Antivirus
Top Companies in 2026
Avast Antivirus vs TotalAV
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- Free version with essential antivirus protection
- Easy-to-use interface with clear navigation
- Built-in firewall and web shield for network protection
- Regular updates to virus definitions
- Multi-device compatibility, including Android devices and iOS devices support
- Easy-to-use interface
- Multi-platform support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Quick and efficient scanning
- Disk cleanup and system optimization tools
- Frequent upgrade prompts in the free version
- Some advanced features sold as separate add-ons
- May slow down older systems during a deep scan
- Past data privacy concerns tied to data collection
- High renewal rates after the first year
- Limited features in free and basic plans
- No full two-way firewall
- Frequent upselling during setup
Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, Avast has grown into one of the most recognized names in cybersecurity. Known for offering a free antivirus product alongside robust premium plans, Avast provides multi-layered protection through features like Smart Scan, real-time malware detection, phishing protection, and a Secure Browser designed to safeguard sensitive activity online. More advanced services include Avast One Gold, which adds VPN access, identity protection, and ransomware defense. Their tools are compatible across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, offering flexible security for individual users and families alike. Avast’s services have earned high marks in independent malware tests, including results from SE Labs and AV-Comparatives, helping establish their credibility within the industry. Customer feedback is largely positive, with users praising Avast’s ease of use, effective free service, and performance-boosting utilities. However, concerns have been raised about frequent upselling and pop-up notifications, especially within the paid tiers. Despite this, Avast remains a popular option for users seeking both basic and enhanced digital protection.
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in the United Kingdom, TotalAV has quickly established themselves as a reliable antivirus and security provider. The company has earned a reputation for offering effective, user-friendly solutions designed to protect devices from a wide range of online threats. TotalAV's services include real-time malware detection, ransomware protection, a built-in VPN for secure browsing, and system optimization tools like disk cleanup, junk file removal, and startup program management to improve device performance. These features help users keep their systems secure and running smoothly without complicating the user experience. TotalAV is compatible with a variety of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users. While TotalAV enjoys positive feedback for their comprehensive protection and ease of use, some customers have raised concerns about their pricing model, particularly regarding higher renewal rates after the first year. Despite these criticisms, TotalAV’s responsive customer support and proactive efforts to address issues demonstrate their commitment to improving the user experience. With a 30-day money-back guarantee and competitive pricing, TotalAV remains a solid contender in the ever-growing antivirus market.
- Security Rating : Excellent
- VPN : Avast SecureLine VPN included in select bundles
- Price : Starts at $44.28 per year
- Customer Experience : Good
- Firewall : Included
- Free Trial : 30 days
- Trustpilot Score : 4.3 out of 5
- Security Rating : Good
- VPN : Included
- Price : Starts at $29/year
- Customer Experience : Good
- Firewall : Not included
- Free Trial : 7 days
- Trustpilot Score : 4.7 out of 5
- Smart Scan combines security and cleanup
- Behavioral Shield detects zero-day attacks
- Sandbox lets you run suspicious files safely
- Plans scale easily across multiple devices
- Smart Scan combines malware protection and optimization
- Integrated ad blocker for a cleaner browsing experience
- Dedicated ransomware protection with behavioral detection
- Multi-device protection under one subscription
- Adware Removal
- Anti-Phishing
- Anti-Spam
- Anti-Theft
- Anti-Tracking
- Behavior Analysis
- Cloud Scanning
- Dark Web Scanning
- Dedicated Ransomware Protection
- E-mail Scan
- File Encryption
- Free Version
- ID Protection
- Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
- Malware Removal
- Mobile App
- On Demand Scan
- Real-Time Protection
- Spyware Removal
- Vulnerability Scanner
- Webcam Protection
- Adware Removal
- Anti-Phishing
- Anti-Spam
- Anti-Theft
- Anti-Tracking
- Behavior Analysis
- Cloud Scanning
- Dark Web Scanning
- Dedicated Ransomware Protection
- E-mail Scan
- File Encryption
- Free Version
- ID Protection
- Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
- Malware Removal
- Mobile App
- On Demand Scan
- Real-Time Protection
- Spyware Removal
- Vulnerability Scanner
- Webcam Protection
- Boot Time Scans
- Browser Cleaner
- Disk Cleaner
- Junk Files Removal
- Software/Driver Updater
- Boot Time Scans
- Browser Cleaner
- Disk Cleaner
- Junk Files Removal
- Software/Driver Updater
- Cloud Storage Backup
- Live Updates
- Parental Control
- Password Manager
- Rescue Mode
- USB Rescue Toolkit
- USB Vaccination
- Cloud Storage Backup
- Live Updates
- Parental Control
- Password Manager
- Rescue Mode
- USB Rescue Toolkit
- USB Vaccination
- Android
- Browser Plugins
- ChromeOS
- Fire OS
- iOS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
- Android
- Browser Plugins
- ChromeOS
- Fire OS
- iOS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
- Community Forum
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Phone
- Social Media
- Ticket
- Community Forum
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Phone
- Social Media
- Ticket
Avast vs. TotalAV
Avast has been protecting devices since 1988 and built their name on a strong free tier. TotalAV is newer, now owned by Point Wild, and focuses on affordable bundled pricing.
