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NordPass: A Quick Overview

Bottom line: NordPass offers everything you need in a password manager and more. XChaCha20 encryption, a zero-knowledge policy, and multiple-factor authentication (MFA) ensure your password vault is unbreachable. However, due to limited functionality in its free and premium versions and a relatively high cost for its premium subscription, I believe there are better options.

Who should choose NordPass? I think if you want to secure a high volume of passwords on one device, you will find NordPass to be one of the best free options.

NordPass’s Editor Rating

Overall: (4.3)

After testing its free and premium features, I’ve given NordPass 4.3/5 stars. The positives include top-notch security features, a user-friendly interface, and a solid free option. Where it falls short, though, is a limited range of what can be added to your vault and subpar autofill.

Plans and pricing: (4.0)

Platform compatibility: (4.25)

User experience (UX): (5.0)

Form filling: (3.0)

Security: (5.0)

Two-factor authentication (2FA): (5.0)

See how we rate password managers.

The password manager market is crowded with providers that offer distinct security features, user functionality, and customer support. After testing and reviewing many of the top password managers, I’ve determined where NordPass stands tall and falls short.

Keep reading for a comprehensive review on NordPass, including its pros, cons, features, and pricing, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about NordPass.

NordPass standout features
Security
  • XChaCha20 encryption
  • Zero-knowledge architecture
  • MFA
  • Account-recovery option
  • Secure password sharing
  • Data leak scranning
  • Password health checks
  • Emergency access
Best forPersonal users who need to secure a high volume of passwords on a single device for no cost.
Promotion30-day free premium trial

What Are the Pros and Cons of NordPass?

NordPass aims to offer you industry-leading security, a goal it handily accomplishes. You will find high-end security and unlimited storage capabilities in the free and premium versions. Yet despite a user-friendly interface, I found NordPass’s functionality limited, especially considering its premium price tag.

Pros of NordPass

  • Security: NordPass uses XChaCha20 encryption, an advanced algorithm considered to be more “future-proof” than the already unbreachable 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption.
  • Free 30-day trial for the premium plan: When you sign up for a free subscription, you’ll automatically get a 30-day premium trial.
  • Multi-platform functionality: NordPass offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge, Brave, Vivaldi, and Safari, as well as iOS and Android apps.
  • Secure sharing: Share login and payment information among coworkers.
  • Password recovery: If you forget your master password, you can access your account with a recovery code. Many password managers do not offer this feature.
  • Ample storage: NordPass offers all subscribers 3GB of free cloud storage via NordLocker.

Cons of NordPass

  • Uncustomizable vault: NordPass does not offer customization capabilities. Competitors like 1Password and Dashlane let you add custom fields, file and photo attachments, and documents in secure cloud storage.
  • Limited free plan: While the free subscription offers the same security and unlimited storage as the premium option, it cannot be used on more than one device.
  • Poor performance: Auto-fill for addresses, contact details, and credit cards is often incorrect.
  • High-price: Per month, a premium personal plan costs $4.99, or $1.69 for a 2-year plan. For a year-long plan, premium business plans start at $2.56 per user per month. Both are at the upper end of premium password manager costs; the family plan is a better value.

Who Should Choose NordPass?

  1. Step 1.Personal users who don’t need much: A free NordPass subscription will allow you to store unlimited passwords, credit cards, notes, and other personal details on a single device. This makes NordPass a great option if you don’t need more than that.
  2. Step 2.Businesses that need top-notch security: XChaCha20 encryption, zero-knowledge architecture, and MFA make NordPass one of, if not the, most secure password managers.
  3. Step 3.Businesses that share passwords among many users: In addition to unlimited password storage, NordPass also allows unlimited sharing.
  4. Step 4.Families: NordPass’s family plan offers excellent value for families of up to six.

NordPass Plans and Pricing

(4.0)

NordPass’s premium plan costs $1.99 per month when you pay annually, but competitors like LastPass and Keeper offer much lower prices.

