A password manager is the single highest-ROI security tool you can adopt. One tool eliminates password reuse, weak passwords, and credential theft from phishing — all at once.
NordPass is a password manager from Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN. It uses xChaCha20 encryption with zero-knowledge architecture, and it's included in NordVPN's Plus plan.
This article covers the technical architecture, pricing, and an honest comparison with 1Password and Bitwarden.
What Is NordPass
NordPass launched in 2019 as part of the Nord Security ecosystem, alongside NordVPN, NordLocker, and NordLayer.
As a password manager, it's a relative newcomer. But it's been aggressive on the technical front — adopting xChaCha20 encryption and early passkey support.
Key specs:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Encryption | xChaCha20 |
| Architecture | Zero-knowledge (operator can't view data) |
| Password storage | Unlimited (including Free plan) |
| Passkey support | Yes |
| Data breach scanner | Yes (Premium plan) |
| Third-party audit | Cure53 (multiple) |
Pricing Plans
NordPass offers three personal plans and three business plans.
Personal
| Plan | Monthly (2-year) | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Unlimited passwords, autofill, MFA (1 device only) |
| Premium | $1.38 | Password Health, data breach scanner, secure sharing |
| Family | $2.58 | Premium features for up to 6 users |
Business
| Plan | Per user/month | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Teams | $1.79 | Google Workspace SSO, company-wide settings |
| Business | $3.59 | Advanced access management, audit logs |
| Enterprise | $5.39 | Dedicated account manager, custom policies |
The Free plan is genuinely usable — unlimited password storage, autofill, and MFA. The catch: you can only use it on one device at a time. Logging in on another device logs you out of the previous one. Password Health and the data breach scanner require Premium.
NordVPN's Plus plan ($3.89/month on 2-year) includes NordPass Premium. Often cheaper than subscribing to both separately.
All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Security Architecture
xChaCha20 Encryption
While most password managers use AES-256, NordPass chose xChaCha20.
xChaCha20 is the encryption algorithm Google adopted as a TLS alternative. It offers security equivalent to AES-256 with better software-only performance. AES-256 relies on hardware acceleration (AES-NI) for optimal speed, while xChaCha20 performs well in pure software implementations.
In practice, neither AES-256 nor xChaCha20 has been broken. The security difference is negligible. NordPass likely chose xChaCha20 for future extensibility and implementation efficiency.
Zero-Knowledge Architecture
NordPass uses zero-knowledge architecture. Your master password never leaves your device — all encryption and decryption happens client-side. Even the NordPass team can't see what's in your vault.
This is the same approach used by 1Password and Bitwarden.
Third-Party Audits
NordPass has undergone multiple third-party audits by Cure53, a German security firm. Cure53 has also audited WireGuard and Nextcloud, establishing a strong reputation in the security community.
If the security architecture looks solid to you, you can try NordPass with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Key Features
Password Storage and Autofill
Stores passwords, credit cards, secure notes, and personal information. Browser extension autofill works reliably, with good login form detection accuracy.
Passkey Support
NordPass supports FIDO2-compliant passkeys — a phishing-resistant authentication method replacing passwords. More services are adopting passkeys, including Google, Apple, and Microsoft accounts.
Password Health
Analyzes your vault to identify weak, reused, and old passwords. Available on Premium and above.
Data Breach Scanner
Checks whether your email addresses or passwords appear in known data breaches. Similar to Have I Been Pwned, built right into the app.
Email Masking
Generates masked email addresses for sign-ups, hiding your real email. Useful for spam prevention and privacy. Up to 200 masks per account, with a limit of 30 per day.
Secure Sharing
Share passwords and notes with other NordPass users in an encrypted state. Only the recipient can decrypt the shared data.
Platform Support
| Platform | Support |
|---|---|
| Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera | Browser extensions |
| Windows, macOS, Linux | Desktop apps |
| Android, iOS | Mobile apps |
Mobile apps include business card OCR scanning, biometric authentication (fingerprint/Face ID), and offline vault access.
