Ilijia Miljkovac is a Techopedia writer with seven years of experience covering all things tech. He writes about cybersecurity topics, spanning VPNs, antiviruses, and hosting,…
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Our Verdict
TotalAV offers superb antivirus protection and a wide range of features
TotalAV is a lightweight, feature-rich antivirus that makes device protection a breeze even for first-time antivirus users. Although the VPN could have a few more locations, I had no complaints about TotalAV’s many other extra features.
The product offers superb antivirus protection, with near-perfect scores from independent research labs for malware detection, usability, and security.
There’s an extremely affordable introductory offer available, so it’s no surprise that TotalAV is the first choice for millions of users looking for a reliable antivirus with a flawless track record.
In this TotalAV review, we’ll explore its plans, features, and functionality, which have made it the choice of more than 30 million customers today.
With protection for up to eight devices and a wide range of cybersecurity features beyond its core antivirus tools, TotalAV is a great choice for anyone looking to keep their devices safe from cyber threats.
Read our TotalAV review to learn about what its features can do for you, how its plans work, how it performs, and how it compares to the best antivirus software on the market.
TotalAV is a UK-based cybersecurity company that provides antivirus protection for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. The company offers excellent introductory prices for new customers, making it ideal for individuals and small businesses on a budget.
TotalAV’s software is known for its excellent malware detection rates, which ensure the highest levels of protection, and it’s able to tackle ransomware and phishing attacks, which is critical given the increasing incidence of attacks, growing 55% year on year.
Its plans also include performance optimization tools, an ad blocker, and a VPN to speed up your device and ensure fast, secure connections.
Is TotalAV Safe?
TotalAV is an antivirus you can trust to keep your devices and data safe and secure from malware and third parties.
In addition, I found the software had less impact on device resources than most of its competitors, so it won’t shorten the battery life of your devices.
TotalAV Plans & Pricing
TotalAV System Tune-Up
Total AV splits its services into three main tiers. The plans offer all the antivirus features you need to keep your devices safe from malware threats, as well as a range of extra security tools.
The table below breaks down TotalAV’s plans and lists their features and pricing.
TotalAV Plans
Starting Price
Features
TotalAV Antivirus Pro
$19/yr
Malware Protection, System Tune-Up Tools, Browser Protection, Total Adblock (4 devices)
TotalAV’s cheapest plan, Antivirus Pro, offers everything you need to fight malware, viruses, ransomware, and phishing scams. With real-time antivirus protection, TotalAV can keep up to four devices safe.
The WebShield feature stops you from accessing fake and scam sites that could be used to upload viruses onto your system or harvest your data as part of a phishing attack. It also blocks third-party trackers and ads, enhancing your browsing experience.
One of my favorite features is the system tune-up tool, which few competitors offer at this level.
TotalAV enables you to remove duplicate, residual, and unwanted files cluttering your devices with a single click. This can improve system performance and free up memory.
Being able to download Antivirus Pro on four devices also compares very well to competitors whose starter plans only cover one device. All in all, it’s a very generous entry-level plan.
Internet Security – $39/year
TotalAV Internet Security – $39/year
Upgrading to TotalAV’s Internet Security plan adds a reliable virtual private network (VPN) solution to Antivirus Pro’s bundle of features.
This comes with the benefit of allowing you to encrypt your connection and block trackers as well as being able to access geo-restricted content. The plan also extends coverage to six devices, making it a better pick for families and office users.
Total Security – $49/year
TotalAV Total Security – $49/year
Total Security is TotalAV’s top-tier plan, and it adds to the Internet Security package with a robust password manager – Total Password.
This tool significantly reduces the risk your accounts will be compromised by data breaches by enabling you to securely store strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts. It also makes it easier to log in and out of your accounts and fill out forms, such as online payment forms.
During testing, I found the auto-fill feature to be on par with some of the best password managers I’ve tested. The plan also extends coverage to eight devices.
Can I Get TotalAV for Free?
TotalAV offers a free version of its security software to keep your devices safe from malicious files. However, the free antivirus tools only include a virus scanner.
