TotalAV has gained a reputation as a well-known player in the competitive antivirus industry. But does it deliver on its promises? I put it to the test on several devices and prepared this comprehensive review for you to learn more. From cost and features to real-time protection, this is our complete TotalAV antivirus review. Whether you have Windows 10, Android, or are on the hunt for free protection, we’ve got you covered.
What Is TotalAV Antivirus?
TotalAV is an all-in-one cybersecurity solution that protects with a complete core anti-malware version for multiple PCs. It offers free and premium tiers, with paying memberships having some advanced features like VPN access and password management.
Avira’s tried and tested anti-malware engine has to be one of the best antivirus software available on today’s market. It’s a good partnership—the file scanning is very effective, but the interface also doesn’t scare away first-time users.
TotalAV Cost: Is Total AV Price Per Year Worth It?
Current Pricing Structure
TotalAV has three main subscription options:
TotalAV Premium Plan
- Price: $19 for the first year
- Device coverage: 3 devices
- Key features: Real-time protection, scanning for malware, and simple optimization
Internet Security Plan
- Price: $39.00 for the first 12 months
- Device coverage: 6 devices maximum
- Extras: Includes VPN, better web protection
Total Security Plan
- Price: $49.00 for the first year
- Number of simultaneous devices: Up to 8 devices
- Premium features: Password manager, ad-blocker, identity protection
Pricing Concerns and Complaints
A lot of the Total AV reviews complain and point to the massive jump in price at the end of year one. Renewal prices skyrocket up to 200-300%, and your long-run budget is at risk.
While the company advertises monthly and quarterly plans, these options are not easy to find at checkout. Customer service advises buying yearly plans, and asking for downgrades is a hassle and is unwanted by many.
Money-Back Guarantee: 30 days for annual subscriptions and 14 days for monthly subscriptions with TotalAV.
Is It Worth Using the Free Version of Total AV?
TotalAV’s free edition offers more protection than many competitors. Here is what you get for free:
Free Features Include:
- Real-time virus scanning
- Anti-malware protection
- Basic ransomware defense
- WebShield browser protection
- System cleanup tools
- Browser history management
Limitations of Free Version:
- No advanced ransomware protection
- Limited customer support
- No VPN access
- Basic optimization tools only
The free edition is suitable for the security-conscious on a budget. But premium functionality extends security coverage considerably.
TotalAV Installation and User Experience
Getting Started with TotalAV Login
Installing TotalAV is simple on all of its platforms. The whole installation will take 5-10 minutes:
- Visit the official TotalAV website
- Download the standalone installer for your OS
- Run the setup file, and the installation wizard will guide you
- Enter your account login details for TotalAV
- Enable your license and initial settings
If you’ve reassigned all your licenses through the web portal or other source, there might be a lag in app recognition itself.
User Interface Design
The interface of TotalAV is neither too functional nor too simple. Three key categories structure the main dashboard:
- Safeguard: Antivirus scanning, real-time protection, firewall settings
- Privacy: VPN, identity protection, secure browsing tools
- Optimize: System cleanup, performance tuning, and startup item management
The Windows edition comes with the most features, while mobile apps concentrate on essential protection.
TotalAV Reviews for Android: Analysis of Mobile Protection
Android App Performance
TotalAV for Android offers powerful mobile protection with minimal performance impact on your phone. The app includes:
Core Android Features:
- Real-time malware scanning
- App permissions monitoring
- Anti-theft protection
- Wi-Fi security scanning
- System optimization tools
User experience: The Android app is a mirror version of the desktop interface, so users can learn it quickly. Scans are fast and nimble, running in the background without bogging down the system.
Drawbacks: You’ll find more sophisticated features in some competing Android antivirus software at a lower price.
iOS App Capabilities
Because iOS devices are less threatened by malware, TotalAV’s iPhone app instead emphasizes complementary security features:
- Identity theft monitoring
- Secure Wi-Fi analysis
- Data breach notifications
- System performance optimization
The iOS app is not a conventional virus scanner, as Apple’s standard built-in defenses are already effective against most threats.
TotalAV Antivirus Windows 10 Review: Performance Tests
To test performance, I ran a full scan on my computer while using multiple programs and tabs in both Firefox and Chrome.
Malware Detection Results
We tested it with 150 malware samples in the lab on a Windows 10 computer. TotalAV found 103 threats, which is a detection rate of 68.7%.
Performance: CPU usage was in the range of 60-75% during full system scans. Such a mild hit on performance means that users can still be productive while scans are underway.
Scan Types Available:
- Fast scan: 3-5 minutes, includes high-risk zones
- Full system scan: 25-40 minutes, for a complete search
- Custom scan: User-defined file/folder targeting
- Scheduled scan: Automatic protection regularly
Ransomware Protection Testing
In controlled tests, TotalAV’s ransomware protection was very effective:
- Quick scan: 9 of 10 ransomware samples caught (90% success rate)
- Full scan: 10 of 10 ransomware threats detected (100% success rate)
- Live protection: Protected against new ransomware directly from the internet
The real-time protection was a clear winner, blocking ransomware from running in the first place instead of just identifying it post-infection.
