TotalAV vs. Avast 2026: Which Is Worth the Cost?

TotalAV and Avast are both highly respected antivirus packages, but Avast stands out a little bit more thanks to its flawless testing scores for Windows and macOS. That said, TotalAV remains a highly effective option, albeit slightly cheaper than Avast.

In this article, we’ll compare both software in terms of value, features, test results, compatibility, and customer service. Read on to find out which is the best antivirus choice for your needs.

TotalAV vs. Avast review at a glance

• TotalAV: Best for affordable antivirus protection
• Avast: Best for premium security features

		Our Pick
Star rating	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.	5.0 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 $19.00/first yr	Starts at $49.08/first yr
Max number of protected devices	Up to 8 devices	Up to 10 devices
Malware scans	Manual and scheduled	Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Opera, Amazon Fire	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Avast Read Avast Review

TotalAV pros and cons

TotalAV has broad compatibility and features extras like a virtual private network (VPN) and a password manager. While it doesn't cover as many devices as Avast does, TotalAV is an excellent antivirus program that does the job of protecting your devices from malicious threats — all at a reasonable price.

Avast pros and cons

Avast stands out due to the numerous additional security and privacy features it provides. Depending on the plan you choose, you could have webcam protection and identity theft insurance on top of all the standard features you’ve come to expect. 

It's a good choice if multiple layers of security and privacy are important to you. Avast has impeccable third-party test results, offering top-notch protection. It protects up to 10 devices and has optimization tools for select plans. Avast also has a pretty good free plan.

Which antivirus is the better value?

While both offer great value, Avast has better plans and even offers a free antivirus download for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

		Our Pick
Price range	$19.00–$49.00/first yr	$49.08-$69.48/first yr
Best value plan	Total Security for $49.00/first yr	Avast Ultimate for $49.08/first yr
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days	Yes — 30 days
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Avast Read Avast Review

TotalAV and Avast's basic plans are pretty comparable in terms of pricing. However, they offer different features:

• Avast Premium Security offers a firewall and webcam protection
• TotalAV offers an ad blocker and system tune-up tools

When it comes to the premium plans, Avast offers several different security features like device optimization tools, a premium VPN, and anti-tracking features. Meanwhile, premium TotalAV plans add a VPN and password manager.

It's also worth noting that both TotalAV and Avast offer free antivirus programs. Yet each has different capabilities:

• Avast’s free antivirus program protects you against malicious threats, monitors for suspicious activity, and includes a firewall
• Meanwhile, TotalAV seems to only provide manual antivirus scans.

TotalAV vs. Avast: Features

TotalAV is our pick for the best features because it includes more advanced security software, including a VPN, a password manager, and an ad blocker. 

	Our Pick
Manual and scheduled scans
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Firewall
Device optimization tools
Parental controls
Password manager
VPN
Ad blocker
Extras	WebShield, junk cleaner, browser cleaner, identity protection	Webcam protection, breach monitoring
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Avast Read Avast Review

The most notable difference between TotalAV and Avast comes down to what extra bells and whistles you get with the plan.

Avast lacks a password manager and ad blocker, whereas TotalAV offers these features. These aren't dealbreakers, but it does mean you'll need to find another provider if you want these tools.

Neither TotalAV nor Avast has any parental control options. If you’re looking for protection for your family, then these might not be the best choices for you.

Learn more about Avast and TotalAV's advanced security features in our detailed reviews:

• Total Adblock
• Total VPN
• Avast SecureLine VPN
• Avast BreachGuard

TotalAV vs. Avast: Test results

Sometimes companies aren't always honest about their products and their functionality. That's why it's important to take a look at third-party testing. The test results can help reveal if a program actually works to block computer viruses.

We reviewed AV-TEST's testing results, a third-party auditing service that companies pay to verify their products. The service tested antivirus software against real-world threats with realistic scenarios, evaluating protection, performance, and usability.

Here are the results across multiple operating systems:

TotalAV vs. Avast malware protection scores

		Our Pick
AV-TEST Windows score	18/18	18/18
AV-TEST macOS score	18/18	18/18
AV-TEST Android score	17.5/18	18/18
SE Labs malware protection score	99%	100%
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Avast Read Avast Review

Although TotalAV's third-party test scores have improved this quarter, Avast consistently achieves perfect protection for Windows and macOS. During the AV-TEST for Windows, TotalAV was docked half a point for performance. It slowed down when launching websites, more so than the industry average. It also had a slightly slower installation of frequently-used apps.

TotalAV vs. Avast: Compatibility and customer support

		Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Browser extensions	Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari	Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera
24/7 customer support
Customer support options	Live chat, phone, email, online guides	Live chat, phone, email, forums, online guides
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Avast Read Avast Review

When it comes to compatibility, TotalAV and Avast are pretty much tied. They both have apps that work on popular operating systems, plus a good number of browser extensions. The only downside is that Avast doesn’t have a Safari extension at the moment.

The biggest difference comes down to customer support. If you’re a free user, Avast offers 24/7 customer support only as an add-on. You have to pay extra if you want to talk to a real person at any time. If you have a paid plan, you’ll get access to 24/7 live chat, phone, and email options. 

Overall, we had a much better experience with Avast's live support than with TotalAV. In fact, the TotalAV support agent couldn't confirm whether the suite includes a firewall (it doesn't). 

TotalAV vs. Avast alternatives

TotalAV and Avast are two of the best antivirus programs we've tested. We recommend TotalAV for individuals seeking advanced web protection within a budget-friendly suite that includes a VPN, password manager, and highly-rated ad blocker. 

Even still, Avast is more than just a free antivirus solution. The premium packages offer excellent performance and protection. Plus, Avast is a user-friendly antivirus for all skill levels. But if you want unlimited device protection or a complete, best-in-class security suite, we recommend McAfee or Norton 360. Here's how they compare:

TotalAV vs. Avast FAQs

TotalAV vs. Avast: Which is better?

Our pick is Avast because it has a flawless testing record, several security features, and different plans to fit your needs. 

Although TotalAV tested reasonably well and has most of the essential features you need to protect your device against malware, Avast is a better choice because of its test results. It also provides several options to upgrade your security and privacy protection.