RoboForm supports a few secure sharing options:
- Share items individually via email, with the option to grant view-only or full edit access
- Share entire folders of logins and restrict access on a per-user basis
- Create shared folders for family or team use
While not as robust as some of the business-focused options out there, RoboForm covers the essential sharing features most individual users and families are likely to need.
Security Center
Of course, even the strongest passwords are only secure if you‘re not reusing them across multiple sites. To help users assess their password hygiene, RoboForm includes a Security Center that rates your overall password strength and identifies weak, reused, or duplicate passwords in your vault.
This is a useful feature for getting a high-level overview of your password security, but I found it lacking in terms of proactively surfacing issues and helping users remediate them. The interface doesn‘t clearly highlight which specific passwords need to be changed or guide you through doing so.
Competitors like Dashlane and 1Password take this a step further by actively monitoring password breach databases and warning you if any of your saved logins are compromised. RoboForm doesn‘t seem to offer this capability, putting more onus on the user to manually audit their passwords against breach data.
RoboForm Plans and Pricing
One area where RoboForm does shine is in its affordable pricing relative to the competition:
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| RoboForm Free | $0 | Single device only, no syncing, basic features |
| RoboForm Everywhere | $23.88/year | Unlimited devices, cloud sync, full features |
| RoboForm Family | $47.75/year | 5 users, shared family folder, emergency access |
For comparison, here‘s how RoboForm stacks up against some of the most popular premium password managers on the market:
| Service | Individual Plan | Family Plan |
|---|---|---|
| RoboForm | $23.88/year | $47.75/year |
| 1Password | $35.88/year | $59.88/year |
| Dashlane | $59.99/year | $89.99/year |
| LastPass | $36.00/year | $48.00/year |
As you can see, RoboForm offers some of the lowest prices for both individual and family plans. It even undercuts LastPass by a few dollars per year, although LastPass does offer a more generous free tier with cross-device syncing (RoboForm Free is single-device only).
So if price is your primary consideration, RoboForm is certainly worth a look. Just be aware that you‘ll be sacrificing some usability and features compared to the pricier options.
Supported Platforms
RoboForm is available on the following platforms and browsers:
- Windows
- Mac
- iOS
- Android
- Chrome (browser extension)
- Firefox (browser extension)
- Safari (browser extension)
- Edge (browser extension)
- Internet Explorer (browser extension)
- Opera (browser extension)
During my testing on a MacBook Pro and iPhone, all of the apps were stable and synced my data reliably. However, as noted above, I did find the Mac app in particular to be quite dated in its visual design and user experience compared to more modern competitors.
Security Model
RoboForm uses AES256 encryption to secure your data on their servers and during transmission. Your master password is never stored in plaintext or transmitted, so even RoboForm employees can‘t access your credentials.
Two-factor authentication is also supported for an added layer of security. However, RoboForm doesn‘t support USB or biometric 2FA options like some competitors, only SMS or authenticator apps.
Support and Knowledgebase
All RoboForm users can access 24/7 email/ticket support, while premium subscribers also get live chat support during extended business hours. In my experience, email responses were prompt and helpful.
There‘s also an extensive online knowledgebase with articles and how-to guides for common issues and setup scenarios. However, some of the articles are a bit outdated, with references to older app versions. A more modern and actively maintained support center would be welcome.
Alternatives Considered
When it comes to choosing a password manager, RoboForm is far from the only game in town. I‘ve personally used and reviewed all of the major players, and a few stand out as particularly strong alternatives for Mac and iOS users:
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1Password (4.5/5): With its sleek interface, robust integrations, and wide-ranging feature set, 1Password is my daily driver. It‘s a bit pricier than RoboForm at $35.88/year for individuals and $59.88/year for families, but well worth it for the upgraded experience. Read my full 1Password review.
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Dashlane (4/5): Another strong contender with a Mac-friendly design and unique features like a built-in VPN, Dashlane is a solid choice for users looking to go beyond basic password management. Its Premium plan is more expensive at $59.99/year, but you get a lot for your money. Check out my in-depth Dashlane review.
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LastPass (4/5): The grandfather of freemium password management, LastPass remains a solid option with affordable paid plans and an excellent free tier that supports cross-device sync. It‘s not as polished as 1Password or Dashlane but offers great value for the price. See my complete LastPass review.
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iCloud Keychain (3.5/5): While it lacks advanced features like form-filling and breach monitoring, Apple‘s built-in iCloud Keychain offers basic free password management that syncs across all your Apple devices. For many Mac and iOS users, it‘s a simple, no-cost way to level up your login security.
Is RoboForm Right for You?
So where does RoboForm fit into the password manager landscape in 2023? Here‘s my take:
RoboForm is best for users who prioritize affordability over cutting-edge features and sleek design. If you‘re looking for a no-frills password manager that will get the job done on a budget, RoboForm certainly fits the bill. Its individual and family plans are some of the cheapest on the market, and its core password capture and autofill features work reliably.
However, I hesitate to recommend RoboForm as the best overall value. While it‘s a few dollars cheaper than competitors like LastPass, 1Password, and Dashlane, I think most users would be better off spending a bit more (or sticking with a free plan) for a more polished, user-friendly experience. From its dated interface to its occasionally glitchy form filling, it‘s clear that RoboForm hasn‘t fully kept pace with the competition.
Long-time RoboForm users who are content with the service and invested in the ecosystem may want to stay the course. And extremely price-sensitive buyers who just want the basics will get good mileage out of RoboForm‘s low-cost plans. But for most users looking to start with a password manager in 2023, I‘d recommend evaluating the more modern options like 1Password or Dashlane first, or sticking with a free plan from a service like LastPass.
Bottom Line
After more than 20 years in the password management game, RoboForm is still chugging along as a reliable, affordable option. But in a crowded market with increasingly slick competitors, its rough edges are starting to show. While it covers the basics of password security well enough, RoboForm‘s clunky, aging interface and lack of cutting-edge features make it hard to fully recommend over alternatives.
If you‘re on a very tight budget and just want a no-frills password manager, RoboForm will get the job done for a very low price. But most users will be better served by more modern, user-friendly options like 1Password, Dashlane, or LastPass, even if they cost a few dollars more.
For Mac and iOS users, my top pick is 1Password for its unbeatable combination of design, features, and value. And if you‘re not ready to commit to a paid password manager, LastPass and Apple‘s iCloud Keychain are solid free options to increase your online security.
RoboForm Scorecard
- Effectiveness: 3.5/5. RoboForm covers the basics of password capture and autofill, but lacks advanced features and polish compared to competitors.
- Price: 4.5/5. One of the most affordable full-featured password managers available, but you sacrifice some usability.
- Ease of Use: 3/5. Dated, sometimes clunky interface and occasional autofill glitches mar the user experience, especially on Mac.
- Support: 4/5. Solid customer support options, but knowledgebase could use an update.
- Overall: 3.5/5. Gets the job done for a very low price but lacks the features and finesse of more modern alternatives.