TotalVPN review
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Learn moreAs of March 2025, TotalVPN remains a modest but functional addition to the TotalAV security suite. It offers a user-friendly experience with simple apps, reliable security features, and a fair price-to-performance ratio. However, it still falls short in some areas, like its limited server network and restrictions on simultaneous connections.
| Price: | From $1.59/month |
| Servers count: | 50 + servers in 35 countries |
| No logs policy: | No-logs policy |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and more |
| Coupon: | TotalVPN coupon 80% OFF! |
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User-friendly apps: intuitive and easy-to-navigate desktop and mobile apps provide a smooth setup and comfortable user experience for beginners and experienced users alike.
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Great value for money: offers a strong price-to-benefits ratio, giving users access to a decent range of server locations at an affordable price – especially when paired with the TotalAV bundle.
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Reliable security features: supports robust and well-established tunneling protocols, helping to ensure encrypted traffic and safer browsing on public or unsecured networks.
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Limited simultaneous connections: restricts how many devices can be connected at once, which may be inconvenient for households or users with multiple gadgets.
TotalVPN is a virtual private network service included in the TotalAV security package, but it’s also available as a standalone app. When used independently, it offers a more complete set of features. It offers all the essential features to hide your online activities, IP address, and identity.
Naturally, this raises the question: can a VPN bundled with antivirus software offer the same quality as a dedicated VPN? In TotalVPN’s case, the standalone app actually delivers a better experience, with more features and smoother performance than the version integrated into the TotalAV suite.
With the help of the Cybernews research team, I tested TotalVPN from multiple angles to learn how well it performs in terms of speed, security, versatility, geo-block removal, and other crucial areas. Then, I summarized the results to see how it compares against other best VPN services. So, dive into this TotalVPN review to find out what I uncovered.
We spare no effort to test the products & their features. All information is gathered by our in-house research team & fact-checked by our team of experts. Discover the ins and outs of our testing procedures.
TotalVPN has made noticeable improvements over time. Its standalone app now supports modern tunneling protocols like WireGuard and Hydra, making it a much stronger choice for speed, security, and everyday use. It also performed well in recent browsing, streaming, and file transfer tests.
Still, it’s not quite ready to compete with top-tier providers like NordVPN or Surfshark. The server network is limited. Some features – like the kill switch – are missing on macOS. And the integrated version bundled with TotalAV isn’t as capable as the standalone app.
Is TotalVPN safe?
Logic dictates that TotalVPN should be a secure VPN because it’s part of a well-rounded cybersecurity product. And while this service has all the necessary basic security features to keep your online activities private, there’s an absence of extra perks I’ve grown to expect from standalone VPN providers. Below is a summary of the critical security measures TotalVPN covers.
| Encryption | AES-256 |
| Tunneling protocols | WireGuard, Hydra, IPSec, OpenVPN (standalone); IKEv2, OpenVPN (integrated) |
| Kill switch | ✅ Yes (Windows only) |
| RAM servers | ❌ No |
| Privacy policy | No logs |
| Security audits | ❌ No |
So far, everything seems pretty standard on the surface. Naturally, that perception can change after some hands-on testing. So, let’s dive deeper into the results that our extensive Cybernews research uncovered.
Encryption
TotalVPN doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel regarding encryption and opts for the industry-standard AES-256 encryption cipher. It strikes the perfect balance between privacy and performance.
For starters, your online activities will be invisible to various third parties, such as your ISP, public Wi-Fi network administrators, and wannabe hackers. Additionally, 256-bit encryption ensures that no modern computer can crack your browsing data within your lifetime if someone manages to get a hold of that information.
Tunneling protocols
TotalVPN offers five tunneling protocols, but availability depends on which app version you’re using. The standalone version supports WireGuard, Hydra, IPSec, and OpenVPN, offering greater flexibility and performance.
These protocols are suitable for different use cases – WireGuard and Hydra are best for fast, secure streaming and gaming. However, IPSec and OpenVPN provide reliable connections for browsing and general privacy.
On the other hand, the integrated VPN inside the TotalAV antivirus suite only includes IKEv2 and OpenVPN. These still offer solid encryption but lack the speed and efficiency of newer protocols like WireGuard.
