Before we dive into our updated 2025 TotalAV review, let’s clarify why we are evaluating this Total AV antivirus software in the first place. At NewsOnlineIncome.com, we have been reviewing online products and services for years, helping users avoid scams and make smart online decisions.
TotalAV has been gaining attention, both good and bad, and many people are searching for honest feedback on whether Total AV is legit or a potential scam. So, in this review, we’ll share our experience, user feedback, pricing analysis, and what you should consider before using TotalAV in 2025.
What is TotalAV?
TotalAV is antivirus software that claims to offer comprehensive protection against malware, spyware, phishing attempts, and other online threats. It also includes several additional features such as a system cleaner, password vault, VPN, ad-blocker, and identity protection through Experian.
These features are marketed as a full security suite to protect your devices and data. On the surface, the offering looks attractive, especially when compared to bigger names like Norton or McAfee.
Total AV Pricing – Too Good to Be True?
One of TotalAV’s most promoted selling points is its low introductory price. For first-time users, you can often find TotalAV offering its services for as low as $19/year. However, that price is only for the initial subscription. When it auto-renews, the cost can jump significantly—often up to $119 per year.
Many users have complained about unexpected charges or not realizing they were subscribing to an auto-renewal plan. So, while the first-year deal may look good, always read the fine print before entering your payment information.
TotalAV Performance – What Did Our Tests Reveal?
We tested TotalAV on a fresh installation of Windows and ran a full system scan. It did detect various "issues"—but upon closer inspection, most of them were not actual viruses. They included basic cookie trackers, warnings about not having a VPN enabled, and the absence of real-time protection. In fact, when we ran the same system through more reputable antivirus software like AVG and Avast, these so-called issues were not flagged.
This raises the question: Is TotalAV using scare tactics to get users to upgrade? It seems so. The software nudges users aggressively to pay more for full protection, which includes basic features like real-time scanning, VPN, and ad blocking. While upselling is common in the software world, the approach here feels somewhat deceptive.
Is TotalAV a Scam?
No, TotalAV is not a scam. It is a legitimate antivirus developed by Protected.net, a company that is listed as a Microsoft-approved vendor. This means it integrates well with Windows notifications and Defender. However, the way Total AV operates—especially the aggressive upselling, auto-renewal billing, and misleading virus warnings—raises red flags that users should be cautious about.
Also worth noting is the WHOIS data for the domain totalav.com. It is privacy-protected, which isn’t unusual, but it does limit transparency. On their website, TotalAV does provide a UK-based address and mentions that the software is operated under the name SS Protect Limited. While that sounds reassuring, we’ve seen several cases where companies register in the UK using rented or fake office addresses. That doesn’t prove wrongdoing, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Affiliate Program – Another Reason for Positive Reviews?
One major reason why you’ll find many glowing TotalAV reviews online is because of its affiliate program. Users can earn up to $70 per sale by promoting Total AV, which creates a financial incentive to post biased reviews. So always be cautious when reading overly positive reviews that don’t mention the program’s limitations or user complaints.
Customer Complaints – Billing and Refund Issues
A common complaint among TotalAV users is unauthorized charges or difficulty getting refunds. While we cannot personally verify every complaint, the volume of similar feedback suggests a pattern.
Several users report that their credit cards were charged for renewals they didn’t expect, and contacting support for a refund was either delayed or denied. This again ties into the auto-renewal billing issue, which isn’t a scam in itself, but definitely a practice users should be aware of before signing up.
Should You Use Total AV?
TotalAV is not the worst antivirus software out there—it does offer real features and is operated by a legitimate company. But the way those features are presented, and the tactics used to push upgrades and renewals, make us hesitant to recommend it as a top choice.
If you’re a beginner and only need basic protection, you’re better off with free antivirus programs like Avast, AVG, or Bitdefender Free, all of which have proven track records and don’t use aggressive upselling techniques.
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Final Verdict on TotalAV
TotalAV is not a scam, but it’s far from perfect. It offers basic antivirus protection at a low introductory cost but makes up for it with high renewal prices and aggressive upselling tactics. While it has its merits, we believe there are better antivirus solutions out there that offer more transparency and user-friendly billing practices.
Please feel free to share this TotalAV.com review with your friends and family to help them make informed decisions online.
And as always, your comments are valuable to us. If you have any personal experience with TotalAV or questions about online income opportunities, leave a comment below. We’re here to help!
Good luck!
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