In our mSecure review, we pit the software up against the best password managers available today, and look at what additional features it brings to the table.
mSecure: Plans and pricing
As far as password managers go, mSecure’s pricing model is relatively unique. Whereas most password managers charge an ongoing monthly or annual fee, once you buy mSecure, it’s yours to use for life. Moreover, you can use mSecure on as many devices as you wish with a single license.
There’s a 30-day trial, too. This includes apps for mobile devices, support for an unlimited number of passwords, and a strong password generator.
mSecure Pro is officially priced at $29.99, but for over a year now the price has been discounted to $19.99, so you can safely assume this is the price you’ll pay.
Features
With mSecure, you can organize your secure information into groups and types. For example, you can separate all your business and personal information into two groups and store different types of information – such as identities, licenses, and passcodes – in each. Each of these types can have its own template with multiple fields.
mSecure has an auto-backup option. Backups of all the information you’ve stored in mSecure are saved in a secure format. You can also import and export passwords to CSV files, but these files include passwords in plain text, so they should be treated with caution.
Unusually, mSecure has a self-destruct feature. Engaging this setting will cause all your data to be deleted if too many incorrect sign-in attempts are made.
Interface and in use
mSecure was redesigned in 2020, and the result is a clean, modern interface that’s consistent across all devices.
mSecure has a long list of data types you can store that goes way beyond website logins. You can record your email account details, credit card numbers, and even details of your reward programs.
Whenever you add a new website to mSecure, the logo for the website is automatically downloaded. This is a small touch, but it makes it easier to find an entry you want to edit when you have hundreds or thousands of websites stored in mSecure.
Support
mSecure’s support is via ticket, and there is no live chat option. We sent a few emails to mSecure throughout our testing, and we received useful replies within 48 hours each time. 48 hours could feel like an eternity if you have an emergency involving your most important passwords, though.
On the other hand, the online knowledge base is useful, and the community forum is quite active, so there are other options for getting help available to you.
Security
On Windows, you’re given the option to use Windows Hello for logging into mSecure. This means that if you use a four-digit PIN to unlock Windows, you can use the same details to unlock the mSecure application each time you want to use it. It’s also possible to use facial or fingerprint recognition if you have the requisite hardware.
mSecure stores all your data locally in an encrypted format. For syncing between devices, you have a few options. You can use mSecure Cloud (mSeven Software’s own cloud system), Dropbox, or sync via Wi-Fi only. It’s nice to be given options so you can set up a system that best meets your needs.
The competition
mSecure is a single-user password manager, so there’s no support for sharing passwords between people. If you need this, we recommend LastPass. LastPass also has better support for multi-factor authentication, and while the full version of LastPass has an ongoing subscription fee, at $3 a month it doesn’t break the bank. Read our LastPass review to find out more.
Another password manager with better support for password sharing is RoboForm. This password manager has a web-based management console, so you can administer all the passwords of an organization. It can also fill in passwords automatically in Windows desktop applications.
Final verdict
mSecure’s unique selling point in the sea of password managers is its great pricing model. Pay $19.99 once, and you get to use mSecure on all your devices forever.
mSecure includes all the salient features you expect from a password manager, like a strong password generator and auto-filling of forms, and the user interface is easy to use. Its template system makes it an excellent choice if you have many types of data you’d like to keep in a secure format.
The company behind mSecure isn’t as well known as the big players in the market, which could make some businesses worry about trusting it with their most precious data. There’s also limited support for teams or secure password sharing, so we only recommend mSecure for personal use.
Ultimately, for that purpose, mSecure is an excellent alternative to the better-known password managers at a great price point.