This means you won’t have real-time protection, system tune-up tools, or browser protection. Because of this, opting for a premium plan and getting multi-layered security protection is a much better choice. You can also try out TotalAV’s premium plans with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
TotalAV Security Features
From real-time antivirus protection to automatically detecting data breaches, TotalAV offers an impressive lineup of security features.
TotalAV updates its virus definitions on a daily basis, ensuring you’re always protected against new and emerging threats. In this section of our TotalAV app review, I’ll break down each feature and its capabilities.
Virus Scans
Virus Scans
TotalAV Malware Scan
TotalAV offers four types of virus scans to help protect your devices from malware. These include:
Quick Scan – Takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete and checks the most vulnerable parts of your devices, where malware is most likely to be found.
System Scan – In-depth scan of your entire device. Takes longer, especially if your device’s storage is full.
Smart Scan – Searches for viruses and malware and addresses junk and duplicate files, browser tracking cookies, and performance issues.
Custom Scan – You can also schedule scans, scan specific files and folders or exclude them, and specify what type of scan you want to use. For example, you can schedule a full system scan to run while you’re away from your devices.
You can toggle this off if you’re concerned about performance, but I found TotalAV to be light on resources while working in the background, so it shouldn’t significantly impact your device.
Some free solutions, like Microsoft Defender Antivirus, also offer this type of protection. Although Defender will protect you from most viruses, it lacks TotalAV’s tools for removing zero-day threats, which will protect your devices from novel attacks and emerging malware.
Phishing and Ransomware Protection
Phishing and Ransomware Protection
TotalAV is able to block potentially malicious links, downloads, and attachments. This will help you avoid phishing scams targeting your personal information. The provider has a growing database of malicious sites to help keep your privacy intact.
Ransomware attacks see malicious actors encrypting files on your devices and demanding a ransom to restore access.
TotalAV can keep your devices safe from these attacks by preventing access, ensuring you’re never at risk. Given the soaring number of ransomware attacks in recent years, targeted protection is a key feature to have.
Within its identity protection features, TotalAV also monitors your personal information, such as your social security number (SSN), credit cards, bank account numbers, and health insurance details.
In addition, TotalAV will alert you of any unauthorized access to your information that could stem from a ransomware or phishing attack, giving you time to protect your accounts before they can be exploited.
Web Protection
WebShield Extension
TotalAV WebShield options
TotalAV’s WebShield extension for Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Safari is a helpful tool that blocks intrusive ads and notifications. Powered by artificial intelligence and cloud-based technology, the feature includes:
Online Threat Protection – Provides anti-phishing protection and blocks scams and fake websites that could lead to identity theft, malware downloads, and fraud attempts.
Suspicious Website Warnings – Alerts you when you connect to a site that shows suspicious behavior or has suffered a data breach before.
Data Breach Monitoring – Lets you know if your details have appeared in leaks on the dark web.
Third-Party Tracker Blocking – Prevents third-party trackers from collecting your information and blocks pop-ups.
Ad Blocker
Total Adblock
TotalAV AdBlock
Total Adblock blocks ads, pop-ups, and notifications from loading when you browse the web. One of the best Total Adblock features I found during testing was its ability to block push notifications on iOS and Android.
It’s extremely easy to add the extension to your browser, and I liked that it lets you support preferred websites by allowing them to display safe ads on your devices.
Password Manager
Total Password
TotalAV’s Total Password feature is a password management tool designed to enhance your online security.
It’s available with the top-tier Total Security plan and allows you to generate and store unique passwords in an easy-to-access password vault. It also comes with a time-saving auto-fill feature, which is fast and accurate.
This means you’ll only need to remember the master password for your password vault. The passwords created by Total Password are near-impossible to crack, and the data breach monitor will let you know if any accounts have potentially been exposed.
The feature is user-friendly and makes importing passwords a breeze. Moving passwords takes just a minute or two, and you won’t need to rebuild your password database from scratch when you switch to Total Password as it makes importing and exporting passwords easy.
