AVG vs. TotalAV 2024: Why AVG Outperforms the Award-winning TotalAV

Both AVG and TotalAV are two rock-solid antiviruses, but AVG wins this matchup. AVG is an excellent option if you prioritize overall performance and security features. It has near-perfect AV-TEST scores and includes enhanced firewall protection (a feature missing from TotalAV) with its premium plans.

TotalAV is still a strong antivirus option if you’re budget-conscious and don't need to cover more than eight devices. Plus, TotalAV comprehensively safeguards your accounts and browsing activities across the web with its ad blocker, virtual private network (VPN), and password manager.

AVG vs. TotalAV overview

AVG premium plans cost more than TotalAV, but the overall value is worth it if you prioritize performance and strong security features. It's also worth noting that while AVG covers up to 10 devices, TotalAV only offers protection for up to eight devices.

Even still, TotalAV is a strong contender with affordable plans, user-friendly ad blockers, and essential antivirus protection. It may be best for smaller households.

• AVG: Best for performance and security
• TotalAV: Best for a budget

AVG vs. TotalAV compared

Star rating	4.8 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.7 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Starting price	Free or $46.68/yr (first year only)	Free or $29.00/yr (first year only)
Max number of protected devices	10 devices	8 devices
Malware scans	Manual and scheduled	Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
Learn more	Get AVG Read AVG Review	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review

AVG pros and cons

AVG pros and cons AVG can protect up to 10 devices and even has a free plan. The paid plans offer ransomware and phishing protection. Upgrading to the Ultimate plan allows you to use the VPN and optimization tools. AVG has a 30-day free trial and a 60-day money-back guarantee, allowing you ample time to decide if the premium plans are worth it.

TotalAV pros and cons

TotalAV also has a free plan and can protect a maximum of eight devices. It's a pretty inexpensive option when compared to most antivirus software, but still includes a bunch of features like a VPN, browser cleaner, and an ad blocker.TotalAV has two types of manual scans (quick and system), or you can schedule a malware scan for when you're not using your computer.

Which antivirus is the better value?

TotalAV has the most affordable plans while still offering valuable features.

		Our Pick
Price range	Free–$34.99/first yr	$29.00–$49.00/yr (first year only)
Best value plan	AVG Ultimate for $34.99/first yr	Total Security for $49.00/yr (first year only)
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days	Yes — 14 or 30 days
Learn more	Get AVG Read AVG Review	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review

Overall, TotalAV has more affordable plans available. Premium plans for both software companies provide essential features to protect your devices, yet TotalAV's Total Security plan starts at $49.00/yr (first year only), and the AVG Ultimate plan starts at $34.99/first yr.

However, you should also consider the number of devices covered. AVG can cover up to 10 devices. Meanwhile, TotalAV will only protect up to eight. If you need to protect more than eight devices, then AVG may provide you with better value.

Both antivirus programs have free versions, so you can get an idea of their features before purchasing a subscription. Both also have money-back guarantees.

AVG has a 30-day money-back guarantee. TotalAV has a 14-day money-back guarantee for monthly subscriptions and 30 days for annual subscriptions. Either way, you have adequate time to verify that the antivirus software meets your needs.

AVG vs. TotalAV: features

	Our Pick
Manual and scheduled scans
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Firewall
Parental controls
Password manager
VPN
Ad blocker
Device optimization tools
Learn more	Get AVG Read AVG Review	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review

Antivirus software protects your devices from malicious online threats. In tandem, a firewall provides an additional layer of security to your network. It acts as a barrier between your network and external threats like hackers. 

It's a big drawback that TotalAV doesn't have a firewall, but AVG does. However, both AVG and TotalAV provide a VPN, which helps secure incoming and outgoing traffic to your network.

The rest of the differences between AVG and TotalAV are fairly superficial, depending on your personal preferences. For example, AVG  doesn't have an actual ad blocker, you'll only have access to ad blocking capabilities if you use its Secure Browser. Meanwhile, TotalAV's ad blocker is compatible with Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.

