1Password vs. NordPass: Compare Password Managers

1Password and NordPass are among the best password managers. Each offers comparable price points, user experiences (UX), and compatibility, especially with 1Password’s recent launch of a full-fledged Linux version.

1Password has a leg up with its range of plan options, but NordPass is cheaper overall, thanks to its free version. Also, 1Password provides superior platform compatibility and form filling, while NordPass may have the highest security of any password manager on the market.

Which password manager should you get? Let this 1Password vs. NordPass face-off help you decide.

NordPass doesn’t offer nearly as wide a range of plan options as 1Password, but it has competitive prices and features. Not only are plans available for free or as little as $1.99 per month, but you get 3 GB of storage and reporting capabilities across all plans.

They also come with 2FA, password sharing, and unlimited passwords. So at the end of the day, if you aren’t a business, NordPass could be the best free password manager.

NordPass is also compatible with a range of browsers and operating systems, but this alone isn’t enough to set it apart, as most password managers check that box. I docked points for its iOS app functionality, which doesn’t support password generation or automatically save new passwords. New passwords must be manually entered, a procedure I found significantly inconvenient.

That said, NordPass will work with some older operating systems that other cheap password managers don’t, such as Windows 8 and iOS 14.

The Mac version also provides all the other key functions of the NordPass password manager, including password generator, password health, data breach scanner, and emergency access.

I found the browser extension equally intuitive thanks to its streamlined interface that came in handy when the auto-fill didn’t work correctly. Given a password manager’s browser extension could be its most important feature, this gave me confidence in NordPass as a top password manager.

NordPass also works as you’d expect with usernames and passwords. It consistently recognized log-in fields and pre-populated them upon request.

Where I had to dock points, however, was in auto-fill payment information. It routinely failed to recognize categories like billing addresses and security codes. I found at least one missing or incorrectly populated field on every test I ran.

1Password’s security is still impressive, too. In addition to 256-bit AES encryption, which is broadly considered unbreachable, it adds an extra layer of security with a 34-character Secret Key that works alongside your master password.

It also has a built-in password generator, comes with 1GB of secure online storage, and lets you securely share passwords. NordPass does this, too, but ups the ante with 3 GB of storage. So the winner of the security round is clear.

I would like to see both providers add biometric capabilities and smartwatch compatibility, but that’s hardly the industry standard.

1Password and NordPass are among the best password managers. With either one, you’ll get a streamlined interface to help keep your private data secure at a fair price point.

1Password has an edge in terms of the range of plans available, although if it’s a free password manager you’re after, NordPass is the clear winner. 1Password also offers broader platform compatibility and a more satisfying app experience.

Yet where 1Password outshone NordPass is in form filling. I struggled to get NordPass to recognize fillable fields and had to fix errors repeatedly. So, if this is an essential feature for you, I suggest you choose 1Password.

However, if security is your utmost concern, you can’t do better than NordPass. Its superior XChaCha20 encryption, zero-knowledge architecture, and base outside of the scope of FIORC mean your data is as secure as possible.

Both password managers could improve their 2FA features, but the providers are comparable with most other password managers on the market. You won’t be disappointed with either provider, although 1Password gets my vote.

On the surface, all password managers essentially generate and store passwords. As I evaluated providers, I dug deeper, comparing software on what matters most, including price, platform compatibility, security, and other factors.

I signed up for a plan with each provider to test:

• Plan value: Most password managers offer various subscription plans from free to around $20 per month. While free plans may be sufficient for some, those that need more functionality may prefer paid plans. We included a wide array of free and paid password managers to find the one that works best for you.
• Platform compatibility: You likely access your online accounts from multiple devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, phones, as well as through different web browsers. Your password manager should be compatible with various devices, operating systems and browsers, and sync seamlessly between them all.
• UX: This is how you interface with all the features and functions of your new password manager — if it’s bad, you’ll be less likely to use the service. While this is a highly subjective category and some will disagree, it’s important to provide an overview based on my experience.
• Form filling: A password manager doesn’t have to include form-filling, but it’s somewhat standard and the ease with which it performs that function can be the deciding factor in which password manager you ultimately choose.
• Security: Since a password manager is first and foremost a security tool, it should come with all of the most up-to-date standard security features. This includes the highest level of available encryption (256-bit AES with PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA512); 2FA, such as biometric logins or MFA, and a password generator.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA): Used all over the internet to protect your accounts, this is quickly becoming a standard security practice. 2FA is a great way to secure more sensitive accounts to ensure they’re not breached.

Learn more about our review methodology.