NordPass vs 1Password: Which is Better in 2026?
Choose NordPass if you want a password manager with a free plan and a modern XChaCha20 encryption design, and choose 1Password if you want its Secret Key security model, Watchtower alerts on every plan, and deeper business and developer features, with no free tier. Both describe themselves as zero-knowledge, both have been independently audited according to their own pages, and both store passwords, passkeys, cards, and notes with autofill across browsers and devices. Read this if you are picking a password manager for yourself, a family, or a small team and want to know where the two actually differ.
Bottom line: 1Password wins this matchup. LastPass is our overall Password Managers pick. LastPass is our free Password Managers pick. Pick NordPass if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
NordPass
Securely store, manage, and autofill passwords and sensitive data for personal and business use.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want good password manager
- • You want nordVPN company
1Password
Securely store passwords, cards, and docs with end-to-end encryption
Best for you if:
- • You want excellent security
- • You want easy to use
| At a Glance | NordPass | 1Password |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $2.99/moIndividual |
Best For | Password Managers | Password Managers |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose NordPass or 1Password?
Choose NordPass if
Securely store, manage, and autofill passwords and sensitive data for personal and business use.
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want good password manager
- You want nordVPN company
Choose 1Password if
Securely store passwords, cards, and docs with end-to-end encryption
- You want excellent security
- You want easy to use
| Feature | NordPass | 1Password |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 681 reviews | ★4.7/5 3,945 reviews |
| Categories | Password ManagersSecurity | Password ManagersSecurity |
In-Depth Analysis
NordPass
Strengths
- +NordPass says it uses a zero-knowledge architecture, so no one, not even NordPass, can see what is stored in your vault
- +It says it is the only major password manager built on XChaCha20 encryption, and states that its security has been audited by Cure53 and supported by ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications
- +A free plan exists. NordPass says Free covers unlimited password storage, autosave, and autofill, while Premium adds unlimited simultaneous devices, a Data Breach Scanner, and Secure Item Sharing
- +The vault stores passkeys, credit cards, and private notes, and NordPass offers a Family plan with six Premium accounts and Teams, Business, and Enterprise tiers for organizations
- +Moving data in and out is documented: NordPass has a support article on exporting from 1Password into NordPass, and its own export produces a CSV file from settings
Weaknesses
- -NordPass's support center says the Free plan allows one active session at a time and leaves out the Data Breach Scanner and Secure Item Sharing, so Free works as a single-device starter more than a household solution
- -NordPass runs promotional offers on its plans page, so confirm the first-term price and the renewal price at checkout before you compare totals with another manager
Best For
Individuals who want a free starting point, families who want six Premium accounts on one plan, and buyers who like XChaCha20 and the wider Nord Security product line.
NordPass is the better choice when a free plan matters, or when you want a capable zero-knowledge manager and are comfortable confirming promotional pricing at checkout.
1Password
Strengths
- +1Password says your account is protected by two layers, your password, which it never stores, plus a 128-bit Secret Key, and says that without both keys no one can access an account, not even 1Password; it also uses Secure Remote Password to protect data in transit
- +All vault data is end-to-end encrypted with AES 256-bit encryption, according to 1Password, which is SOC 2 Type 2 certified and says it is regularly assessed by independent experts and runs a bug bounty
- +Watchtower alerts for weak, reused, and breached passwords are included on every account, along with passkey support, Travel Mode for hiding vaults when crossing borders, and secure sharing with people who do not use 1Password
- +Pricing is published in plain terms: Individual at 2.99 US dollars a month and Families at 4.49 dollars a month with annual billing under the current promotion, with regular prices of 3.99 and 5.99, and a 14-day free trial
- +On the business side, 1Password Business is 8.99 dollars per user per month paid annually and includes SSO and provisioning integrations with Okta, Entra ID, OneLogin, Duo, and others, SIEM event streaming, and developer tools such as SSH key signing, Git commit signing, a CLI, and SDKs
Weaknesses
- -There is no free plan. 1Password offers a 14-day free trial of Individual, Families, and Business, then requires payment
- -The promotional prices apply to new customers who subscribe directly through 1Password.com for the first year with annual billing, and not through app stores, so renewal pricing is the regular rate
- -The Secret Key adds a second secret to store and back up, and prices are listed in US dollars by default, with a currency selector on the page
Best For
People and teams who want the most explicit security model, Watchtower alerts on every plan, and strong business integrations, and who accept paying from day one.
1Password is the better choice when the Secret Key model, breach alerts on every plan, and business and developer tooling matter more than having a free plan.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Security model
TieBoth say they are zero-knowledge and independently audited. NordPass points to XChaCha20 encryption, a Cure53 audit, ISO 27001, and SOC 2 Type 2. 1Password points to AES 256-bit encryption, a two-key design with a Secret Key, Secure Remote Password, SOC 2 Type 2, and published audits. Either is a credible choice, and the practical difference is the Secret Key, which adds a second secret on top of your password.
