If you’re looking for a dead man’s switch for your passwords and digital assets, you have a few options in 2026. Each takes a fundamentally different approach to the same problem: what happens to your digital life when you’re no longer around to manage it?
This guide compares the three main options — DeadSwitch, Cipherwill, and Google Inactive Account Manager — so you can decide which fits your situation.
The Contenders
DeadSwitch
DeadSwitch is a portable encrypted USB vault with an automated dead man’s switch. Your data lives on a physical USB drive encrypted with AES-256-GCM-SIV, not in the cloud. You configure check-in intervals, and if you stop checking in, the system delivers encrypted access to your designated beneficiaries.
Model: One-time purchase ($99-$249). Physical USB + automated check-in server.
Cipherwill
Cipherwill is a subscription-based digital will platform. You store encrypted information online, designate beneficiaries, and set up a dead man’s switch based on inactivity detection. Everything is cloud-based.
Model: Monthly/annual subscription. Cloud-only storage.
Google Inactive Account Manager
Google’s built-in tool lets you configure what happens to your Google account data after a period of inactivity (3-18 months). You can share specific Google services (Gmail, Drive, Photos, etc.) with trusted contacts.
Model: Free. Google accounts only.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | DeadSwitch | Cipherwill | Google Inactive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offline / USB-based | Yes | No | No |
| End-to-end encrypted | Yes (AES-256-GCM-SIV) | Yes | No |
| Video messages | Yes | No | No |
| Multi-platform | Windows, macOS, Linux | Web only | Web only |
| One-time payment | Yes ($99-$249) | No (subscription) | Free |
| Per-beneficiary assignment | Yes | Yes | Partial (by service) |
| Dead man’s switch | Yes (7/14/30 days) | Yes | Yes (3-18 months) |
| Open source | Yes | No | No |
| Non-Google accounts | Yes (all accounts) | Yes (all accounts) | No (Google only) |
| Crypto wallet support | Yes (with seed phrases) | Limited | No |
| Password manager import | Yes (4 managers) | No | No |
When Each Option Is Best
Choose Google Inactive Account Manager if:
- You primarily use Google services (Gmail, Drive, Photos)
- You don’t hold cryptocurrency or non-Google accounts
- You want a free solution with no setup cost
- You’re comfortable with a 3-18 month detection window
- You don’t need per-item access control
Limitations: Only covers Google accounts. No support for passwords, crypto wallets, financial accounts, or documents stored outside Google. The minimum inactivity period is 3 months — a long time for financial assets to sit unmanaged.
Choose Cipherwill if:
- You prefer a purely cloud-based solution
- You’re comfortable with a recurring subscription
- You don’t need offline access or a physical device
- You want a web-based interface for all management
- Video messages aren’t important to you
Limitations: Subscription model means your digital estate plan stops working if you forget to pay (ironic for a service that detects forgetfulness). Cloud-only storage means you’re trusting their infrastructure. No video messages. No password manager import.
Choose DeadSwitch if:
- You hold cryptocurrency or have complex digital assets
- You want physical control over your data (USB-based)
- You want to assign specific items to specific people
- You want to leave video or audio messages
- You prefer a one-time purchase over subscriptions
- You want verifiable, open source encryption
- You need faster detection (7-30 day check-in intervals)
Limitations: Requires a physical USB drive (which can be lost — backup USB cloning mitigates this). One-time purchase is more expensive upfront than a monthly subscription. Requires periodic check-ins (but that’s the point).
Why DeadSwitch Is Different
The fundamental difference is architectural. Cipherwill and Google store your data in the cloud and grant access based on inactivity. DeadSwitch stores your data on a physical device you control and only delivers the decryption keys through the cloud.
This means:
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Your data never leaves the USB. Even if our servers were completely compromised, an attacker gets encrypted key shares that are useless without the beneficiary’s physical emergency card secret.
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No subscription risk. A forgotten subscription payment doesn’t disable your estate plan. You buy it once.
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True per-beneficiary control. Each beneficiary sees only what you assigned to them. Not “all your Gmail” or “your entire vault” — specific items for specific people.
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Video goodbye messages. This isn’t just about data. It’s about the most personal thing you can leave for someone you love.
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Works offline. The vault itself runs without internet. You only need connectivity for the check-in system.
Getting Started
If you’re ready to set up a digital dead man’s switch, see our pricing to choose the right tier. If you want to understand the technical details first, read about how DeadSwitch works or dive into the security model.
The best time to set up a digital estate plan was years ago. The second best time is today.