TotalAV Antivirus Review (2023): The Truth about TotalAV

TotalAV review: summary

TotalAV is ranked #15 out of 20 antivirus software.

TotalAV has below-average anti-malware scores. To be fair, it averaged 5.25 out of 6 points over the last 10 tests. That is not a bad score. But it is below-average and behind Microsoft Defender and Avira (its tech supplier).

On the upside, TotalAV has no impact on the speed of your PC, offers great first-year prices, and includes many security features (although it misses a firewall and parental controls).

Sadly, TotalAV’s second-year prices (the ones without the discount) are far too high. For example, TotalAV Total Security renews at $ 179. Compare that to Norton 360 Deluxe, a better product, which renews at $ 109.

Overall, there are better options out there. Norton, Bitdefender, McAfee, and Kaspersky have better test scores, more features, and lower prices.

• Malware protection: 25%. TotalAV scored 5.25 out of 6 in the last 10 tests. This is below average and behind Microsoft Defender.
• Speed impact: 100%. TotalAV averaged 6.00 out of 6 in the last 10 performance tests. So it has no impact on your PC’s speed.
• Features: 70%. TotalAV offers anti-malware, anti-phishing, a password manager, and an unlimited VPN. But misses a firewall and others.
• Price: 50%. TotalAV has attractive first-year prices, but unrealistically high second-year prices. You’ll get a much better deal at Norton.

If you want the best protection, we recommend Norton.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

Specification comparison

Below, we have compared TotalAV Total Security to Norton 360 Standard. These are the most affordable products at each brand, which allow you to protect at least 1 PC with the core features:

• Anti-malware
• Anti-phishing (web protection)
• Firewall
• Password manager
• Unlimited VPN (no data limit)

Norton 360 is the best antivirus for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

Test score comparison

We’ve compared the 10 most recent test scores of all antivirus brands. The tests were performed by AV-Test, the German anti-malware test lab. They use three factors:

• Protection (1-6): Antivirus protection against malware attacks.
• Performance (1-6): System slowdown caused by the antivirus.
• Usability (1-6): Frequency of false alarms and disruptions.

We used their results, and this formula, to calculate the final score:

Final Score = 60% Protection + 20% Performance + 20% Usability.

Brands not listed in the table haven’t participated in the analysis by AV-Test. This is usually not a good sign. Because most reputable brands, except Panda, ESET, and Sophos, partake in the test.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

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 Windows PC with the following 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.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

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. However, take these results with a grain of salt, as some brands actively attempt to increase their ratings.

Personally, we are wary of exceptionally high scores. Especially those by brands such as TotalAV, known for aggressive marketing and sales tactics.

We consider scores between 4.0 and 4.5 good and realistic. Higher scores are dubious, and lower scores indicate that the brand might have a poor product or customer service. McAfee’s scores, for instance, are worrying.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

Product analysis

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 your country.

TotalAV also offers a free version. But we don’t recommend it. In the protection tests, TotalAV detected fewer malicious files than Microsoft Defender. So you’re better off sticking with Windows’ built-in security tools.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

TotalAV antivirus review

Virus scan

TotalAV employs Avira’s esteemed anti-malware engine, providing four types of virus scans: Quick, System, Smart, and Custom (Windows only). We found the Full System Scan to be efficient, taking only an hour and identifying 99.2% of test files, including ransomware and hidden spyware.

Sadly, TotalAV has faired worse in AV-Test’s protection tests, scoring lower than Microsoft Defender and Avira (the supplier of it’s antivirus engine). By contrast, Norton achieved a perfect score of 100% in the same tests.

The Smart and Quick Scans were swift, taking around 11 minutes. Notably, the Smart Scan also pinpointed junk files, duplicates, cookies, and auto-start programs. Upon completion, TotalAV offered several actions to address malware files: delete, whitelist, quarantine, or ignore.

Real-time protection

The real-time antivirus protection in TotalAV operates continuously, examining downloads and software. Our tests revealed that it instantly detected and isolated harmful files, permitted downloading compressed files but raised an alarm during extraction, and thwarted ransomware encryption attempts.

Anti-phishing protection

TotalAV’s WebShield excels in blocking malicious sites and thwarting phishing attempts. Millions of users fall victim to phishing, providing sensitive information to hackers.

