The Great Switch: Finding Non-US Alternatives to Online Password Managers like LastPass (European and Non-US VOIP Alternatives)

I’m back with another instalment of suggestions for how to move away from US-based tech companies and towards European companies, open-source products, and digital services from other countries that feel more friendly, ethical, or aligned with my values.

(Why am I doing this? It’s a bit about resilience, a bit about wanting to support European businesses, and a bit about my discomfort with the direction the US political system is taking. For more, see my first post/newsletter → thegreatswitch.eu),

Today, we’re looking at password saving and password management tools.

What I currently use to manage passwords

I’ve been using LastPass for several years now—both for my business and on a family plan so that the small number of people in my household can use it across multiple devices.

My experience so far: It’s easy to use, cost-effective, and a huge time-saver. It’s certainly more secure than reusing passwords across accounts (even if LastPass has had some breaches in the past). Overall, I’ve been happy, in spite of concerns of hacking a few years ago.

Unfortunately, LastPass is now owned by Francisco Partners and Elliott Management (as of 2024) and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. So… it’s time to move on.

But first: what is a password manager—and why do you need one?

A password manager is a secure digital vault that stores all your login credentials in one place. Instead of trying to remember dozens (or hundreds!) of unique, strong passwords—or worse, reusing the same one over and over—a password manager:

• Creates strong, unique passwords for each account
• Stores them securely using encryption
• Autofills login forms on websites and apps
• Syncs passwords across devices
• Often includes extra features like secure note-taking, password sharing, and two-factor authentication

Using a password manager not only improves your digital security—it also saves time, reduces frustration, and helps you stay organised. Everything needs a password these days, after all.

Password managers also store other stuff, like credit card details and bank details and images of passports, which may be even more helpful in the future if airlines move ahead with scrapping boarding passes and standard check-in procedures as reported in the Guardian last week.

So today: what options do you have if you want to move away from Lastpass and other US-based online password management tools, and towards alternatives in Europe and elsewhere?

TL;DR – 3 options that I think are worthwhile

As always, these aren’t affiliate links. This isn’t about making money—just sharing what I’ve discovered.

1. Proton Pass (Switzerland) ⭐ 

This is what I eventually decided to use for my Great Switch.

Proton was founded in Switzerland in 2014 by scientists from CERN with the goal of creating a more private, secure internet. I already trust them for email and VPN services, and while I could have used pCloud Pass (see below), I prefer to diversify my toolset.

The setup was simple, they have an excellent import function (a relief!), and their family plan supports up to 6 users. It ticks all the boxes for me.

Details & pricing: https://proton.me/pass/pricing

2. pCloud Pass (Switzerland)

Another Swiss company—I’m already a happy user of pCloud’s storage service (having switched from Dropbox). Their password tool looks solid: encrypted, easy to use, and with familiar interface elements.

The only reason I didn’t choose this one was to avoid putting all my digital eggs in the same basket.

Details & pricing: https://www.pcloud.com/pass/pricing-and-plans.html?period=lifetime

3. heylogin (Germany)

A German-based company with a different approach: no master password. Instead, you confirm logins using your smartphone.

I don’t love carrying my phone everywhere, but I know I’m the exception here. For many people, this could be a great solution—secure, streamlined, and modern.

Details & pricing: https://www.heylogin.com/en/pricing

A quick overview of all the options I looked at, plus features

And that’s what I have for you today.

The Great Switch: My Journey So Far

In each update, I try to provide a quick outline of my progress in switching providers.

I’ve done lots of switching since my last note (in which I didn’t have time to reflect on my changes!) I am please to say that I now have my husband involved in my “game”, and he, too, is making small switches where it makes sense and is possible.

In the last couple of weeks, I have switched from:

Password manager: LastPass to ProtonPass  (family version)

Email & calendar: I toyed with the idea of moving to Proton (as an alternative to Google email & calendar) but that didn’t work for me, so I have stayed with Fastmail.

In progress:

• Office Suite → Migrating from MS Office to LibreOffice (started in 2025 and now an active work in progress). Still ongoing – planned by end April.

My switches:

• April 2025: LastPass → ProtonPass (family).
• April 2025: Tried Proton as an alternative to Google mail & calendar → stayed with Fastmail.
• April 2025: Skype Incoming Number → Voipfone.
• March 2025: Last Calendly booking forms → SimplyMeetMe.
• March 2025: Dropbox → pCloud (plus local backup).

Before this “switching” project started (yes, I’ll talk about these):

• Email & Calendar → Switched to Fastmail years ago.
• Time Tracking → Used Toggl for ages.
• Browser → Primarily use Firefox, now also looking at Vivaldi.

On the list (to assess or move):

• Newsletter tool (from Mailchimp → something else)
• Book keeping tool (from Zoho books → something else)
• CRM tool (from Bigin → something else)
• MS Office (from MS Office → Libre Office)
• Video conferencing (from Zoom – so sad, I love Zoom! → something else)
• Online whiteboard (from Mural – so sad, I love Mural! – → something else)
• VPN (from NordVPN – → something else)
• Domain Name Registrars (from Spaceship & Namecheap – → something else)
• Web Hosting Company (from A2 – so sad, I love them! – → something else)
• Website Analytics (from Google → something else)
• Spelling and Grammar Checkers (from Grammarly → something else)
• Professional Networking Platforms (from LinkedIn (very hard!) → something else)
• Web Browsers and Search Engines (happy with Firefox, but explore others)
• Podcasting Host

More to follow, no doubt.

And that’s it!

Hopefully this was useful and not to arduous to scan.

If you want to reduce reliance on US-based services, you can sign up for my newsletter on LinkedIn or at The Great Switch or on SubStack for weekly(-ish) updates, alternative software ideas, and insights into my own steps to move away from US-based digital tools and services.

No ads, no affiliate links—just practical recommendations to help you make the switch, support European digital businesses (along with Open Source developers and businesses that look interesting outside the US), and build resilience in uncertain times.