VPN
Safe Browsing VPN
TotalAV VPN servers
TotalAV’s Safe Browsing VPN can help you stay anonymous online and unblock foreign streaming services – and you can connect with just a single click.
Although it doesn’t offer a large server network – with 50+ servers across 35+ countries – it’s perfectly serviceable and sits alongside the best antiviruses with a VPN.
This is particularly worth highlighting, given that an average Virtual Private Network will set you back more than $30/yr on its own. See our guide to the fastest VPNs for more alternatives.
System Optimization Tools
System Tune-Up Tools, Disk Cleaner, and Browser Manager & Cleaner
TotalAV Startup Manager
TotalAV offers a suite of tools designed to help you improve your device’s performance and keep it clean and secure. Here’s what each tool can do for your device:
System Tune-Up Tools – Allows you to add and remove startup launch programs and helps you uninstall unused applications.
Disk Cleaner – A duplicate file finder that can identify unused and junk files and delete them.
Browser Manager & Cleaner –Helps you manage and clean your web browser data and remove adware.
Reducing the number of programs running on your system can result in faster boot times and speed up your computer. The app also comes with a Silent Mode, which qualifies it as one of the best antiviruses for gaming PCs.
Data Breach Monitoring
Data Breach Monitoring
Data breaches are a major issue today. Having strong, unique passwords and managing them with a solution like Total Password limits the damage, but TotalAV’s data breach monitoring feature goes a step further.
It continuously scans the internet for your personal information and immediately informs you if your logins have appeared in a data leak. This means you’ll be one of the first to know, allowing you to swiftly protect your online accounts.
TotalAV Antivirus Software Performance
I’ve thoroughly tested TotalAV and its apps, features, and functionality. During the testing, I closely monitored the performance of my devices to determine whether TotalAV slowed them down. I found the product to be intuitive and easy to use and didn’t see any significant device impact during testing.
To support my results, I’ve also cited data from AV-Test, a leading independent IT security institute. In its latest assessment, AV-Test gave TotalAV a “certified” rating.
AV-Test gave TotalAV 6/6 for protection, 5.5/6 for performance, and 6/6 for usability. The antivirus was able to detect 100% of zero-day and prevalent malware attacks and didn’t issue any false warnings.
In terms of usability, TotalAV had some impact on launching popular websites, the installation of frequently used applications, and copying files, but it was otherwise on par with or better than industry averages.
TotalAV Compatibility and Ease of Use
Is TotalAV compatible with my operating system? Almost certainly. TotalAV is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS operating systems, with dedicated apps for each device. I tested the TotalAV mobile apps and desktop tools and found them to be consistently easy to use.
Here’s how TotalAV’s clients rate on each platform:
WindowsmacOSAndroidiOSOther Platforms
TotalAV for Windows
To install TotalAV on Windows, you’ll need Microsoft Windows 7 or higher installed. During my tests, the app never made major memory demands, and I found it easy to use and navigate.
It offers its full feature set for Windows users, separating out the malware protection features, the system tune-up tools, and the internet security settings, which makes them accessible and simple to find and manage.
It’s also very easy to navigate the advanced settings and configure the platform to your needs.
TotalAV for macOS
TotalAV’s Mac client is similar to the Windows UI and offers plenty of features to keep your Apple device safe. It works with macOS X 10.9 Mavericks and higher and doesn’t significantly affect performance.
As with the Windows app, you’ll find all the TotalAV features in the left menu. Macs can get viruses, despite any lingering myths, and TotalAV includes its entire malware-detecting toolkit to help you combat online threats.
You’ll also find its VPN, password manager, data breach monitoring tools, and other extra features available. See our guide to the best antiviruses for Mac for more recommendations.
TotalAV for Android
You can download TotalAV on smartphones running Android 5.0 or higher, and it’s one of the best antiviruses for Android that I’ve tested. It’s feature-rich, easy to install, and runs well with minimal battery drain for Android mobile devices.
The real-time protection button stands out on the home page of the Android app screen, and below it are two rows of features for security and privacy. Swiping lets you scroll between the features, making the app very easy to navigate.
