Why use a password manager for ELinks Stable on Linux
ELinks is a powerful text-mode web browser well suited to low-resource or remote Linux environments. However, it lacks built-in password storage, autofill scripts, or JavaScript support for modern extensions. Manually typing or reusing passwords in ELinks introduces security risks and cognitive burden. A dedicated password manager brings:
- Centralized, encrypted vault for long, random passwords.
- Command-line interface (CLI) retrieval that works seamlessly alongside ELinks.
- Cross-device synchronization to keep your credentials up to date on desktop, laptop or phone.
- Secure sharing, auditing and automated generation of strong, unique passwords.
- Open-source options for maximum transparency and local-first options for offline access.
Exhaustive comparisons between all the managers
The following table contrasts the top password managers in terms of ELinks compatibility, website link, CLI or extension support, open-source status, encryption and pricing. None of these offers a native ELinks extension (ELinks does not support browser extensions), but CLI clients and helper scripts make integration trivial.
| Manager | Website | ELinks Extension | CLI Available | Open Source | Encryption | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton Pass | https://proton.me/pass | No (use CLI) | Yes (proton-pass CLI) |
Partially (clients libraries) | End-to-end AES-256 | Free plan paid upgrades |
| Bitwarden | https://bitwarden.com | No (use CLI) | Yes (bw) |
Yes | End-to-end AES-256 | Free Premium 10/year |
| 1Password | https://1password.com | No (use CLI) | Yes (op) |
No (proprietary) | End-to-end AES-256 | 2.99/month |
| KeePassXC | https://keepassxc.org | No (use CLI) | Yes (keepassxc-cli) |
Yes | ChaCha20 / AES | Free |
| LastPass | https://lastpass.com | No (use CLI) | Yes (lpass) |
No (proprietary) | End-to-end AES-256 | Free Premium 36/year |
| Dashlane | https://dashlane.com | No | No official CLI | No (proprietary) | End-to-end AES-256 | Free Premium 4.99/month |
| pass (the standard unix password manager) | https://www.passwordstore.org | No (pure CLI) | Yes (pass) |
Yes | GPG (OpenPGP) | Free |
| Buttercup | https://buttercup.pw | No (use community scripts) | Limited / third-party | Yes | End-to-end AES-256 | Free |
Notes on integration:
- All CLI clients can be invoked from a shell alongside ELinks. For example,
bw get password my-site.comorlpass show --password my-site.comthen paste into ELinks. - KeePassXC and
passstore data locally, ideal if you prefer zero-trust or offline setups. - Commercial services (1Password, Dashlane, LastPass) require subscriptions but offer cloud sync and premium support.
- Bitwarden and Proton Pass both offer solid free tiers plus affordable upgrades.
Proton Pass: the best choice for ELinks Stable on Linux
Among all options, Proton Pass stands out as the most compatible and secure solution for ELinks on Linux. While it lacks a browser extension (ELinks doesn’t support JS), its dedicated CLI offers smooth retrieval and autofill automation scripts. Key advantages:
- Built-in CLI:
proton-passtool lets you log in, list folders, retrieve passwords and one-time codes swiftly. - End-to-end encryption: AES-256 encryption on your device before syncing with Proton’s zero-knowledge servers.
- Free tier: Generous free vault with multiple device support premium plan unlocks sharing and drive encryption.
- Open-source components: Proton publishes client libraries and some tools under open licenses, enabling community audits.
- Automation ready: Easily script
proton-pass get password example.comand pipe into ELinks login prompt. - Privacy focus: Based in Switzerland with strict data-protection laws and a strong pro-privacy mission.
To get started, install the CLI following Proton’s documentation, authenticate with your Proton account, then invoke commands like:
proton-pass login proton-pass get username example.com proton-pass get password example.com
These commands can be wrapped in shell aliases or small scripts to autofill ELinks forms in a few keystrokes. For secure, seamless password management on ELinks Stable under Linux, Proton Pass is the top recommendation.
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