Free plan
NordPass winsNordPass has a Free plan with unlimited password storage, autosave, and autofill, limited to one active session at a time and without the Data Breach Scanner or Secure Item Sharing. 1Password has no free plan, only a 14-day free trial. If you want to start without paying, NordPass is the only one of the two that lets you.
Pricing clarity
1Password wins1Password lists Individual at 2.99 US dollars a month and Families at 4.49 with annual billing under the current promotion, with regular prices of 3.99 and 5.99, and states that promotions apply to the first year for new direct customers. NordPass runs promotional offers on its plans page, so confirm the first-term and renewal prices at checkout before you compare totals.
Family plans
TieNordPass says its Family plan gives six Premium accounts. 1Password's Families plan lets you invite up to five family members, with unlimited shared vaults and simple admin controls. Both cover a household, and the choice comes down to headcount and which sharing interface your family prefers.
Breach alerts and extras
1Password wins1Password includes Watchtower alerts for weak, reused, and breached passwords on every account, plus Travel Mode. NordPass's Data Breach Scanner is a Premium feature, so it is not part of the Free plan. For monitoring included at every price point, 1Password is ahead.
Business and developer features
1Password wins1Password Business is 8.99 US dollars per user per month paid annually, and its Teams Starter Pack is 24.95 dollars a month for 10 members. It lists SSO and provisioning integrations with Okta, Entra ID, OneLogin, Duo, and others, SIEM streaming, and developer tools including SSH key signing and a CLI. NordPass offers Teams, Business, and Enterprise tiers, but 1Password documents the broader integration set.
Migration Considerations
Both tools move data through CSV files. To go from NordPass to 1Password, open NordPass settings, find the Import and Export section, choose Export items, enter your master password, and save the CSV file, then import it into 1Password, which accepts a CSV file from many apps. To go the other way, NordPass has a support article on exporting from 1Password. A CSV export is unencrypted, so do the import on a device you trust, delete the file when you are done, and change any master password you reuse. Keep your old vault until you have confirmed that logins, notes, and cards arrived.
Pricing: NordPass vs 1Password
| Plan | NordPass | 1Password |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Free | $2.99 Individual |
| Tier 2 | $2.99 Premium | $4.99 Families |
| Tier 3 | $4.99 Family | $19.95 Teams Starter Pack |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $7.99 Business |
| Tier 5 | N/A | Free Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on NordPass pricing and 1Password pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
NordPass has a free tier. 1Password is paid only.
Go with: NordPass
Want the highest-rated option?
NordPass: 4.5/5 (681 reviews). 1Password: 4.7/5 (3,945 reviews).
Go with: 1Password
Value user reviews?
NordPass: 681 reviews (4.5/5). 1Password: 3,945 reviews (4.7/5).
Go with: 1Password
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
NordPass is freemium. 1Password is paid. NordPass lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are password managers tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
1Password is rated higher: 4.7/5 vs 4.5/5.
Key Takeaways
1Password
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.5/5
- Larger review base (3,945 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
NordPass
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
Pick NordPass if you want to start with a free plan, if you want six Premium accounts for a family on one plan, or if XChaCha20 and the Nord Security ecosystem appeal to you. Pick 1Password if you want the Secret Key model, Watchtower on every plan, clear published pricing, and stronger business and developer integrations, and you are comfortable with a 14-day trial instead of a free tier. If you are an individual or a family undecided between them, try NordPass Free first, and move to 1Password if you decide you want the extra security layer and breach monitoring on every plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NordPass or 1Password more secure?
Both say they are zero-knowledge and have been independently audited, so neither has a clear advantage on paper. NordPass uses XChaCha20 and cites a Cure53 audit, ISO 27001, and SOC 2 Type 2. 1Password uses AES 256-bit encryption plus a Secret Key and cites SOC 2 Type 2 and published audits. The Secret Key is the main structural difference.
Does NordPass or 1Password have a free plan?
NordPass does. Its Free plan covers unlimited password storage, autosave, and autofill, with one active session at a time and no Data Breach Scanner or Secure Item Sharing. 1Password has no free plan and offers a 14-day free trial of Individual, Families, and Business.
How much does 1Password cost?
On its pricing page, 1Password lists Individual at 2.99 US dollars a month and Families at 4.49 dollars a month with annual billing under the current promotion, with regular prices of 3.99 and 5.99. The promotion applies to new customers subscribing directly for the first year. 1Password Business is 8.99 dollars per user per month paid annually.
Which is better for a family?
Both work. NordPass says its Family plan includes six Premium accounts. 1Password's Families plan lets you invite up to five family members and share unlimited vaults with admin controls. Compare the first-term and renewal prices at checkout, since both use promotional offers.
Can I move my passwords from NordPass to 1Password?
Yes, by exporting your NordPass items as a CSV file from its settings and importing that file into 1Password, which supports CSV imports from many apps. Treat the file as sensitive because it is unencrypted, and delete it after you confirm everything transferred.