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

Coming from the developers of the renowned NordVPN, NordPass faces a significant challenge as Nord Security’s solution for password management. Luckily, NordPass goes above and beyond in meeting these standards with its password vault that ensures privacy, robust encryption, and an intuitive interface.

Although its complimentary version has some limitations, NordPass’ premium service is among the finest password managers to test this year.

Is NordPass costless?

Affirmative, NordPass provides a costless edition. It includes limitless password storage, a password generator, and automatic saving and filling functionalities. Personally, I appreciate NordPass’s decision to go down this path as some other password managers restrict the quantity of passwords you can save in their complimentary packages. For instance, Dashlane only permits a maximum of 25 saved passwords for its no-cost program.

EXAMINE: NordPass No-Cost vs Prime: Is it Valuable to Upgrade? (TechRepublic)

To clarify, you forfeit vital capabilities with the complimentary edition. The primary distinction is that it only supports one device login. This implies that if you’re logged in on your computer, you won’t be able to utilize the no-cost NordPass on your mobile phone — an aspect that I comprehend might pose a problem for some. If you belong to this category, I recommend exploring Bitwarden since its complimentary scheme accommodates an infinite number of devices and passwords.

The complimentary edition also lacks NordPass Premium features like a data leak scanner, a password health tool, and the capability to affix files to vault items.

Even though the costless version serves as a decent means to trial the password manager, Nord offers a 30-day Premium test run of NordPass that doesn’t necessitate credit card or payment details. Even with NordPass’s no-cost version, I encourage opting for this complimentary trial initially so you can experience the complete range of NordPass features without any limitations of the complimentary edition.

NordPass pricing

NordPass divides its subscriptions into two categories: Personal & Family and Business. Although most password managers propose a fixed price per plan, I find it advantageous how NordPass offers the choice for users to select either a one- or two-year plan for each category. Opting for an elongated subscription is advantageous as it offers supplementary savings to those amenable to a prolonged commitment.

EXAMINE: 5 Top Password Managers for Android in 2024 (TechRepublic)

NordPass’s Personal subscriptions offer budget-friendly rates. While Bitwarden’s starting Prime subscription at less than $1 is still more economical, NordPass’s equivalent Premium scheme at $1.89 still falls on the lower side of pricing amongst competitors.

For instance, both LastPass and Dashlane’s initial plans are set at $3 and $4.99 per month, respectively. There’s also the alternative of NordPass’s two-year plan for an even reduced price.

NordPass Family delivers even more noteworthy value. At $2.79 per month for six individuals, it encompasses a larger number of family members at a reduced cost compared to 1Password’s Families scheme at $4.99 for five users and Keeper’s Family subscription at $6.25 per month for five users. If you are particularly interested in a password manager for your family, I believe NordPass Family subscription offers exceptional value.

Within its Business category, NordPass offers Teams, Business, and Enterprise schemes. Among these, its Business scheme stands out. At $3.99 per user each month, acquiring a plan for 20 users only amounts to approximately $80. Dashlane’s comparable Business subscription is priced at twice that amount, at $8 per seat, totaling $160 for the same 20 users.

The Teams subscription from NordPass is more aligned with the competitive landscape. Priced at $1.99 per member each month, it totals to about $20 for 10 members- roughly comparable to Dashlane and 1Password. Alternatively, you have the option of opting for their biennial subscription, which reduces the monthly charge to $18 for 10 members.

In the case of the Enterprise yearly package from NordPass, the cost is $5.99 per member per month and offers unlimited member access.

VIEW: 5 Top Free Password Managers for 2024 (TechRepublic)

Considering that other password managers typically provide tailored pricing upon request, I’m unable to conduct a direct comparison in this context. Nevertheless, I admire NordPass for providing fixed rates for its Enterprise plan, eliminating the need to reach out to the team for pricing details.

NordPass also guarantees a 30-day refund policy, allowing you to claim back your initial payment if you find it unsuitable.

Is NordPass secure?