Kill switch
You won’t find a worthwhile VPN service without a reliable kill switch for preventing IP address exposure. If you’re unaware, a kill switch is a toggled feature that disconnects your internet whenever the VPN tunnel is disabled. This ensures that your actual IP address and location aren’t exposed if the VPN tunnel abruptly stops due to unforeseen consequences.
Unfortunately, TotalVPN is quite inconsistent in this regard because the kill switch is only available in the Windows app. The feature comes in manual or automatic modes for added versatility.
DNS leak protection
You’ll need flawless DNS and IP leak protection to ensure your connection details remain hidden while the VPN is enabled. You can do so with third-party leak-checking tools like dnsleaktest.com or ipleak.net. This is precisely what I did while testing TotalVPN, and the results were satisfactory.
During the latest tests, all selected server locations correctly matched the IP and DNS information without any signs of leakage.
One limitation worth noting is that server switching requires a manual disconnect. This introduces a brief window during which your real IP address could be exposed – unless you're using a kill switch, which is available on Windows.
Logging
Data logging is a hot topic when discussing VPN services because there’s no clear answer as to what defines a truly reliable no-logs VPN. Some characteristics showcase whether a provider is more reliable than others, so let’s see how TotalVPN fares in those areas.
The situation isn’t great regarding jurisdiction because TotalAV is based in the UK, a core member of the FiveEyes Alliance. This wouldn’t be of concern if the provider would conduct an independent audit of its privacy policy to assure customers that their data isn’t excessively shared with authorities and other third parties. However, so far that isn’t the case.
Additionally, there are no anonymous payment methods for the service, for example, cryptocurrencies. Unsurprisingly, the sign-up process also lacks privacy assurances and requires entering your email address in all cases.
TotalVPN price
TotalAV offers three paid plans, starting at $19.00 for the first year. However, the cheapest TotalAV plan option (Premium) doesn’t include access to TotalVPN.
That’s why it makes more sense to get TotalVPN bundled with TotalAV antivirus and Total Adblock through our link – for the same $19.00/year ($1.59/month). Not only is it a better deal, but the TotalVPN standalone app is also significantly better than the VPN version included in the TotalAV antivirus package.
While the integrated version supports only IKEv2 and OpenVPN, the standalone app gives you access to faster and more modern protocols like WireGuard, Hydra, and IPSec, and OpenVPN. This means you get better speeds and performance, especially for streaming, torrenting, and gaming.
All paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can test the service for up to a month without worry. Regarding payment methods, interested users can purchase the service using a credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.
Can you get TotalVPN for free?
Although TotalAV offers a solid free plan, it doesn’t include TotalVPN. That means the only way to get TotalVPN for free is by using the 30-day money-back guarantee.
Firstly, you must purchase either the TotalAV Internet Security or Total Security plan since only these options include TotalVPN. Then, you have to request a refund during the first month of the subscription. Also, don’t wait until the very last minute because refund processing may take some time (up to 7 business days, to be exact).
If that sounds like too much work, then consider a different VPN with a free trial, such as NordVPN. Many high-quality services offer time-limited tests on mobile app stores that don’t require payment. Instead, you’ll need to add your credit card details. If that’s also unacceptable, then your remaining alternative is a trustworthy free VPN.
TotalVPN speed and performance
In the TotalAV-integrated version of TotalVPN on Windows, users can choose between IKEv2 and OpenVPN (UDP/TCP) protocols.
In the meantime, the TotalVPN standalone app supports three tunneling protocols, including WireGuard, Hydra, and IPSec, depending on the platform. WireGuard, in particular, is known for delivering fast and efficient connections, bringing TotalVPN closer to modern VPN standards.
Let’s see how TotalVPN fared in the speed tests I conducted.
TotalVPN IKEv2 speed test results
In the TotalAV-integrated version of TotalVPN on Windows, you can switch from OpenVPN to IKEv2. Let’s see how the IKEv2 option fared in the manual tests.
