Analysis of NordPass (2024): Is it a Secure Password Manager?

Coming from the developers of the renowned NordVPN, NordPass faces a considerable challenge as the password manager solution from Nord Security. Thankfully, NordPass not only meets but surpasses these expectations with its password vault that maintains privacy, robust encryption, and intuitive interface.

Even though its complimentary version has some limitations, NordPass’ premium service stands out as one of the leading password managers to test this year.

Is NordPass complimentary?

Absolutely, NordPass provides a free version. It includes boundless password storage, a password generator, and automatic save and fill functions. I particularly appreciate NordPass for adopting this approach since other password managers restrict the quantity of passwords you can store in their complimentary versions. As an instance, Dashlane allows a maximum of 25 saved passwords with its free package.

VIEW: NordPass Free vs Premium: Is It Justified to Upgrade? (TechRepublic)

To clarify, the free version lacks significant features. The primary distinction is that it only supports one device login. Consequently, if you are logged in on your desktop, you cannot utilize NordPass’ complimentary version on your smartphone — a potential dealbreaker for some users. In this scenario, I recommend exploring Bitwarden as its free plan accommodates unrestricted devices and password storage.

The complimentary version also lacks NordPass Premium perks such as a data breach scanner, a password health tool, and the capacity to append files to vault items.

Although the complimentary version is an excellent method to experiment with the password manager, Nord offers a 30-day NordPass Premium trial without necessitating credit card or payment data. Even if you choose NordPass’ free version, I recommend opting for this complimentary trial initially to experience the full range of NordPass features without any constraints of the complimentary version.

Pricing for NordPass

NordPass categorizes its subscriptions into Personal & Family and Business segments. While most password managers propose a solitary fixed price per plan, I admire NordPass’ provision of opting for a single- or two-year plan for each segment. Having an elongated subscription is beneficial as it offers supplementary savings to users willing to commit for a more extended period.

VIEW: 5 Finest Android Password Managers in 2024 (TechRepublic)

The Personal subscriptions with NordPass furnish cost-effective options. Although Bitwarden’s basic Premium plan starting at less than $1 is more economical, NordPass’ equivalent Premium plan at $1.89 stands at the lower end in terms of pricing within the competition.

For instance, the entry-level plans of both LastPass and Dashlane are set at $3 and $4.99 per month, respectively. Furthermore, users have the alternative of selecting NordPass’ two-year plan for an even more discounted rate.

NordPass Family offers even more remarkable value. At $2.79 per month for six users, it covers more family members at a reduced cost compared to 1Password’s Families plan at $4.99 for five users and Keeper’s Family subscription at $6.25 each month for five users. If you particularly require a password manager for your family, I believe the NordPass Family subscription delivers exceptional value.

Within its Business category, NordPass presents Teams, Business, and Enterprise solutions. Amidst these, the Business plan of NordPass stands out. Charging $3.99 per user each month, acquiring a plan for 20 users incurs a total cost of approximately $80. On the other hand, Dashlane’s analogous Business subscription demands twice the amount at $8 per seat, accumulating to $160 for the identical 20 users.

The subscription plan for Teams at NordPass is more competitive compared to others. At $1.99 per user monthly, the charge comes around $20 for 10 users — quite similar to Dashlane and 1Password. Opting for their two-year plan can reduce the monthly cost to $18 for 10 users.

For their Corporate yearly arrangement, NordPass charges $5.99 per user each month and allows for an infinite number of users.

CHECK OUT: 5 Prime Free Password Managers for 2024 (TechRepublic)

Considering that most password management tools usually provide custom pricing upon request, making a direct comparison is not feasible. However, it’s commendable that NordPass offers fixed prices for its Corporate plan, saving the hassle of reaching out to their team for pricing details.

NordPass also provides a 30-day refund guarantee allowing users to get their initial payment back if the service doesn’t suit their needs.

Is NordPass reliable?

