In this NordPass review, I’ll share my firsthand experience to help you find out what makes it the go-to password manager for more than 6 million users worldwide. I’ll also help you make an informed decision by comparing NordPass to its competitors and exploring its premium and free plans.
From storing, securing, and auto-filling your credentials to alerting you of potential security risks, NordPass can be an excellent addition to your digital security toolkit, though it isn’t without its flaws.
What is NordPass?
Although NordPass isn’t as customizable as some competitors, it’s known for its intuitive, user-friendly interface and compatibility with popular operating systems and browsers. This means you’ll need just one NordPass account to secure all your devices and won’t have to log in when you switch between them.
Run by the same company as NordVPN, NordPass is an excellent choice for privacy-conscious users.
Is NordPass Safe?
Yes, NordPass is safe to use as it leverages cutting-edge security features to provide its users with data protection and privacy. The password manager operates on a zero-knowledge architecture combined with end-to-end encryption (E2EE), meaning nobody except the password vault’s owner can access its contents, including NordPass employees.
I commend the platform’s choice to use the xChaCha20 encryption algorithm over the industry-standard AES-256, as it offers comparable security while improving performance. Thanks to xChaCha20, NordPass ensures your passwords and other data are always protected and is noticeably faster than most competitors, especially on mobile devices and browsers.
To verify it adheres to its security policies, NordPass underwent several independent audits, which have confirmed its commitment to user security. Launched in 2019, NordPass passed its first audit in 2020, when Cure53 found several minor issues and confirmed they’d been fixed by the time the audit finished.
Since then, NordPass’ parent company, Nord Security, passed SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 audits, while its business plans received an ISO 27001 certification. These confirm that its software can be trusted with user data and that the company commits to the highest standards of data privacy.
Plus, NordPass impressed me with its spotless track record, as it has never experienced a data breach or compromised user information to third parties.
NordPass Pricing and Plans
NordPass offers some of the most affordable password management services around. Although the free plan isn’t the most practical solution, NordPass has multiple paid tiers you can upgrade to, with subscriptions running for one year or two. Here’s how NordPass prices its plans for premium users:
Plan | Price | Key Features |
---|---|---|
Premium | $1.49/month (two years) | Secure Storage, Autofill, Data Breach Scanner |
Family | $2.79/month (two years) | Six User Accounts, Secure Sharing, File Attachments |
Teams | $1.79/user/month (two years) | Company-Wide Settings, Item Transfer, Activity Log |
Business | $3.59/user/month (two years) | Group Management, Shared Folders, Password History |
Enterprise | $5.39/user/month (two years) | Dedicated Account Manager, Activity Log API, Sharing Hub |
NordPass Premium – $1.49/month
Premium is NordPass’ plan for users looking to access all its features, including password generation and storage, data breach monitoring, email masking, and password health checking at low cost. Billed at $35.76 for the first 24 months, it’s an ideal choice for individuals. Plus, NordPass Premium users can add NordVPN and 1TB of secure cloud storage for $2.99/month and $0.99/month, respectively.
NordPass Family – $2.79/month
Although nearly twice as expensive as the Premium plan, NordPass Family provides you and up to five other users with access to all its features. That makes this plan ideal for ensuring the security of the entire family for just $66.96 if you opt for a two-year plan.
NordPass Business Plans – Starting at $1.79/user/month
NordPass offers business security plans tailored for companies of all sizes, with features that allow you to have a centralized overview of your company’s security. From establishing company-wide password rules to shared vaults and various SSO solutions, NordPass offers numerous advanced features that make it the preferred choice for over 7,000 businesses worldwide.
Is NordPass Free?
Yes, NordPass offers a free plan that lets you generate, store, and autofill your passwords. However, it lacks the advanced features found in the provider’s paid plans, such as file attachments, secure sharing, and multi-device support.
Beyond the NordPass free plan, the provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for its personal and family plans and a 14-day free trial for its business plans, allowing you to try its advanced features risk-free.
How Does NordPass Work? NordPass Security Features
NordPass offers a versatile feature kit that impressed me in testing, and I’ll break down its most important features in this section to help you find out how NordPass can keep your data secure and easy to reach.
NordPass Encryption and Architecture
NordPass designed its software to keep your data safe from prying eyes and your password vault virtually impenetrable. To access your password vault, you’ll need a master key that you create during your signup process.
Because your stored data is locally encrypted using the xChaCha20 algorithm before it’s uploaded to the cloud and stored on NordPass’ servers, even if a hacker extracts the password vault from NordPass’ servers or intercepts it during transit, they won’t be able to access its contents without it.
To test its security, I tried to intercept data from my own password vault using a packet sniffer, but NordPass’ strong encryption made it impossible to read.
NordPass Password Generator
Adding a strong password to your online accounts can significantly reduce your chances of being hacked, especially if you’re targeted by tools that are more efficient against weak passwords, such as brute-force attacks.
With NordPass, you don’t have to come up with long passwords and write them down, as it lets you automatically generate a password using up to 64 characters. In testing, I found that NordPass lets you use random character combinations or words separated by a symbol. Plus, you can decide whether it uses capital letters, digits, symbols, or a combination of those.