- Baseline speed: 500 Mbps download/ 497 Mbps upload and 2 ms ping
| Upload retention (%) | Download retention (%) | |
| US | 34% | 24% |
| UK | 68% | 48% |
| Japan | 54% | 40% |
| Canada | 81% | 54% |
| Australia | 63% | 6% |
| Germany | 55% | 69% |
The IKEv2 tunneling protocol resulted in significantly better speeds than OpenVPN during our tests. On average, the IKEv2 retained around 40% of the initial download speed, while upload speeds had more variability, around 59%.
In conclusion, you should opt for IKEv2 over TotalVPN whenever possible if you prioritize connection speeds.
TotalVPN WireGuard speed test results
WireGuard is the default protocol in TotalVPN’s standalone app, and it's optimized for speed and efficiency. It uses lightweight, modern encryption that typically delivers faster performance than older protocols.
- Baseline speed: 500 Mbps download/ 497 Mbps upload and 2 ms ping
| Upload retention (%) | Download retention (%) | |
| US | 77% | 98% |
| UK | 98% | 99% |
| Japan | 72% | 97% |
| Canada | 86% | 96% |
| Australia | 73% | 93% |
As you can see, TotalVPN with WireGuard delivers impressive download retention across all locations, with average download retention at 97% and upload retention at 81% across all tested regions.
TotalVPN IPSec speed test results
IPSec is another protocol available in the standalone TotalVPN app. It's known for its stability and solid security, though its raw speed generally doesn’t match WireGuard's.
- Baseline speed: 500 Mbps download/ 497 Mbps upload and 2 ms ping
| Upload retention (%) | Download retention (%) | |
| US | 85% | 93% |
| UK | 98% | 92% |
| Japan | 86% | 95% |
| Canada | 88% | 92% |
| Australia | 91% | 91% |
IPSec delivered a stable performance, with an average download retention of 93% and upload retention averaging 90% across all test locations. While it doesn’t match WireGuard in raw speed, it remains a dependable option for users who prefer simplicity and consistent connections.
TotalVPN Hydra speed test results
Hydra is a proprietary protocol developed for high-speed performance and enhanced obfuscation. It’s available in the standalone TotalVPN app and is designed to handle streaming and bandwidth-heavy tasks.
- Baseline speed: 500 Mbps download/ 497 Mbps upload and 2 ms ping
| Upload retention (%) | Download retention (%) | |
| US | 96% | 99% |
| UK | 97% | 99% |
| Japan | 95% | 99% |
| Canada | 98% | 99% |
| Australia | 91% | 97% |
Hydra performed exceptionally well, with an average download retention of 98% and upload retention averaging 95%. These results rank it as the fastest protocol in TotalVPN’s lineup – an excellent choice for users who prioritize top-tier speeds and reliable performance across multiple regions.
TotalVPN's server network
According to TotalVPN’s website, the service offers a humble network of 50 servers across 35 countries. This server number is minimal compared to other VPNs in the industry. Moreover, there’s little information about the fleet’s technical specifications, so it’s unclear who’s responsible for the hardware and whether it’s running on RAM modules.
Below is a table with details about TotalVPN’s country coverage.
| Continent | Countries |
| Europe | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK |
| Americas | USA, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico |
| Asia | Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Singapore |
| Rest of the world | Australia, New Zealand |
It’s worth mentioning that the US, the UK, Canada, Italy, and Australian servers are categorized by city, making it more convenient to connect to specific regions in those countries. This detail is critical if you need to unlock a US IP address from a particular state.
Interface and ease of use
TotalVPN is available on the same four desktop and mobile platforms that TotalAV is available on:
The user interface and overall experience are pretty similar across the board. However, there are some minor differences regarding available features. So, let’s cover each platform separately to uncover those details.
Windows
The Windows app is probably the most feature-rich and robust iteration of TotalVPN. For starters, it’s the only version that includes a kill switch for preventing IP leaks. Customers can switch between four tunneling protocols and enable automatic VPN connections whenever connecting to a questionable Wi-Fi network.
Finding TotalVPN in the TotalAV app is pretty straightforward. Users have to hover above the fingerprint icon and then click the VPN button, which is denoted by the location pin logo. There, most of the screen is occupied by the available server options.