Although Chrome and Firefox offer decent protection, TotalAV outperforms them by employing blacklists and an AI-driven system. Nevertheless, Norton and Avira provide slightly superior features. WebShield, a valuable component, can be downloaded for free as an extension or app.

System tune-up

TotalAV’s system tune-up tools clear clutter and enhance computer performance, surpassing Norton and McAfee’s offerings. The features include:

• Startup Manager.
• Application Uninstaller.
• Browser Cleanup.
• Junk Cleaner.
• Duplicate File Finder

Startup Manager and Application Uninstaller provide an accessible, user-friendly alternative to Windows’ default tools. The Browser Cleanup tool maintains online privacy by removing cookies.

TotalAV’s Duplicate File Finder fills a gap left by Windows Disk Cleanup, identifying and eliminating redundant files. The Junk Cleaner surpasses its Windows counterpart in detecting and eradicating unnecessary files.

In conclusion, TotalAV’s System Tune-Up functions aren’t groundbreaking, but they prove effective and convenient, all accessible from a single location. We recommend the software’s simplicity and user-friendly nature.

VPN

The TotalAV VPN, called Safe Browsing VPN, provides solid defense against ISPs, snoopers, and cybercriminals. It operates like typical VPNs, redirecting internet traffic globally and replacing users’ IP addresses. While not the fastest, it outpaces many antivirus-bundled VPNs, boasting 70+ server locations across 30+ countries.

The service has minimal impact on upload and download speeds and is compatible with popular streaming platforms such as Netflix US, Hulu, and Disney+. Furthermore, TotalAV’s VPN supports torrenting and P2P file sharing on non-US servers.

Should you want an even better VPN, consider CyberGhost or NordVPN.

Identity theft protection (US only)

We find TotalAV’s comprehensive identity theft protection, powered by Aura, an excellent choice for US users. Key features include credit report monitoring, dark web forum tracking, breach database scanning, $1,000,000 identity theft loss coverage, and live agent assistance for identity recovery.

TotalAV vigilantly monitors a variety of personal information, from social security numbers to credit card details, sending alerts when data is utilized. Although not included in any of TotalAV’s packages, identity theft protection can be added at an affordable annual fee.

Lastly, TotalAV offers a data breach check for users, notifying them of any email breaches and suggesting password updates via the TotalAV Password Vault.

Password manager

TotalAV’s Password Vault, part of the most expensive package, is a basic password manager. It lacks features offered by leading rivals like 1Password and Dashlane, such as biometric logins, syncing across devices, 2-factor authentication, and password sharing. Despite its limitations, TotalAV’s Password Vault performs basic tasks well, generating and auto-filling complex passwords.

However, it falls short by not offering a mobile version, a significant drawback for smartphone users. If mobile access is crucial, we recommend exploring alternative password managers with Android and iOS support.

Overall, TotalAV’s password manager is suitable for users who need a simple computer-based tool, but its lack of advanced features and mobile compatibility is disappointing.

Installation and user experience

TotalAV provides a user-friendly experience, with installation taking under 5 minutes. The interface is well-designed and visually appealing, albeit offering only a dark mode. The main features are easily accessible through dedicated icons, while advanced options reside in the settings menu.

Scheduling antivirus scans with TotalAV is straightforward compared to competitors. Users benefit from an online dashboard featuring video tutorials and FAQs, but remote device access is absent.

For additional features, users can turn to the TotalAV Online Marketplace. In conclusion, TotalAV offers a clear and convenient user experience, with well-organized features and a satisfactory online dashboard.

Mobile app

The TotalAV app supplies web security tools for Android and iOS devices. The features include malware scanning (Android only), App Lock (Android only), anti-phishing, Wi-Fi examination, VPN, device optimization, secure in-app browsing, data breach surveillance, and device tracking (iOS only).

We found the Android antivirus scan efficient and swift, but it significantly depletes battery life. Although TotalAV presents real-time protection, competitors like Norton achieve similar results without draining the battery as quickly. The system optimization function clears space and ensures smooth device performance.

TotalAV’s VPN performs well, offering encrypted access to global servers. However, dedicated VPNs like ExpressVPN boast additional features lacking in TotalAV’s VPN. While TotalAV possesses decent characteristics, superior security applications exist for both iOS and Android devices.

