NordPass Review 2026: Better Than Bitwarden? (Tested)

From the makers of NordVPN comes NordPass, a password manager that promises cutting-edge encryption and a polished user experience. But can a company known for VPNs deliver a password manager that competes with established players like 1Password and Bitwarden?

We tested NordPass across desktop, mobile, and browser extensions to find out. Here is our honest assessment after extensive use.

Quick Verdict

NordPass is a well-designed password manager backed by Nord Security’s proven security expertise. The XChaCha20 encryption is genuinely forward-thinking, and features like the Data Breach Scanner and email masking add real value. However, it is still a younger product compared to 1Password (launched 2006) and Bitwarden (2016), which means fewer advanced features and a shorter track record.

Bottom line: NordPass is an excellent choice for users who prioritize a clean interface and modern encryption. The aggressive pricing makes it attractive for those who want premium features without premium prices. However, power users may find it lacks some advanced functionality offered by more established competitors.

Pricing Breakdown

NordPass uses straightforward subscription pricing with frequent promotional discounts. Here is what each tier offers:

Plan	Price	What You Get
Free	$0	Unlimited passwords, autofill, autosave, one active session
Premium	$1.49/mo (2-year)	Unlimited sessions, Data Breach Scanner, email masking, password sharing
Family	$2.58/mo (2-year)	Up to 6 Premium accounts, shared folders
Teams	$1.79/user/mo	Up to 10 users, admin panel, Google Workspace SSO
Business	$3.59/user/mo	Up to 250 users, advanced admin controls
Enterprise	$5.39/user/mo	Unlimited users, dedicated support

All paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee. The Premium plan also offers a 30-day free trial without requiring a credit card.

How NordPass Compares on Price

NordPass positions itself as a premium experience at mid-range pricing:

• Bitwarden Premium: $0.83/month ($10/year)
• NordPass Premium: $1.49/month (2-year plan)
• 1Password Individual: $2.99/month
• Dashlane Premium: $4.99/month

The price gap between NordPass and Bitwarden is significant, but NordPass offers a more polished interface and unique features like email masking that Bitwarden lacks. Compared to 1Password, NordPass is notably cheaper while offering comparable core functionality.

Security Deep Dive

Nord Security built its reputation on NordVPN, and that security expertise carries over to NordPass. The encryption choices here are genuinely interesting.

XChaCha20 Encryption

While most password managers use AES-256, NordPass chose XChaCha20 encryption. This is not marketing spin - there are legitimate technical advantages:

1. Speed without hardware support - AES-256 relies on specialized CPU instructions for optimal performance. XChaCha20 runs fast on any hardware, including older devices.

2. Simpler implementation - More complex encryption algorithms are harder to implement correctly. XChaCha20’s simpler design reduces the chance of implementation errors.

3. Future-proofing - While both are effectively unbreakable today, XChaCha20 is considered more resistant to potential future attacks.

Major tech companies including Google and Cloudflare use XChaCha20 for their internal systems, validating NordPass’s choice.

Zero-Knowledge Architecture

NordPass uses true zero-knowledge architecture:

• Your master password never leaves your device
• Encryption and decryption happen locally
• NordPass servers only store encrypted blobs
• Even Nord Security employees cannot access your data

This means if NordPass’s servers were compromised, attackers would get nothing useful - just encrypted data they cannot decrypt without your master password.

Key Derivation

NordPass uses Argon2 for key derivation, the winner of the 2015 Password Hashing Competition. Argon2 is designed specifically to resist GPU-based and specialized hardware attacks, making brute-force attempts extremely expensive.

Security Audits

NordPass has undergone third-party security assessments:

Audit	Date	Result
Cure53 (Desktop, browser, mobile)	2020	Passed
SOC 2 Type 1	2022	Certified
SOC 2 Type 2	2023	Certified

The Cure53 audit examined source code, cryptographic implementation, and runtime behavior across all platforms. SOC 2 certifications verify ongoing security practices and operational controls.

