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TotalAV Antivirus Review (2026): Is it the right choice?
By Tibor Moes / Updated: November 2025
TotalAV Antivirus Review 2026
TotalAV Antivirus is one of the best antivirus software. It has near-perfect anti-malware test scores, an intuitive design, no impact on the speed of your PC, and lots of security features.
Buy it if you want an easy-to-use antivirus solution at a great price. You will get anti-malware, anti-phishing, a password manager, and a VPN, which will protect your privacy online. But no firewall.
Alternatively, you could consider Norton 360 Deluxe. It has a few extra features, like a firewall, dark web monitor, and parental controls. And it has a lower renewal price in the second year.
- Malware protection: 99.8%. TotalAV detected and removed nearly all of the 1,200 malware samples in our test.
- Speed impact: 100%. TotalAV’s anti-malware engine is lightweight and did not slow down our test PC.
- Features: 90%. TotalAV includes anti-malware, anti-phishing, VPN, and a password manager. But it doesn’t have a firewall.
- Price: 90%. TotalAV offers generous discounts in the first year, but high renewal prices in the second year.
Thanks to the 30-day return policy, you can try it risk-free.
| Ranking | #3 of 28 |
| Anti-malware | ✅ |
| Anti-phishing | ✅ |
| Firewall | – |
| Password Manager | ✅ |
| Unlimited VPN | ✅ |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| 🔥 Discount | Save 80% on TotalAV 🔥 |
Full Review
TotalAV is ranked #3 out of the 28 best antivirus of 2026.
We found TotalAV to be a user-friendly and effective anti-malware solution with impressive detection rates in our tests. It also includes valuable extras like TotalVPN and identity theft protection (available for US users).
TotalAV offers a range of affordable plans for all major platforms, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Anti-malware
TotalAV’s anti-malware protection uses Avira’s trusted engine, offering excellent performance across multiple scan types. Users can select between Quick, Full System, and Custom Scans, with the Quick Scan completing in roughly eight minutes and the Full System Scan in about an hour. Despite the long duration, CPU usage remained minimal, allowing smooth multitasking. In tests involving a wide range of threats — including trojans, ransomware, spyware, and keyloggers — TotalAV achieved a 99.4% detection rate. This score closely rivals leading antivirus solutions such as Norton and Bitdefender, which achieved perfect detection.
Detected files are efficiently quarantined, allowing users to delete or restore them as needed. Files deemed safe can be added to the Allow List, and notably, no false positives were observed during testing. TotalAV’s real-time protection also proved robust. It instantly intercepted and quarantined malicious downloads, preventing execution of ransomware and other threats. Even compressed malware samples were flagged upon extraction, demonstrating the responsiveness of its detection system.
TotalAV’s continuous background monitoring ensures ongoing protection without user intervention. In simulation tests, its real-time defenses matched the effectiveness of top-tier solutions, stopping ransomware before encryption could occur. For users seeking dependable malware defense, TotalAV ranks among the best integrated antivirus solutions available.
Anti-phishing
TotalAV’s WebShield provides solid protection against phishing and malicious websites. It leverages continuously updated blacklists and an AI-based detection system to identify dangerous domains. In benchmarking against PhishTank samples, WebShield blocked most phishing attempts but occasionally issued warnings instead of full blocks on certain fraudulent sites. While informative, this behavior indicates slightly inconsistent enforcement compared to leading competitors like Norton, which offers more proactive blocking.
Customization is a key strength. Users can enable automatic blocking of low-trust sites and cryptomining URLs or whitelist specific domains. Additionally, WebShield integrates a dark web monitoring alert that notifies users if a visited domain has been involved in a data breach, including the breach’s date and relevant security recommendations. These alerts add a valuable layer of contextual awareness.
Although its phishing protection could be more aggressive, TotalAV compensates through configurability and helpful feedback tools. Its hybrid approach—combining blacklist databases with AI-driven analysis—provides users both flexibility and enhanced visibility into potential online threats, making it a capable anti-phishing component overall.
Password manager
Total Password, TotalAV’s password management tool, offers robust security features built on 256-bit AES encryption and a strict zero-knowledge framework. This ensures that no one, including TotalAV developers, can access stored credentials. In testing, the auto-save and auto-fill functions worked seamlessly across browsers and platforms. Biometric authentication for mobile devices adds further convenience and security.
The password vault supports unlimited entries, allowing secure storage of credentials, notes, and payment data. Password auditing and generation tools are included, enabling users to create and maintain complex passwords. Two-factor authentication (2FA) can be enabled via authenticator apps for enhanced access control.
Additional tools include Secure Me, which remotely logs users out of all sessions and clears browsing data. Account recovery is available through recovery keys, though more recovery options would be beneficial. Missing features like password sharing and emergency access limit its versatility compared to leading standalone managers such as 1Password. Nevertheless, Total Password integrates well into the TotalAV ecosystem and provides secure, easy-to-use credential management.