Affirmative, NordPass is indeed secure. Employing XChaCha20 encryption, NordPass ensures user data remains unintelligible to unauthorized parties. NordPass’s preference for XChaCha20 over the conventional AES-256 encryption is due to potential vulnerabilities in AES-256, making XChaCha20 a more future-proof solution.

I appreciate that NordPass is forward-thinking in offering an alternative encryption method, deviating from the commonly used AES-256 by other password managers.

NordPass functions based on a zero-knowledge structure, securing that solely users can access their data, and not even NordPass has the ability to breach it.

To date, NordPass has not encountered any data breaches or cyber-attacks, setting it apart as a secure option compared to other password managers facing vulnerabilities. NordPass and NordPass Business have undergone independent audits by Cure53, illustrating their dedication to transparent dealings with customers.

NordPass Business is also compliant with SOC 2 Type 2 standards, ensuring the service incorporates the required security measures to safeguard user data and privacy.

All in all, I’m content with NordPass’s security protocols and can confidently endorse it as a secure password manager for 2024.

Principal attributes of NordPass

In addition to standard password manager features like a password generator and encrypted storage, NordPass offers distinctive features setting it apart from competitors.

Data Breach Scanner

NordPass features a Data Breach Scanner that monitors if any user email addresses have been exposed or leaked. This vital aspect of a password manager is appreciated, especially considering the prevalent data breaches in recent times.

This could be ideal for technology overseers seeking a straightforward method to scrutinize uncertain logins, password sharing, or any other actions that may jeopardize corporate assets.

Passkey protocols

An additional pragmatic security element of NordPass Business is the capacity to establish passkey directives within your establishment. This empowers overseers to dictate regulations on passkey length, intricacy, and other passkey norms.

Administrators can mandate users to incorporate both uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, special characters, or a combination of these three for all passkeys created within the establishment.

I view passkey protocols as a vital instrument for establishments desiring every credential or passkey utilized within their establishments to exhibit good passkey health. It also aids in eliminating human mistakes as supervisors will not need to prompt employees regarding passkey best practices since a specific directive can be established from the outset.

NordPass verification and safety options

NordPass presents a reasonable array of multifactor verification alternatives. Presently, you have the choice between utilizing authenticator applications, security keys, and backup codes as secondary factors. NordPass is also compatible with renowned authenticator applications like Google Authenticator, Authy, and Microsoft Authenticator. With this, I believe NordPass supplies the majority of the MFA alternatives an average user will necessitate.

In terms of safety functionalities, I particularly admire NordPass’ Autolock switch that automatically locks the application following a period of inactivity. This can be valuable in situations where you inadvertently leave your computer unattended, ensuring your passkey vault is not at risk of being accessed by malevolent actors. Additionally, you can configure NordPass to automatically erase items from your clipboard after a specified interval.

For passkey creation, NordPass defaults to formulating a 20-character passkey with a maximum of 60 characters and permits you to create passphrases as well, which have recently garnered acknowledgment as more trustworthy than single-word passkeys. Explore our in-depth analysis on passphrases for further insights.

There is also provision for biometric login and a retrieval code system allowing you to regain account entry if you forget your master passkey.

NordPass layout and execution

NordPass arrives with an instinctive desktop layout sporting a contemporary design. Throughout my assessment, I discovered that everything was precisely where I anticipated it to be, with none of the attributes being disruptive or challenging to discover or experiment with.

I notably appreciate how NordPass orderly arranges user items, folders, and tools in its lateral panel.

NordPass executed admirably in terms of passkey capture and playback. I encountered no problems with preserving passkeys in my vault, and NordPass succeeded in replaying them accurately with my accounts.

Its autofill functionality also functions effectively, effortlessly recognizing websites and completing the relevant logins.

NordPass smartphone application

I’m thrilled to declare that NordPass’ mobile application mirrors its intuitive and well-crafted desktop layout. It mirrors the same classification we observe on the complete application and operates just as capably regarding passkey storage.

