While it is true that iCloud Drive can be an excellent cloud for Apple devices, we must not ignore the existence of good ones in which not only to store files without further ado, but also to do so safely and with additional protection tools. This is the case of NordLocker, a cross-platform tool created by Nord Security and available on all Apple computers (NordLocker is available on Apple computers starting with macOS High Sierra 10.13).
What is NordLocker?
The first thing we want to highlight is that it is a tool developed by Nord Security, the same company that is behind an important set of apps such as NordVPN or NordPass. They are experts in cybersecurity, so from the first it serves to get an idea that this is an extremely secure application, although we will delve more into it in the following sections.
What is it for
As we have already anticipated at the beginning, NordLocker is a digital storage service in the cloud that will allow you to store all your files. Photos, videos, documents… Your whole life stored in one place and accessible at any time, with the premise of always keeping everything encrypted.
And it is that, like any service in the cloud, it does not have a physical format that you have to carry with you, but rather it is hosted on secure servers that allow you to connect to them at any time and from anywhere. Because on top of that it is a multiplatform tool , so it will not matter what equipment you are using.
how to download
Following the thread of the previous section, NordLocker is available on Mac, iPhone and iPad , so if you’re an Apple user you won’t have any problem. Although if you have any other equipment that is not from the Californian brand, you should not worry either, since it is also available on Windows and Android .
To download the desktop applications you must go to the official NordLocker website, where you can download it completely free of charge. If you are on an iPhone or iPad, it must be through the App Store , an application store from which you will not be charged anything to install it.
Plans and rates
By default, just by downloading and registering with NordLocker, you will have 3 GB free . Although it is true that it is not a relevant amount of space to make daily use of the app, it is more than enough to test it. If you decide to go further, you want more space and take advantage of all its functions, you can access a higher rate.
Currently, the rates offered by NordLocker are as follows:
- 3GB: free
- 500GB
- Monthly subscription for $7.99/month ($95.88/year)
- Annual subscription for $3.99 per month ($47.88 per year)
- 2TB:
- Monthly subscription for $19.99/month ($239.88/year)
- Annual subscription for $9.99/month ($119.88/year)
Although the prices appear in US dollars, you can pay with any currency, the conversion being carried out automatically at the time of payment.
It should be noted that, even if you pay month by month, the plans considered annual commit you to continue paying for at least one year. In any case, they represent a considerable money saving with respect to the other plans. In the 500 GB you will save almost 50 dollars per year, while with the 2 TB you can save up to 120 dollars per year .
NordLocker Features
NordLocker could be compared to a safe that, in addition to having a complex combination to open, is made with the most robust materials and has a 24-hour security guard to prevent it from being opened without permission. In a logically digital environment, this application offers the same security features, without losing sight of its main function, which is to serve as a file manager in the cloud.
Interface
A negative aspect to highlight first of all is that it is not in Spanish, but it is possible that it will soon be translated as has been done with other Nord Security apps. In any case, it’s not a major problem either, since in the end the application is characterized by offering a very intuitive interface that is manageable even by those who don’t master the language of Shakespeare.
The first thing you will always find as soon as you enter is a panel in which you are asked to enter a master password that you will have previously created, which already at first gives a good example of the security that this cloud entails.
Once you are inside the application you will find a main screen where all your files and folders are stored, being able to organize them to your liking like a digital desktop. Although if there is something to highlight, at least in the macOS version, it is that it allows you to configure an additional tool so that it integrates completely with Finder , thus allowing you to access the NordLocker cloud as if it were another folder on the system.
The iOS and iPadOS app, just like the Android app, is different. And it is that it is not really an application as such but rather an access via the web. That is, you download the application from the App Store or Play Store and when you access it, a browser opens that will allow you to access all your files on the NordLocker website. Obviously, it is not the most practical, but it is just as safe and serves as a solution until they have developed a one hundred percent native app on mobile phones and tablets.
Feature Highlights
- Simple and intuitive interface as we were seeing in the previous section and with outstanding features in terms of productivity, being able to drag and drop files comfortably and quickly.
- They have encryption for all the files that are stored in the cloud, making them more secure and inaccessible to anyone outside your property.
- It is multi-platform and in addition to allowing access from any device, it stands out for being equally complete and functional on each of them. Therefore, you will avoid having to go through numerous learning curves or always adapt when using another equipment.
- They offer a solution to protect files in the browser , which is called Web Cloud and can be easily downloaded from the official NordLocker website.
- Different storage plans ranging from 3 GB to 2 TB, a considerable amount with which to store all kinds of files without worrying about running out of space.
With security by flag
This could have been one more point in the previous section, but its importance is such that we have believed it necessary to highlight it more strikingly. And it is that NordLocker is a tremendously efficient application at this level, offering local encryption on devices without any type of limit.
In fact, NordLocker is known to use state- of-the-art encryption methods like AES-256, xChaCha20-poly1305, Argon2, EdDSA, and a few more. All this in order to protect your devices from possible malware , as well as protect you against cyber attacks of all kinds such as ransomware, a dangerous practice that unfortunately is becoming more frequent and affects thousands of people, whether they are individuals or companies.
They also have an automatic file synchronization function that is added to the regular backups , which allow access to all the files at any time, from any device and without worrying that they may be deleted. All this without forgetting the aforementioned Web Cloud and Space Saver , a tool that will also allow you to save space on your devices, avoiding the download of classic junk files.
No less important is their privacy , not only before third parties, but also against themselves. As expected, Nord Security will not be able to access your files due to the encryption they have and this is guaranteed thanks to the strict privacy policies that the company establishes and that extends to all its services.
future features
NordLocker is an application in continuous growth and proof of this is that its developers have already announced new features that they are already working on and that will arrive in the coming months . In fact, they have confirmed several implementations for this first quarter of 2022. This is the case, for example, of the native Android app, which will arrive in the coming months, leaving behind the web version that they currently have.
The highlight of what’s to come in these months is a new feature that will allow NordLocker users to enjoy manageable file shares from each of their accounts without having to use each other’s credentials or share them in another way.
At the business level, great news is also expected, since NordLocker will have a tool created for professional users who need to have an encrypted cloud. A very logical evolution if we take into account that practically all NordLocker services offer options for both individuals and companies.
Conclusion and why it’s worth it
At this point, it’s time to make a recommendation about whether or not it’s worth downloading NordLocker. And the truth is that we have never had it so easy, since by offering 3 GB of free storage and downloading at no cost, it is very easy to try it without any kind of commitment and be the one who ends up drawing your own conclusions.
If you want to take our advice into consideration, you should know that we think it is a very appropriate and necessary tool at all levels. Starting with the most basic, which is being able to store files in the cloud and have access to them at any time and from any device. But above all, we believe that NordLocker is recommended for those additions that it has compared to its competition in terms of security thanks to its powerful encryption, to which are added additional tools that protect your personal data even from the most dangerous cyberattacks.
It is true that not having a completely native application on the iPhone can be a negative aspect, but we can attest that it is fully functional. In any case, the development of it is already underway and at some point it will stop being a weak point to be another strong point of the tool. And if we take into account that they offer a very good value for money , the recommendation stands alone. So… Yes, NordLocker is worth using on your Apple devices.