Bitwarden is open-source and free with unlimited password storage, while NordPass offers a more polished interface and includes breach monitoring in its premium tier. Bitwarden excels for privacy-conscious users, whereas NordPass caters to those wanting simplified management with extra security features.
Bitwarden vs NordPass — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Open-source password manager with unlimited free tier and community-driven development.
Commercial password manager by Nord Security offering modern UX with breach monitoring and VPN integration.
Source Code Transparency. Free Tier Password Limit. Premium Tier Cost (Annual). Breach Monitoring Included. Password Generator Strength. User Interface Simplicity. Zero-Knowledge Architecture
Choose Bitwarden if you prioritize transparency, affordability, and open-source code with independent audits—ideal for security professionals and privacy advocates willing to accept a less polished interface. Choose NordPass if you value a more intuitive user experience, modern design, and seamless integration with NordVPN (if subscribed), and don't mind paying a premium for convenience and corporate backing from Nord Security.
Bitwarden: 6 (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, Web) | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: $10.00 | NordPass: $1.49/month (2-year)
Password Generator Customization Options
Bitwarden: 8 options | NordPass: 15 customization settings (includes passphrase mode, separator options)
Bitwarden: Not available | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: 100% open-source | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: AES-256 encryption | NordPass: AES-256 encryption
Bitwarden: Community-based | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: Yes, unlimited features | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: $10/year premium (free tier available) | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: Official native apps (iOS/Android) | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: Official extensions for 4 major browsers | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: Partial (cached data only) | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: Automatic cloud sync | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: Yes, publicly audited | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: 8+ methods (premium) | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: Yes, fully supported | NordPass: N/A
Independent Security Audits (Past 3 Years)
Bitwarden: Community forum + email | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: $10/year | NordPass: $59.99/year
Bitwarden: Unlimited | NordPass: Unlimited (ad-supported)
Bitwarden: Fully supported with official guidance | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: No (separate service required) | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: Open-source (GitHub) | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: 2023 (Cure53) | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: 40+ languages | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: 50M+ (basic check) | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: Open-source on GitHub | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: Not available | NordPass: No native feature
Bitwarden: Yes (audited) | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: 3 third-party audits (2024) | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: Yes (via Vaultwarden) | NordPass: No, cloud only
Bitwarden: $40/year (5x individual plans) | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: Yes (GitHub) | NordPass: No, proprietary
Bitwarden: 2024 (annual audits) | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: $3/user/month | NordPass: N/A
Bitwarden: Unlimited | NordPass: Unlimited
Bitwarden: 5 public audits (2020-2024) | NordPass: 3 public audits (2020-2024)
Bitwarden: Yes (GitHub public) | NordPass: No (proprietary)
Bitwarden: No (premium only) | NordPass: No (premium only)
Bitwarden: 7.2/10 (functional) | NordPass: 8.8/10 (modern)
Bitwarden: Yes (Vaultwarden) | NordPass: No (cloud-only)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Annual Billing)
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: Guided wizard interface
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: Premium tier included
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: Premium feature
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: Imports from Bitwarden and browsers
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: AES-256 + XChaCha20
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: Yes (since founding)
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: 9 platforms (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: Full support across platforms
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: Native NordVPN integration
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: Public breaches only
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: Yes (included)
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: 64+ characters
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: 3 pre-defined vaults
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera (5 major)
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: No team features
Advanced Sharing Permissions (Field-Level)
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: Not available
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: 5 shared vaults
Two-Factor Authentication Methods Supported
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: 8 (TOTP, WebAuthn, SMS, email, etc.)
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: Cloud-only, requires internet
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: 10+ (includes pronounceable, memorable options)
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: $1.99/month (billed annually = $23.88/year)
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: 2024 (full SOC 2 Type II certification)
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: 4 extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: 5+ million users globally
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: 7 years (founded 2017)
Bitwarden: N/A | NordPass: 200+ integrations (growing)
How to choose between Bitwarden and NordPass
Bitwarden vs NordPass — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Bitwarden vs NordPass. Contains 110 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Bitwarden vs NordPass — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Bitwarden vs NordPass.
Is Bitwarden really free, or do I have to pay?
Bitwarden's free tier is genuinely unlimited—you can store unlimited passwords, notes, and cards at no cost. The $10/year premium adds breach monitoring, priority support, and encrypted file storage. NordPass also has an unlimited free tier, but breakthrough monitoring requires the $59.99/year premium.
Which is more secure: Bitwarden or NordPass?
Both use industry-standard AES-256 encryption and zero-knowledge architecture, so encryption strength is identical. Bitwarden has an advantage in transparency—its open-source code has been independently audited 5 times (2020-2024), while NordPass relies on 3 public audits of its proprietary code. For most users, both are equally secure; Bitwarden wins if you value verifiability.
Can I use Bitwarden if I don't have a Bitwarden account?
No, Bitwarden requires account creation for syncing across devices. However, you can self-host Bitwarden using Vaultwarden (an unofficial server) on your own infrastructure, which NordPass doesn't allow since it's cloud-only. This is a major advantage for power users wanting maximum control.
Yes, NordPass integrates seamlessly with NordVPN—if you have both subscriptions, there are bundled pricing options (around $5-6/month combined). Bitwarden has no VPN integration, but you can use any VPN independently with it.
Which password manager is better for families?
NordPass offers a Family plan for $99.99/year (6 users), making it better value for households. Bitwarden doesn't have native family sharing, though you can set up organizational accounts ($40/year for up to 2 users). For families, NordPass is the more practical choice, though significantly more expensive.
How to Choose Between Bitwarden and NordPass
Source Code Transparency: Bitwarden has Open-source (fully auditable), while NordPass has Proprietary (closed-source).
Free Tier Password Limit: Bitwarden has Unlimited passwords, while NordPass has Unlimited passwords.
Premium Tier Cost (Annual): Bitwarden has $10/year, while NordPass has $59.99/year (Standard).
Breach Monitoring Included: Bitwarden has Premium only ($10/year), while NordPass has Premium only ($59.99/year).
Password Generator Strength: Bitwarden has Configurable (256-bit options), while NordPass has Configurable (256-bit options).
User Interface Simplicity: Bitwarden has Functional, less polished, while NordPass has Modern, highly intuitive.
Zero-Knowledge Architecture: Bitwarden has Confirmed, publicly audited, while NordPass has Claimed, verified by third-party.