Security & VPN

NordPass vs. LastPass: Review and Comparison Following the LastPass Data Breach

NordPass vs. LastPass: Review and Comparison Following the LastPass Data Breach

NordPass and LastPass are starting 2026 from very different positions. LastPass is still reeling from the major breach in 2022 (33 million vaults compromised, over $35 million in cryptocurrency stolen from more than 150 victims, according to investigations), while NordPass has a track record free of public incidents, two Cure53 audits, and SOC 2 Type 2 certification. NordPass Premium 2026 costs €1.39/month (2-year commitment) or €1.99/month (1-year commitment), compared to about €3/month at LastPass. If you’re still on the fence, this comparison makes the decision clear.

Key points to remember

  • LastPass suffered a breach in August 2022 and a vault theft in November 2022, which was disclosed on December 22, 2022: 33 million customers were affected.
  • More than $35 million in cryptocurrency was stolen from over 150 victims whose wallets were linked to the LastPass breach.
  • NordPass Premium 2026: €1.39/month with a 2-year subscription, €1.99/month with a 1-year subscription. Family plan: €2.79/month for 6 users.
  • NordPass uses XChaCha20 encryption (compared to AES-256 at LastPass), with two Cure53 audits (2022, 2024) and SOC 2 Type 2 certification.
  • LastPass Premium costs around €3 per month, and LastPass Families costs €4 per month.
  • Verdict: Sign up in 2026—NordPass is the clear choice. As a former LastPass subscriber, I’ll be switching over and completely rotating my stored passwords in 2022.

Why is the 2022 LastPass breach still a topic of discussion in 2026?

The security of a password manager is judged over time and by how it handles crises. The 2022 LastPass breach remains a textbook example, because its consequences have spanned several years and are still affecting victims in 2026.

  • August 2022 breach — initial access to the LastPass development environment.
  • November 2022 Data Breach — copies of all customers' encrypted data, plus unencrypted metadata.
  • Disclosure December 22, 2022 — public announcement of the extent of the theft.
  • Unencrypted metadata exposed — names, email addresses, mailing addresses, phone numbers, IP addresses, and URLs of stored websites.
  • 33 million customers — the official estimate of the number of safes that were copied.
  • Over $35 million in cryptocurrency stolen — the total amount identified by investigations into the LastPass breach.
  • More than 150 victims have been identified —whose crypto wallets were linked to the LastPass breach, according to researcher Taylor Monahan.

The trap was twofold. First, the theft of the vaults means that the attackers have a local copy of the encrypted data, which they can attack indefinitely using brute-force methods and significant resources. Second, the unencrypted metadata (account URLs, addresses) allows them to target specific users by cross-referencing it with other data breaches.

AES-256 encryption theoretically protects vaults if the master password is strong. However, many LastPass users employed short master passwords or ones reused elsewhere, and attackers methodically decrypted the most vulnerable vaults. The targeting of crypto wallets resulted in tens of millions of dollars in losses.

Is NordPass really more secure than LastPass in 2026?

On paper, NordPass has a much more reassuring track record. The company (a subsidiary of Nord Security, the maker of NordVPN) has had its service audited twice by Cure53 and has obtained SOC 2 Type 2 certification.

  • No public incidents — NordPass has not suffered any known breaches since its launch in 2019.
  • Cure53 2022 Audit — the first comprehensive audit, focusing on apps and infrastructure.
  • Cure53 Audit 2024 — Second audit, reviewing updates and new features.
  • SOC 2 Type 2 — audit certification of internal controls over security, availability, and confidentiality.
  • XChaCha20 encryption — a modern algorithm that is faster than AES-256 on certain hardware configurations.
  • Zero-knowledge — NordPass does not have access to your master password.
  • 2FA — two-factor authentication is offered and recommended.

When it comes to encryption, the choice of XChaCha20 has been a subject of debate. AES-256 remains the industry standard and is sometimes preferred for standardization reasons. XChaCha20 is just as cryptographically secure and runs faster on modern mobile processors. This is a technical detail that does not affect actual security, but it can influence the decision.