You can toggle the kill switch using the bottom left button. Meanwhile, the cogwheel in the top right opens the VPN tab of the general settings menu for convenient customization.
macOS
The look and feel of TotalVPN on MacOS doesn’t differ much from the Windows version. You’ll find the VPN tab under the Internet Security label without needing to hover over any icons. Once there, you can enable the VPN connection using the large power button in the middle. Server selection is done using the small selection tool below.
I noticed that this TotalVPN version allows you to switch server locations without disconnecting first, thus leaving less room for IP leaking issues. However, it lacks the kill switch and only grants the Connect on Demand feature.
Android
TotalVPN on Android offers a user-friendly interface and essential security features, which you will find under the Quick Protect tab. To be precise, you can enable Real-Time protection, VPN Quick Connect, and App Lock.
Regarding absences, the mobile app lacks a kill switch and the option to allow different tunneling protocols.
iOS
Once again, the iOS version is practically the same as the Android variant. Visually, it resembles the Mac interface with its immense power button at the top and server selection below.
Overall, the user interface is uncluttered and easy to navigate. Note that you won’t find the option to enable a kill switch, try another VPN tunneling protocol, or make other changes to the settings.
TotalVPN additional features
TotalVPN offers the essentials regarding VPN features, which I covered in detail in the previous sections. As a reminder, the VPN includes a kill switch and automatic VPN enabling on unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
However, subscribers also gain a wide range of extra digital security features unrelated to the VPN tool. The added benefits depend on your chosen subscription plan and can include:
- Total Adblock – a robust ad blocker that will greatly improve your online experience by eliminating unwelcome advertisements. It will lead to safer browsing and quicker load times. Our tests showed that Total Adblock is quite powerful against a wide variety of online ads.
- TotalAV – the standard TotalAV package unlocks various antivirus features to keep your devices running smoothly and protected from malware. You’ll be blessed with real-time protection, system tune-up tools, a disk cleaner, ransomware protection, and other vital perks.
- Total Password – the best way to protect your online accounts is to use unique and complex passwords for each. You can conveniently do so with a reliable password manager, which is included in TotalAV’s ultimate subscription plan.
TotalVPN vs competitors
While TotalVPN doesn’t yet rival top-tier providers like NordVPN or Surfshark, it’s steadily carving out a place in the budget VPN space. Its integration with TotalAV, solid security basics, and improved performance make it a decent entry-level option.
Compared to premium services, it offers fewer servers and slower average speeds, but its low price and bundled features like ad blocking and malware protection still bring value — especially for users looking for essential protection at a lower cost.
| NordVPN | Surfshark | TotalVPN | |
| Cybernews rating | |||
| Price from | $3.09/month | $1.99/month | $1.59/month |
| Average speed retention | 94% | 93% | 83% |
| Malware protection | ✅ Yes (Threat Protection) | ✅ Yes (CleanWeb) | ✅ Yes (TotalAV) |
| Ad blocking | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Server and location count | 7400+ servers in 118 countries | 3200+ servers in 100 countries | 50+ servers in 35 countries |
| Customer support options | Multiple | Multiple | Multiple |
Testing TotalVPN’s use cases
To evaluate TotalVPN performance in real-world scenarios, our research team ran hands-on tests across several key areas – security, speed, streaming, and file sharing. Below, you can find a detailed breakdown of how it performed.
Like most VPNs, TotalVPN claims it can bypass geographical restrictions and unlock foreign content. For many, this translates to the ability to access movies and TV shows from abroad on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Max, Disney+, and many more. Naturally, I had to put these claims to the test to see if TotalVPN can be considered a worthwhile streaming VPN.
TotalVPN has made serious progress in the streaming department. When we last tested it, only YouTube worked reliably. Now, the standalone TotalVPN app successfully unblocks all major streaming platforms.
Even the integrated version within TotalAV performs well, working with nearly every platform except Disney+ and BBC iPlayer.
This is a major leap forward for TotalVPN’s streaming capabilities. If unblocking streaming services is important to you, the standalone TotalVPN app is the better choice, offering full access and more reliable performance across the board.
Yes, TotalVPN is now a reliable option for torrenting, especially when using the standalone app with the WireGuard protocol. In TotalVPN testing, I downloaded a 5.27GB Ubuntu file using qBitTorrent. Without a VPN, the file was completed in 8 minutes at an average speed of 11.2MiB/s. With TotalVPN enabled (fastest server, WireGuard), the same file downloaded in under 11 minutes, averaging 10.8MiB/s, with very stable speeds and only minor slowdowns.