Another non-essential (but still important) feature that's missing from AVG is a password manager, which helps to create, manage, and store your passwords across devices. If you prefer to have a password manager included in your antivirus program, then consider TotalAV.

Let’s look at core antivirus protection features. Both AVG and TotalAV offer reliable, comprehensive protection. AVG boasts many scan options, including Smart Scan, Deep Scan, Performance Scan, and more. 

On the other hand, TotalAV is a straight shooter with only two types of manual malware scans: a Quick Scan and a System Scan. The full System Scan takes significantly longer than a Quick Scan, but the total time was only about 10 minutes during our testing.

TotalAV offers real-time protection in the form of WebShield, which is a service under the “Internet Security” section. Comparatively, AVG’s phishing and email protection checks for deceptive attachments that could be dangerous.

AVG vs. TotalAV: test results

You need antivirus protection that can accurately detect malware and other threats to stay safe online. 

AV-TEST is a well-known third-party testing site that evaluates the most current antivirus version for its effectiveness. It tests for three categories: protection, performance, and usability. Each category gets a score out of six, so there are 18 total possible points.

AVG vs. TotalAV malware protection scores

	Our Pick
AV-TEST Windows score	17.5/18.0	17.0/18.0
AV-TEST macOS score	18.0/18.0	N/A
AV-TEST Android score	18.0/18.0	18.0/18.0
Learn more	Get AVG Read AVG Review	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review

AVG was docked 0.5 points on its Windows platform for performance issues. It slowed computer speeds when launching popular websites, launching standard software, and launching popular sites. It was about 10% slower than the industry average, which we found to be a minor markdown. 

TotalAV was docked 1.0 points on its Windows platform for protection and performance and it hasn't tested its macOS platform in several years. It was slightly less effective at protection against zero-day malware attacks. It received a 99.1% in March and a 98.2% in April compared to the industry average of 99.5%. TotalAV also slowed computer speeds when installing frequently used apps and copying files.

AVG received a perfect score on macOS and both programs received perfect scores on Android.

AVG vs. TotalAV: compatibility and customer support

Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Browser extensions	Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge	Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge
24/7 customer support
Customer support options	Live chat, phone, email, online guides	Live chat, phone, email, online guides
Learn more	Get AVG Read AVG Review	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review

When it comes to device compatibility, TotalAV and AVG are on the same page. They both offer apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. They both also offer the same browser extensions to protect against phishing scams.

TotalAV offers a user-friendly interface, but we had some hiccups with the password vault and real-time protection setup. Our Quick Scan only took two minutes, while the System Scan took 10 minutes to complete. 

On the other hand, AVG is more complex with more customization and scan options. It likely requires more antivirus knowledge, or the desire to do some reading and troubleshooting. 

TotalAV and AVG also offer the same options for customer support, with live chat, phone, and email. They both also have a knowledge base with online guides to peruse.

FAQs

AVG vs. TotalAV: which is better?

AVG is a better choice if you want strong security features, high performance, and coverage for more than eight devices. TotalAV lacks a firewall and didn't score as well as AVG with AV-TEST.

However, you might prefer TotalAV if you’re looking for a reliable, budget-friendly option with an ad blocker, VPN, and password manager.

Overall, AVG wins this comparison and is worth the higher costs. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you have plenty of time to evaluate if AVG meets your needs.

AVG and TotalAV alternatives

While AVG and TotalAV have appealing qualities, they may not be the right fit for you. There are other excellent options if you’re searching for the best antivirus programs. 

Here are a few of our top alternatives and their highlights:

Antivirus
Best for	Bundled services	Parental controls	Phishing protection
Starting price	Starts at $29.99/first yr	Starts at $39.99/first 2 yrs	Starts at $24.99/yr (first year only)
Additional features	Cloud backup, password manager, VPN, dark web monitoring, parental controls	VPN, identity protection, parental controls, password manager	VPN, identity protection, parental controls, device optimization tools
Learn more	Get Norton	Get McAfee	Get Bitdefender