Your passwords are the keys to your digital life. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: most password managers ask you to trust them completely with your most sensitive data.
What if there was a better way?
Today, I’m opening the waitlist for Clefi, a password manager that puts your privacy first, without asking you to choose between security and affordability.
Table of contents
Open Table of contents
The Password Manager Problem
Let’s be honest: most people don’t use password managers. And when you look at the options, it’s not hard to see why.
The expensive ones (1Password, Dashlane) charge €3-5 per month—forever. That’s €36-60 per year just to store your passwords. For many people, especially individuals and small teams, that’s hard to justify.
The “free” ones often come with compromises: limited features, unclear business models, or data practices that make you wonder: how are they making money if I’m not paying?
And across the board, you’re asked to trust that your passwords are safe. Trust the company. Trust their infrastructure. Trust that they won’t, can’t—access your data.
But trust isn’t a security model.
Introducing Clefi: Privacy You Can Verify
Clefi is a password manager built on a simple principle: you shouldn’t have to trust anyone with your passwords. Not even us.
Here’s what makes Clefi different:
Zero-Knowledge Architecture
Your passwords are encrypted on your device before they ever leave it. We don’t have the keys. We can’t decrypt your data. We can’t “recover” your passwords if you forget your master password.
This isn’t marketing speak—it’s cryptographic zero-knowledge architecture. Your data is yours, period.
Built for French & European Privacy Standards
Clefi is designed from the ground up to meet GDPR, CNIL, and RGS requirements. If you’re in France or the EU, you know how important compliance is, not just for businesses, but for anyone who takes their privacy seriously.
We’re not bolting compliance on as an afterthought. It’s part of the foundation.
Affordable—Without Compromises
Here’s the thing: password management shouldn’t cost a fortune. That’s why Clefi will offer a freemium model, a genuinely useful free tier, with optional premium features for those who want them.
Security and privacy aren’t luxury features. They should be accessible to everyone.
Join the Waitlist: What You Get
If you join the Clefi waitlist now, you’re not just signing up for early access. You’re becoming part of the foundation.
Here’s what waitlist members get:
🚀 Early Access to Beta (Q1 2026)
Be among the first to use Clefi before the public launch. Test it, break it, help us make it better.
💰 Lifetime Discount
Lock in special pricing that won’t be available after launch. As an early supporter, you’ll get a discount that stays with you, forever.
🛠️ Influence Product Development
Your feedback will directly shape what Clefi becomes. You’ll have a direct channel to suggest features, report issues, and help us build something that actually solves your problems.
🎯 Priority Support
When you have questions or need help, you’ll get priority access to our support team. Early adopters deserve early answers.
Why I’m Building This
I’ve been working on password management and cryptography for a while now. The more I learn, the more convinced I am that the current options aren’t good enough.
People deserve privacy by default, not privacy as a premium feature. They deserve transparent security, not “trust us” marketing. And they deserve affordability, not subscription fatigue.
Clefi is my answer to that gap.
It’s not venture-backed. It’s not trying to be everything to everyone. It’s a focused, well-built tool designed to solve one problem exceptionally well: keeping your passwords safe without asking you to trust anyone.
What Happens Next
Here’s the timeline:
Now (December 2024): Waitlist opens Q1 2026: Beta launch for waitlist members Q2 2026: Public launch
Between now and beta, I’ll be sharing updates on the development process—technical deep dives, design decisions, and lessons learned along the way. If you’re interested in the “building in public” journey, you’ll get a front row seat.
Join the Waitlist
If this sounds like the kind of password manager you’ve been waiting for, join the waitlist:
You’ll get updates on development progress, early access when beta launches, and the chance to help shape what Clefi becomes.
Questions?
If you have questions about Clefi, the waitlist, or anything else, reach out:
📧 andreaa@nekolab.fr 🐦 @andrea_nekolab
Your privacy matters. Let’s build something that proves it.
Andrea