In terms of jurisdiction, NordPass is based in Panama through its parent company, Nord Security. This jurisdiction is often cited for its privacy-friendly framework, as it is outside the Five Eyes and 14 Eyes alliances. This is a factor that may appeal to users who prioritize this aspect.

How much will NordPass and LastPass cost in 2026?

The price difference is significant. Here is the consolidated rate schedule:

  • Service|Plan|Monthly rate|Equivalent annual rate
  • NordPass Premium | 2-year subscription | ~€1.39/month | ~€16.68/year
  • NordPass Premium | 1-year subscription | ~€1.99/month | ~€23.88/year
  • NordPass Family | 2-year subscription | ~€2.79/month | ~€33.48/year (6 users)
  • LastPass Premium | Annual | ~$3/month | ~$29.23/year
  • LastPass Families | Annual | ~€4/month | ~€39.31/year (6 users)

NordPass costs about half as much as LastPass for comparable features. The difference is even more pronounced with the Family plan: €33.48 versus €39.31 per year, for 6 users in both cases.

The price difference may seem small at first glance (just a few euros), but this is a recurring expense. Over five years, NordPass Family costs about €167, compared to €197 for LastPass Families. The difference could pay for a subscription to another security service.

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Should you switch from LastPass to NordPass in 2026?

If you were a LastPass subscriber in 2022, the answer is almost certainly yes. Here’s how to migrate while minimizing risks.

  • Step 1 — Sign up for NordPass Premium (2-year commitment at €1.39/month for the basic plan).
  • Step 2 — Export your LastPass vault to CSV format from Account Settings → Advanced → Export.
  • Step 3 — Import this CSV file into NordPass using the dedicated import feature.
  • Step 4 — Enable 2FA on your NordPass account as soon as it is set up.
  • Step 5 — Systematically rotate ALL passwords stored in LastPass in 2022. Start with critical accounts: email, banking, finance, crypto wallets, and government services.
  • Step 6 — Enable 2FA on all critical accounts.
  • Step 7 — Once the rotation is complete and NorthPass is up to date, delete your LastPass account.
  • Step 8 — Check your email address on Have I Been Pwned to see if it has been compromised due to exposed metadata.

Changing your passwords is the most time-consuming but most important step. As long as you’re using the same passwords that were stored in LastPass in 2022, those credentials are potentially compromised. An attacker who eventually decrypts your old LastPass vault (even 2 or 3 years after the breach) will be able to access the corresponding services.

The time it takes to crack the password depends on the strength of your master password. With an 8-character master password, the vault can be cracked in a matter of hours to weeks using the resources of organized hackers. With a strong master password (16+ characters, random words, mixed case, symbols), the time required is technically infinite, but caution is still advised.

What are the pros and cons of NordPass?

Benefits

  • No public incidents —a clean record with no breaches.
  • Attractive price — €1.39/month for a 2-year contract, one of the lowest on the market.
  • Family Plan (6 users ) — easy sharing among household members.
  • XChaCha20 encryption — modern and high-performance.
  • Cure53 Audits (2022, 2024) — regular independent validation.
  • SOC 2 Type 2 — internal security audit certification.
  • Polished UX — seamless web, mobile, and browser extension interfaces.
  • Nord Security Integration — works seamlessly with NordVPN if you already use it.

Disadvantages

  • Not open-source —unlike Bitwarden.
  • Long-term commitment for the best price — you must sign up for a 2-year contract to get the €1.39/month rate.
  • Autofill could be improved —some complex websites still pose a problem.
  • No self-hosting —you rely on NordPass's infrastructure.
  • Audits are less frequent than with Bitwarden — 2 versus 4 with Bitwarden.

For users looking for a simple, high-performance, and affordable service, NordPass is an excellent choice in 2026. For those who prefer open-source or self-hosting solutions, Bitwarden remains the better option. Check out our comparison of Bitwarden vs. 1Password vs. Dashlane to get a better understanding of the market.

