Passphrase vs Password: What’s the Difference?

Updated on September 16, 2024.

Passphrases are another way to create secure passwords. However, there are some differences between passphrases and traditional passwords in terms of their length, memorability and structure. 

Continue reading to learn more about the key differences between passphrases and passwords, and why passphrases are considered to be more secure.

What is a passphrase?

A passphrase is a combination of random words that forms a memorable phrase and is used as a password to log in to accounts. Some passphrases use spaces or special characters like hyphens to separate the words within the phrase. Below is an example of a strong passphrase generated by a passphrase generator.

What is a password?

A password is a string of characters used to grant users access to their accounts. A strong password should be at least 16 characters long and contain uppercase and lowercase letters, special characters, and numbers. Below is an example of a strong password generated by a password generator.

The key differences between passphrases and passwords

Here are some of the key differences between passphrases and passwords.

• Length: Since passphrases are created using a string of random words, rather than random characters, they tend to be longer than passwords. Most people create passwords that are 8-10 characters long when they should aim for a password that is at least 16 characters long.
• Memorability: Passphrases are much easier to remember than traditional passwords because they’re made up of multiple words rather than a random combination of characters. 
• Structure: Strong passphrases consist of a string of random words containing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Passphrases may even include separators between words such as a dash. Traditional passwords contain a random mix of characters with no separators between characters.

Are passphrases stronger than traditional passwords?

Yes, passphrases are considered stronger than traditional passwords because they have a higher password entropy. Password entropy is the measurement of how difficult it would be to crack or guess a password. When calculated, password entropy takes into account how long the password is and the variation of characters being used. According to the password entropy formula, the length of a password is the most important element of a strong password which is why passphrases are considered to be more secure than a password that is short but complex.

However, just because passphrases are considered to be more secure, it doesn’t mean you have to stop using traditional passwords altogether. At times, you’ll need to use strong, traditional passwords with websites and apps that have strict character limits. 

Create strong passphrases and passwords using Keeper

Although passphrases are easy to remember, people have to deal with so many accounts that it can be difficult to remember a unique passphrase for each account. A password manager like Keeper can aid you in creating passphrases and passwords, while also providing you with a place to securely store them. The only password you’ll have to remember is your master password.

Ready to secure your accounts with strong passphrases and passwords? Start a free 30-day trial of Keeper today.