>It’s cloud-based because the majority of password management users want automatic cross-device updates without setting up their own server.
So? You can put the database on gdrive, icloud, dropbox, or any cloud service you want. I think most users understand the concept of creating a file, putting stuff in it, and putting it on a file syncing service (or usb drive).
> I think most users understand the concept of creating a file, putting stuff in it, and putting it on a file syncing service (or usb drive)
Many do, many don't.
Even for those that do, there is a significant hassle in getting a file sharing service (gdrive, icloud, dropbox) etc onto every possible device they have.
I mean, I'm with you in that I'm personally pretty skeptical of the cloud-based pw solution. But I can absolutely understand the story about a much simpler user-experience that it offers.
>there is a significant hassle in getting a file sharing service (gdrive, icloud, dropbox) etc onto every possible device they have.
What is this "significant hassle"? Surely it's not that much harder to install [sync app] + [password app] than it is to install [password app]?
>Many do, many don't.
I suspect the intersection between "people who don't know how to manipulate files" and "people who care enough about passwords and are willing to fork over $36/yr" isn't big.
> Surely it's not that much harder to install [sync app] + [password app] than it is to install [password app]?
It's literally twice as much work. Often more, because I need the password to the sync app's service. Where's that stored?
How many characters is it? Oh, it's a secure, 20-32 character password. What a pain to re-type it. Good thing it uses a ton of symbols which are a pain to type on my mobile keyboard.
> I suspect the intersection between "people who don't know how to manipulate files" and "people who care enough about passwords and are willing to fork over $36/yr" isn't big.
It's not "people who don't know how to manipulate files", it's "people who don't _like_ to manipulate files, and external services, and get them onto all of their devices".
Further, I expect the proportion of the first circle is constant and relatively small (<10%).
I expect the proportion of the second circle _was_ small, but is growing extremely rapidly.
> What is this "significant hassle"? Surely it's not that much harder to install [sync app] + [password app] than it is to install [password app]?
Or no app, just add the browser extension and you're done. Seems a lot easier to me than downloading two other apps, one I have no use for other than syncing the other one.
Or you can build your own pc from open market components, or maybe build your own components by designing your own pcb and sourcing the chips, and write your own drivers, or... etc.
Some people don't want to roll their own. You may, or may not agree with the concept of a fully managed solution, but for any non technical user, they want it to (borrow a phrase) "just work".
Couldn't agree more -- I have limited time in my life, time I don't want to spend maintaining absolutely every service I use. Very happy to pay someone else to build good software and make the pain go away.
I'd wager thousands of dollars that less than 20% of internet users understand this to the point that they won't blame others if they screw something up.
So? You can put the database on gdrive, icloud, dropbox, or any cloud service you want. I think most users understand the concept of creating a file, putting stuff in it, and putting it on a file syncing service (or usb drive).