Are passwords stored in web browsers safe?
Yes, saving passwords in a modern web browser can be safe enough for common, non-technical users — and it is often better than the alternatives they actually use.
But it comes with important conditions and limits.
Modern browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari):
- encrypt stored passwords,
- tie access to the OS user account
- protect passwords behind:
- OS login
- device encryption (BitLocker, FileVault, etc.)
Browsers can utomatically:
- generate strong passwords,
prevent password reuse,
fill only on matching domains (phishing protection).
For many users, this means:
Browser password storage is safer than memory, notebooks, or reusing the same password everywhere.
The real comparison that matters
The question is not:
“Is it perfectly secure?”
The real question is:
“Is it safer than what this user would otherwise do?”