Free plans compared
If you want a free vault on a phone and a laptop at once, NordPass Free is the wrong fit: one session at a time is the core limit [6]. One inconsistency to note: NordPass's support article [6] and the feature comparison table on its plans page [1] list NordPass Authenticator as included in Premium and Family, while the plan cards higher on the same page marked it as not included on 30 October 2026 [1]. Confirm with NordPass before buying Premium for 2FA codes.
| NordPass Free | Proton Pass Free | |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | One active session on one device; apps can be installed anywhere [6] | Unlimited devices [4] |
| Logins, notes, cards | Autosave, autofill and secure storage included [1] | Unlimited logins, notes and credit cards [4] |
| Email aliases | Email Masking is a Premium feature [6] | 10 hide-my-email aliases [4] |
| Sharing | Secure sharing is a Premium feature [6] | Share with up to 2 others; 2 vaults [4] |
| Breach alerts | Data Breach Scanner not included on Free [1] | Alerts for weak and reused passwords; Dark Web Monitoring is paid [4] |
| Passkeys | Passkeys can be stored and shared like other items [11] | Passkeys supported on all devices [4] |
| 2FA code storage | Not included on Free [1] | Built-in authenticator is a Pass Plus feature [4] |
Paid prices and renewal
Two-year example for one person: NordPass Premium's 2-year plan is $37.53. Proton Pass Plus would be $71.76 if the $35.88 12-month price applied twice, but Proton's page shows the $4.99 a month regular price struck through, so check the renewal price in your Proton account before year 2. Both sides offer a 30-day money-back guarantee [1] [4].
| Plan | Price shown | Billing | Renewal stated |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordPass Premium, 1-year | $23.88 ($1.99/mo) | First year | $35.88/yr [2] |
| NordPass Premium, 2-year | $37.53 ($1.39/mo) | 2 years plus 3 gift months | $35.88/yr [10] |
| NordPass Family, 1-year | $44.28 ($3.69/mo), 6 accounts | First year | $71.88/yr [3] |
| Proton Pass Plus, 12 months | $35.88 ($2.99/mo, regular $4.99) | Every 12 months | Not stated on the pricing page [4] |
| Proton Pass Plus, monthly | $4.99/mo | Every month | Same [4] |
| Proton Pass Family, 12 months | $59.88 ($4.99/mo), 6 Pass Plus accounts | Every 12 months | Not stated [4] |
| Proton Unlimited, 12 months | $119.88 ($9.99/mo), adds Mail, Calendar, VPN, Drive | Every 12 months | Not stated [4] |
Email masking and extras
Both sell email aliases, but on different tiers. Proton Pass gives 10 hide-my-email aliases free and unlimited aliases on Pass Plus, which also adds custom domains for aliases, extra mailboxes, the ability to start an email from an alias, Dark Web Monitoring, file attachments and Emergency Access [4]. NordPass puts Email Masking, Data Breach Scanner, Password Health, file attachments and Emergency Access behind Premium [6].
If you already pay for Proton Mail or want a bundle, Proton Unlimited at $119.88 a year includes Pass with Mail, Calendar, VPN and Drive [4]. NordPass's closest bundle is NordVPN Complete, covered in our NordPass discount guide.
Openness, audits and encryption
Proton says all Proton Pass apps are open source and can be reviewed by anyone, with code published at github.com/protonpass, that Pass has been audited by independent third-party experts, and that data is encrypted with 256-bit AES-GCM [5]. The security page we read did not name the auditor or date.
NordPass says it uses XChaCha20 for vault encryption and Argon2id for key derivation, runs a bug bounty program and undergoes regular internal reviews and independent third-party audits [7]. Its Business pricing page lists ISO 27001 certification, SOC 2 Type 2, Cure53 and HIPAA [8]. NordPass's security page does not describe its apps as open source [7].
Jurisdiction, as each company states it
Proton says its data is protected by Swiss privacy law and that it is outside US and EU jurisdiction [4] [5].
NordPass's promotion terms name nordvpn S.A. in Panama City as the contracting party, governed by Panamanian law, while noting that consumer-protection laws of your country of residence still apply [9]. NordPass says it is hosted on Amazon Web Services and stores vault items in separate AWS data centers in the US and EU [7].
Who should pick which
- Staying free: Proton Pass Free, because of unlimited devices and 10 aliases.
- Cheapest paid year one for one person: NordPass Premium at $23.88.
- Want audited open-source apps: Proton Pass.
- Heavy alias user or Proton Mail customer: Pass Plus or Proton Unlimited.
- Family of six on a budget: compare NordPass Family at $44.28 first year ($71.88 renewal) against Proton Pass Family at $59.88 per 12 months.
- Skip NordPass if you need one free account on several devices at once.
Questions before you decide
Which has the better free plan?
Proton Pass Free: it allows unlimited logins and devices and includes 10 hide-my-email aliases. NordPass Free limits you to one active session on one device.
Is Proton Pass open source?
Proton says all Proton Pass apps are open source and links its code at github.com/protonpass. NordPass's security page does not describe its apps as open source.
Does NordPass have email aliases like Proton Pass?
Yes, as Email Masking, but NordPass lists it as a Premium feature. Proton Pass includes 10 aliases free and unlimited on Pass Plus.
Where is each company based?
Proton points to Swiss jurisdiction. NordPass's promotion terms name nordvpn S.A. in Panama City, and NordPass says vault items are stored in AWS data centers in the US and EU.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- NordPass plans (personal, 1-year and 2-year tabs) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordPass checkout order summary: Premium 1-year Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordPass checkout order summary: Family 1-year Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Proton Pass pricing and plans (monthly and yearly toggles) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Proton Pass security page Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordPass: Premium vs Free version of NordPass Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordPass security overview Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordPass Business plans and feature comparison Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordPass: terms of the personal gift-with-purchase promotion (last updated 21 Oct 2026) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordPass checkout order summary: Premium 2-year Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordPass: Passkeys FAQs Accessed 30 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.