NordPass vs Dashlane: which one is better?
NordPass and Dashlane are two reliable password managers that cover the essentials. Both include features such as secure password storage, autofill, password sharing, and account protection. However, they take slightly different approaches: Dashlane includes a built-in VPN and dark web monitoring, while NordPass offers a free version, more affordable plans, native desktop apps, and email masking.
For this NordPass vs Dashlane comparison, the Cybernews research team and I tested both services across the areas that matter most: security, features, pricing, ease of use, platform compatibility, and customer support. Instead of relying only on feature lists, we looked at how both password managers perform in everyday use.
So, if you’re choosing between NordPass and Dashlane, this comparison breaks down their biggest differences, strengths, and drawbacks to help you decide which one fits you better.
Dashlane vs NordPass – overview
Both Dashlane and NordPass offer broad platform compatibility and strong encryption protocols. However, NordPass is the more affordable option overall and has a free version. Here’s a quick comparison of both providers:
| NordPass | Dashlane | |
| ⭐ Rating: | ||
| 🥇 Overall rank: | #1 out of #20 | #5 out of #20 |
| 🔥 Coupons: | NordPass coupon 61% OFF | Dashlane coupon 25% OFF |
| 💵 Price: | From $1.29/month | From $4.06/month |
| ✂️ Free version: | Yes | No, but there's a free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee |
| 🔒 Encryption: | XChaCha20 | AES-256 |
| 🖥️ Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Web app/browser extension, macOS, Android, iOS |
| 🌐 Browser extensions: | Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Brave, Vivaldi | Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi |
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Key differences between NordPass and Dashlane
NordPass and Dashlane are both trusted password managers that deliver strong security, clean interfaces, and smooth autofill across devices. Still, they differ in important ways, so one may fit your needs better depending on what you value most.
Choose NordPass if:
- You want better value for your budget. NordPass is generally more affordable than Dashlane while still offering premium security, a modern interface, and a solid feature set. Moreover, there is a free version that covers all the basics.
- You need email masking for extra privacy. NordPass includes an email masking feature that lets you create secure alternative email addresses to protect your real inbox from spam and leaks.
- You want strong desktop support across platforms. NordPass offers native desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux, giving you full-featured access without relying only on browser extensions.
For a deeper dive, see our NordPass review, where we test its security, features, and usability in detail.
Choose Dashlane if:
- You want a built-in VPN included. Dashlane bundles a reliable VPN with its Premium plan and Friends & Family manager account, encrypting your internet connection and boosting privacy on public or unsecured networks.
- You want streamlined identity monitoring. Dashlane offers dark web monitoring and personalized security alerts as part of its premium plans, helping you stay informed if your personal data is compromised.
- You want a family plan for up to 10 users. Dashlane’s Friends & Family plan supports up to 10 members, making it a strong choice for larger households that want to securely manage passwords under a single subscription.
Read our Dashlane review to see how it performed in our full security and usability tests.
Dashlane vs NordPass: plans and pricing
NordPass and Dashlane take different approaches to pricing: NordPass offers a free plan and more affordable premium tiers, while Dashlane is paid-only and includes a built-in VPN.
| Plan | NordPass | Dashlane |
| Free | ✅ Yes | ❌ No, but there’s a 14-day free trial |
| Premium | $1.29/month | $4.06/month |
| Family | $2.32/month | $5.62/month |
| Business plans | From $1.79/month | From $8.00/month |
| Try NordPass | Try Dashlane |
Regardless of which plan you choose, NordPass is clearly the cheaper option. First of all, NordPass is one of the best free password managers out there. Additionally, its cheapest Premium plan is only $1.29/month compared to Dashlane’s $4.06/month. While Dashlane’s Family plan covers more people (10 vs NordPass’ 6), the split subscription cost per person is still cheaper with NordPass. Previously, Dashlane also offered a free tier, but it was discontinued. Now you can test the service with a 14-day free trial.
Comparing Business plans proves that NordPass is cheaper, too. Dashlane’s business password management plan costs $8.00/month per user, while NordPass has a Teams plan covering 10 users for $1.79/month per user, and a monthly Business plan starting from 5 users for $3.59/month per user. Furthermore, you can get the NordPass Enterprise plan for $5.39/month per person, which is still cheaper than Dashlane’s basic business subscription.
