TotalVPN review
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TotalVPN is a virtual private network service included in the TotalAV security package, but it’s also available as a standalone app. It’s better to get TotalVPN as a standalone app, since it includes the same extras as TotalAV – like antivirus and ad blocker – but with a more advanced VPN.
TotalVPN is user-friendly and delivers good value for money, with plans starting from $1.59/month. However, it supports only 8 simultaneous connections – fewer than the best VPNs like NordVPN or Surfshark. TotalVPN’s server count is also the lowest among leading providers, with just 1,800+ servers in 90 countries.
With the help of the Cybernews research team, I tested TotalVPN from multiple angles – price, speed, streaming, ease of use, and features – and compared it with other services throughout this review.
| ⭐ Rating: | |
| 🥇 Overall rank: | #10 out of #41 |
| 📖 No logs policy: | No logs |
| 💵 Price: | From $1.59/month |
| 🖥️ Servers: | 1,800+ servers in 90 countries |
| 🍿 Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and more |
| 🔥 Coupons: | TotalVPN coupon 80% OFF! |
TotalVPN strengths and weaknesses
TotalVPN offers a beginner-friendly experience, solid security features, and budget-friendly pricing. While it’s not the most powerful VPN on the market, it performs well for casual browsing, streaming, and everyday security needs.
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.
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TotalVPN review: key takeaways
I tested TotalVPN thoroughly across categories like speed, privacy, features, and ease of use. Below are the most important highlights, with each area rated out of 10:
- Privacy and security – 7/10. TotalVPN includes a kill switch and supports strong protocols like WireGuard and Hydra. It also has extras like TotalAV antivirus, Total Password, and Total Adblock. However, it's based in the US and hasn’t been audited. For more robust privacy, consider NordVPN, which has features like Dark Web Monitor, Double VPN, and Onion over VPN.
- Cost and value for money – 8/10. Starting at just $1.59/month, TotalVPN is one of the cheapest options among top providers. It delivers good value for basic security and streaming, though it lacks advanced tools.
- Speed and performance – 5/10. TotalVPN delivers decent speeds with the Hydra protocol (up to 67% speed retention). However, slower performance can occur on WireGuard or OpenVPN. If you need faster speeds, choose Surfshark or NordVPN.
- Server network – 5/10. TotalVPN has 1,800+ servers in 90 countries, the lowest count among leading providers. For a larger global server selection, go with NordVPN.
- Features and functionality – 7/10. The standalone TotalVPN app includes essential tools like a kill switch and protocol selection, but lacks advanced features like SmartPlay or Meshnet. NordVPN is a better choice for advanced VPN users.
- Compatibility – 7/10. TotalVPN is available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. However, the mobile apps lack a kill switch and tunneling options, and the Mac version has fewer features. Try NordVPN instead, as it works on more devices and has full-featured apps.
- Customer support – 10/10. TotalVPN has excellent customer support with 24/7 live chat, email, and even phone lines in several regions. Plus, there are detailed help guides and a helpful FAQ library.
TotalVPN price
TotalVPN costs $1.59/month ($19.00/year), and includes Total Adblock and TotalAV Antivirus in the same bundle, making it one of the best antivirus with VPN bundles.
Compared to other popular VPN/antivirus packages, TotalVPN has the lowest-priced option for the first year.
| VPN/antivirus package | First-year cost | Monthly cost |
| TotalVPN (with TotalAV + Total Adblock) | $19.00 | $1.59 |
| Surfshark One | $27.48 | $2.49 |
| Norton 360 Standard | $39.99 | $3.33 |
| Bitdefender Antivirus Plus with a VPN | $44.98 | $3.75 |
TotalVPN's pricing is below average, but note that this is an introductory deal. After the first year, renewal costs increase significantly (from $1.59/month to $8.25/month), so keep that in mind when comparing long-term costs. On the brighter note, TotalVPN kept its pricing consistent since our last update, so it’s one less thing you have to worry about.
I recommend purchasing TotalVPN to access the standalone VPN app, which is better than the version included in the TotalAV antivirus package. The standalone TotalVPN version unlocks more protocols for better speeds and streaming support.
All paid TotalAV plans come with a 30-day refund window to test it risk-free. However, the only way to try TotalVPN for free is by purchasing a qualifying plan (like TotalAV Internet Security or Total Security) and requesting a refund within 30 days. If that sounds like too much hassle, you should explore the best VPNs with free trials.
To get the best value, skip the basic TotalAV plan and go for the $19.00/year bundle that includes TotalVPN, antivirus, and ad blocker. Use our link, and set a reminder to cancel before renewal, as the price increases after the first year.
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, and this situation has remained largely unchanged for some time, with no major updates since our last review. 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. Note that the protocols can differ depending on your OS.
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 circumstances.
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 key concern with VPNs, but there’s no universal standard for a no-logs VPN. Third-party audits help verify these claims by checking logging policies, server practices, and security measures. TotalVPN has not undergone an independent third-party audit of its no-logs policy. This doesn’t automatically mean the service is unsafe, but it does mean users have to rely solely on the provider’s claims rather than verified proof.
The situation isn’t great regarding jurisdiction either, since TotalAV is based in the UK, a core member of the Five Eyes alliance. This wouldn’t be of concern if the provider conducted 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.
Split tunneling
Split tunneling lets you decide which traffic goes through your VPN and which doesn’t. That means you can keep sensitive information protected while letting less critical apps or websites connect normally. The result is faster speeds where you need them, access to local services without constantly disconnecting, and fewer headaches with services that block VPNs.