In the bottom menu, you can find optimization features to declutter your Android device, profile management features, and app settings. On the whole, the TotalAV mobile app provides a very positive experience.
TotalAV for iOS
TotalAV is compatible with iOS 9.0 or later. The TotalAV antivirus app for iOS doesn’t offer as many features as are provided on other platforms, primarily because iOS devices don’t support full-system scans by third parties.
However, you’ll still find a Smart Scan in the iOS app, which can detect whether your phone or tablet requires updates and if its security measures are active and in place. In addition, you’ll have access to its QR Code Check feature, data breach check, and the VPN.
One of my favorite things about the iOS app is its ability to find duplicate and junk files, including those in your gallery. It can remove blurry photos you may have forgotten to delete to free up your device’s space, for example, which worked well for us.
Browsers and Chromebook
TotalAV provides its WebShield extension for Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Safari, which offers an additional layer of protection when browsing the internet.
TotalAV antivirus is also available for Chromebook via its Android antivirus app. For further information, see our guide to the best antivirus for Chromebook.
How Does TotalAV Compare Against Other Antiviruses for Malware Protection?
TotalAV is one of the best antivirus solutions around, but it faces tough competition. To help you compare it to its closest competitors, here’s an overview of their key features. So, what are the best alternatives to TotalAV?
Both providers offer similar features, but TotalAV will be a better choice for many as it comes in slightly cheaper. You’ll also need to pay a fair bit more with Bitdefender to get a password manager or unlimited VPN bundled in. However, Bitdefender offers a firewall and parental control features, which TotalAV lacks.
Norton’s cheapest plan has similar pricing to TotalAV’s Antivirus Pro package, but it includes a password manager, which is only available with TotalAV’s top tier.
Norton has a lot of other extra features, as well, including encrypted cloud storage, parental controls, and extensive identity protection tools with higher-tier plans, as well as support for unlimited devices. I found TotalAV to be more user-friendly, though, so it’s likely a better choice for inexperienced users.
Like Norton, McAfee shines with its most expensive plans, which cover an unlimited number of devices and offer its full range of features. While McAfee’s Basic plan supports only one device, it includes a VPN and password manager with the platform’s cheapest subscription tier, which will be attractive for many.
TotalAV offers comprehensive customer support, and you can contact the support team via email and live chat channels. These contact channels are available 24/7, and the provider has a separate telephone support channel for identity theft protection.
Besides offering direct contact with its customer support team, TotalAV provides a knowledge base on its website that can resolve many technical queries with straightforward, step-by-step guides. The TotalAV Help Center has separate tabs for each feature and its components.
TotalAV Help Center
I tested all of TotalAV’s features, including its performance, security, usability, and customer support. It’s also important to us to incorporate the opinions of the service’s long-term users in order to provide a comprehensive TotalAV antivirus review, so I researched feedback on platforms like Trustpilot and looked for Total AV complaints.
The service has an overwhelmingly positive rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, with more than 100,000 Total AV reviews. Of these, 86% of reviewers gave the platform the highest score, while another 10% gave it 4/5.
You don’t know it’s running, and it’s doing an amazing job keeping your files safe. We use it professionally [to] protect very important work files. The best part about it is it’s not bothering you with updates and not trying to sell you anything, no pop-ups and stuff. Recommendation.
Most of the users described an experience that matched my observations of TotalAV’s apps across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
Customers describe TotalAV as providing a lightweight and reliable service, and it gets praised for its lack of aggressive ads and interruptive messaging. It’s also often named as one of the best spyware remover products. TotalAV reviews for Android, meanwhile, praise the functionality of the mobile app.
Best browser and password protector that there is on the internet and then you have VPN thrown in on top, and you have the whole package. Cannot be beaten on price or protection. Awesome.
What is Total AV known for? For many, it’s the affordable introductory pricing. Users also appreciate its transparent pricing structure.
It isn’t a flawless service, though – some TotalAV complaints I found describe it as a service that’s tough to cancel, for example, as the cancelation process takes several steps on the website.
