TotalAV
Award-winning antivirus software that provides real-time protection against malw...
Avast
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity solution offering real-time protection...
TotalAV vs Avast: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of TotalAV and Avast covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
TotalAV vs Avast: Overview
Choosing between TotalAV and Avast is a common dilemma for antivirus users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
TotalAV offers a free tier and starts at $99/annually, while Avast also has a free option and begins at $31.2/annually. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
TotalAV is best known for perfect scores in av-test evaluations, whereas Avast stands out for excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection). In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
TotalAV
- Best for: Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection, Families needing multi-device coverage
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 2016
Avast
- Best for: Home users seeking comprehensive protection, Families with multiple devices
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1988
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between TotalAV and Avast.
| Feature | T TotalAV | A Avast |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Password Manager | Total Security plan only | Available in all plans |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| SecureLine VPN | One Gold bundle only | |
| Browser Protection | Enhanced features in Premium | |
| Data Shredder | Premium plan only |
Features Deep Dive
Both TotalAV and Avast offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Password Manager.
TotalAV unique strengths: Real-time Protection, Malware Detection, WebShield Protection. This makes it ideal for budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection.
Avast unique strengths: Real-time Malware Protection, Ransomware Shield, Firewall Protection. This makes it better suited for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
TotalAV offers 10 core features with 7 integrations, while Avast provides 10 features and 6 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, TotalAV edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, TotalAV offers more features for the price. Avast remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize home users seeking comprehensive protection.
TotalAV
Best for Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection and Families needing multi-device coverage. Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations.
Try TotalAVAvast
Best for Home users seeking comprehensive protection and Families with multiple devices. Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection).
Try AvastPros & Cons
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
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
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
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
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
Pricing Comparison Analysis
TotalAV Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $99/annually. 3 plans available: TotalAV Premium, Internet Security, Total Security.
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.
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 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
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
Final Verdict
Choose TotalAV if: You need budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection or families needing multi-device coverage. It excels at perfect scores in av-test evaluations and minimal impact on system performance.
Choose Avast if: You prioritize home users seeking comprehensive protection or families with multiple devices. It's particularly strong for excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection) and robust free version with essential features.
Overall: TotalAV has a slight edge with a 4.2/5 rating from 150,000 reviews. However, TotalAV 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.
TotalAV vs Avast FAQ
What are the main differences between TotalAV and Avast?
TotalAV focuses on budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection with perfect scores in av-test evaluations, while Avast excels at home users seeking comprehensive protection with excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection). Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is TotalAV or Avast better for small businesses?
TotalAV 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 TotalAV and Avast?
TotalAV starts at $99/month with a free tier available, while Avast starts at $31.2/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can TotalAV integrate with Avast?
While direct integration may vary, both TotalAV and Avast support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. TotalAV integrates with Windows, macOS, iOS, while Avast works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, TotalAV or Avast?
Based on user reviews, TotalAV 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. TotalAV is known for minimal impact on system performance.
Does TotalAV or Avast offer better customer support?
Both TotalAV and Avast provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. TotalAV offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of TotalAV compared to Avast?
TotalAV's main advantages include: Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations, Minimal impact on system performance, Excellent WebShield malicious site blocking. Compared to Avast, it's particularly strong for budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection.
What are the cons of TotalAV compared to Avast?
TotalAV's potential drawbacks include: Significant price increase upon renewal, Lacks behavior-based detection capabilities. Avast may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from TotalAV to Avast 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, TotalAV leads in this comparison with a 4.2 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. TotalAV excels for budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection, while Avast is ideal for home users seeking comprehensive protection.