Total VPN has added split tunneling across its apps, but the way it works depends on whether you’re using the standalone VPN app or the VPN built into the TotalAV antivirus suite.
On desktop devices, split tunneling works the same way on both Windows and macOS. Instead of selecting individual apps, you control split tunneling at the website level by choosing which domains should go through the VPN and which should bypass it. This setup is simple and practical if you mainly want certain websites to load without the VPN while keeping the rest of your traffic protected.
Mobile devices are a bit more flexible. Android users can pick apps individually, sending some through the VPN while letting others connect normally. iOS users got a big update in July 2025: the dedicated Total VPN app now supports split tunneling too. On iPhones and iPads, it’s mostly URL-based (for websites) rather than app-based, which is a limitation from Apple rather than Total VPN itself.
There’s also a subtle difference between the standalone Total VPN app and the version bundled with TotalAV. The standalone app generally gives you more control and easier access to settings, while the integrated VPN might hide some options or use a slightly different interface.
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 I tested: 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 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: 940Mbps download, 940Mbps upload, and 2ms ping
| Upload retention (%) | Download retention (%) | |
| US | 23% | 75% |
| UK | 55% | 95% |
| Germany | 60% | 96% |
| Japan | No result, crashed | 51% |
| Canada | 20% | 83% |
| Australia | 9% | 74% |
Although TotalVPN delivered reliable results in our previous tests, it performed much worse this time, especially for upload speeds. On average, the download retention was quite decent at 79%, while upload retention averaged only 28%.
You can also see that the best results were achieved with the server in Germany, with an average download speed of 96%. This result is quite impressive, letting you use the service for any activity.
TotalVPN IPSec speed test results
IPSec is another protocol available in the standalone TotalVPN app. It's known solid security, though its raw speed generally doesn’t match WireGuard's or Hydra’s.
- Baseline speed: 940Mbps download, 940Mbps upload, and 2ms ping
| Upload retention (%) | Download retention (%) | |
| US | 10% | 40% |
| UK | 14% | 61% |
| Germany | 20% | 59% |
| Japan | 6% | 22% |
| Canada | 12% | 41% |
| Australia | 4% | 25% |
Again, performance with the IPSec protocol wasn’t great, even worse. The average download retention was 41%, while upload retention only reached 11%.
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: 940Mbps download, 940Mbps upload, and 2ms ping
| Upload retention (%) | Download retention (%) | |
| US | 68% | 75% |
| UK | 86% | 85% |
| Germany | 96% | 96% |
| Japan | 28% | 12% |
| Canada | 59% | 45% |
| Australia | 15% | 41% |
Hydra performed exceptionally well, with an average download retention of 67% and an average upload retention of 62%. 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.
As for the mobile speed test results, they were harder to evaluate because my baseline download speed was quite unstable and fluctuated significantly. In general, my unprotected speeds ranged between 200Mbps and 300Mbps.
For example, when connected to UK servers using the Hydra protocol, I reached average speeds of 117Mbps for downloads and 50.8Mbps for uploads. Overall, this performance is solid for everyday VPN use, including streaming.
TotalVPN's server network
According to TotalVPN’s website, the service offers a humble network of 1,800+ servers across 90 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, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Ukraine |
| Americas | Argentina, US, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru |
| Asia | Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE |
| Rest of the world | Australia, South Africa |
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.
I also must note that in 2025, TotalVPN didn’t add any new servers. This could mean the provider is focusing on its current network, but users might face limited location options and more crowded servers, which can affect speed and flexibility. So I would rather turn to providers that constantly update their server network, like NordVPN and Surfshark.
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-leakage 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 previously lacked a kill switch and the option to allow different tunneling protocols. Luckily, these features are now accessible in the settings.
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. Now, just like on Android, you can access advanced settings on iOS, including the kill switch, VPN tunneling protocol selection, and other configuration options.
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 greatly improves your online experience by eliminating unwelcome advertisements. It leads 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 get access to 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.
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 makes it not the best VPN 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. I attempted to access this feature using TotalVPN servers in those locations but was 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
I found that from the last update, TotalVPN reduced its customer support options, as it no longer offers a phone line or live chat.
| 24/7 live chat | ❌ No |
| ✅ Yes | |
| Phone line | ❌ No |
| Guides or articles | ✅ Yes |
| FAQ | ✅ Yes |
As you can see, while TotalVPN doesn’t offer live chat or phone support, you can still get help via email. For self-sufficient users, the guides and FAQ sections are well-organized by product, making it easy to find answers on your own.
Alternatives to TotalVPN
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 and solid security basics 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. Here is the table showing how TotalVPN compares to the top providers:
| Provider | Cybernews rating | Price from | Average speed retention | Malware protection | Ad blocking | Server and location count | Customer support options | Current deal |
| NordVPN | $3.09/month | 80% | ✅ Yes (Threat Protection) | ✅ Yes | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries | Multiple | Get 76% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free | |
| Surfshark | $1.99/month | 81% | ✅ Yes (CleanWeb) | ✅ Yes | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries | Multiple | Now up to 87% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE | |
| TotalVPN | $1.59/month | 67% | ✅ Yes (TotalAV) | ✅ Yes | 1,800+ servers in 90 countries | Multiple | Now up to 80% OFF TotalVPN |
Conclusion
TotalVPN has improved significantly since our last review in 2025. With better streaming capabilities, split tunneling addition, 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 poorer speeds – it’s definitely worth a try if you’re looking for an affordable, yet secure solution.
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.
