Password managers
Slinky vs Apple Passwords
Apple Passwords is built into your Mac and it’s great for logins: passwords, passkeys, verification codes and Wi-Fi. Slinky isn’t a replacement. It’s for the things Passwords has no place for: API keys, each project’s .env, and the backup codes websites tell you to keep somewhere safe.
Choose Apple Passwords if
- It’s a website password or a passkey.
- You want verification codes filled in when you sign in.
- You want it on your iPhone and iPad, synced with iCloud.
- You share passwords with family in a shared group.
Choose Slinky if
- It’s an API key or token your software or AI tools use.
- It’s a project’s .env variables, for Local, Preview and Production.
- It’s a list of backup codes or a recovery key.
- You want to start your app with its keys, without a .env file on disk.
Side by side
| Slinky | Apple Passwords | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for API keys and tokens | Yes | Partly: In a password’s notes |
| A project’s .env, per environment | Yes | No |
| Starts your app with its variables | Yes: slinky run | No |
| AI agents see names, not values | Yes | No |
| Backup codes that cross themselves off | Yes | No |
| Where your secrets are kept | An encrypted file on your Mac | Your Mac, synced with iCloud Keychain |
| Works without an account | Yes | Partly: Apple Account to sync |
| Share with your team | Yes: Encrypted files, no server | Partly: Passwords only |
| Opens with Touch ID | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes: MIT | No |
| Price | Free | Free with macOS |
| Runs on | Mac, Apple silicon | Apple devices, iCloud for Windows |
Yes Partly No As of October 2026, from support.apple.com. Features and prices change.
Questions
Should I keep passwords in Slinky?
No. Website passwords belong in Apple Passwords. Slinky is for the other things: API keys, tokens, .env variables, backup codes and recovery keys.
Can Slinky import from Apple Passwords?
Yes. Export a CSV from Apple Passwords and import it into Slinky. Slinky picks out keys, tokens and codes, even ones kept in notes, and skips the passwords. Export files aren’t encrypted, so Slinky can put the file in the Trash once the import is saved.
Where should my Slinky Recovery Key go?
Print it, or keep it in Apple Passwords. It opens your Slinky vault on another Mac, or if Touch ID stops working.
Is Slinky free?
Yes. Slinky is free and open source under the MIT License, made by Testament Made, LLC. It runs on Apple silicon Macs with macOS 15 Sequoia or later.
More comparisons
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Slinky vs Bitwarden
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Slinky vs Doppler
A hosted secrets manager for teams, or keys that stay on your Mac.
Slinky vs Infisical
An open-source secrets platform you host, or a Mac app with no server.
Slinky vs HashiCorp Vault
Secrets infrastructure for organisations, or a Mac app for your own keys.
Slinky vs .env files
Plain text in the project folder, or encrypted and out of it.
All comparisons
Every tool side by side, in one table.