NordPass vs Dashlane: security comparison
NordPass and Dashlane are both safe password managers that employ strong, industry-leading security measures. Dashlane uses AES-256 encryption, while NordPass employs XChaCha20 – offering the same high level of protection but with speeds up to three times faster – and NordPass supports a broader range of MFA options.
| Security features | NordPass | Dashlane |
| Data encryption | XChaCha20 | AES-256 |
| MFA/2FA | MFA | MFA (mostly 2FA) |
| Password storage limit | Unlimited for free and paid plans | Unlimited for paid plans |
| Zero-knowledge policy | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Latest independent audit | SOC 2 Type 2 attestation in 2023 | SOC 2 Type II report in 2025 |
Encryption
To compare these two password managers, it’s important to first understand how they work. Both Dashlane and NordPass use equally secure encryption protocols, though they differ slightly. Dashlane employs a 256-bit AES algorithm to encrypt data directly on your device. This cipher is an industry standard widely used by password managers for strong protection.
However, NordPass selected a more modern encryption algorithm, XChaCha20, that is as reliable as the one used by Dashlane. In fact, according to experts, it’s not only as safe as AES-256 but can also be up to 3 times faster on platforms lacking AES hardware acceleration.
Comparing the encryption solutions chosen by the two password managers, both offer reliable, secure options. Just keep in mind that NordPass uses a more lightweight encryption algorithm, which may make encryption and decryption more efficient on some devices.
Multi-factor security
NordPass offers a wider variety of authentication options than Dashlane. It supports authenticator apps, backup codes, and security keys. You can get one of the FIDO-approved U2F devices, like YubiKey, iePass, BioPass, MultiPass, ePass, and others. All of these options are available in both free and premium versions.
Dashlane also uses two-factor (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA). You can use different authenticator apps, like Google Authenticator or Authy. Dashlane also supports biometric and device-based authentication options on supported platforms, including Face ID, Touch ID, PIN unlock, and Apple Watch. Additionally, it supports security keys for unlocking the web app, but not as a second factor for 2FA.
Data storage
Dashlane previously offered a free plan with a limit of 25 passwords, but the company discontinued the free tier in 2025. Dashlane now primarily offers paid personal plans with unlimited password storage. Dashlane premium plans also include Secure Notes with up to 1GB of encrypted file storage for attachments, such as documents, passport scans, and IDs, with a 15MB limit per file.
NordPass doesn’t limit password storage in its free version or premium packages. Similarly, you can secure an unlimited number of notes and credit card details. The only inconvenience is that the File Attachments feature is only available on a Premium or Family plan. While it allows up to 3GB of files, there’s also a limit of 50 attached files per item, with a maximum file size limit of 40MB on desktop.
Privacy policy
If you’re concerned about your privacy, both NordPass and Dashlane operate under the zero-knowledge policy. In simple terms, they cannot obtain your master password or access your vault's secured data. This means the provider has no access to your stored information, and only you can see your sensitive data.
However, you might be asked to provide other private data when using the password manager. For example, Dashlane requires an email address when you register and collects IP activity for service and security purposes.
Keep in mind that NordPass offers a free version that doesn't require credit card details, making it an excellent option for privacy-conscious users. Apart from that, it still collects some data, just as Dashlane does, when opting for premium subscription packages.
Security audits
Independent security audits are essential for verifying the claims providers make, and both NordPass and Dashlane have undergone third-party audits and certifications.
NordPass has completed multiple independent audits, including assessments by Cure53 and SOC 2 audits. Dashlane also undergoes annual independent security and compliance audits, including SOC 2 Type II assessments, and has maintained ISO 27001 certification since 2022.
Additionally, NordPass is not known to have experienced a major public breach exposing users’ encrypted password vaults. Dashlane disclosed a limited 2026 brute-force attack in which encrypted vaults for fewer than 20 affected users were downloaded, but stated that the vault data could not be accessed without the Master Password.
NordPass vs Dashlane: features comparison
NordPass and Dashlane both cover the essential password management features you’d expect, but they each have unique strengths. NordPass stands out with email masking, while Dashlane offers built-in dark web monitoring and emergency access.
| Features | NordPass | Dashlane |
| Autofill | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Password importing | LastPass, 1Password, Keeper, Dashlane, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, or as a CSV file on all platforms | RoboForm, LastPass, PasswordWallet, or as a CSV file on the web or Android app only |
| Account recovery | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Customizable password generator | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Customizable password sharing | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Data leak protection | ✅ Yes, Data Breach Scanner monitors emails and payment details for breaches | ✅ Yes, dark web monitoring and phishing alerts |
| Email masking | ✅ Yes, NordPass provides alternative email addresses that forward the emails to your actual email address for increased privacy | ❌ No |
| VPN included | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (partnered with Hotspot Shield) |
| Weak password monitoring | ✅ Yes, Password Health detects weak passwords, and the Exposed Passwords feature scans for passwords found in breaches | ✅ Yes |
| Passkeys | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Autofill
Autofill is a pretty basic feature that's included in every password manager. It lets you quickly enter your login details and other information. However, NordPass has also improved the process with Instant Login, which lets users log in with a single click. It's on by default but can be disabled in the settings menu.