Still, I’ve noticed that NordPass’s yearly plan is lower than that of 1Password, the most popular password manager.

NordPass also offers a free subscription that includes the same security and unlimited storage as the premium plan; however, it’s contained to a single device. There are more versatile free subscriptions available.

I think NordPass’s family plan offers the best value. Six premium accounts only cost $3.69 per month. This plan is not just limited to families, meaning it can be shared among any group of six people.

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Free personal planPremium personal planPremium family plan
PriceFree$1.99 per month$3.69 per month
Best forNew users with limited needsPeople who use multiple devicesGroups of up to six users
Free trial30-day30-day30-day
Platform compatibilityAndroid, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web (Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), WindowsAndroid, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web (Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), WindowsAndroid, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web (Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), Windows
Autofill capabilityYesYesYes
Guest accountsNoNoNo
Number of passwordsUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
Available storage3GB3GB3GB per user
Password sharingYesYesYes
2FAYesYesYes
Account recoveryYesYesYes
Support typesEmail and live chatEmail and live chatEmail and live chat
EncryptionXChaCha20XChaCha20XChaCha20
Reporting capabilitiesYes; not available on SafariYes; not available on SafariYes; not available on Safari
Single sign-on (SSO)YesYesYes

NordPass Platform Compatibility

(4.25)

NordPass gets points for the range of browsers and operating systems that it’s compatible with; however, that’s far from an anomaly when it comes to password managers. No matter which browser or operating system you use, you’ll find many compatible options.

NordPass works with:

  1. Step 1.Windows (Windows 8 32/64-bit and up)
  2. Step 2.macOS (10.13 and up)
  3. Step 3.Linux (any system that supports snap 64-bit)
  4. Step 4.Chrome OS (currently supports Web Vault only)
  5. Step 5.Android 8.0 and up
  6. Step 6.iOS 14.0 and up
  7. Step 7.Browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge, Safari, Vivaldi, and Brave)

Where NordPass loses points in this category is the functionality of its iOS app. The NordPass iOS app does not support password generation or auto-save for new passwords.

Any new passwords generated on your mobile device must be manually inputted. As an iOS user myself, I found this to be a significant inconvenience that diminishes much of the password manager’s functionality.

NordPass is compatible with older operating systems than some other password managers, though. Its compatibility with Windows 8 and iOS 114 set it apart from 1Password, for example.

NordPass UX

(5.0)

NordPass has a modern, minimalistic interface that I feel was visually appealing and easy to navigate. I found passwords very easy to find and interact with.

The MacOS app has a section for each category of information that can be secured — passwords, secure notes, credit cards, and personal data. There’s also a dedicated section for shared items, so you can keep them separate from yours.

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Also included on the MacOS app are the other key functions of NordPass: password generator, password health, data breach scanner, and emergency access.

The NordPass browser extension is fairly intuitive, offering a very streamlined interface easily accessed if auto-fill fails to perform correctly. I feel that a password manager’s browser extension is its most important feature, and NordPass’s was more than satisfactory.

NordPass Form Filling

(3.0)

As would be expected with any password manager, NordPass’s auto-fill feature works flawlessly with usernames and passwords. Across multiple tests, I found NordPass consistently and correctly filled login information. This is more of an expectation than a feature, though.

Where NordPass fell short was its auto-fill payment information. After multiple attempts, it became clear that it cannot consistently recognize and auto-fill such categories as billing addresses and security codes. I experienced at least one missing or incorrectly populated field on each test. I contacted support, but it took more than 24 hours to get a response.

NordPass Security

(5.0)

NordPass is a password manager that prides itself on the quality of its security. You can rest assured your information is protected by best-in-class security due to the following features:

  1. Step 1.XChaCha20 encryption
  2. Step 2.Zero-knowledge architecture
  3. Step 3.MFA
  4. Step 4.Account-recovery option
  5. Step 5.Secure password sharing
  6. Step 6.Data leak scranning
  7. Step 7.Password health checks
  8. Step 8.Emergency access

XChaCha20 encryption is a highly advanced algorithm that surpasses the security of the already unbreachable 256-bit AES encryption.

