TotalAV
Award-winning antivirus software that provides real-time protection against malw...
Kaspersky
Comprehensive antivirus and internet security software that provides real-time p...
TotalAV vs Kaspersky: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of TotalAV and Kaspersky covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
TotalAV vs Kaspersky: Overview
Choosing between TotalAV and Kaspersky 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 Kaspersky also has a free option and begins at $21.99/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 Kaspersky stands out for excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%). 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
Kaspersky
- Best for: Home users seeking comprehensive protection, Families needing parental controls
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1997
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between TotalAV and Kaspersky.
| Feature | T TotalAV | K Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 antivirus protection | Standard plan and above | |
| Anti-ransomware protection | All paid plans | |
| Anti-phishing protection | Standard plan and above | |
| Two-way firewall | Standard plan and above | |
| Unlimited VPN | Plus and Premium plans | |
| Password manager | Plus and Premium plans | |
| Online payment protection | All paid plans | |
| Parental controls (Safe Kids) | Premium plan | |
| Performance optimization | All paid plans | |
| 24/7 remote IT support | Premium plan only |
Features Deep Dive
Both TotalAV and Kaspersky 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.
Kaspersky unique strengths: Real-time antivirus protection, Anti-ransomware protection, Anti-phishing protection. This makes it better suited for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
TotalAV offers 10 core features with 7 integrations, while Kaspersky provides 10 features and 5 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Kaspersky edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Kaspersky offers better overall user satisfaction. TotalAV remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection.
Kaspersky
Best for Home users seeking comprehensive protection and Families needing parental controls. Excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%).
Try KasperskyTotalAV
Best for Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection and Families needing multi-device coverage. Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations.
Try TotalAVPros & 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
Kaspersky Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%)
- Lightweight system performance impact
- Comprehensive free version available
- Strong real-time protection capabilities
- Multi-platform support (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)
Cons
- Concerns about Russian government ties
- Premium plans can be expensive
- VPN has device limitations
- Occasional false positives with legitimate websites
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
Kaspersky
freemium- Basic antivirus protection
- Manual virus scanning
- Malware detection
- Real-time protection
- Anti-phishing
- Two-way firewall
- All Standard features
- Unlimited VPN
- Password manager
- All Plus features
- Identity protection wallet
- Data leak checker
Pricing Comparison Analysis
TotalAV Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $99/annually. 3 plans available: TotalAV Premium, Internet Security, Total Security.
Kaspersky Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $21.99/annually. 4 plans available: Free, Standard, Plus, Premium.
Verdict: Kaspersky 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, Kaspersky 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 Kaspersky if you need:
- Home users seeking comprehensive protection
- Families needing parental controls
- Budget-conscious users (free version)
- Businesses requiring endpoint security
- Excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%)
- Lightweight system performance impact
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 Kaspersky if: You prioritize home users seeking comprehensive protection or families needing parental controls. It's particularly strong for excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%) and lightweight system performance impact.
Overall: Kaspersky has a slight edge with a 4.6/5 rating from 15,000 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 Kaspersky FAQ
What are the main differences between TotalAV and Kaspersky?
TotalAV focuses on budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection with perfect scores in av-test evaluations, while Kaspersky excels at home users seeking comprehensive protection with excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%). Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is TotalAV or Kaspersky 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 Kaspersky's lower starting price of $21.99/month.
What is the pricing difference between TotalAV and Kaspersky?
TotalAV starts at $99/month with a free tier available, while Kaspersky starts at $21.99/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can TotalAV integrate with Kaspersky?
While direct integration may vary, both TotalAV and Kaspersky support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. TotalAV integrates with Windows, macOS, iOS, while Kaspersky works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, TotalAV or Kaspersky?
Based on user reviews, Kaspersky generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.6 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 Kaspersky offer better customer support?
Both TotalAV and Kaspersky 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 Kaspersky?
TotalAV's main advantages include: Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations, Minimal impact on system performance, Excellent WebShield malicious site blocking. Compared to Kaspersky, it's particularly strong for budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection.
What are the cons of TotalAV compared to Kaspersky?
TotalAV's potential drawbacks include: Significant price increase upon renewal, Lacks behavior-based detection capabilities. Kaspersky may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from TotalAV to Kaspersky 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, Kaspersky leads in this comparison with a 4.6 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. TotalAV excels for budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection, while Kaspersky is ideal for home users seeking comprehensive protection.