Save up to 70% on your subscriptions with subscription sharing. spliiit verified users so they can legally share their subscriptions. See how it works.

How do I share a NordPass or LastPass subscription?

Family plans allow for supervised sharing among household members or close relatives, in accordance with the terms and conditions of each service.

  • NordPass Family — 6 users, each with their own private vault and an optional shared vault.
  • LastPass Families — 6 users, works similarly with shared folders.
  • Legal co-subscription via spliiit — share a Family plan with other verified users, subject to the permitted conditions.
  • No master password is shared —each user has their own; files are shared through shared folders.
  • Potential savings — with NordPass Family at €33.48/year, divided by 6, the cost comes down to €5.58/year per person.
  • Privacy guaranteed — each individual vault remains invisible to other members.

Joint subscriptions are permitted for password managers, provided that the terms and conditions are followed. For more information, see our guides: Sharing NordPass and Sharing LastPass.

Which fund manager should you choose based on your profile in 2026?

Here is our final verdict to help you make your decision.

  • New sign-up in 2026 — NordPass (clean record, recent audits, low price) or Bitwarden (open-source).
  • Former LastPass subscriber — switch to NordPass or Bitwarden; MANDATORY rotation of all stored passwords in 2022.
  • Family — NordPass Family at €2.79/month (6 users) remains the best value for many households.
  • Maximum privacy — self-hosted Bitwarden or Proton Pass.
  • Premium UX — 1Password (with its higher price point).
  • Mobility with VPN included — Dashlane Premium.

LastPass still offers a fairly comprehensive set of features, but the 2022 data breach weighs heavily on its reputation heading into 2026. Several security experts, such as Bruce Schneier and Brian Krebs, explicitly recommend switching to another service. Switching to NordPass or Bitwarden has become the standard precaution following the breach. See also our list of the best password managers and our Dashlane vs. 1Password comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Are my 2022 LastPass passwords still vulnerable today?

Potentially yes, if they haven't been changed. Attackers have an encrypted copy of the LastPass vaults stolen in November 2022 and are still trying to decrypt them. The stronger your master password is, the longer it will take. But to be safe, any password stored in LastPass in 2022 and never changed since then should be considered compromised.

Has NordPass ever been hacked?

Not to our knowledge, and no public reports have mentioned any incidents since the service launched in 2019. This is one of NordPass’s key selling points and technical advantages over LastPass: a track record of incident-free operation, validated by independent audits and SOC 2 Type 2 certification.

What is the ideal master password for a manager?

At least 16 characters, consisting of random words (passphrase) or a mixed string (uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, symbols). It must be unique, never used elsewhere, and memorized without being written down. Enabling 2FA on the administrator account adds a crucial layer of protection against credential stuffing.

Do NordPass and LastPass allow importing from the other service?

Yes, both support importing from the CSV file exported by the competitor. The migration takes 5 to 10 minutes for the vault, plus the time it takes to rotate passwords (the time-consuming part). NordPass also offers a migration wizard from LastPass that guides you step by step.

Is XChaCha20 encryption really better than AES-256?

Both algorithms are cryptographically very strong. XChaCha20 is faster on some modern mobile processors and offers better resistance to certain types of attacks. AES-256 remains the industry standard. NordPass’s choice of XChaCha20 is justifiable, but it does not offer a decisive advantage over AES-256 when used correctly.

Is it really necessary to change all the passwords stored in LastPass in 2022?

Yes, that is the recommendation from security experts. As long as a password stored in LastPass in 2022 has not been changed, it remains potentially accessible to an attacker who decrypts the vault. Changing passwords is a tedious process but a necessary one, especially for critical accounts (banking, email, finance, crypto).

How long does it take to fully migrate from LastPass to NordPass?

Importing the vault takes 5 to 10 minutes. Systematically rotating passwords can take anywhere from several hours to several days, depending on the number of accounts. Many users spread the rotation out over 1 to 2 weeks, starting with the most critical accounts (banking, email, crypto), and then gradually completing the process.

Frequently asked questions

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