Features Walkthrough

NordPass includes all essential password manager features plus some unique additions from Nord Security.

Data Breach Scanner

The Data Breach Scanner continuously monitors for your exposed data:

• Email monitoring - Checks if your email addresses appear in known breach databases
• Credit card scanning - Unique feature that monitors for compromised card numbers
• Real-time alerts - Notifications when new breaches are detected
• Dark web monitoring - Scans dark web marketplaces for your information

The credit card monitoring is notable - most password managers only check emails. NordPass scans happen locally on your device, so your unencrypted data never leaves your control.

Email Masking

Launched in 2024, email masking lets you create disposable email addresses:

• Generate up to 200 masked email addresses
• Forward messages to your real inbox
• Disable or delete masks anytime
• Keep your real email private when signing up for services

This is powered through a partnership with SimpleLogin. If a service you signed up for gets breached, your real email remains protected.

Passkey Support

NordPass was among the first password managers to support passkeys when they launched the feature in 2023:

• Create and store passkeys for supported websites
• Sync passkeys across all your devices
• Use biometric authentication to approve logins
• No passwords to remember or type

As more websites adopt passkey authentication, NordPass users are already prepared for the password-less future.

Password Health

The Password Health feature analyzes your vault for security issues:

• Weak passwords - Identifies simple or easily guessed credentials
• Reused passwords - Flags credentials used across multiple sites
• Old passwords - Highlights passwords that have not been changed in a long time

The dashboard provides an overall health score with prioritized recommendations for improvement.

Secure Sharing

Premium users can share passwords and secure notes:

• Share individual items or entire folders
• Recipients do not see the actual password (they can use it but not view it)
• Revoke access anytime
• Works with non-NordPass users via secure links

Emergency Access

Designate trusted contacts who can request access to your vault:

• Set a waiting period (24 hours to 30 days)
• You receive notification and can deny requests
• If you do not respond, access is granted after the waiting period
• Useful for ensuring family can access accounts if something happens to you

Additional Features

• Secure notes - Store sensitive text beyond passwords
• Credit card storage - Save payment information for faster checkout
• Identity profiles - Store personal information for form filling
• Password generator - Customizable with length, character types, and passphrase mode
• Import/Export - Easy migration from other password managers

Apps and Browser Extensions

NordPass provides native applications across all major platforms.

Desktop Apps

Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The desktop apps feature:

• Clean, modern interface with dark mode support
• Quick search across all vault items
• Biometric unlock (fingerprint, Windows Hello, Touch ID)
• System tray access for quick operations
• Offline access to your vault

The interface is notably polished - perhaps the most visually appealing among major password managers. Navigation is intuitive, and features are well-organized.

Mobile Apps

iOS and Android apps mirror the desktop experience:

• Biometric authentication (Face ID, Touch ID, fingerprint)
• Autofill integration with system-level credential services
• Offline access to saved passwords
• Password generator available in-app
• Camera scanning for credit card entry

Mobile autofill works well with standard login forms. Complex or custom-built forms may occasionally require manual intervention.

Browser Extensions

Extensions available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Brave, and Opera:

• Automatic login form detection
• One-click autofill for saved credentials
• Save new passwords during signup
• Password generator accessible from the toolbar
• Keyboard shortcuts for power users

The browser extensions received positive updates in 2025, including a patch for a clickjacking vulnerability disclosed at DEF CON 33.

Honest Pros and Cons

After extensive testing, here is our balanced assessment:

NordPass vs Alternatives

How does NordPass compare to other leading password managers?

NordPass vs 1Password

Choose NordPass if: You want a polished experience at a lower price point and value features like email masking.

Choose 1Password if: You need Travel Mode, want the Secret Key system for extra security, or prefer a more established product with deeper features.

1Password offers more advanced features and a longer track record, but costs twice as much. NordPass’s XChaCha20 encryption and email masking are genuine differentiators, but 1Password’s Secret Key system provides server-breach protection NordPass lacks.

NordPass vs Bitwarden

Choose NordPass if: You want a more polished interface, credit card breach monitoring, or email masking without technical setup.