Absolutely, NordPass ensures security. NordPass employs XChaCha20 encryption — a modern algorithm that secures user data from unauthorized access. NordPass opted for XChaCha20 over the industry-standard AES-256 encryption due to the perceived enhanced future readiness of XChaCha20 compared to the potential vulnerabilities found in AES-256.

I commend NordPass for taking the initiative to offer an alternative encryption choice in the realm of password management, especially when majority of other password managers rely on AES-256.

NordPass follows a zero-knowledge infrastructure. This implies that solely the end-user can retrieve their data and NordPass does not have any means to access it.

As of now, NordPass has not experienced any data breaches or security breaches — a significant accomplishment, particularly considering other password managers haven’t been as fortunate. Both NordPass and NordPass Business have been subject to independent audits by Cure53, evidencing the company’s commitment to transparency with its client base.

NordPass Business also adheres to SOC 2 Type 2 standards, certifying the inclusion of appropriate security controls to safeguard user data and privacy.

Overall, I am content with NordPass’ security initiatives and can confidently endorse it as a reliable password management option in 2024.

Essential traits of NordPass

Besides typical password manager attributes, such as a password generator and an encrypted repository, NordPass offers several features that differentiate it from its competitors.

Data Breach Scanner

NordPass includes a Data Breach Scanner feature that verifies if any user email addresses have been compromised or exposed. This is a critical addition to the password manager, particularly considering the frequency of data breaches in recent times.

Moreover, beyond breach scans, I appreciate the capability to set NordPass’ scanner for continual monitoring of specified email addresses in real-time. This convenient feature enables users to focus on their tasks while ensuring their emails are under constant vigilance for potential breaches.

Operational Record

For NordPass Business users, the Activity Log menu offers valuable insights and functionalities.their dashboard. This provides an overview of all operations within an establishment or a company’s NordPass database, granting managers a method to oversee any doubtful behavior from specific accounts.

This could be ideal for technology supervisors seeking a simple means to verify dubious logins, password sharing, or any other actions that could jeopardize corporate assets.

Password regulations

Another practical security aspect of NordPass Business is the capability to establish password regulations within your organization. This permits managers to define guidelines on password length, intricacy, and other password criteria.

Managers can mandate users to include both capital and lowercase letters, digits, special characters, or a combination of these three for all passwords established within the enterprise.

I view password guidelines as a vital instrument for institutions in need of each access or password used in their organization to possess good password cleanliness. It also helps to eliminate human mistakes as administrators will not need to prompt staff about password best practices since a particular policy can be implemented from the onset.

NordPass authentication and security alternatives

NordPass presents a sensible assortment of multifactor authentication options. Presently, you have the option to select among employing authenticator apps, security keys, and backup codes as secondary factors. NordPass is likewise compatible with prevalent authenticator apps like Google Authenticator, Authy, and Microsoft Authenticator, providing most of the MFA choices an average user may require.

Regarding security functionalities, I particularly appreciate NordPass’ Autolock toggle that automatically secures the application after a period of idleness. This can be advantageous in situations where you inadvertently abandon your computer unattended, assuring that your password storage is not at risk of being accessed by malicious individuals. You can also configure NordPass to automatically eliminate items from your clipboard after a specified duration.

For password creation, NordPass defaults to producing a 20-character password with a maximum length of 60 characters and allows the generation of passphrases as well, which have recently been acknowledged as more reliable than single-word passwords. Explore our in-depth analysis on passphrases to learn further.

In addition, there is support for biometric login and a recovery code mechanism enabling you to restore account access if you forget your main password.

NordPass layout and performance

NordPass features an instinctive desktop interface with a contemporary layout. Throughout my evaluation, I discovered that everything was located where I anticipated it to be, with none of the functions being obtrusive or challenging to locate or experiment with.

I especially admire how NordPass efficiently arranges user items, folders, and tools in its sidebar.

NordPass delivered commendable performance in terms of password storage and playback. I encountered no challenges with storing passwords in my vault, and NordPass successfully replayed them with my accounts.