TotalVPN doesn’t block P2P traffic on any of its servers and provides a decent selection of international locations, allowing users to connect to regions with better seeding conditions. That said, the lack of dedicated P2P-optimized servers and the absence of a kill switch on all platforms makes it not the best VPN option for torrenting.
For the best torrenting experience, I recommend using the standalone TotalVPN app with WireGuard enabled.
Some social media features – like Facebook’s Lock Profile – are only available in select regions, such as New Zealand, Turkey, and India. We attempted to access this feature using TotalVPN servers in those locations but were unsuccessful, even after multiple attempts.
Yes, TotalVPN offers a solid set of features for staying safe and connected abroad. Connecting to a server in your home country allows you to continue using essential online services – such as online banking – just as you would at home.
Public Wi-Fi security is also covered, thanks to strong encryption and built-in malware protection, both available in the standalone app. These tools help protect your data from threats when using unsecured networks, like hotel or airport Wi-Fi.
While TotalVPN has fewer servers than top providers, its growing server network still provides enough international coverage for most travel needs. Just keep in mind that some regions may restrict VPN usage, and TotalVPN does not currently offer obfuscated servers to hide VPN traffic.
While TotalVPN doesn’t offer gaming-specific features like optimized servers or port forwarding, it still held up well during real-world testing. I connected to the fastest available servers using the WireGuard protocol and played popular online games, including Fortnite, Warzone, Minecraft, and Roblox.
TotalVPN provided a smooth experience without noticeable lag, rubberbanding, or performance drops. While the speeds weren’t as high as premium services like NordVPN, they were consistent enough to support an enjoyable gaming session. TotalVPN can be a reliable option for casual and even competitive players – especially if paired with its standalone app and faster protocols.
Customer support
You’ll have no trouble finding assistance as a TotalVPN customer because the company offers an immense variety of support options.
| 24/7 live chat | ✅ Yes |
| ✅ Yes | |
| Phone line | ✅ Yes (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Europe, International number) |
| Guides or articles | ✅ Yes |
| FAQ | ✅ Yes |
For example, you have the standard choice of contacting customer service via live chat or email. If the situation is dire, residents from certain countries can call using their designated phone lines. On the other hand, self-sufficient users have plenty of guides and FAQs to peruse, which are conveniently categorized by product.
Conclusion
TotalVPN has improved significantly since our last review in 2024. With expanded protocol support (including WireGuard, Hydra, and IPSec), much better streaming capabilities, and solid torrenting and gaming performance, it offers far more than just basic online privacy.
I recommend getting the TotalVPN standalone app to take full advantage of these features. It also comes bundled with TotalAV antivirus and Total Adblock, giving you a well-rounded cybersecurity suite at an excellent price.
While TotalVPN still isn’t on the same level as top-tier providers like NordVPN or Surfshark – mainly due to its smaller server network and lack of advanced customization features – it’s definitely earned a spot in the conversation for the best VPNs in 2025.
FAQ
Is TotalVPN any good?
Yes, especially the standalone app. It supports modern protocols like WireGuard and Hydra for better speed and security. It also works well with streaming and torrenting and includes TotalAV and Total Adblock for extra protection. It's a solid, budget-friendly option, though with fewer servers than top providers.
How much is TotalVPN?
TotalVPN standalone costs $1.59/month and comes bundled with TotalAV antivirus and Total Adblock. It’s a better choice than the version inside TotalAV, as it works faster and supports more connection types, making it smoother for everyday online use.
Is TotalVPN free?
No, TotalVPN isn’t free. TotalAV has a free plan that includes critical antivirus features like real-time protection, spyware removal, and junk cleanup. You can try the VPN out for free using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Is TotalVPN better than NordVPN?
No, TotalVPN isn’t better than NordVPN. NordVPN offers faster speeds, more servers, better unblocking capabilities, and stronger privacy features. TotalVPN is a solid budget option, but it still has a long way to go before it can match NordVPN’s performance and global coverage.
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