VPN
TotalAV’s Safe Browsing VPN provides secure and private internet access, shielding users from ISP tracking, government surveillance, and cyber threats. Operating through over 50 server locations in 30+ countries, the VPN uses IKEv2 and OpenVPN protocols to balance security and speed. Tests revealed stable download and upload performance, with latency being the only significant impact.
Streaming and P2P capabilities are standout features. The VPN successfully unblocked major platforms such as Netflix and Disney+ while supporting torrenting on all servers. This broad compatibility makes it one of the most versatile antivirus-integrated VPNs in 2026.
Advanced settings include a kill switch, auto-connect on unsecured networks, and protocol selection. These features deliver control and reliability comparable to standalone VPN providers. Though not the fastest, TotalAV’s VPN ranks among the top antivirus-bundled VPNs for balancing privacy, functionality, and performance.
Other security features
Beyond its core tools, TotalAV offers several additional modules enhancing system security and optimization. The Clean-Up Scan removes junk files, duplicates, and residual data, often reclaiming significantly more space than Windows utilities. Its Startup Manager and Uninstaller simplify application management, while Browser Cleanup removes tracking cookies for improved privacy.
Identity Theft Protection, powered by Aura, offers U.S. users comprehensive credit and identity monitoring. It tracks financial and personally identifiable information across credit bureaus and dark web sources, includes $1,000,000 insurance coverage, and provides live agent assistance for identity recovery. This service, while not included by default, delivers high value as an optional upgrade.
Total Browser adds secure browsing functionality with integrated ad blocking, download scanning, and data breach alerts. Its built-in protections mirror TotalAV’s core defenses, providing a safer and more private web experience. The ad and tracker blocker demonstrated strong performance, successfully preventing most online advertisements, including YouTube video ads.
Additional utilities include Gaming Mode, which suspends notifications and background scans during gameplay, and Total Drive, a secure cloud storage tool providing 2 GB of space for backups. Total Coupon, though currently unavailable in some stores, was designed to automatically apply discounts during online shopping. Together, these components round out TotalAV’s platform as a comprehensive and user-friendly security suite.
Plans and pricing
In the table below are the core products with their features and prices.
The prices shown are from the USA. However, most brands have different prices (and currencies) in other regions. So visit the brand’s website to see the price in our country.
Plan description
We navigated through TotalAV’s pricing and plans, and here’s the lowdown. The company has three main tiers: Antivirus Pro, Internet Security, and Total Security.
During our purchase experience, we were met with multiple pop-up offers, making it a bit cluttered compared to one-click solutions from Norton and Bitdefender. Despite this, you can still land an affordable plan if you navigate carefully.
Here’s a quick rundown of the plans:
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Antivirus Pro: Costs $19/year and covers up to 3 devices. It offers essential features like a malware scanner and real-time protection. Good but not as feature-rich as competitors for the same price.
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Internet Security: Priced at $39/year, it covers up to 5 devices and adds a VPN. It’s a better value, even if the included “Antivirus eBook” isn’t worth much.
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Total Security: At $49/year, it adds priority tech support, ad blocker, and password manager for up to 6 devices. We find this plan less compelling due to its extra cost for non-essential features.
Every plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. We tested this and received our refund in just one business day.
In summary, while TotalAV offers competitive pricing, its buying experience could be streamlined. Its middle-tier plan, Internet Security, offers the best value for most users.
Test score comparison
We conduct in-house anti-malware tests and review the results from AV-Test, a German lab renowned for its objective evaluations. Below is the average of the last 10 AV-Test results for Windows. Their scoring criteria are:
- Protection (1-6): Effectiveness in blocking malware.
- Performance (1-6): Impact on system speed.
- Usability (1-6): Frequency of errors like false alarms.
We calculate a final score using this formula:
Final Score = 60% Protection + 20% Performance + 20% Usability.
While these results influence our choice of the best antivirus for Windows 11, other factors like privacy and identity protection also play a key role. For a similar analysis for Android or macOS, visit our other comparisons:
Note: Brands not listed in the table either do not participate in AV-Test trials or are tested too infrequently, such as Surfshark Antivirus.
Source: AV-Test (Last updated: November 2025).
Price comparison
We’ve compared the prices of the top antivirus products for Windows. To make it a fair comparison, we looked at what it would cost us, to protect a single Windows PC with the most essential features:
- Anti-malware
- Anti-phishing (web protection)
- Firewall
- Password manager
- Unlimited VPN (no data limit)
A few notes:
- Some brands are missing features, lowering their value for money.
- Prices are second-year prices in the USA, without first-year discounts.
