NordPass vs. Dashlane: Compare Password Managers

NordPass and Dashlane ranked highly among the best password managers. These services are comparable in platform compatibility, security, and user experience (UX). NordPass stands out for its security with the next-level XChaCha20 encryption, and neither has experienced a breach as of the date of publication. I found both platforms easy to navigate, with free versions comparable and only available on one device.

Where Dashlane really stands out is its offering of robust features like a virtual private network (VPN) and dark web monitoring if you upgrade to the Premium plan. Also, Dashlane provides more plan variety so you can scale up or down.

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

While NordPass is quite a bit less expensive when you compare individual and business plans, Dashlane offers more tier options and more robust capabilities, such as a VPN.

One aspect of compatibility where I think NordPass falls short is with its iOS app. It does not support password generation or auto-save for new passwords. If you generate passwords on your mobile device, you have to manually input them, which somewhat defeats the purpose of having a password manager.

To import passwords from other password managers into NordPass or Dashlane, you have to export passwords to a CSV file. I felt this was a simple process, though with Dashlane, you can’t import a CSV file to Dashlane using the iOS or Safari app. You must use Dashlane’s web app or Android app. NordPass’s Help Center also advised me to import saved passwords using the desktop app and Web Vault or from browsers using the Android app. So, the process is comparable.

Overall, I found Dashlane’s built-in sections for logins, payment information, addresses, and IDs easy to input and autofill.

Both NordPass and Dashlane have built-in password generators, but you get more storage with NordPass, which provides 3GB when most password managers — including Dashlane — offer 1GB.

I like how Dashlane offers live dark web monitoring and a VPN if you select its Premier individual plan or Teams and Business tiers. You can also choose to add on Dashlane’s licensed version of Hotspot Shield which costs $12.99 per month on its own. If I elected this option as a Dashlane subscriber, I’d only have to pay $4.99 per month.

Both platforms are Service Organization Controls (SOC 2) compliant, meaning they have carefully documented security policies and undergo regular audits.

I found NordPass also offers standard MFA options, and enabling it was simple to do. After opening the app in my browser, I selected the preferred MFA option, and it was plug-and-play to implement. I scanned a QR code and the rest was a breeze.

NordPass and Dashlane both offer free plans for users with one device. But for a few more dollars per month, you can get a VPN and robust features like dark web monitoring with Dashlane. If all you need is a basic password manager for a device, go with either free plan. Yet where Dashlane stands out, in my opinion, is its capabilities when you move up to the Premium plan for individuals, or Team and Business plans for enterprises.

NordPass has a slight edge in the security department because of its advanced XChaCha20 encryption, and neither of these password managers have reported security breaches as of the time of publication. That said, the industry gold standard 256-bit AES encryption gives me peace of mind that Dashlane’s security is top notch.

NordPass provides more storage than other password managers, offering 3GB no matter what plan you choose. For my purposes, the storage capacity wasn’t enough to put NordPass ahead because I don’t need that amount. You may decide otherwise.

Overall, NordPass slightly exceeded Dashlane in ratings for UX, security, and 2FA — but the wins were marginal when I considered the extra features you can access with Dashlane with its plan variety. Dashlane came out ahead in ratings for pricing and plans, platform compatibility, and form-filling. You might wonder why we rated Dashlane higher for pricing when it costs more than NordPass. This goes back to the value you gain for features like a VPN for the minor price difference.

Dashlane has business customers such as Wayfair, PepsiCo, and Bain Capital, which gives me confidence that it has a positive track record and reputation, and can more than handle my password management needs.

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.