TotalVPN Review 2025: Solid Security Bundled with TotalAV
TotalVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) service offered by TotalAV, a well-known antivirus provider. By bundling VPN protection with antivirus and ad blocking, TotalVPN aims to be an all-in-one security solution. But does it deliver top-notch VPN performance and privacy on par with leading standalone providers? I put TotalVPN through extensive testing to find out.
In this in-depth TotalVPN review, I‘ll cover the VPN‘s features, speeds, security, streaming capabilities, and more. I‘ll also compare it to the best VPNs of 2024 to help you decide if TotalVPN is the right choice for your needs and budget. Let‘s dive in!
TotalVPN Features
TotalVPN offers essential VPN features for security and privacy:
- Military-grade AES 256-bit encryption
- OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec protocols
- No-logs policy (audited by an independent firm)
- Kill switch
- 50+ servers in 30+ countries
- Up to 8 simultaneous connections
- Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
One standout feature is TotalVPN‘s inclusion of the TotalAV antivirus software and the Total Adblock tool. This makes TotalVPN a strong choice if you‘re looking to cover all your bases with a single security suite.
However, TotalVPN falls short of top VPNs with its limited server network. With only 50+ servers, it can‘t compete with the thousands offered by ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark. This limits your options for finding a fast, uncrowded server.
TotalVPN also lacks advanced features like split tunneling, multi-hop, and RAM-only servers that are increasingly common among premium VPNs. It covers the VPN basics but isn‘t pushing boundaries.
Speed and Performance
To evaluate TotalVPN‘s speeds, I ran multiple tests connected to servers in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. TotalVPN delivered solid speeds overall:
- Nearby servers (US): 140-180 Mbps
- Mid-range (Canada/UK): 75-110 Mbps
- Long-distance (Australia): 15-30 Mbps
On nearby connections, TotalVPN‘s speeds were snappy and more than sufficient for high-bandwidth activities like streaming, video calls, and gaming. I could browse, stream, and torrent without buffering or lag.
However, on long-distance servers in Australia, I experienced substantial slowdowns with speeds dropping below 30 Mbps. Websites took noticeably longer to load. While usable for general web browsing, speeds weren‘t ideal for data-heavy tasks.
TotalVPN can‘t match the consistently high speeds of the fastest VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, especially over long distances. But for users with typical broadband connections of 50-100 Mbps, TotalVPN‘s nearby servers are up to the task.
Streaming and Torrenting
If you‘re looking to access your favorite streaming content while abroad, TotalVPN may leave you disappointed. In my tests, TotalVPN only occasionally bypassed geoblocks on US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Even when I connected, I was often quickly blocked again.
This contrasts with my previous review, where TotalVPN failed all streaming tests. So while there‘s some improvement, TotalVPN still isn‘t reliable for streaming compared to top services like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost which work almost flawlessly.
On the plus side, TotalVPN does allow torrenting on all its servers and its no-logs policy and kill switch help protect you when file-sharing. But with only 50+ servers, speeds may suffer when torrenting from high-traffic locations.
Security and Privacy
On the security front, TotalVPN delivers all the standards you‘d expect from a reputable VPN. Its unbreakable 256-bit encryption and secure protocols shield your traffic from hackers and snoopers.
TotalVPN‘s apps also include a kill switch, which cuts off your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address from leaking. I tested TotalVPN for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks and found none.
Privacy-wise, TotalVPN claims to adhere to a strict no-logs policy. It states it doesn‘t monitor or record your online activity or connection logs. However, the privacy policy is a bit vague on the specifics of session logging.
Most top-tier no-log VPNs, like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, have had their logging practices audited and verified by independent security firms. TotalVPN has not undergone a public third-party audit, so you have to trust its word.
Also concerning from a privacy perspective is that TotalAV, TotalVPN‘s parent company, is headquartered in the UK – a country known for online surveillance. The UK is part of the 5/9/14 Eyes alliance and could potentially pressure TotalAV to hand over user data.
While TotalVPN looks good from a technical security standpoint, its privacy policy and jurisdiction don‘t quite measure up to the highest standards set by leading no-log VPNs. If privacy is your top concern, there are more trustworthy options.
Pricing and Value
TotalVPN is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market, especially if you take advantage of the deep discounts offered on longer-term plans. The current best deal is an excellent 85% off, bringing the price down to just $1.59/month with the Ultimate VPN package.
The pricing plans break down like this:
- Ultimate VPN (VPN + Ultimate Antivirus + Ad Blocker): $1.59/month for the 1st year, then $10.29/month
- Internet Security: $3.29/month for the 1st year, then $10.29/month
- Total Security: $4.09/month for the 1st year, then $12.49/month
All subscriptions are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you a month to test out the service risk-free.
Compared to other antivirus + VPN bundles like Norton and McAfee, TotalAV offers very competitive introductory prices. The savings are substantial if you need both antivirus and VPN protection.
However, it‘s important to note the steep price jumps after the first year. Renewal prices are 3-4X higher, so long-term costs can add up. Also keep in mind that you can find better-performing standalone VPNs like Surfshark and CyberGhost in the same price range.
So TotalVPN is a fantastic value if you‘ll use both the VPN and antivirus and can lock in the initial discount. But if you only need a VPN, your money will go further with a leading provider.
Final Verdict
TotalVPN is a basic but secure VPN bundled with a robust antivirus solution. If you‘re looking for an affordable all-in-one security package, TotalVPN is certainly worth considering – especially with its steep first-year discounts.
However, TotalVPN has some notable limitations. Its small server network dampens speeds over long distances. Streaming access is hit-or-miss. The privacy policy and jurisdiction could be beefier.
So while TotalVPN performs adequately in most areas, it doesn‘t excel at any one thing. If you have specific VPN needs like streaming, torrenting, or maximum privacy, you‘ll find better value with a top standalone VPN:
- ExpressVPN is the unmatched all-rounder with blazing speeds and the strongest security.
- NordVPN is a user-friendly pick with an enormous server network and specialty servers.
- Surfshark offers powerful features and unlimited connections at budget prices.
- CyberGhost is optimized for streaming and torrenting with a massive server list.
For the average user looking for simple, affordable VPN and antivirus protection in one package, TotalVPN is a solid choice. But steer clear if you want the absolute best VPN experience. 3.5/5 stars.