NordPass’ mobile application could be enhanced in one aspect. During the review, the application was tested on a Google Pixel 6 Android smartphone. The app was configured to unlock using the device’s fingerprint sensor for convenience. Interestingly, even after closing the app, it would grant access to the vault without requiring the fingerprint verification.

It was discovered that manual locking of the NordPass vault is necessary to activate the master password-fingerprint login. While there is an option to set the app to lock automatically upon closure, it would have been better if this feature was activated by default. Failure to set the app to lock automatically might present a potential vulnerability that malicious users could exploit.

Advantages of Using NordPass

• Competitively priced individual and business plans.
• User-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interface.
• Utilizes modern XChaCha20 encryption.
• Independently audited for security.
• Offers password policies tailored for organizations.

Disadvantages of Using NordPass

• The free version restricts usage to a single device.
• The mobile app does not automatically lock upon closure.

Alternatives to NordPass

If NordPass does not meet your requirements as outlined, here are three alternative password management solutions worth considering.

	Bitwarden	Dashlane	Keeper
Our Review	Rated 4.3 out of 5	Rated 4.6 out of 5	Rated 4.4 out of 5
Starting Cost (For Personal Plan)	$0.83 per month	$4.99 per month	$2.92 per month
Starting Cost (For Business Plan)	$4 per month per user; unlimited users	$2 per month per user; maximum of 10 users	$2 per month per user; maximum of 10 users
Key Features	Provides an open-source option with a free version supporting unlimited devices and passwords	Offers a password manager integrated with a VPN and boasts a well-crafted user interface	Special discounts for medical and military personnel; feature-packed for enterprise management
	Visit Bitwarden	Visit Dashlane	Visit 1Password

Bitwarden

Bitwarden offers a free password management solution with support for multiple devices, making it a strong contender for users seeking value and security through their zero-knowledge encryption. Additionally, as an open-source platform, it emphasizes transparency, making it an appealing choice for users.

In our comprehensive review, Bitwarden was rated 4.3 out of 5 stars. For more details, click here.

Dashlane

For users looking for an all-inclusive password management solution, Dashlane stands out with features like password encryption, generation, dark web monitoring, a password history log, and a password health dashboard. Adding to its appeal, Dashlane even includes a VPN service—a rarity among password manager options.

In our detailed review, Dashlane received a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. For more insights, read here.

Keeper

Keeper presents itself as a top-notch choice, delivering an instinctive interface along with top-tier security measures. For individuals in educational, military, or healthcare roles, Keeper stands out due to generous discounts tailored to these specific groups. It also provides hassle-free trial periods for its subscriptions without the need for entering credit card details for access.

In our comprehensive evaluation, Keeper earned a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. For further information, refer to the linked resource.

Is it beneficial to opt for NordPass?

Due to its reasonable pricing, robust vault encryption, and user-friendly interface, I firmly believe NordPass stands as one of the finest password management solutions presently available.

NordPass shines as an ideal choice for those seeking a comprehensive password manager, regardless of whether they are solo users, small firms, or large corporations.

EXPLORE: How to Perform a Cybersecurity Risk Assessment in 5 Easy Steps (TechRepublic Premium)

End users will find NordPass’ flexible subscription plans, spanning one and two years, particularly appealing. On the other hand, enterprises and groups can leverage NordPass Business functionalities like Activity Log, Password Policies, and Shared Folders.

Although the free version has limitations, the overall value proposition offered by NordPass justifies the investment. In summary, I found NordPass to be a highly recommendable solution for the majority of users, thanks to its minimal drawbacks.

Evaluation Approach

My assessment of NordPass involved a thorough examination of its security capabilities, pricing structure, and practical performance. I obtained firsthand experience with a trial of NordPass Premium Business.

To evaluate NordPass, I utilized its web and desktop interfaces on my Windows laptop, as well as its mobile application on my Google Pixel 6.

Applying an internal methodology, I assessed NordPass on various aspects, including its password management functionalities and pricing, resulting in a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. The evaluation considered NordPass both independently and in comparison to other password managers on the market.

About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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