Proton Pass: What It Is and Why Use It

If you're looking for a password manager that values your privacy and upsells every 5 minutes, Proton Pass is worth a look. Below, we will cover what Proton Pass does well, where it stumbles, and whether it’s worth ditching your current manager.

What Proton Pass, What it Does

Proton Pass is an open-source password and identity manager from Proton AG in Switzerland. Everything you store, including URLs and metadata, is locked behind end-to-end encryption. It works in the major browsers, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and the free version is usable without feeling crippled.

What sets Proton Pass apart from a typical password manager is its built-in email aliasing and secure identity tools. You can generate unique throwaway emails for every random website you sign up for, which is handy when you’ve seen one too many services leak your real address after a bad breach. If there's a breach, switch the password AND the email account, and the hacker has nothing to use or spam you with.

Daily Use: Where Proton Pass Actually Helps

After using it for a while, the biggest perk is simplicity. Logins autofill cleanly, you don’t fight the extension, and the mobile app isn’t laggy or messy. We had very few instances of forms not being detected properly; moments and updates were simple. Syncing passwords between devices works very fast, but you do need to log in to a Proton account for this to work.

FeaturesWe Like

● Full data encryption, even metadata. Proton encrypts URLs, usernames, notes, and attached files. Some managers still leak metadata, which defeats half the point of a vault.
● Built-in email aliasing. This is one of Proton Pass’s strongest advantages over typical password managers. It protects your real inbox and makes it easy to burn an address if it gets spammed.
● Integrated 2FA authenticator. No juggling separate apps, no “where did I put my code generator,” and you don’t lose everything if your phone dies.
● Flexible item storage. Upload files, store passports, SSH keys, Wi-Fi codes, credit cards, or random sensitive notes. It’s more of a secure “identity vault” than a plain password list.
● Sharing You can share passwords or notes securely, even with people who aren’t Proton users.
● Paid features worth noting. Passkeys, more vaults and aliases, password health checks, dark-web monitoring, and Proton Sentinel, which is their hardcore anti-takeover protection.

Where Proton Pass Could Improve

● The free plan is generous, but no dark-web alerts or advanced security checks unless you pay.
● Support is mostly email and knowledge base. Thankfully, no AI chatbot, but also no real people.
● Pricing is fine, but not low-budget. Proton aims for privacy, not the cheapest subscription in town.

Geek Verdict

Proton Pass is a privacy-first manager that prioritises security over flashy marketing. It has airtight security, aliases and clean auto-fill. The email aliases and integrated authenticator push it far beyond basic password storage, and the encryption model is as tight as anything on the market. The only downsides are mostly about convenience and pricing, not capability.


If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to drop into the Major Geeks Forums, people are always there to help.