Freedom251 › Password Managers
Padloc
by Padloc
What Padloc is
Padloc is an open-source password manager for storing passwords, payment and banking details, notes, documents, and other sensitive information. It also supports authentication, file storage, and sharing secrets. It runs on the web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, with cloud synchronization; browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox. Users can share information through shared vaults and organizational controls that set who may access, edit, or share it. Padloc says encryption happens locally, data is not stored or sent in plain text, and the company cannot decrypt it. Its security whitepaper describes AES in GCM mode. The company reports three independent audits; its summary of a 2022 audit says identified issues were resolved or documented and none were high or critical. Self-hosting documentation is available. Plans include a free tier, Premium at $3.49/mo, Family at $5.95/mo, Team at $3.49/mo, and Business at $6.99/mo; Enterprise pricing is upon request. A 30-day trial is available. Padloc cannot recover unencrypted data if the master password is lost.
Who it suits
Padloc suits individuals, families, and organizations that want to keep sensitive information across devices, with shared vaults and business administration options. Its self-hosting documentation may also suit users who want to host it themselves.
What it does well
- Stores passwords, notes, banking data, and documents.
- Available across desktop, mobile, and web platforms.
- Shared vaults support access and editing controls.
- Free plan includes unlimited vault items and devices.
- Self-hosting documentation is available.
What to know first
- Lost master passwords mean data cannot be recovered.
- Free plan lacks MFA and shared vaults.
- Premium plan does not include shared vaults.
- Chrome and Firefox are the listed browser extensions.
Limits
The free plan has unlimited vault items and devices, but excludes MFA, shared vaults, encrypted file storage, Security Report, built-in authenticator, and rich text notes. Premium includes up to 1GB encrypted file storage and does not include shared vaults.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | or $34.90 / year · Unlimited vault items · Unlimited devices · MFA · Up to 1GB encrypted file storage · Security Report · Authenticator/OTPs · Rich-text notes | $3.49 a month |
| Family | or $59.50 / year · Unlimited vault items · Unlimited devices · MFA · Up to 1GB encrypted file storage · Share with up to 5 users · Up to 5 shared vaults | $5.95 a month |
| Team | or $34.90 / year · Unlimited vault items · Unlimited devices · MFA · Up to 5GB encrypted file storage · Up to 20 shared vaults · Up to 10 groups | $3.49 a month |
| Business | or $69.90 / year · Unlimited vault items · Unlimited devices · MFA · Up to 20GB encrypted file storage · Up to 50 shared vaults · Up to 20 groups · Directory sync/automatic provisioning | $6.99 a month |
| Free | Unlimited vault items · Unlimited devices · No MFA · No shared vaults · No encrypted file storage | Free |
| Enterprise | Unlimited vaults · Unlimited groups · Unlimited encrypted file storage · Directory sync/automatic provisioning · Customized appearance and features | On request |
As padloc.app lists them, read 15 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://padloc.app/.
- Choose a plan; a 30-day trial is available.
- Use Padloc on the web or on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android.
- Install the Chrome or Firefox browser extension if needed.
- Use the self-hosting guide if you want to host Padloc yourself.
Verdict
Padloc combines password management with notes, files, authentication, and sharing across major platforms. Check the plan limits and recovery constraint before choosing it.
Questions
Is Padloc free?
Yes. The Free plan costs nothing and includes unlimited vault items and devices.
How much do paid plans cost?
Premium is $3.49 a month or $34.90 per year. Family is $5.95 a month or $59.50 per year; Team is $3.49 a month or $34.90 per year; Business is $6.99 a month or $69.90 per year. Enterprise pricing is upon request.
Which platforms does Padloc support?
Padloc supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
Can I share vault information with other people?
Yes. Shared vaults and organizational controls let users manage who can access, edit, or share data. The Free and Premium plans do not include shared vaults.
Is Padloc open source?
Yes. Padloc is an open-source password manager.
Can Padloc recover my data if I lose my master password?
No. Padloc says it does not store the master password and cannot recover unencrypted data if it is lost.
Facts from Padloc's own pages
- Audit criticism
- NCC Group's 2019 cryptography review reported flaws involving silent re-addition of removed organization members and dictionary attacks against weak or moderate master passwords. · padloc.app, 15 Oct 2026
- Browser extensions
- The browser extension supports Chrome and Firefox; the documentation says Safari, Edge, and other browsers were planned for future support. · docs.padloc.app, 5 Oct 2026
- Built-in authenticator
- Paid plans provide a built-in authenticator for one-time passwords. · padloc.app, 15 Oct 2026
- Business admin controls
- Yes · padloc.app, 20 Sept 2026
- Company identity
- The legal developer is MaKleSoft UG, listed at Meisenstraße 5, 91522 Ansbach, Germany; NetSec.News says the project has existed since 2014. · play.google.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Cross-device access
- Padloc says it is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and major browsers, with cloud synchronization. · padloc.app, 5 Oct 2026
- Data hosting
- The FAQ says user data is stored in a Frankfurt, Germany data center operated by DigitalOcean. · docs.padloc.app, 15 Oct 2026
- Developer components
- The repository contains core logic, web UI, server, PWA, localization, Electron, Cordova, Tauri and browser-extension packages. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Directory integration
- Business and Enterprise plans list directory synchronization and automatic provisioning. · padloc.app, 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- Documentation includes a user manual, generated technical reference, development material, hosting guides and a security whitepaper. · docs.padloc.app, 15 Oct 2026
- Encrypted file storage
- Encrypted attachment storage ranges from 1GB on Premium and Family to 20GB on Business, with Enterprise listed as unlimited. · padloc.app, 15 Oct 2026
- Encryption algorithm
- The security whitepaper states that Padloc uses AES in GCM mode for symmetric encryption. · docs.padloc.app, 15 Oct 2026
- Encryption detail
- The security whitepaper says Padloc uses AES in GCM mode for symmetric encryption. · docs.padloc.app, 5 Oct 2026
- End-to-end encryption
- Padloc says data is encrypted locally and is never stored or transmitted in plaintext. · padloc.app, 15 Oct 2026
- Family plan
- Yes · padloc.app, 20 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · padloc.app, 20 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Ansbach, Bavaria, Germany · padloc.app, 28 Sept 2026
- Independent audit
- Padloc says three independent groups audited it; its 2022 Radically Open Security audit summary reports that identified issues were resolved or documented and that no high or critical issues were found. · padloc.app, 5 Oct 2026
- Independent install evidence
- A 2024 academic survey table listed Padloc with 1,000+ Google Play installs and four iOS App Store ratings. · ndss-symposium.org, 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Padloc’s 2022 v4 announcement says its Security Report checks for compromised passwords against a known-breach database powered by Have I Been Pwned. · padloc.app, 5 Oct 2026
- License
- The source code is distributed under the GNU Affero General Public License, with commercial licensing available by contacting Padloc. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: autofill
- NetSec.News reported that Padloc lacked autofill and password capture, requiring drag-and-drop entry instead. · netsec.news, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: mobile experience
- An Apple reviewer reported small text, many steps to copy passwords and frequent mobile crashes. · apps.apple.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: pricing value
- NetSec.News judged the Premium price difficult to justify because competing open-source managers offered more capabilities for less. · netsec.news, 15 Oct 2026
Where Padloc stands on Freedom251
- Password Managers#2 of 104