NordPass For Mac

More and more people are finally starting to understand the value of password managers, and it's about time. There is simply no other convenient way to keep multiple accounts secure without using the same password, which is a big no-no.

If the name NordPass sounds a bit familiar, that's because it's the creation of the same developer behind NordVPN. They should definitely know their stuff when it comes to data security, but how good is the app in every other way? Well, let's see.

It's very easy to get started. Just set up your account, create a master password, and you can start storing all your sensitive information. Data can be imported from a number of browsers and password managers, and you can also export your vault if you wish to switch to a different service.

As is the case with every other cloud-based password-manager, NordPass is available for multiple other platforms and all major browsers. Aside from macOS, you can use it on Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. We'll cover the extensions later, but know that you can install them in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Brave directly from the desktop app.

We wouldn't expect anything else from the team that brought us NordVPN, but it's worth mentioning that encryption and decryption are handled locally, so none of the information stored in the cloud will be useful to anyone, even if they somehow gain access to it.

The XChaCha20 algorithm is used for encryption, and cybersecurity firm Cure53 has conducted an audit of all NordPass applications, finding no issues in the process.

To ensure no one can access your account should they get ahold of your master password, you can use two-factor authentication. However, you will have to use a third-party mobile authenticator, as a dedicated app is not available.

When it comes to adding items to your vault, things are pretty straightforward. A password manager is included to help you create unique passcodes, which is nice. However, I don't see why it's required to add a website URL for each login, given that the desktop app could easily be used for managing non-web accounts as well.

Sharing passwords with others is quite simple, but they do need to have an account and install the app beforehand. If you really like your friends, you can even add them as trusted contacts.

As I mentioned before, you can add NordPass to Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge, and Brave. While the latter two are listed separately, they can use the same add-on from the Chrome Web Store.

The extensions offer some basic functionality, allowing you to browse your vault, add items, generate passwords, and autofill information on websites. However, they will not work if the desktop app isn't running in the background, which will be seen as a downside by some, though probably not most.

Well, that depends. If you only use one device on a day-to-day basis, it's more than enough. You won't be able to share passwords, but that's not a deal breaker feature for most users anyway.

However, if you're like me and you need a password manager at home, at work, on a Mac, a Windows PC, a phone, or any combination of those, the free version won't be enough. You can only be logged into one device at a time, so switching between them will be an ordeal, especially with two-factor authentication.

In the end, whether you choose NordPass will depend entirely on your wallet and the number of devices you are using. If you're looking for a free service, it is only suitable if you need a password manager on just one device. If you're prepared to pay for a subscription, however, NordPass is a fine choice, though you may get more bang for your buck from other services, given its relatively small feature set at present.