There's no doubt that RoboForm is the stand-out product in the category; it's full featured, easy to use, seamlessly integrated into both Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers, and is constantly being enhanced by the developer. It also allows your saved passwords to be used on any PC, which is very convenient if you use multiple machines or are upgrading.

I do have a major reservation though: The free version allows only 10 forms or passwords to be stored. This used to be 30 in earlier versions, which was adequate, but 10 is insufficient for most users, and some may eventually decide to shell out $29.99 to buy the full product. That reservation aside, it is a fabulous product that saves me time every day. Try it. You'll be amazed by how much time it'll save you, too.

Note: If you use Internet Explorer, there's some good news: the last free version of RoboForm (V5.7.6) that allowed 30 passwords is still available from the RoboForm web site, though it's well hidden in the FAQ. Firefox users are out of luck, because you can't use this version with the current version of Firefox.

Some alternatives: First, there is the open source program KeePass. It's not nearly as well integrated into your browser as RoboForm, but it's a very good product that works without any limitations at all. There's also an excellent KeePass plug-in for Internet Explorer that automates web form filling. There is also a powerful auto-type functionality that allows you to define a sequence of key presses, which KeePass can automatically perform when a global hotkey is pressed – perfect for email logons or entering program serial numbers.

An alternative to KeePass is Password Safe, which is open-source freeware, and comes with an auto-type system as well. Yet another possibility is KeyWallet, which is superior to KeePass in that you can drag and drop saved information directly into web forms. Not quite as neat as RoboForm's click-and-fill system, but it's still highly effective. KeyWallet can also automatically save form data and handle difficult Java based forms. And it's skinable.

Finally, if you want to separate password keeping from filling out forms, consider PassPack.  Its advantage is that it's entirely online: there's nothing to download and install.  This lets you generate and use passwords from any computer that's connected to the Internet. My only concern at this time is the legitimacy of the service, but at present it would seem to be a viable alternative to software password managers.