Avast
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity solution offering real-time protection...
TotalAV
Award-winning antivirus software that provides real-time protection against malw...
Avast vs TotalAV: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Avast and TotalAV covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Avast vs TotalAV: Overview
Choosing between Avast and TotalAV is a common dilemma for antivirus users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Avast offers a free tier and starts at $31.2/annually, while TotalAV also has a free option and begins at $99/annually. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
Avast is best known for excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection), whereas TotalAV stands out for perfect scores in av-test evaluations. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
Avast
- Best for: Home users seeking comprehensive protection, Families with multiple devices
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1988
TotalAV
- Best for: Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection, Families needing multi-device coverage
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 2016
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Avast and TotalAV.
| Feature | A Avast | T TotalAV |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Malware Protection | Available in free and paid plans | |
| Ransomware Shield | Limited in free, full protection in Premium | |
| Firewall Protection | Basic in free, advanced in Premium | |
| Webcam Shield | Premium plan only | |
| Wi-Fi Security Scanner | Premium plan only | |
| Email Protection | Premium plan only | |
| Password Manager | Available in all plans | Total Security plan only |
| SecureLine VPN | One Gold bundle only | |
| Browser Protection | Enhanced features in Premium | |
| Data Shredder | Premium plan only | |
| Real-time Protection | Scans downloads, installs, and executables automatically | |
| Malware Detection | Award-winning antivirus engine with zero-day cloud scanning | |
| WebShield Protection | Blocks malicious websites and phishing attacks | |
| VPN Service | Internet Security and Total Security plans only | |
| Ad Blocker | Total Adblock included in all plans | |
| System Optimization | Disk cleaner and browser cleanup tools | |
| Data Breach Monitoring | Monitors email for appearances in known breaches | |
| Multi-Platform Support | Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android compatibility | |
| Cloud Storage | 2GB free secure cloud storage |
Features Deep Dive
Both Avast and TotalAV offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Password Manager.
Avast unique strengths: Real-time Malware Protection, Ransomware Shield, Firewall Protection. This makes it ideal for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
TotalAV unique strengths: Real-time Protection, Malware Detection, WebShield Protection. This makes it better suited for budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection.
Avast offers 10 core features with 6 integrations, while TotalAV provides 10 features and 7 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Avast edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Avast offers more features for the price. TotalAV remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection.
Avast
Best for Home users seeking comprehensive protection and Families with multiple devices. Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection).
Try AvastTotalAV
Best for Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection and Families needing multi-device coverage. Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations.
Try TotalAVPros & Cons
Avast Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection)
- Robust free version with essential features
- User-friendly interface suitable for beginners
- Multi-platform support (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- History of unauthorized data collection issues
- Quick scan missed malware in testing
- Higher system resource usage on Windows
- Limited customer support for free users
TotalAV Pros & Cons
Pros
- Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations
- Minimal impact on system performance
- Excellent WebShield malicious site blocking
- Competitive pricing with valuable bundles
- User-friendly interface for beginners
Cons
- Significant price increase upon renewal
- Lacks behavior-based detection capabilities
- Auto-renewal enabled by default
- Mac protection scores lower than Windows/Android
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
Avast
freemium- Basic virus protection
- Limited ransomware protection
- Network inspector
- Advanced antivirus
- Ransomware protection
- Firewall
- Everything in 1-device plan
- Protects up to 10 devices
- Windows, Mac, Android, iOS support
- All Premium Security features
- SecureLine VPN
- Cleanup Premium
TotalAV
subscription- Real-time antivirus protection
- 3 device licenses
- System tune-up tools
- Everything in Premium
- 6 device licenses
- Safe Browsing VPN
- Everything in Internet Security
- 8 device licenses
- Total Password manager
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Avast Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $31.2/annually. 4 plans available: Free Antivirus, Premium Security (1 device), Premium Security (10 devices), One Gold.
TotalAV Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $99/annually. 3 plans available: TotalAV Premium, Internet Security, Total Security.
Verdict: Avast is more affordable at the entry level and offers a free tier. However, TotalAV may offer better value at scale with more advanced features.
For budget-conscious teams, Avast is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection, TotalAV's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose Avast if you need:
- Home users seeking comprehensive protection
- Families with multiple devices
- Budget-conscious users wanting free antivirus
- Users needing multi-platform security
- Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection)
- Robust free version with essential features
Choose TotalAV if you need:
- Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection
- Families needing multi-device coverage
- Users wanting antivirus plus VPN bundle
- Beginners who prefer simple interfaces
- Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations
- Minimal impact on system performance
Final Verdict
Choose Avast if: You need home users seeking comprehensive protection or families with multiple devices. It excels at excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection) and robust free version with essential features.
Choose TotalAV if: You prioritize budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection or families needing multi-device coverage. It's particularly strong for perfect scores in av-test evaluations and minimal impact on system performance.
Overall: Avast has a slight edge with a 4.2/5 rating from 150,000 reviews. However, Avast has a larger user base with 150,000 reviews, suggesting broader market validation.
Both tools are solid choices in the antivirus space. Your decision should ultimately depend on your specific requirements, team size, and budget.
Avast vs TotalAV FAQ
What are the main differences between Avast and TotalAV?
Avast focuses on home users seeking comprehensive protection with excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection), while TotalAV excels at budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection with perfect scores in av-test evaluations. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Avast or TotalAV better for small businesses?
Avast offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers Avast's lower starting price of $31.2/month.
What is the pricing difference between Avast and TotalAV?
Avast starts at $31.2/month with a free tier available, while TotalAV starts at $99/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Avast integrate with TotalAV?
While direct integration may vary, both Avast and TotalAV support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Avast integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, while TotalAV works with Windows, macOS, iOS.
Which tool is easier to use, Avast or TotalAV?
Based on user reviews, Avast generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.2 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Avast is known for robust free version with essential features.
Does Avast or TotalAV offer better customer support?
Both Avast and TotalAV provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Avast offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Avast compared to TotalAV?
Avast's main advantages include: Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection), Robust free version with essential features, User-friendly interface suitable for beginners. Compared to TotalAV, it's particularly strong for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
What are the cons of Avast compared to TotalAV?
Avast's potential drawbacks include: History of unauthorized data collection issues, Quick scan missed malware in testing. TotalAV may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Avast to TotalAV or vice versa?
Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.
Which tool is best for antivirus in 2026?
In 2026, Avast leads in this comparison with a 4.2 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Avast excels for home users seeking comprehensive protection, while TotalAV is ideal for budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection.