SafeInCloud Review: Quick Expert Summary
SafeInCloud offers a cross-platform password manager that gives you the ability to improve the security of your logins around the web. The desktop version is free and the mobile versions are pretty inexpensive, but what’s the catch? You may want to look deeper into SafeInCloud before you make the decision to buy.
I’ve reviewed almost 70 password managers in my quest to find the best of the best, bringing you an in-depth SafeInCloud review to see if it’s actually worth your time and money. Read on to get the full scoop on where this password manager excels and where it falls short.
The main feature that SafeInCloud brings to the table is an easy way to keep track of your various login details around the web while ensuring that your passwords are strong enough to resist hacks. Let’s go over a few of the standout features that make SafeInCloud worth using.
SafeInCloud Features
Templates
One of the features I found most useful with SafeInCloud was the ability to use templates in order to organize my various logins
. In the screenshot below, you can see the wide range of information that SafeInCloud can store, and each one has useful fields you can fill out for a clean and complete roundup of all of your important data.
While you might get the most use out of the login template, it’s clear that SafeInCloud also offers a one-stop-shop for all of your sensitive details—each carefully laid out and organized.
Cross-Platform Support
SafeInCloud syncs seamlessly across your computer and mobile devices
; my testing was focused on Windows and iOS. In addition to these operating systems you can store and access passwords on Mac and Android, as well as through popular browsers like Firefox, Chrome and Safari.
Each platform has a sync button that allows you to import your data from other versions of the program within seconds, no matter your chosen device.
Automatic Data Import
SafeInCloud may be your first password manager, but chances are that you have passwords saved in your browser. The program can import from a long list of password managers as well as your favorite browsers, allowing you to get your manager up and running in a matter of seconds and skipping the tedium of entering your logins manually. The PC version of SafeInCloud can support as many passwords as you please, while you’ll need to pay for the Pro version of the mobile app to have unlimited password storage there.
Password Generation
SafeInCloud also comes with access to a password generator, allowing you to easily come up with very strong passwords
. It does a good job of notifying you of the strength of your chosen passwords, allowing you to identify weak points in your online logins and correct them for greater security.
As you can see in the picture below, you can set the desired length of your password (often important for business users and specific websites that value security), easily copy it, as well as generate a new one using the green arrow.
Apple Watch / Wear OS Support
SafeInCloud is one of the few password managers I’ve seen that has actually developed a smartwatch companion to go along with their main mobile apps
. While I don’t see a huge amount of situations where I’d need that personally, I’m never one to complain about additional features. If you find yourself logging into websites frequently using your smartwatch, having the extra security of SafeInCloud present on the device is sure to add some extra peace of mind.
SafeInCloud vs. Other Brands
SafeInCloud does have a decent lineup of features and does the job of basic password management quite well, but it’s lacking in a few areas that more fully-featured programs bring to the table such as credit card autofill and two-factor authentication. With that said, the autofill feature is available in the beta version for the Chrome extension and the Windows and Mac apps, and the Apple Watch and WearOS integration is something I don’t see very often.
If you’re looking for top of the line security and the ability for your manager to handle financial details, you may be better off looking elsewhere.
SafeInCloud Plans and Pricing
It may be surprising to see such a low score for SafeInCloud’s plans, as they only have a one-time fee and the program is even free on desktop. However, the purchasing process for the mobile apps is misleading and can easily trick users into buying a plan they don’t need.
Free Desktop / Mobile App
The desktop app for both Windows and macOS is completely free with no strings attached
, which is great for those of us who still do most of our web browsing on the computer. There’s also a free version for Android and iOS, although many of the Pro features are locked away unless you pay a one time fee to unlock the entirety of the app. Both mobile apps offer a two week trial where you can use all of the features, after which you’ll be asked to pay a one-time fee if you want to maintain access to all of the features.
Check out the screenshot below for a sense of the features you’ll have access to if you decide to opt for the paid version of the app, keeping in mind that most all of these are available for free on desktop.
Paid Mobile Plans
The paid mobile plans is where the setup starts to get a little bit sketchy. Take a look at the diagram below for details on the four different mobile plans available.
There’s 2 plans for each platform and both iOS and Android are priced similarly, with the Family version being slightly more expensive than the Individual version, as expected.
This seems pretty straightforward. However, the way that the apps are listed on the app stores are misleading at best and could possibly be downright confusing. Take a look at the two different apps available in the App Store.
The Pro version is paid and the regular version is free, as expected (take a look at the screenshot in the features section for the difference in features between the two). But what this picture doesn’t show you is that the Pro version is the family version of the app, which is more expensive than the individual version. I only needed the regular Pro version for this review, but ended up shelling out more money because of this misleading labeling.
When you open the free version of the app you’re informed that you’re on a 2-week trial and can upgrade to the individual pro version at any time—for less money than I just paid for the standalone app!
While SafeInCloud does have a lot to bring to the table, the way the app store listings were handled certainly left a sour taste in my mouth and a few bucks less in my pocket. I still feel comfortable giving a positive SafeInCloud review, but make sure you know what you’re buying so you don’t make the same mistake I did!
Refund Policy
There’s no clear refund policy on the SafeInCloud website, but since the product is purchased through either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you’ll have to follow the refund process through those respective channels. On iOS, the operating system where I purchased the app, Apple handles all the refunds, making the decision up to them and not SafeInCloud. For Google Play the guidelines aren’t quite as clear, although you should still be able to refund the app directly through the app storefront.
