NordPass launched in 2019 as Nord Security expanded beyond VPNs. It’s grown into a legitimate competitor — especially for NordVPN subscribers who can bundle both at a discount. But how does it stack up against dedicated password managers?
2026 Update: NordPass added native passkey storage and authentication in 2026. The FIDO Alliance’s Credential Exchange Protocol became a proposed standard in early 2026, meaning passkey portability between managers is on the horizon — relevant if you’re choosing a manager now and want future flexibility.
NordPass: Unique Selling Points
NordPass uses XChaCha20 encryption — a modern cipher that Google and Cloudflare prefer for their own security systems. It’s not “better” than AES-256 for most use cases, but it’s more resistant to timing attacks and is faster on devices without hardware AES acceleration (older CPUs, some mobile devices).
The interface is genuinely clean and approachable — better than Bitwarden’s utilitarian design, slightly behind 1Password’s polish. Setup is quick and the browser extension is smooth.
Key Features
• XChaCha20 encryption
• Zero-knowledge architecture
• Unlimited passwords (premium)
• Data breach scanner
• Passkey support
• Password Health feature
• Biometric login
• Secure item sharing
• Free tier: 1 active device
• No advanced 2FA on free tier
• No built-in VPN (unlike Dashlane)
• Fewer features than 1Password
• No Travel Mode
• Business features limited vs rivals
NordPass Pricing
💰 Plans
• Free: Unlimited passwords (1 active device)
• Premium: ~$20-24/year (unlimited devices)
• Nord Bundle: NordVPN + NordPass + NordLocker at significant discount — best value if you need all three
Best For: Nord Ecosystem Users
If you already subscribe to NordVPN, the Nord Bundle makes NordPass an excellent value add. Standalone, it competes well with Dashlane at a lower price point, though 1Password and Bitwarden are stronger choices for most independent users.