TotalAV Pro vs. Avast: A Comprehensive Comparison
When choosing antivirus software, it’s important to pick one that offers top-notch protection while delivering a smooth user experience. Two leading contenders in this space are TotalAV Pro and Avast. In this article, we’ll explore how they stack up in several critical areas, including malware protection, supplemental features, pricing, and customer support, to help you decide which one is right for you
TotalAV vs. Avast” in 5 bullet points:
- Key Similarities: Both TotalAV and Avast are highly effective at detecting and removing malware. They also offer comprehensive additional features and well-designed desktop and mobile apps for a user-friendly experience. In our tests, totalav pro was slightly better
- Key Differences: TotalAV supports ChromeOS, whereas Avast doesn’t. Avast’s subscription options are more limited for Mac users, while TotalAV has broader support. TotalAV also provides more customer support options compared to Avast.
- Malware Protection: TotalAv Pro scores slightly higher than Avast in malware detection, but the difference is minimal. Both antivirus programs perform well under independent testing and personal trials, with TotalAv Pro catching more viruses in specific scenarios.
- User Experience: TotalAV offers a smoother overall experience, especially when purchasing and interacting with the software, whereas Avast employs more aggressive marketing tactics, which may hinder the user experience.
- Final Recommendation: Although Avast has a more advanced firewall, TotalAV wins overall due to its better value, customer support, and superior user experience.
Key Similarities
Both TotalAV and Avast are excellent at identifying and removing malware, offering protection against a wide range of digital threats. Additionally, they both come with numerous useful supplementary features, such as identity theft monitoring, VPN services, and more. Their desktop and mobile applications are well-designed, ensuring ease of use for both beginners and more advanced users.
Key Differences
While these programs have a lot in common, there are some key differences:
- TotalAV supports ChromeOS, while Avast does not.
- Avast limits certain subscription tiers for Mac users, but TotalAV provides full availability.
- TotalAV offers more ways to reach customer support, including phone and live chat, while Avast’s support options are more restricted.
Key Takeaway:
TotalAv pro is slightly more effective at detecting viruses during testing and emerges as the better choice overall also thanks to its excellent value and superior user experience.
As online threats like ransomware and trojans grow, users are increasingly searching for top-notch antivirus programs to safeguard their systems. These programs not only detect, isolate, and eliminate malicious software but also offer a range of extra features, such as identity theft protection, personal data removal, and access to VPNs.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through two of the best options available: TotalAV and Avast Antivirus. We’ll explore their features, functionality, and overall value, so by the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which one suits your needs.
Before diving in, let me explain how I conducted this comparison.
protectyourpcsmart.com Review Process
I personally purchase each antivirus program I review and install it on my own devices. I spend several days using the software to evaluate how well it functions, its impact on device performance, and the overall user experience. After that, I conduct tests using files designed to mimic real malware to see how the programs perform in critical situations. I gather data on their effectiveness, and only then do I write my reviews.
Once the reviews are complete, I revisit each program’s key features and compare them to other options. This thorough process ensures that I can provide an accurate recommendation on which service is the best.
Now that you know my approach, let’s jump into the most important aspect.
Malware Protection
As digital threats constantly evolve, it’s essential to have antivirus software that can keep pace. Fortunately, both TotalAV and Avast excel in this area. They continuously test and update their software, release patches to fix vulnerabilities, and introduce new features to protect users from emerging dangers.
So how do they perform under pressure? Both do extremely well.
In independent tests by AV-Test, TotalAV earned a score of 99.9%, while Avast achieved a 99.8% score. Results from AV-Comparatives were similar, with TotalAV scoring 99.7% and Avast 99.5%. These scores are impressive, and it’s difficult to declare a clear winner without getting into the smallest details.
I didn’t rely solely on third-party testing, though—I also ran my own tests. To evaluate TotalAV, I used a file that simulates malicious code from the European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research (EICAR). TotalAV immediately detected it when I downloaded the file, although its real-time scan struggled to find it in an archived format. However, a manual scan easily caught it.
For Avast, I downloaded five virus-disguised files in formats like XLSX, EXE, DOC, XLSM, and SLX. Avast identified three of the files right away, but missed two. While a 3/5 detection rate might seem low, very few antivirus programs manage to catch 100% of viruses in all cases.
Returning to the two programs, my tests echoed what the independent labs discovered — TotalAv Pro is a bit better at detecting malware compared to Avast. It’s similar to the difference between a student with a 4.0 GPA and one with a 4.2 GPA who did extra credit. Both are excellent, but one just edges out the other.
