NordPass vs. Bitwarden: Which password manager is best?

Password managers are essential tools for creating and securely storing login credentials and other sensitive data you want to have at your fingertips. There are plenty of solid password management solutions on the market, so it can be difficult to know which combination of features, cost, and user experience is best for your situation. 

In our head-to-head comparison of NordPass and Bitwarden, the former gets our vote for its top-notch interface and privacy-focused features, while Bitwarden is an open-source platform whose pricing can’t be beat  — especially for those looking for unlimited password management at no cost. Both are highly secure while allowing access to your data wherever you need it. 

When deciding between the two, we recommend considering which features matter most as well as how much you want to spend on a password manager for yourself or your family. Here’s how NordPass and Bitwarden stack up to help you decide which one meets your needs.

Also: The best free password managers: Expert tested

Specifications

You should choose NordPass if…

1. You are new to password management

NordPass ranks high on our list for users trying a password manager for the first time. Its interface is simple and easy to set up and navigate across platforms, and the basics like autosave and autofill work smoothly. NordPass also has comprehensive help pages and 24/7 live support for both free and premium subscribers. 

Also: Best password managers for business

2. You want extra features to protect your privacy

In addition to strong security measures like XChaCha20 encryption and multiple layers of authentication protecting your vault, NordPass includes a handful of helpful privacy-focused features for premium subscribers. Email masking allows you to create aliases when signing up for new accounts so you can filter messages and protect your real address from data breaches. Meanwhile, NordPass’s data breach scanner will monitor email addresses and credit cards and alert you if any have been exposed. Bitwarden can integrate with email alias services if you have a separate subscription. 

3. You need a VPN or encrypted storage

NordPass is just one service available from Nord Security, which also offers a VPN, encrypted cloud storage, and identity theft protection via NordVPN, NordLocker, and NordProtect, respectively. You have to create a universal Nord account to set up NordPass, which means you can subscribe to one or more products with a single login. You won’t necessarily get a deal by bundling, but it is more convenient than signing up for lots of separate accounts. NordVPN is our pick for the best VPN overall.

You should choose Bitwarden if…

1. You want a free password manager with no limits

Bitwarden is the best free password manager for most users, as you can store an unlimited number of credentials in your vault synced across as many devices as you want — plus, Bitwarden is compatible with more browsers than most competitors. The no-cost plan also includes encrypted text sharing with Bitwarden Send and username data breach reports. NordPass does have a free plan with unlimited password storage, but you can only be logged in on one device at a time, which can be tedious if you need to access your vault on desktop and mobile. 

2. You’re looking for premium security features at an affordable price

Bitwarden’s fully featured plan costs just $10 per year — compared to $24 per year on NordPass with an increase upon renewal — and you definitely get your money’s worth. A premium subscription comes with secure file sharing, 1GB of storage, more robust vault health reports, an integrated authenticator, priority support, and emergency access, which allows you to designate an emergency contact for your vault. A paid subscription to Bitwarden offers more value than most. 

3. You need a budget-friendly family plan

Bitwarden is already a solid choice for most users thanks to its excellent security posture and feature set, and its affordable pricing is an extra selling point for individuals and families alike. With Bitwarden Family, you get six individual accounts for just $40 per year: each person gets their own private vault and all premium features, while admins can help manage account recovery. Note that we also highly recommend NordPass for families, especially if you are including members who have never used a password manager before, but Bitwarden’s pricing can’t be beat for the basics. NordPass starts at $44 per year for six users but could jump to $72 upon renewal.

The final verdict

Bitwarden is consistently among our top password manager picks — for individuals and families and across platforms — thanks to its robust security and its full feature set at little to no cost. This makes Bitwarden a great option for most people, especially those who want a free, unrestricted password management tool. Where NordPass shines is in its user interface and onboarding, which offer an excellent experience to those using a password manager for the first time. NordPass is also a good choice for extra privacy and security features (both included and available as add-ons to your universal Nord account). 

Which is more secure, NordPass or Bitwarden? 

Both password managers are highly secure and protect your data with strong encryption. Bitwarden uses the well-established AES-256 encryption standard and is open source, meaning anyone can review the platform’s code to identify flaws that need patching. NordPass relies on powerful XChaCha20 encryption — in both cases, your information is visible only to you. Both platforms have undergone independent security audits, and neither has been hacked. 

Are Bitwarden and NordPass a good value?

Bitwarden’s free plan is hard to beat, as you get unlimited credentials across unlimited platforms, so your passwords are always accessible where you need them. And at just $10 per year, Bitwarden’s premium plan is cheaper than most competitors with comparable features. NordPass’s paid plan is also a great value, with useful tools like email masking, data breach scanning, and 3GB of file storage (compared to 1GB with Bitwarden) at a cost of just $24 per year. Note that Bitwarden’s pricing is consistent no matter how long you subscribe for, while NordPass offers promos for the first one or two years, after which the annual fee will jump. 

Alternatives to consider

If neither NordPass nor Bitwarden meets your needs, there are other solid password managers worth considering:

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