It’s frustrated some users enough that they’ve asked, “Is TotalAV a scam?” If you engage with customer support, though, you should be able to resolve any issues, though.
How to Set Up TotalAV
Setting up TotalAV on your devices takes just a few minutes, once you’ve subscribed to the service. Here, I’ll walk you through setup on Windows with a quick step-by-step guide.
Subscribe to TotalAV
First, head to TotalAV and sign up for one of its plans. You can then download the antivirus software from the site and proceed.
Install TotalAV on Your Computer
Once the download has finished, run the TotalAV installer to install the program on your computer. During the installation process, follow the on-screen instructions until the process is complete. The installation itself won’t take more than two minutes on most devices.
Run Your First Full System Scan
Once installed, you can immediately use the TotalAV client to scan your device and quarantine and eliminate any malicious files. In addition, the Total AV antivirus software enables real-time antivirus protection by default, which means you can use your computer with confidence that you’re secure.
We base our recommendations on first-hand experience and in-depth testing. All the Antivirus products we suggest, have been tested based on the following criteria:
Core Security Features: We make sure that the antivirus software is fully equipped with features like real-time protection, scanning, a firewall, web protection, and more.
Malware Detection Rates: We test malware detection rates ourselves by running both in-depth and quick scans on our devices. Additionally, we check independent lab tests.
Compatibility: We check which devices and operating systems the antivirus software is compatible with. Often, different-looking dashboards and slightly different packages of features may be available.
Performance Impact: A reliable and functional antivirus should not slow down your device significantly. So, we examine our device performance with and without the antivirus running.
Customer Experience: Alongside our own experience, we are curious to know what real users have to say regarding the services. So, we’ve scoured the web for feedback on each of our tested antiviruses.
Value for Money: We always consider value for money and how much each product is offering for the set price point.
FAQs
Is TotalAV legit?
Yes, TotalAV is a legitimate antivirus software product with a clean record and which offers a range of cybersecurity tools. It’s also a member of the Microsoft Virus Initiative (MVI) and is easy to use for beginners.
How much is TotalAV?
TotalAV’s cheapest plan costs $19/year for first-time users, making it one of the most affordable options on the market with its introductory pricing.
TotalAV vs Norton – which is better?
Both providers offer a reliable, comprehensive antivirus service. TotalAV is arguably more user-friendly and comes with lots of optimization tools for system resources with its cheapest plan. On the other hand, Norton offers an impressive range of features, including identity protection functionality, if you upgrade to higher-tier plans.
Does TotalAV slow down your computer?
TotalAV has minimal impact on device performance. I didn’t see any meaningful impact on RAM usage under testing, and it had nearly no impact on battery life on Android and iOS devices during my review process. The antivirus also includes system optimization features to make your system run faster.
How do I cancel TotalAV?
To cancel your TotalAV subscription, log into your TotalAV account on the company’s website. Next, navigate to “My Services” and select the service you wish to cancel. Finally, click “Cancel” and check your email for the verification code, which you’ll need to enter on the website. Make sure you do this sufficiently early to ensure you cancel before automatic renewal payments are triggered.
Is there a TotalAV free trial?
There’s not a TotalAV free trial, but you can download a free virus scanner, and you can use the product’s 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service and ensure you’re happy with it.
Techopedia’s editorial policy is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.
Ilijia Miljkovac is a Techopedia writer with seven years of experience covering all things tech. He writes about cybersecurity topics, spanning VPNs, antiviruses, and hosting, helping to inform B2B and B2C audiences about the latest products and services. He's written for publications such as Business2Community, TheTechReport, Comparitech, and more. When he's not working, Ilijia spends his time hiking in nature or holed up in his apartment gaming.
We uphold a strict editorial policy that focuses on factual accuracy, relevance, and impartiality. Our content, created by leading industry experts, is reviewed by a team of seasoned editors to ensure compliance with the highest standards in reporting and publishing.
Disclosure
When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn how our funding model works. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.
When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn 