Its autofill feature also functions effectively, effortlessly recognizing websites and inputting the corresponding logins.

NordPass mobile application

I’m pleased to announce that NordPass’ mobile application reflects its user-friendly and well-crafted desktop interface. It employs the same organization seen in the full application and excels in password retention.

Favorable Aspects of NordPass

• Competitive pricing for individuals and businesses.
• User-friendly and aesthetically pleasing layout.
• Up-to-date XChaCha20 encryption.
• Externally assessed for security measures.
• Offers password guidelines for organizational use.

Downsides of NordPass

• Restrictions on the free version to a single device.
• The default setting of the mobile app does not enforce locking.

Possible Alternatives to NordPass

If NordPass doesn’t align with your requirements, here are three alternative password management solutions worth considering.

	Bitwarden	Dashlane	Keeper
Our Evaluation	4.3 out of 5	4.6 out of 5	4.4 out of 5
Commencement Cost (personal plan)	$0.83 per month	$4.99 per month	$2.92 per month
Commencement Cost (business plan)	$4 per month per user; infinite users	$2 per month per user; maximum 10 users	$2 per month per user; maximum 10 users
Main Features	Open source; provides cost-free version with limitless devices and support for unlimited passwords	Password manager with integrated VPN; elegantly designed interface	Discounts for medical and military personnel; emphasizes management features
	Explore Bitwarden	Explore Dashlane	Explore 1Password

Bitwarden

Should you desire a complimentary password manager with support for unlimited devices, Bitwarden is an excellent choice. Offering a generous free version and secure zero-knowledge encryption, Bitwarden strikes a commendable balance between cost and security. Furthermore, being open source makes Bitwarden an optimal selection for users valuing transparency.

We rated Bitwarden 4.3 out of 5 stars in our comprehensive analysis. For further insights, click here.

Dashlane

Individuals seeking a feature-rich password manager should consider adding Dashlane to their shortlist. Apart from password encryption and generation, Dashlane includes features like dark web monitoring, password history tracking, and a password health dashboard. Additionally, it offers an integrated VPN service, a rarity among most other password managers available.

In our in-depth review, we awarded Dashlane a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Check out more details here.

Keeper

Keeper presents itself as a top-notch choice that boasts an easy-to-use interface and top-notch security features. For students, military personnel, or healthcare workers, Keeper emerges as an excellent selection with substantial discounts catered towards these specific groups. Additionally, it provides straightforward trial versions for its subscriptions that do not necessitate inputting credit card details.

In our comprehensive evaluation, Keeper earned a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. To delve deeper into the details, check out the article here.

Is NordPass a valuable investment?

Given its cost-effective pricing, robust encryption for vaults, and user-friendly interface, NordPass undoubtedly stands out as one of the premier password management solutions available today.

NordPass caters well to a wide range of users, be it individuals, small enterprises, or large corporations, seeking a comprehensive password management tool.

SEE: Steps to Conduct a Cybersecurity Risk Assessment in 5 Simple Steps (TechRepublic Premium)

Individual users will find NordPass subscriptions convenient, allowing for flexible durations such as one- or two-year contracts. On the other hand, businesses and institutions can leverage NordPass Business features like Activity Log, Password Policies, and Shared Folders.

While the free version has its limitations, I firmly believe that the overall NordPass package justifies the investment. In conclusion, I discerned that NordPass lacks significant drawbacks, making it a solid recommendation for the majority of users.

Evaluation Approach

My assessment of NordPass entailed a thorough scrutiny of its security attributes, pricing structure, and real-world functionality. I engaged extensively with a trial version of NordPass Premium Business.

To evaluate NordPass, I interacted with its web and desktop applications on my Windows laptop, along with its mobile app on my Google Pixel 6 device.

I assessed NordPass based on its password management capabilities, pricing structure, and compared it with other password managers in the industry, resulting in a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

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.

See author's posts

Tags: $189, 5Pricing, Cloud Security, FactsOur, fast, featuresModern, monthKey, NordPass, password manager, rating, Security, stars”, starts