You can also choose which websites NordPass autofills your information for. In addition, NordPass allows users to add multiple website URLs to the same item, which helps avoid duplicate vault entries.
Dashlane similarly provides flexible autofill controls, automatic login capture, and phishing-resistant autofill protections through its browser extension.
Password importing
NordPass offers slightly more password import options than Dashlane, though both password managers offer convenient methods.
Importing passwords with NordPass is straightforward. It has a dedicated Import section in the Settings where you can select the most suitable import option for you. This password manager supports switching from other tools, like LastPass, 1Password, Keeper, and even Dashlane itself.
Additionally, you can quickly upload your passwords from the most popular browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. There’s an option to either import them all together from a CSV file or import them individually.
Similarly, Dashlane supports importing from other password managers, such as 1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass, KeePass, and Keeper, as well as bulk uploads via CSV. Dashlane handles imports mainly through its web app or Android app.
Account and password recovery
Compared to NordPass, Dashlane definitely makes it easier to recover your account. While many password managers offer very limited password recovery options, Dashlane offers some useful solutions. If you forget your master password, you can reset it using a recovery key or biometric data if you've enabled it. Dashlane also offers emergency sharing through its “Share your data with a trusted person” feature, though this is separate from master password recovery.
NordPass is slightly stricter about account recovery to maintain the highest security standards. The main way to regain access to your vault is to use the unique Recovery Code provided during setup, and biometric recovery may also be available if you enabled it beforehand.
NordPass Premium users also have access to an Emergency Access feature that lets pre-approved trusted contacts request temporary read-only access to vault items in emergency situations. This can help users avoid permanently losing access to important credentials while still maintaining account security.
Overall, Dashlane offers easier, more effective account recovery methods.
Password generator
Both NordPass and Dashlane offer password generators to help you create strong passwords to protect your accounts. You can customize them easily by choosing the password length and selecting whether to include capital letters, numbers, and symbols.
Even though Dashlane is pre-set to generate 12-character passwords, you can change that and get longer (40 characters) or shorter (4 characters) passwords.
NordPass allows extending the password length to 64 characters, which is quite useful if you want to protect financial accounts with extra-strong passwords.
It also allows you to generate pass-phrase passwords of up to 10 words. They are usually separated using your chosen punctuation and can be relatively easy to remember, such as stare-angle-cohesions-theave.
Overall, NordPass has a more detailed password generator, but both password managers are great for creating strong passwords.
Password sharing
Both NordPass and Dashlane offer password sharing with adjustable permissions. Easy, secure password sharing is essential, as most of us encounter situations where we might need to grant another person access to one of our accounts. So, instead of sharing the password through unprotected networks, you can do so via the password-sharing feature.
It’s very easy with NordPass – select the password and type the recipient's email address. The shared password will be encrypted to ensure it reaches the person safely. There are four permission types, too. Whoever you share the password with can edit the login details, share it with others, view it, or autofill it. You can also create Shared Folders on NordPass Business and Enterprise plans, while Enterprise users get additional controls like Sharing Hub and ownership transfer.
NordPass also offers granular sharing permissions and time-limited sharing. Users can set the access levels such as Can share, Can autofill, Can view, and Can view. Moreover, you can select a timeframe for which the shared item will be available to view.
Dashlane also offers flexible item sharing, with permission levels such as Full access, Can edit, Can view, and Can autofill. It also supports link sharing with non-Dashlane users.
Even though I would say both password managers have excellent password-sharing features, with NordPass being slightly more detailed, there’s one catch: the recipient must register for at least a free NordPass account to access a shared password.
While both password managers share similar features, NordPass performed better in our tests, making it the winner in this category.