Customer support

TotalAV provides live chat, email, and round-the-clock phone support. Accessing live chat may require Chrome’s Incognito mode in some countries. Though email support is helpful and knowledgeable, it lags behind competitors like Norton and McAfee in response times.

Phone support is exceptional, with country-specific assistance for the US, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and Spain, along with general numbers for Europe and international callers. In our experience, TotalAV’s phone support is responsive, helpful, and prompt, making up for the slower email support.

Conclusion

TotalAV antivirus software delivers a user-friendly internet security suite, with average to poor malware detection but decent supplementary features such as anti-phishing measures, a VPN, and a password manager.

The desktop and mobile applications are well-crafted, offering straightforward and dependable tools. These include superior anti-phishing capabilities compared to Chrome and Firefox, efficient device optimization, and a top-notch VPN for accessing streaming services like Netflix.

Nonetheless, we find TotalAV’s password manager to be overly simplistic and the pricing structure illogical, given the limited feature access and incessant upselling efforts. And although TotalAV has excellent first-year discounted prices, the second-year prices are absurdly high. Norton and Bitdefender offer considerable better value for money.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

How do we test antivirus software?

The best antivirus software offer virus protection, identity theft protection, and privacy protection for Windows, macOS, and Android. Some also offer security features for iOS and Linus.

To evaluate which providers are worth your money, we run 11 tests:

> Test 1: Anti-malware protection test

We analyze antivirus software’s capability to detect and eliminate known and unknown malware, using heuristic analysis for behavior monitoring.

We conduct in-house tests and analyze those from labs like AV-Test, SE Labs, and AV-Comparatives to determine the best malware protection.

Malware includes adware, keyloggers, ransomware, rootkits, spyware, trojans, viruses, worms, and more. Other cyber threats, usually not classified as malware, are (zero-day) exploits, hacks, identity theft, phishing attacks, scams, and social engineering.

> Test 2: False positives test

False positives occur when antivirus software misidentifies legitimate software, files, or websites as malicious. We rely on AV-Test’s large-scale analysis of false positives in its usability test to guide our evaluations.

> Test 3: System performance test

We measure the CPU load during antivirus software system scans and consider AV-Test’s performance results on the slowdown caused by antivirus software when opening websites and handling software.

> Test 4: Firewall test

We evaluate two-way firewalls that filter incoming and outgoing data and allow users to set rules to regulate data streams. We use the ShieldsUP! test to determine if the antivirus software blocks all ports.

> Test 5: Password manager test

We assess password managers’ ability to create, store, and autofill secure passwords, as well as additional features like two-factor authentication and biometric login.

> Test 6: Virtual Private Network (VPN) test

We evaluate built-in VPNs on their security, privacy, speed, compatibility with streaming services, unlimited data access, and support for peer-to-peer networks and torrent clients.

> Test 7: Parental control test

We examine parental control features, such as screen time rules, website/app blocking, and real-world location tracking. We test these features on a device and attempt to circumvent them, checking if the activity is accurately reported in the parental control admin.

> Test 8: Anti-phishing protection test

We evaluate antivirus browser extensions that block phishing sites by installing them and attempting to visit dangerous URLs.

> Test 9: Ransomware protection test

We assess security suites’ ability to prevent data encryption through exploit prevention and behavioral detection during ransomware attacks.

> Test 10: Bonus features test

We test any additional cybersecurity tools such as:

• Ad Blocker
• Anti-theft
• Dark web monitoring (identity protection)
• Email protection
• File encryption
• File shredder
• Gaming mode
• Microphone protection
• PC maintenance features
• Secure browser (hardened browser to protect your online banking)
• Secure cloud storage (cloud backup)
• Spam filter
• Startup optimizer
• Tune up tools
• Virtual keyboard
• Webcam protection

> Test 11: Operating system and multiple devices test

Operating system and multiple devices: We test antivirus software on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices and award bonus points for unlimited device protection.

> Test 12: Ownership and reputation test

We analyze the trustworthiness of antivirus companies, especially concerning customer data. We read press releases, news articles, and privacy policies to determine their reputation.

Sources and tools

Below are the sources and tools we’ve used to test the antivirus software:

• 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

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the most frequently asked questions.