- Prices are rounded up for readability (e.g., $99.99 becomes $100).
Brands have different prices outside the USA. See those on their website.
User reviews
We’ve compared the user reviews of all antivirus brands. We’ve used the scores and review count of TrustPilot, a leading user review platform.
We consider scores above 4.0 very good. Lower scores indicate that the brand might have a poor product or customer service. McAfee’s scores, for instance, are worrying.
Source: TrustPilot. Last Update: November 2025.
Company Profile
TotalAV is owned by Point Wild.
In December 2024, TotalAV’s parent company, Total Security, merged with Pango Group to form Point Wild. The new company has a consumer, partner, and enterprise side.
On the consumer side, Point Wild serves over 25 million monthly active users in 150 countries through brands like Hotspot Shield, Betternet, Ultra, VPN360, Comparitech, and Total Security. These brands offer a variety of tools, including VPNs, antivirus software, and online privacy solutions, to enhance user security and privacy.
The partner side operates under the Pango brand, providing customizable security tools for businesses to boost customer trust and engagement.
For enterprises, Point Wild offers advanced solutions through brands like CyEx, which specializes in cyber and privacy incident response, and Simpluris, which provides legal and corporate administration services.
Point Wild is a major player in the online protection industry, with annual revenue projected at $600 million and a focus on consistent growth and innovation.
How we test antivirus software
At SoftwareLab, we provide thorough and unbiased antivirus reviews to help you make informed cybersecurity decisions. Our comprehensive testing covers all critical aspects of antivirus performance. We assess each product in six key categories, weighted by importance:
For even more details, visit our blog posts on how we test antivirus software.
Anti-Malware Protection (30%)
We evaluate how well the antivirus detects and removes various malware types like viruses, trojans, ransomware, and spyware.
In-House Testing: Using 1,200 diverse malware samples, we conduct real-time attack simulations to assess detection and neutralization of known and emerging threats through signature-based and heuristic analysis.
Independent Lab Results: We incorporate findings from respected institutes like AV-Test, SE Labs, and AV-Comparatives to validate our results.
Security and Privacy Features (30%)
We assess additional tools that enhance cybersecurity:
Web Protection: Testing the software’s ability to block phishing sites and web-based threats by accessing known malicious websites.
Firewall: Evaluating effectiveness using intrusion simulations and the ShieldsUP! test to secure network ports and monitor traffic.
Password Manager: Assessing capabilities to generate, store, and auto-fill complex passwords, plus features like two-factor authentication and biometric login.
VPN: Evaluating security protocols, encryption, speed, server locations, data limits, and support for streaming and peer-to-peer sharing while hiding IP addresses.
Parental Controls: Testing screen time management, content filtering, location tracking, and resistance to bypass attempts to protect children.
Identity Theft Protection: Assessing monitoring of personal info and responsiveness to potential identity theft alerts.
Secure Cloud Storage: Evaluating capacity, security, usability, and features like file encryption and secure sharing.
Anti-Ransomware: Simulating attacks to test detection and blocking of unauthorized encryption via behavioral detection and exploit prevention.
Dark Web Monitoring: Checking effectiveness in scanning the dark web for personal info and providing timely alerts.
System Performance Impact (10%)
We measure how the antivirus affects device performance during everyday tasks:
Resource Usage: Monitoring CPU and memory during scans and real-time protection.
Performance Tests: Evaluating impact on launching apps, downloading files, browsing websites, and copying data, aligned with AV-Test criteria.
False Positives (10%)
Accuracy is crucial to avoid interruptions:
False Positive Detection: Assessing how often legitimate applications or files are incorrectly flagged.
Usability Tests: Referencing AV-Test evaluations to gauge false positive frequency for effectiveness and user-friendliness.
Price and Value (10%)
We analyze overall value by comparing features to cost:
Cost Analysis: Considering subscription prices, device coverage, and multi-year plans.
Feature Evaluation: Assessing if included features justify the price compared to competitors.
Ownership and Reputation (10%)
Trust is essential in cybersecurity providers:
Company Background: Researching history, industry track record, mergers, or acquisitions.
Privacy Policies: Examining data handling, privacy commitment, and compliance with regulations.
Ethical Conduct: Investigating past unethical behavior, data breaches, or controversies.
Sources and tools
- Apple Platform Security
- AV-Comparatives Consumer
- AV-Test Android
- AV-Test macOS
- AV-Test Windows
- GRC Firewall Test
- Microsoft Defender
- SpeedTest VPN
- Trustpilot Security Software
Author: Tibor Moes
Founder & Chief Editor at SoftwareLab
Tibor has tested 28 antivirus programs and 25 VPN services, and holds a Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate from Stanford University.
He uses Norton to protect his devices, NordVPN for his privacy, and Proton for his passwords and email.