Long story short, there’s no money-back guarantee that I can easily locate and you’ll likely be left to your own devices when it comes to asking for a refund from either Google or Apple.
Is the SafeInCloud Pro Plan Worth It?
In my opinion, I feel that the Pro plan is almost a necessity in order to enjoy the password manager on your mobile device
. It’s inexpensive and it’s a single upfront payment, so I don’t see a reason not to purchase—just make sure you know whether you’re buying the Individual or Family Pro plan.
SafeInCloud Ease of Use and Setup
SafeInCloud is incredibly easy to set up, and you’ll be up and running on either desktop or mobile in a matter of minutes.
If you’d like to download the program for your Mac or PC, install SafeInCloud on your computer and go through the setup prompts. The first screen you’ll be greeted with is a reminder to download the browser add-ons, followed by a window where you can choose an account to which you can sync your password information.
Next is the password setup process, which very handily shows you how long it would take for a hacker to crack your password. It looks like it will take them centuries to crack mine! This password is the master key you’ll use to enter the program and manage your various login details.
The next screen you’ll see once you set up your database sync and your master password should look something like the picture below. You’ll notice on the left side of the window a list of groups known as “labels.” And within those labels you’ll add “Cards”—collections of login details that your browser will be able to automatically enter at a later date.
The Facebook card is located in the Web Accounts label on the left and was put there automatically when I added my login information. You’ll also notice an exclamation point notifying me that my login isn’t secure enough.
Adding and Using a Password
Adding a password can be handled directly through the password manager program or app, but on a Mac or PC you’re more likely to use the browser extension.
I searched “SafeInCloud” on the Firefox Add-ons store and easily added it to my browser. The process should be pretty much the same on competitors like Chrome and Safari.
With the plugin installed and your master password entered, you should now be able to automatically add details to your manager using a dialog box that pops up when you first log in to your chosen site.
At this point, entering your login information is as easy as navigating to the website, clicking the extension in the top right corner of your browser and logging in.
Adding Passwords on Mobile
Adding a password is a little bit more complicated while using the mobile app, and as far as I can tell there wasn’t really a way to easily add passwords directly through my mobile web browser which forced me to use the Cards feature on the mobile app.
Simply hit the ‘+’ button and you’re all set to fill in your login credentials.
However, to get things to autofill when you go to web pages, you’ll need to jump through a few more hoops in order to set SafeInCloud as your go-to for storing passwords.
On iOS the process has a few steps but is only something you should have to do once. Go to Settings > Password and Accounts > AutoFill Passwords > Allow Filling from SafeInCloud.
Once you do that, you’ll see a prompt like the one below when you’re logging into a web page. Unfortunately, the ability to use SafeInCloud within other apps is limited to Android at this time, leaving iOS users out in the cold.
Final Ease of Use / Setup Impressions
Overall, I think the computer version of SafeInCloud is very well designed and functions perfectly well as a password manager
. I’m a little bit less impressed with the mobile app, but it’s quite possible I would’ve enjoyed it more if I was an Android user and had the ability to fill in forms within other apps. I also wasn’t a huge fan of having to jump through those initial steps to get iOS to actually fill in fields, but that’s more of a fault with Apple than it is with SafeInCloud.
SafeInCloud cuts out all the bells and whistles which leaves it lacking certain features but also makes for an easy, intuitive user experience.
SafeInCloud Security
Logging In
SafeInCloud uses a proprietary system with 256-bit security—a setup which is quite secure and has become the standard for password managers
. Logging into the SafeInCloud application is handled on both desktop and mobile by using a master password that you set when you first install. On mobile devices, biometric logins are also available, allowing you to bypass entering the master password most of the time—you only have to enter it once every few days to re-confirm your identity.
Backups
Cloud Backup, as the name of the program suggests, is quite easy
, with the initial installation process allowing you to easily access your passwords on a new device (or your old device should your computer or phone somehow be compromised.)
There’s also the option to export your data to a file on your computer which you can then import at a later date to restore your settings to normal. This is handled through a drop-down menu and is saved as a “.db” file which only seems openable by SafeInCloud.
Final Security Impressions
I’d have to say that SafeInCloud is roughly middle of the pack when it comes to security features
. The inclusion of a password generator and biometric authentication on mobile is nice, but I’m definitely missing the extra security of two-factor authentication. Overall, SafeInCloud is neither particularly stellar or awful when it comes to your information security.
SafeInCloud Customer Support
As I do with all of my password manager reviews, I reached out to customer support with a question in order to see how responsive SafeInCloud was across their contact channels. Or in this case, a singular channel since the only way to ask for support is through email.
While it’s certainly a little bit inconvenient that you really only have one option when it comes to contacting customer service, I do have to say that the response time was very impressive and my question was answered adequately. Take a look at the email exchange below to see how my query was handled.
SafeInCloud provides a helpful knowledge base that addresses many common user questions, making it easy to resolve most issues, especially since the program is so user-friendly in the first place. However, when I had a specific question about financial details, it wasn’t covered in the knowledge base. I had to reach out to support for information, who told me that certain features were be in beta and exclusive to specific platforms like Chrome and Mac/PC.
Overall, while I was a little disappointed to find that the only way to receive support for the app was through email, I commend the customer service team on their quick and useful response.