NordPass notably operates out of Panama, free from the Five Eyes Intelligence Oversight and Review Council (FIORC). In short, it will never be under a legal obligation to share its data. This supports its zero-knowledge architecture, so no one ever has access to your data except you.

NordPass Two-Factor Authentication

(5.0)

Adding an extra layer of security to your NordPass account is easy. Any password manager worth consideration includes optional 2FA, and NordPass offers the following options:

— Authenticator app (such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, and Authy)
— Security keys (a physical USB key that meets FIDO U2F standards)
— Backup codes

The MFA options NordPass offers are quite standard, though. Keeper offers a much wider range of MFA capabilities. I would like to see NordPass introduce biometric logins, SMS codes, and smartwatch compatibility. NordPass was previously biometric-capable, but is no longer.

That said, I found setting up MFA with NordPass to be a breeze. After enabling MFA in the MacOS app, I was redirected to my browser, where I selected my preferred MFA option. I opted for an authenticator app, which was as simple as scanning a QR code.

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Recent Improvements to NordPass

NordPass releases consistent updates to improve its platform. Here are some additional features that NordPass recently introduced:

  1. Step 1.Turn off autofill on any webpage with which you don’t want to share your details with
  2. Step 2.Receive additional guidance on creating more secure passwords
  3. Step 3.Change between multiple NordPass accounts — it is as easy as clicking a button
  4. Step 4.Add your PIN when inputting card details; it's for your reference only and will not autofill
  5. Step 5.Import passwords saved in Safari straight to NordPass

Compare NordPass Alternatives

NordPass offers a bevy of features that make it a strong competitor in a crowded market. But I found competitors like Dashlane, Keeper, RoboForm, LastPass, and 1Password have features that might better fit your needs.

To provide you with the most accurate information, I extensively researched and tested each of the major players.

See how NordPass compares to other top-tier password managers:

Password managerDetailsBasic plan features
NordPass

Overall rating: 4.3/5

Starting price: Free

Platform compatibility: Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web (Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), Windows

Security: XChaCha20 encryption, 2FA

  • Unlimited passwords
  • 3GB of storage
  • 2FA with all plans
  • Free 30-day trial
1Password

Overall rating: 4.8/5

Read our full 1Password review.

Consider 1Password if: You’re seeking unlimited password management at a fair price.

Starting price: $2.99 per month

Platform compatibility: Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web (Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), Windows

Security: AES 256-bit encryption, 2FA

  • Unlimited passwords
  • Password sharing with all plans
  • 2FA with all plans
Dashlane

Overall rating: 4.75/5

Read our full Dashlane review.

Consider Dashlane if: You’re only interested in a personal plan.

Starting price: Free

Platform compatibility: Android, iOS, Mac, Web (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), Windows

Security: AES 256-bit encryption, 2FA

  • Unlimited passwords and devices
  • SSO integration for Business plan
  • 2FA with all plans
Keeper

Overall rating: 4.6/5

Read our full Keeper review.

Consider Keeper if: You want to enjoy the feature of secure biometric logins.

Starting price: $3.75 per user

Platform compatibility: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iPhone, and iPad. Browser extensions for Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Edge, Chrome

Security: AES 256-bit encryption, PBKDF2

  • Unlimited passwords
  • User-friendly interface with secure biometric logins
  • Secure password saving and sharing with zero-knowledge security
Roboform

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Read our full Roboform review.

Consider RoboForm If: You want to sync your passwords through multiple platforms and won’t mind its compatibility with fewer platforms than 1Password.

Starting price: $24 per year

Platform compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android support for their respective major browsers, including Microsoft Edge

Security: AES 256-bit encryption, 2FA

  • One-click logins
  • Capture passwords while you browse
  • Anytime, anywhere access
  • Supported on multiple platforms
  • Keep your passwords in sync
LastPass

Overall rating: 4.4/5

Read our full LastPass review.