Platforms, interface and ease of use
Both NordPass and Dashlane offer user-friendly apps and browser extensions across major platforms, but their layouts, workflows, and overall experience differ slightly depending on the device you use.
| NordPass | Dashlane | |
| Supported OS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Web app/browser extension, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Browser extensions | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, Brave, and other Chromium-based browsers | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, Brave, and other Chromium-based browsers |
| Number of users | Up to 6 users | Up to 10 users |
Desktop apps
NordPass has a quick installation process that only took me a few minutes. Windows 11 and macOS Sonoma desktop apps are user-friendly and intuitive. Additionally, NordPass supports Linux, making it a solid choice for users across all major operating systems.
Dashlane, on the other hand, has moved to browser extension access on desktop. As of October 1, 2025, users can log in on a computer only through the Dashlane extension, while its mobile apps remain available. Those who prefer a dedicated desktop application might find NordPass the better option.
As for the interface, NordPass has a clean, streamlined design, with login items centered and a clearly listed menu of features on the left side of the screen. I’d say NordPass is a good fit for casual users and a suitable password manager for seniors, thanks to its larger item icons and simple layout.
Browser extensions
In terms of compatibility, Dashlane and NordPass have dedicated browser extensions for all the most popular browsers, like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Safari. They are designed to improve the functionality of web applications by autofilling and autosaving passwords while you browse.
Both extensions cover the essentials, including autofill, autosave, and password generation. However, for full vault management and advanced settings, you’ll still need to open the main app or web app, depending on the provider.
Mobile apps
NordPass offers excellent mobile password manager apps for Android and iOS devices. I tested compatibility on a Google Pixel 9 running Android 16 and an iPhone 13 running iOS 26. What’s worth mentioning is that both of them are equally rich in features with almost no limitations.
Aside from a more minimalist, phone-optimized design, there are no notable differences from the NordPass desktop app, so you can easily add folders, save sensitive documents, and scan credit card details.
Dashlane also supports both Android and iOS. The dedicated mobile apps are uncluttered, free of unnecessary visualizations, and intuitive to use. You can use the autofill feature, secure notes, or the built-in VPN.
Dashlane vs NordPass: customer support
Both NordPass and Dashlane offer multiple support channels, including help centers and live assistance options, though the speed and depth of support can vary depending on the plan. Overall, they provide solid support experiences, but I noticed some differences in accessibility and responsiveness.
| NordPass | Dashlane | |
| Email support | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| 24/7 live chat | ✅ Yes | ❌ No, live chat is available during business hours |
| Phone support | ❌ No | ❌ No for personal users |
| Community support (forum) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| How-to guides/Knowledge base | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Social media support | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Both NordPass and Dashlane have extensive FAQ sections with detailed how-to guides that answer the most common queries. In addition, questions can be submitted via email.
Personally, I prefer live chat because it’s the fastest way to find a resolution without having to read through countless articles or materials. While both Dashlane and NordPass use chatbots to answer questions first, connecting you with a person if your issue is not resolved. However, while NordPass offers 24/7 live chat and email support, Dashlane’s live agent support is only available during business hours.
My entire interaction with Dashlane’s live chatbot lasted about 3 minutes. I asked a question about setting up an account, was presented with a few suggested options, selected the one that best matched my intentions, and received an instant and detailed response. The instructions provided to me were very clear, and I did not miss any human contact at all, as my inquiry was resolved effectively and quickly.
With NordPass, the entire interaction took slightly longer because I was connected to a person almost instantly. The responses were polite, short, and to the point. I also got the answers I was looking for, so if you encounter any issues, you can contact customer support via live chat for assistance.
NordPass vs Dashlane – final verdict
Both NordPass and Dashlane perform strongly as password managers, offering secure encryption, reliable autofill, and useful extra features, but they take slightly different approaches. NordPass offers modern XChaCha20 encryption, a simpler interface, email masking, and a more flexible password generator, while Dashlane stands out with built-in VPN functionality, dark web monitoring, and a larger family plan.
Overall, NordPass stands out as a stronger password manager due to its better balance of usability, modern security architecture, and competitive feature set, making it the better all-around choice for most users.
More password manager comparisons from Cybernews:
FAQ
What’s the difference between NordPass and Dashlane?
While both NordPass and Dashlane are highly secure and user-friendly password managers, NordPass offers more affordable paid plans and slightly broader platform compatibility.
Is Dashlane or NordPass better?
NordPass is better because it offers great password management features at affordable prices, while Dashlane is a great option if you want a built-in VPN and don’t mind spending a few extra dollars.
Can NordPass import from Dashlane?
Yes, NordPass allows you to import passwords from Dashlane and other password managers, including 1Password, LastPass, and RoboForm. You can also import data via CSV if your password manager isn’t listed directly.