Choose Bitwarden if: You prefer open-source software, want to self-host, or need the absolute lowest price.

Bitwarden is 44% cheaper and offers transparency through open-source code. However, NordPass provides a significantly better user experience and unique features Bitwarden lacks. For most non-technical users, NordPass’s polish is worth the price premium.

NordPass vs LastPass

Choose NordPass if: You want to avoid a password manager with a significant breach history.

Choose LastPass if: You have specific organizational requirements that lock you into their ecosystem.

Following LastPass’s 2022 security breach that exposed encrypted vault data, many users migrated away. NordPass offers stronger encryption defaults and has no breach history, making it a safer choice for new users.

Who is NordPass For?

NordPass is ideal for:

• Design-conscious users who want the most polished password manager interface
• NordVPN customers who trust Nord Security and want their product ecosystem
• Value seekers who want premium features without 1Password’s price tag
• Privacy-focused users who want email masking built-in
• Credit card users who want breach monitoring for payment information
• Families looking for an affordable shared password solution

Consider alternatives if you:

• Need Travel Mode for frequent international travel (choose 1Password)
• Require open-source transparency and self-hosting (choose Bitwarden)
• Want the absolute lowest cost (choose Bitwarden)
• Need the deepest feature set and longest track record (choose 1Password)
• Require extensive enterprise integrations (evaluate all options based on needs)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NordPass safe to use?

Yes. NordPass uses XChaCha20 encryption, zero-knowledge architecture, and Argon2 key derivation. The application has passed Cure53 security audits and maintains SOC 2 Type 2 certification. Nord Security, the parent company, has invested heavily in security given their reputation in the VPN market.

Is NordPass better than NordVPN’s built-in password feature?

Yes. NordPass is a standalone password manager with full functionality, not just a VPN add-on. It offers dedicated apps, browser extensions, advanced features like email masking, and cross-platform sync. NordVPN does not include password management - they are separate products.

Can I trust Nord Security with my passwords?

Nord Security has a strong track record with NordVPN and has never experienced a breach that compromised user data. The company is based in the Netherlands and Lithuania with clear ownership structure. Zero-knowledge architecture means even if you do not trust Nord Security completely, they cannot access your encrypted data.

Does NordPass have a free version?

Yes. The free tier includes unlimited password storage, autofill, autosave, and the password generator. The main limitation is that free users can only have one active session at a time - logging in on a new device logs you out of the previous one.

What happens if I forget my NordPass master password?

Without your master password, your vault is unrecoverable. NordPass uses zero-knowledge architecture, so they cannot reset your password. You can set up Emergency Access contacts or use biometric unlock as backups, but the master password is essential. Store it securely.

Does NordPass work offline?

Yes. Your encrypted vault is stored locally on each device. You can access and use passwords without an internet connection. Changes sync automatically when connectivity returns.

Can I import passwords from another password manager?

Yes. NordPass supports direct import from LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, Chrome, Firefox, and most other password managers. The import process takes a few minutes through the desktop app or web interface.

Is NordPass good for families?

Yes. The Family plan at $2.58/month includes up to 6 Premium accounts. Each member gets their own private vault plus access to shared folders. This works out to about $0.43 per person - excellent value compared to individual subscriptions.

Final Verdict

NordPass delivers on its promise of modern security with a polished experience. The XChaCha20 encryption is a thoughtful technical choice, and features like the Data Breach Scanner and email masking provide genuine value beyond basic password management.

However, NordPass is still catching up to more established competitors. It lacks 1Password’s Travel Mode and Secret Key system, and cannot match Bitwarden’s open-source transparency and self-hosting options. The shorter track record (launched 2019) means less time to prove itself.

For most users, NordPass is a solid choice - especially at its promotional pricing. The interface is genuinely best-in-class, and Nord Security’s reputation provides credibility. But power users and security purists may prefer 1Password’s deeper features or Bitwarden’s transparency.

Our Rating: 4.3/5