Consider LastPass If: You want to get additional features and are willing to pay a high price for it.

Starting price: $3 per month

Platform compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile platform

Security: Zero-knowledge security model

  • Access on all devices
  • One-to-many sharing
  • Password manager and generator
  • Dark web monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions About NordPass

  • What are the cons to 1Password?

    NordPass’s free version is limited compared to other no-cost options, while its monthly premium version is among the priciest. On top of that, NordPass’s vault is quite rigid, allowing for little customization.

  • Can NordPass be trusted?

    High-end security is one of NordPass’s most attractive features. Its zero-knowledge architecture means that no one has access to your data besides you.

  • Is it worth paying for NordPass?

    If you value NordPass’s more unique features, such as XChaCha20 encryption, its annual and family subscriptions offer good value. Otherwise, competing password managers offer lower prices for similar features.

  • Is NordPass better than LastPass?

    The free subscriptions offered by NordPass and LastPass are similar, offering unlimited password storage on only one device. NordPass comes out on top, though, with a more affordable premium subscription with greater storage capacity.

  • Where does NordPass store my passwords?

    NordPass stores your passwords in the cloud, meaning they will never be lost. Due to XChaCha20 encryption and zero-knowledge architecture, your data will never be compromised.

  • What Is NordPass the Company?

    Established in the latter half of 2019, NordPass is a relatively new addition to the password manager market, but it was developed by a leader in the cybersecurity industry. Tefincom & Co is the developer behind one of the most trusted VPNs available, NordVPN.

    NordPass prides itself on four pillars: Simpler, nicer, faster, and safer. As one of the “new kids on the block,” NordPass aims to make waves in the password manager space.

    Beyond its stellar software, NordPass has been audited by Cure53, a trusted independent cybersecurity firm, confirming the validity of its product.

How I Rated NordPass

My review process involves a thorough study of what is offered face to face with the competition. On top of this deep dive, I created a personal NordPass account to give its features and functionality a comprehensive test drive.

Throughout my test, I gave more weight to the features most useful to the typical user or business. Security, user experience, and technical functionality were the most paramount parameters during my explorations.

NordPass is an impressive password manager in that it offers leading security encryption and no-knowledge architecture. There are few other password managers that will better protect your data, if any at all. Its baseline storage capacity of 3GB is also excellent.

But its monthly price of $4.99, as well as its lackluster iOS app, inconsistent auto-fill functionality, and lack of customizability make it a mid-tier option. Unless you can find value in the family or annual plans, there are other password managers that offer lower prices for similar features.

About The Password Manager, Gunnar Kallstrom:

Gunnar Kallstrom, The Password Manager, is a Cyber Team Lead for a DOD contracting company in Huntsville, AL, and has also worked as a CND Cyber Analyst. An author and content creator for a cybersecurity academy, Gunnar spent nearly 15 years in the Army as a musician before entering the cybersecurity field.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Thomas Edison State University and a master’s in organizational development and leadership from the University of the Incarnate Word.

Kallstrom has completed several CompTIA courses, including Secruity+, Network+, A+ Core 1, and A+ Core 2. He earned a CompTIA Security+ Certification. Additionally, he has completed the Cyber Warrior Academy program with more than 800 hours of hands-on, intensive, and lab-driven technical training in cybersecurity methods and procedures.

Passionate about all things cyber, Kallstrom was a speaker on a panel at the 2022 InfoSec World conference, giving a talk entitled “Hacking into a Cyber Career – True Stories.” Kallstrom is also a mentor to entry-level cybersecurity candidates seeking to break into the field. When he’s not working, he still enjoys playing guitar and fishing (not phishing).

Table of Contents

NordPass logo

NordPass

Pros
  1. Best for Personal or SMBs
  2. Excellent Security
  3. Free 3GB Cloud storage
Cons
  1. Higher cost plans
  2. Customization
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