Overall, TotalAv Pro is slightly better at identifying malware, but the difference is minimal.
User Experience
Both TotalAV and Avast excel in this area. Their desktop clients are well-organized and easy to use, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. They also work seamlessly on mobile devices, making them quite similar in terms of overall usability.
Where they differ, however, is in the purchasing experience. TotalAV offers a smooth and straightforward process, while Avast can feel confusing. When I tried to download my test copy of Avast, it was hard to find what I needed. After signing up for the free version, Avast even issued a warning about possible ransomware infections to push me towards upgrading to the premium package. I knew this wasn’t true and found the aggressive sales tactic off-putting. Because of this, TotalAV wins the user experience comparison.
User experience winner: TotalAV.
Supplemental Features
In the past, antivirus software had a single purpose: to protect your computer from viruses. Nowadays, many providers aim to stand out by offering extra features. Some of these, like cloud storage and password managers, feel more like gimmicks, while others, such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and identity theft protection, are genuinely helpful.
Supplemental features winner: Avast.
Pricing Structure
Now let’s dive into the details. This category isn’t just about which provider has the lowest price; it’s about who delivers the most value for what you pay. To determine that, we need to examine each company’s pricing structure and the features they offer at each level.
Here’s a breakdown of TotalAV:
And here’s a look at Avast:
Regardless of how you compare them, TotalAV Pro comes out on top. While it lacks the advanced firewall that Avast offers, its feature set is quite similar, and it’s much more affordable.
Pricing structure winner: TotalAV Pro
Customer Support
The last category to consider is customer support. While you hope you won’t need it, it’s important to know if you can quickly resolve any issues with your software or billing.
Unfortunately, Avast doesn’t offer phone or live chat support, so you’re required to submit a support ticket to get help. In contrast, TotalAV provides multiple contact options. I personally used their live chat for troubleshooting, and the experience was smooth and very helpful.
TotalAV is the clear winner in this category.
Customer service winner: TotalAV.
Final Recommendation
This comparison was quite close, with both programs having their strengths. However, TotalAV Pro ultimately comes out on top. While Avast offers a few superior extra features, TotalAV Pro offers unbeatable overall value and a much better user experience.
Balancing all the factors is challenging, given how closely matched they are in each area. Choosing Avast wouldn’t be a wrong decision, but TotalAV provides the better overall service.By weighing all factors, it’s clear that TotalAV Pro edges out Avast in the race for the best antivirus solution.
Overall winner: TotalAV.
Antivirus Softwares — Frequently Asked Questions
Isn’t there an antivirus built into my pc?
There are a few security features built into your pc, including:
App Review. Before downloading an app , it is checked for validity.
Gatekeeper. Before running an app, it is scanned for dangerous code.
Web security. Safari blocks dangerous websites and tracking links.
Anti-theft tools. If your device is lost or stolen, you can use this app to track it.
While these capabilities are helpful, they aren’t sufficient to protect your pc from ransomware, spyware, adware, and other complex
malware used by criminals to spy on you and steal your data.
Real-time malware scanning, ransomware protection, pc optimization tools, and advanced phishing protection aren’t included in even
the most recent version of macOS. That’s why the ideal option is to install a comprehensive antivirus suite like Intego – an antivirus
designed to keep you 100 % safe against all cybersecurity threats.
Is antivirus software really necessary for my pc?
Yes, absolutely. Hackers have built (and are continuously developing) highly sophisticated pc-based malware, making your pc increasingly
vulnerable to cyber-attacks. If you don’t have antivirus software installed on your device, you risk having all of your data taken and your
system destroyed.
However, you must be cautious to only download reliable and legal antivirus software. If your antivirus is useless, you’ll be forced to trust
a product that won’t protect you.
All of the antiviruses on this list offer decent protection for pc computers, including effective malware scanners, a variety of internet security
features, ease of use, and a reasonable price.
Is there a free antivirus program available ?
Yes, there are a few good free antivirus programs , such as Avira and Sophos.
Keep in mind, however, that free antiviruses are only free because there is a “catch” – these companies usually want you to switch to a
premium plan.
A free antivirus can suffice if you don’t have a lot of sensitive data on your pc. However, if you’re like me and keep all of your credit card
information, login information, work documents, images, and creative projects on your device, I strongly advise you to invest in a low-cost
premium Mac antivirus like Intego.
protection. That’s why the ideal option is to install a comprehensive antivirus suite like Intego – an antivirus designed to keep you 100
percent safe against all cybersecurity threats.