Here's how they compare on protection, ease of use, detection performance, and price.
Range of services and platform focus
Avast covers Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS across their plans, but the range of services is split by tier rather than bundled into one. Premium Security stays focused on antivirus, with the firewall, ransomware shield, and webcam protection built in. Stepping up to Ultimate adds the SecureLine VPN, the AntiTrack privacy tool, and Cleanup Premium, so the broader suite of extras only shows up once you pay for the top tier.
TotalAV also runs on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, but their plans scale by device count as much as by feature set. The entry-level Plus plan is antivirus-only across 3 devices. Internet Security folds in the Total VPN across 6 devices, and Total Security adds Total Password on top of that across 8 devices. That structure positions TotalAV closer to a bundled security suite than a standalone antivirus, with the tradeoff being that a firewall and behavior-based detection aren't part of any tier.
Ease of use and system performance
Avast installs quickly, and their dashboard automates most decisions, though the interface has grown busier over the years with frequent prompts nudging you toward their VPN or cleanup tools. Core scanning and settings stay easy to find, and the software has a consistent record of light system impact.
TotalAV also installs fast and generally gets praised for a cleaner, more beginner-friendly layout, with most protections switched on automatically at setup. That simplicity suits anyone who doesn't want to tinker, though it leaves less room to customize. Performance is usually light too, though one 2026 testing round flagged a noticeably higher hit on lower-spec hardware.
Security strength and innovation
Avast earned a perfect 18 out of 18 from AV-TEST in their May-June 2026 round, a Top Product result achieved by the free edition, since the engine doesn't change between free and paid tiers. AV-Comparatives' March 2026 malware test put Avast at 96.3% offline and 98.7% online detection, with 9 false alarms.
TotalAV also scored a perfect 18 out of 18 from AV-TEST in January-February 2026 and holds an Advanced+ award from AV-Comparatives after blocking 99.98% of samples in one 2026 test. The catch is false positives: that same round logged 19 for TotalAV, more than double Avast's count. That means TotalAV is slightly more likely to flag a legitimate file or site as dangerous, an annoyance rather than a security risk, but still, friction Avast's users hit less often. Avast's behavioral layer also gives it a better shot at catching brand-new threats no signature has seen yet, something TotalAV's engine isn't built to do.
Pricing and value
Avast's free plan covers basic malware scanning. Premium Security lists at $77.99 a year for one PC and one mobile device, or $99.99 a year for up to 10 devices, with first-year promotional pricing often lower. Ultimate, which adds the VPN, AntiTrack, and cleanup tools, lists at $109.99 a year for one PC and one mobile device, or $139.99 a year for up to 10 devices.
TotalAV's entry-level Plus plan (previously called Antivirus Pro) starts at $19 for the first year on 3 devices, then renews at $99. Internet Security, which adds the VPN and covers 6 devices, starts at $39 and renews at $129. Total Security, which adds a password manager and covers 8 devices, starts at $49 and renews at $149. Both companies offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Conclusion
Avast is the better pick if you want a firewall, behavioral detection, and a free tier that's earned top marks from independent labs. TotalAV works well for first-time buyers who want the lowest starting price and a dashboard that doesn't ask much of them, as long as they budget for the renewal jump and accept the tradeoff of no firewall or behavior-based detection. It comes down to paying more upfront for deeper protection, or starting cheap and staying hands-off.