Using the same password on multiple apps and websites is always a bad idea. If one of your accounts gets compromised in a data leak, you may lose access to all the other accounts on which you have used the same password. Since it's 2025 and all of us have accounts on countless apps and services, it's humanly impossible to remember those many unique passwords. So, using a password manager is the best solution. While there are tons of password managers across various platforms, most people may end up using the default password manager integrated with browsers.

Browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari have built-in password managers that can store your passwords and autofill them whenever required. This way, you don't have to set the same password for multiple sites, and you don't even have to install a third-party password manager. Your browser does all the work. Thanks to the convenience, I, too, used Chrome's password manager for a long time -- before deciding to switch to a dedicated password manager. I realized that the safety of my accounts was far more important than the slight inconvenience resulting from installing a new app. So, I took the plunge and bid adieu to my browser's password manager in favor of self-hosting Bitwarden. Here's why you should do it too.

5 Limited cross-platform syncing

You may not always use the same browser

Since every browser has its own password manager, you're forced to use the same browser on all of your devices -- if you wish to use your saved passwords. However, this isn't ideal since you may want to use different browsers depending on the platform. For instance, I use Chrome on my PC and Android phone. However, I prefer using Safari on my iPhone and iPad. Sometimes, I switch to Arc on my laptop.

Since I keep switching between these browsers, one browser's password manager doesn't work consistently across all of them. I may have saved a password in Chrome, but I may not have saved it on Safari. In such instances, it becomes difficult to enter the password since I have to then open the other browser, manually copy the password, and enter it in the browser I'm using. A separate password manager that works across all browsers wouldn't cause such issues.

4 Basic encryption

Weaker security against attacks

Most browsers employ basic security measures to protect your passwords. The lack of advanced encryption features may not be ideal since your invaluable credentials are on the line. Generally, there shouldn't be much of an issue since browsers also encrypt your passwords with at least a basic layer. However, it's not worth taking a chance since social media accounts house sensitive data and information that you don't want someone to get their hands on.

Moreover, since your passwords are stored in the browser, they may be sent to remote servers, and there's a chance of an interception during that exchange. If you're using a dedicated password manager, you can always choose to self-host with apps like Bitwarden for the utmost privacy. Your passwords won't leave your local network.

3 Tied to browser vulnerabilities

Additional element of risk

One of my biggest concerns with using browser-based password managers is that all my credentials can be compromised if an attacker exploits a vulnerability in the browser. For instance, let's say Chrome has a vulnerability that a hacker identifies and manages to exploit. That automatically makes all my stored passwords susceptible to misuse.

Since individual password managers aren't integrated with other apps, and since they generally tend to have stronger encryption, this issue is automatically mitigated. Even if your favorite browser's security gets compromised, your credentials will remain safe.

2 Auto-fill doesn't always work

Especially outside the browser

Let's say you use Safari most of the time, so you've stored your passwords in that browser. Now, if you download an app on your PC or phone, and you need to sign in to it, Safari's password manager may not autofill your data since you're not trying to log into a service in the browser. It's an external app, so the interoperability is not seamless.

A password manager that works as a standalone app won't discriminate between the apps you're using. Regardless of whether you're trying to sign in on a browser or if you're logging into an app you downloaded, the autofill functionality will automatically pop up and enter the password for you.

1 Lack of advanced organization

Where are my folders?

Lastly, I love how good password managers let you organize all your saved passwords so that it's easy to find them when you're in a hurry. Moreover, they also offer custom fields, segregation by tags, etc., so if you're systematic like me, you'll love how you can color-code all your passwords belonging to streaming services, make folders with passwords to your social media accounts, etc.

On the other hand, none of these features are available when using a browser-based password manager. All your passwords will be grouped in a random order and listed one below the other. It looks like a mess, and you certainly don't want to be looking for your passwords in that manner.

Safety should be the priority

While using your favorite browser's built-in password manager is convenient, it may not be the safest option. Any data breach from the browser's end can turn out to be a costly affair, since it may lead to all your accounts getting compromised. Owing to this, it's best to put some additional effort into downloading a dedicated password manager. Moreover, a service like Bitwarden can also be self-hosted, adding to privacy.