Web Protection and Phishing Defense
WebShield, the web browser extension from TotalAV, had mixed success:
- Dangerous sites: Blocked 7 of every 10 malicious websites (70% success rate)
- Phishing: Found just 3 of the 10 phishing links (30%)
The low protection against phishing is a very serious matter, but user education may help mitigate this.
Independent Lab Test Results
AV-Test Certification
TotalAV scored top marks in three categories in recent AV-Test evaluations:
- Protection: 6/6 points for malware protection
- Performance: 6 out of 6 points for system load
- Ease of use: 6/6 points for usability
The results show substantial improvements over prior test periods.
AV-Comparatives Assessment
March 2024 AV-Comparatives test showed both strengths and weaknesses:
Positive Results:
- Online protection rate: 99.97%
- Offline detection rates: 95.8% (higher than the industry average of 90%)
- Solid technical performance metrics
Areas for Improvement:
- High rate of false positives: 28 cases
- Final evaluation: Advanced (not Advanced+) overall
The high rate of false positives means TotalAV sometimes flags legitimate files as threats, which users may find frustrating.
Advanced Features Analysis
Password Manager Integration
Total Password, unique to the top plan, offers full-fledged credential management:
- Secure password generation
- Cross-device synchronization
- Auto-fill capabilities
- Encrypted storage vault
- Breach monitoring alerts
Identity Protection Services
TotalAV’s identity monitoring covers:
- Social Security number tracking
- Credit card detail surveillance
- Health insurance information monitoring
- Personal data dark web scanning
- Comprehensive recovery support for identity theft victims
VPN and Privacy Tools
It comes with a basic VPN that has:
- Military-grade encryption
- No-logs policy
- Global server network
- Unlimited bandwidth (premium plans only)
- Kill switch functionality
Common TotalAV Complaints and Issues
Pricing Transparency
I come across numerous repeated issues as a result of user feedback from Reddit and review sites:
- Shocking renewal pricing: Users complain of being shocked by the ballooning renewal pricing after the introductory deals
- Annual subscriptions only: Even though they promote customizable billing, users are mostly limited to annual subscriptions
- Customer service issues: Several users have reported experiencing issues cancelling subscriptions or downgrading plans
Performance Issues
- Slowdown: A few users report slow system performance during full scans
- False positives: High false positives can interfere with normal computing activities
- Update frequency: Some users report not getting frequent enough definition updates
TotalAV vs. Competitors
Budget Alternatives
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus delivers similar protection for $9.99 per year, but that price covers just one device. TotalAV’s prices become much more reasonable for homes with multiple devices.
Feature Comparison
TotalAV offers an all-in-one approach that competitors might sell separately:
- Built-in VPN (typically $30-60 annually)
- Password manager (usually $20-40 annually)
- Identity protection (often $100+ annually)
If you’re adding up what your total security costs are, TotalAV’s pricing model offers good value from their all-in-one approach.
Should You Choose TotalAV?
TotalAV Works Best For:
- Users looking for an all-in-one security system
- Families with multiple devices that need protection
- Beginners who want an easy, smooth, intuitive interface
- Budget-conscious users during promotional periods
Consider Alternatives If:
- You need the most robust phishing protection
- You prefer specialized security solutions over all-in-one packages
- You have a low tolerance for false positives
- You require advanced firewall capabilities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TotalAV a legitimate antivirus?
What is the price of TotalAV after your first year?
Can I use TotalAV for free?
Does TotalAV slow down my computer?
Is TotalAV safe for Windows 10?
Can I cancel TotalAV easily?
Does TotalAV include a VPN?
How many devices does TotalAV cover?
Is TotalAV better than Windows Defender?
Does TotalAV work on smartphones?
Final Verdict
TotalAV offers solid antivirus protection and many useful features, but not all of its features work perfectly, and its pricing structure is unusual. The software is excellent at detecting malware and offers great value for multi-device households.
But high renewal rates and mediocre phishing protection prevent it from receiving a top recommendation. The high false positive rate may annoy some users, but overall protection quality remains very good.
Bottom Line: Overall, TotalAV is a good selection for those who want comprehensive security packages and an easy-to-use interface. But be ready for substantial price hikes when you renew.
Our Rating: 4/5 Stars
TotalAV is perfect for both newbies and pro users looking for feature-rich and accessible protection. It is not the best, but it offers a manageable level of defense that explains its popularity.
Try TotalAV before purchasing long-term – if you’re not happy with the way antivirus protection performs on your devices and usage, remember to use the 30-day money-back guarantee.