Comparison with Competitors
NordPass vs 1Password
| Feature | NordPass | 1Password |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | xChaCha20 | AES-256 |
| Free plan | Yes (1 device) | No (14-day trial only) |
| Premium price | $1.38/month (2-year) | $3.99/month (annual) |
| Passkeys | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party audit | Cure53 | SOC 2 Type II |
| Watchtower | — | Yes |
| Travel Mode | — | Yes |
1Password is the industry's de facto standard. Features like Watchtower and Travel Mode are unique strengths, and the UI polish is excellent. But there's no free plan, and starting March 27, 2026, the price increases to $3.99/month — widening the gap with NordPass further.
NordPass vs Bitwarden
| Feature | NordPass | Bitwarden |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | xChaCha20 | AES-256 |
| Source code | Proprietary | Open source |
| Free plan | Yes (1 device) | Yes (unlimited) |
| Premium price | $1.38/month | $1.65/month ($20/year) |
| Self-hosting | No | Yes |
| Third-party audit | Cure53 | Cure53 |
Bitwarden is the open-source password manager. Source code is public, self-hosting is possible, and even after its late-2025 price increase from $10/year to $20/year, it's still cheaper than NordPass. For security-conscious developers, the ability to audit the code yourself is a significant advantage.
That said, NordPass wins on UI polish and autofill accuracy. If you're sharing with less technical family members, NordPass has a lower setup barrier.
NordPass vs LastPass
| Feature | NordPass | LastPass |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | xChaCha20 | AES-256 |
| Security incidents | None | Major breach in 2022 |
| Free plan | Yes (1 device) | Yes (1 device type) |
| Premium price | $1.38/month | $2.25/month |
LastPass suffered a serious security incident in 2022. Encrypted vault data was obtained by attackers, putting users with weak master passwords at risk. Since then, most security experts recommend migrating away from LastPass.
Limitations and Drawbacks
Not Open Source
NordPass source code isn't public. Cure53 audits provide some assurance, but you can't verify the code yourself like with Bitwarden. If source code transparency matters to you, Bitwarden has the edge.
Fewer Advanced Features
No equivalent to 1Password's Travel Mode (hide selected items when crossing borders) or the comprehensive Watchtower vulnerability checks. NordPass prioritizes simplicity — power user features are limited.
Free Plan Limitations
Unlimited password storage, but Password Health and the data breach scanner require Premium. Secure sharing is also Premium-only.
Nord Ecosystem Lock-in
NordPass works standalone, but the best value comes from bundling with NordVPN Plus. Without NordVPN, NordPass Premium at $1.38/month and Bitwarden at $1.65/month ($20/year) are in a similar range, though Bitwarden's open-source advantage still stands.
Password manager by the makers of NordVPN
- Manage passwords, passkeys, and credit cards in one place
- Zero-knowledge architecture
- Built-in data breach scanner
Wrapping Up
NordPass is a solid password manager with xChaCha20 encryption and zero-knowledge architecture.
Strengths:
- xChaCha20 encryption + zero-knowledge architecture
- Unlimited password storage even on the Free plan
- Included in NordVPN Plus plan (bundle discount)
- Passkeys, Email Masking, data breach scanner
- Multiple Cure53 third-party audits
Limitations:
- Not open source (Bitwarden is more transparent)
- Fewer advanced features than 1Password
- Price gap with Bitwarden has narrowed ($1.38 vs $1.65) but open-source advantage remains
If you're already a NordVPN user, the Plus plan gives you NordPass at no extra cost — the best deal available. Without NordVPN, both open-source Bitwarden and the polished 1Password are worth considering.
Either way, if you're not using a password manager yet, start now. Which one is "the best" matters far less than actually using one.
Related articles:
- NordVPN Review: Pricing, Security & Speed Tested by an Engineer
- NordVPN Threat Protection Pro Review: Ad & Malware Blocking Tested
- Is NordVPN Safe? A Technical Security Analysis
- Developer VPN Guide: SSH, WireGuard & Commercial VPN Compared