Once you create a password, you can copy it to add it to a new online account or save it for later use.
Form Filling
In testing, I found NordPass’ autofill to be fast and accurate, even when I used it to fill out complex forms, such as billing addresses. Its apps will remember and fill out your usernames and passwords by default, and you can use them to save time while filling out forms as you shop or pay your bills online.
You can add your data using the Personal Info or Credit Cards tabs on the NordPass dashboard, hit Save, and simply have it autofill all the fields the next time a site requests your information.
Unlike most competitors, it also lets you add custom fields to your forms, which you can use to save and autofill data required by sites you frequently use.
Password Sharing
Sharing your passwords, credit card details, or other sensitive data online can be risky, especially when connected to an unsecured network such as public Wi-Fi.
NordPass resolves this issue with its Shared Items tab, which lets you transfer your encrypted data straight into another NordPass user’s password vault, meaning it never loses its encryption. I also appreciated that NordPass automatically removes the link to the shared item once it’s used.
Business accounts also get shared password vaults, removing the need to transfer each vault item manually. Plus, business users can automatically revoke access permissions on shared vault items by setting a time limit.
NordPass Multi-Factor Authentication
NordPass is compatible with several major authenticator apps, including Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator, Authy, and more.
Adding multi-factor authentication options via these apps means that even if someone obtains your master password, they won’t be able to log into your vault without the unique code these apps provide for login attempts.
The app also supports biometric authentication, meaning you can replace your master password with your fingerprint, voice, or face, depending on your device.
NordPass Authenticator
The NordPass Authenticator adds an extra layer of protection to NordPass users subscribed to one of its business plans. Once the plan’s manager enables it via the account’s settings page, every member of the company can use NordPass mobile apps to obtain one-time passwords.
Enabling this feature prevents third parties from entering the company’s password vault via compromised employee devices or as a result of successful phishing attacks. Plus, it adds extra security by allowing employees to share sensitive files only with other NordPass Authenticator users who are logged into the same account.
In testing, I found the feature to work better on Androids than on iOS devices, as it also helps you autofill two-factor authentication codes, which you have to do manually on other devices.
NordPass Secure Notes and Encrypted Storage
NordPass lets you store more than just passwords, credit cards, and addresses, as you can write down anything using its Secure Notes feature and store it in your password vault.
Using Secure Notes instead of a plain file on your device offers several advantages. Every NordPass note is encrypted with xChaCha20 and accessible on your other devices, making your notes easily accessible on all your devices.
Plus, NordPass lets you attach files to your vault items up to a maximum of 3GB. For example, I could attach images of my government ID and insurance forms to keep them readily available.
NordPass Emergency Access
Losing your master password would permanently lock you out of your password vault, but you can prevent that thanks to NordPass’s Emergency Access feature.
With it, you can give trusted people access to your vault items, meaning they can create a backup of your files if you’re unable to enter your password vault. I found the sharing process quick and intuitive during my tests, but of course, you should always be mindful of who you entrust your credentials to.
Luckily, revoking the permission is equally straightforward, and the people you give vault access to can only view your items, meaning they won’t be able to edit your stored passwords or files.
NordPass Security Dashboard and Data Leak Monitoring
NordPass offers several security features to keep you updated on your security, including a password health checker, data breach monitoring, and a security dashboard for business accounts.
Password Health immediately highlighted some of my passwords that were reused, old, or weak, prompting me to update them. Additionally, the Data Breach Monitor scans the web for leaks of user data and alerts of any potential threats.
Business account administrators can use the security dashboard to get a quick overview of all potential security threats and users. The dashboard includes alerts from Password Health and Data Breach Monitor features for each employee, allowing you to act quickly.
NordPass Compatibility and Ease of Use
NordPass strives to make its services equally accessible on all leading operating systems, and I’ve tested its apps to help you find out whether some of them have distinct advantages or downsides. Here’s what I found:
NordPass for Windows, macOS, and Linux
The NordPass Windows, macOS, and Linux apps integrate seamlessly with the respective operating systems, look identical, and are equally easy to use.
All the features are displayed on the left-side menu, with additional features nested in the Tools and Folders drop-down sections.
The Settings tab offers a quick overview of your account’s security, and the Notifications tab that’s located next to it will make any security alerts hard to miss.
You can install the NordPass password manager for Windows and Mac by downloading the installer directly from the website, while the NordPass Linux app, which I was pleased to see a GUI for, is available via the Snap Store.
NordPass for Android and iOS
NordPass offers easy-to-use mobile apps no matter which ecosystem you prefer, and their layouts are largely similar on Androids and iOS devices.
Opening the NordPass mobile apps will display key categories, such as Secure Notes, Credit Cards, and Shared Items, at the top of your screen. For added convenience, there’s a search bar above the tabs, allowing you to access needed information in seconds.
My favorite feature of NordPass’ smartphone apps is its quick website access linked to each vault item. For example, viewing my Netflix password in the vault lets me access the app with a single tap and immediately auto-fills my credentials if required.
