NordPass review: One of the best password managers for beginners with a free tier (original) (raw)

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When choosing a password manager, you are likely considering the ease of accessing your data and the level of trust that it's secure when not in use, and NordPass fits the bill for both.

As the password management tool from Nord Security, the firm behind NordVPN, NordPass offers the basics for free and a premium experience with added features for those who purchase an individual, family, or business subscription. Around seven million users have adopted the service.

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NordPass offers a free tier and two personal paid plans, as well as a business solution.

To access premium features like password health and data breach monitoring, email masking, secure sharing, and emergency access, you'll need to upgrade to NordPass Premium (discounted at the time of this writing to 1.29permonthforoneuser(1.29 per month for one user (1.29permonthforoneuser(34.83/year) when signing up for a two-year plan, or NordPass Family, priced at 2.79permonthforuptosixaccounts(2.79 per month for up to six accounts (2.79permonthforuptosixaccounts(66.96/year).

NordPass is accessible across all major platforms, featuring a web vault, apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android, as well as browser extensions for Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox, Brave, and Opera.

Installation and setup process

To use NordPass, you'll first need to create a free Nord Account -- a single sign-on for all of Nord's services -- with your email address and a strong password. This can be done through one of NordPass's apps or on the Nord Account website.

When you use your global login to sign in to NordPass, you'll be prompted to create a master password for your vault. Be sure to memorize or store these passwords somewhere safe, as you'll need both to access NordPass.

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NordPass offers an account recovery option if you lose your master password. To generate a recovery code for future use, go to Settings in either the mobile app or on the web, select Reset Recovery Code, and enter your master password. You can then download your codes as a PDF to save for future use, a feature I think is extremely useful.

Next, install any browser extension you would like to trigger autofill functions on your device. Standalone extensions are available for Chrome, Edge, Opera, Brave, Firefox, Safari, and other Chromium-based browsers.

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You can also download the desktop app for Windows. While not strictly necessary for using NordPass, it does include an offline mode that lets you view and copy vault items without an internet connection.

Otherwise, most settings and functions, including importing data from other password managers or CSV files, are available in the web vault. Finally, download the NordPass app on your mobile device so you can access your credentials on the go.

Note that if you are on the free tier, logging in on mobile will immediately log you out on other devices (and vice versa).

NordPass basics

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NordPass makes it easy to create, save, and autofill credentials across different devices and browsers, which is the most essential function you can expect of your password manager.

NordPass allows you to store the following:

Changes to your vault sync quickly across platforms.

Those on the free plan must log back in when switching devices -- this can be tedious, as you have to enter both passwords. Biometric unlock, which replaces your vault master password, eases this process somewhat and also serves as a convenience factor for paid users. NordPass supports biometrics for apps on iOS, macOS, and Android, as well as for extensions on Windows and macOS.

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NordPass uses XChaCha20 encryption (256-bit) and completed security audits for ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and SOC 2 Type 2 in 2024. The service is also HIPAA compliant.

Your data is protected behind your Nord password, your master password, and multi-factor authentication (applied to your global Nord account), which can be set up using an authenticator app, a physical security key, or a built-in passkey. NordPass also supports passkeys for websites that currently offer this functionality.

This is how it generally works: you authenticate with your password or biometrics, then unlock your encrypted vault (XChaCha20-encrypted with an Argon2-derived key) using your master password. An encrypted copy of your data is stored on NordPass servers, which is necessary for synchronization and backups across multiple devices. However, this storage's zero-knowledge: no information can be decrypted or viewed without your credentials.

Hands-on impressions

I have been using NordPass for a year or so, and in recent tests, I ran a fresh installation of both the free and premium versions on a MacBook Pro and a Samsung Galaxy Android smartphone to see what's new.

Setup was simple and straightforward, and took less than five minutes to wrap up on both devices.

The user interface is clean with a menu on the left that clearly labels vault categories, including passwords, passkeys, documents, and shared items. You can dive into each section and create your own folders for secure storage.

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

While I found the NordPass interface consistent across platforms and the vault easy to set up and navigate, Nord also offers comprehensive support pages in its help center if you encounter any issues.

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Overall, I would say that this password manager is suitable for beginners, and its advanced features will appeal to more experienced users, too.

Standout features (and how well they work)

As the password management offering from a company focused on digital security and privacy, NordPass has a handful of helpful features devoted to both for paid subscribers.

First is email masking, which creates an alias for new accounts or registrations in place of your real address. This allows you to filter out messages to your primary inbox by turning forwarding on and off, thereby reducing the risk of your email address being compromised in a data breach. Masked emails can be generated in your vault or through autofill.

I tested out the email masking function, and it worked as expected, masking my original email address while landing in a test inbox without issue.

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

You can also store documents, such as IDs and driver's license scans, in an encrypted vault. You can set reminders connected to different documents, which is useful if you want to be made aware of upcoming expiration dates or changes.

Another premium feature is the data breach scanner, which monitors email addresses and credit cards and alerts you if any have been exposed. You can enter emails and credit cards to check, and if NordPass detects that your data has been leaked, you'll see a notification with more information and recommended steps to resolve the issue. Once you've resolved each alert -- such as by changing your passwords -- you can mark each one as dealt with.

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As I discovered on a recent visit to Nord Security, improvements are in the pipeline to include alerts for stolen cookies, deployed malware, desktop screenshots, and covert computer camera captures.

NordPass also generates passwords alongside health reports, which show weak, reused, and outdated passwords, as well as which credentials you should update immediately to protect yourself.

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

NordPass has another useful feature on paid plans called Emergency Access, available in the web, desktop, and Android versions of its apps, which lets you grant another NordPass user access to your vault without sharing your master password.

Once added, the contact can request access to your data, which will be granted automatically if you don't respond within seven days. Note that your emergency contact must have a NordPass account, whether free or paid.

Recent updates

Nord appears to be focusing on improving and streamlining the user experience with its security software, as both NordPass and NordVPN have undergone makeovers to provide users with cleaner interfaces.

Additionally, the company now offers an instant login feature, which is enabled by default when you visit a website that utilizes a login form with a password saved in the NordPass vault.

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Other recent updates include improved sharing permissions across its personal and business subscriptions, a passkey tool for businesses called Authopia, and a policy option that blocks access on jailbroken or rooted mobile devices.

So, what's in the pipeline? Nord Security is currently developing measures to mask phone numbers for incoming calls and text messages, as well as generate decoy credit card details to reduce the risk of financial fraud.

ZDNET's buying advice

NordPass is a solid premium password manager with a user-friendly interface and a handful of unique privacy and security features -- such as email masking and a data breach scanner -- to help protect your data. The basics like credential saving and autofill work smoothly across multiple platforms.

NordPass is easy to get started with if you are new to password management, and it's a good value if you can secure an annual subscription at a discount. Free NordPass users enjoy more flexibility with unlimited items across an unlimited number of devices, surpassing many other no-cost password managers. This makes it a great choice, provided you aren't switching devices frequently -- the login process can become tedious otherwise.