NordPass Browser Extensions
NordPass is also available via browser extensions for Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and Chromium-based browsers.
These extensions offer full access to NordPass’ features, mirroring the layout of its desktop apps and giving you unlimited access to your password vault and advanced features, such as Emergency Access or Data Breach Monitoring.
I was impressed by the performance of the NordPass Chrome extension and its alternatives, which run faster than most competitors, as they’re well-optimized and use xChaCha20, which doesn’t rely on hardware acceleration to perform well.
NordPass vs Top Competitors
While NordPass’ strong encryption, advanced features, and spotless track record make it a superb choice, it faces tough competition. In this section of my NordPass review, I’ll compare it to its closest competitors by listing their pricing, features, and other data to help you make an informed decision.
Password Manager | Price | Free Version | Max Devices | Top 3 Features |
---|---|---|---|---|
NordPass | $1.49/month (two years) | Free forever plan | Unlimited | Data Breach Scanner, Secure Sharing, 3GB File Attachment Storage |
1Password | $2.99/month (one year) | 14-day free trial | Unlimited | Temporary Item Sharing, Travel Mode, Watchtower |
Dashlane | $4.99/month (one year) | Free plan for up to 25 passwords | Unlimited | Real-Time Phishing Alerts, VPN, Passwordless Login |
Keeper | $2.92/month (one year) | Free plan for up to 10 passwords | Unlimited | Share Folders, Permissions Manager, Emergency Access |
Bitwarden | $0.83/month (one year) | Free forever plan | Unlimited | Security Reports, Organization Storage, Collections |
NordPass vs 1Password
NordPass beats 1Password on almost every front, from its pricing and free plan features to its customer support. I also found it easier to use on mobile devices, though the core password manager features perform at a similar level.
That said, 1Password’s Travel Mode hides select vaults while you’re crossing borders, which may interest frequent travelers and is a feature NordPass lacks.
NordPass vs Dashlane
Whether you want an all-in-one security suite or simply a password manager can determine your choice between NordPass and Dashlane. For a premium price, Dashlane offers a VPN, phishing protection, and more features – but it costs considerably more than NordPass.
However, NordPass is also available as part of NordVPN’s plans, which offer comparable features to Dashlane at a similar price. To find out more about the features the NordVPN password manager includes with the bundled package, read our NordVPN review.
NordPass vs Keeper
The Nord password manager and Keeper are both robust, feature-rich services. Keeper offers an encrypted messaging app, which most competitors lack. However, you won’t find encrypted storage for free with Keeper’s Personal plan, while NordPass lets you store 3GB of files per account.
NordPass vs Bitwarden
NordPass password manager and Bitwarden both offer powerful security features and comprehensive free plans.
While Bitwarden is the only provider on my list that’s more affordable than NordPass, NordPass does encrypt your data with XChaCha20 rather than AES-256, making it a more future-proof investment.
How to Set Up NordPass
Like other password managers, NordPass is fairly easy to set up. In this section of our NordPass premium review, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on installing its Windows client.
Download the NordPass Client
Go to NordPass’s website and pick a plan that suits you. Once you’ve subscribed, scroll down to the “Apps” section on the website and select “Windows” to start downloading the app.Install NordPass on Your Desktop
Launch the downloaded file to install NordPass. During the installation, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Once installed, the app will require you to log in. You can log into an existing account or create one before you proceed.Create Your Master Password
When you log into the app, NordPass will prompt you to create a master password, which should be easy to remember but not easy to crack.
Secure Your Credentials
Once you’ve set up your master password, you can start securing your online accounts by creating and storing strong, complex passwords within the app and checking on alerts about any password vulnerabilities.
Customer Support and NordPass Reviews from Users
I contacted NordPass’ customer support team to evaluate their responsiveness and professionalism. I found them to be knowledgeable and polite, and they were able to quickly help me.
You can contact NordPass’ customer support via email, live chat, or through the company’s Help Center. I found that submitting a request via the Help Center got a slower response than the other two methods, but the answers were no less detailed.
Most issues won’t need professional support, though, as the NordPass Help Center has lots of helpful articles, guides, and tips for resolving common problems with the apps.
To get a sense of the long-term customer experience, we also looked at third-party NordPass reviews. On Trustpilot, NordPass has a very positive rating of 4.4/5, with over 1,700 reviews.
With 83% of reviewers giving NordPass full marks, most pieces of feedback mention its usability, quality of customer support, and affordability. We also noticed our own positive experience with the autofill feature is shared and noted several user reviewers praising its accuracy and consistency.
The only common complaints about NordPass relate to account recovery. This process can be complicated if you don’t have the unique recovery information tied to your account.
However, I don’t consider this a real downside, as verification is required for account security to stop thieves from stealing your account.
Bottom Line
NordPass does everything right when it comes to protecting your credentials and data – from its robust XChaCha20 encryption to the reliable data breach scanner. In addition, its apps are very straightforward, making the service suitable for both experienced users and newbies.
My only nitpick is the relative lack of customizability, but that’s obviously not the main focus of the service. Nevertheless, I appreciated NordPass‘s usability, plus the option to test its premium features for 30 days for free.