Are you looking for a reliable VPN that won’t drain your wallet? Total VPN, headquartered in the United Kingdom, has been gaining traction among budget-conscious users who want a simple yet effective solution for online privacy.
As someone who has tested VPN services over the years, I wanted to see how Total VPN stacks up against the competition. Over the last two weeks, I’ve examined its speed, security features, and its ability to unblock popular streaming platforms. Let’s dive into whether this VPN truly delivers value for your money.
In this Total VPN review, you'll learn:
- How well Total VPN performs in terms of speed and security
- If it can effectively bypass geo-restrictions for streaming
- How easy it is to install and use
- Whether it's going to slow down your internet connection
- If Total VPN is really as trustworthy as it claims to be
Let's examine and see what Total VPN has to offer!
In a Hurry? Here's a Quick Summary
Total VPN is a relatively new player in the VPN market, offered as part of the TotalAV antivirus package. While it provides basic VPN functionality, it falls short in some areas compared to standalone VPN services. Here's a quick overview of what I found during my testing:
What You'll Like:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Integrated with TotalAV antivirus
- Kill switch feature included
- Unblocks some streaming services
- 30-day money-back guarantee
What You May Not Like:
- Limited server network
- Unclear privacy policy
- No advanced features like split-tunneling
- Inconsistent streaming performance
- Limited protocol options
What Makes This Total VPN Review Different?
Many VPN reviews you'll find online are often copied directly from the product's website or written by people who haven't actually used the service. That's not the case here. For this Total VPN review, I purchased a subscription, installed the software on my personal devices, and thoroughly tested every feature.
I used Total VPN on my Dell XPS laptop running Windows 11, as well as on my Android smartphone. I spent about two weeks testing various aspects of the service, from its installation process to its performance with different online activities. Throughout this review, you'll find numerous screenshots I took during my testing, giving you a firsthand look at what you can expect from Total VPN.
My goal is to provide you with an honest, impartial evaluation based on real-world usage. I'll share both the strengths and weaknesses I encountered, so you can make an informed decision about whether Total VPN is right for you.
Buying Total VPN
When it comes to purchasing Total VPN, the process is a bit different from standalone VPN services. That's because Total VPN is actually part of the TotalAV antivirus package. Here's what you need to know:
Subscription Options
There's only one version of Total VPN available, which comes bundled with the TotalAV Ultimate antivirus package. This package includes not just the VPN, but also the antivirus software and an ad blocker. While this might be great if you're in the market for comprehensive security solution, it might feel a bit much if you're only interested in a VPN.
At the time of my purchase, TotalAV was offering a significant 70% discount for the first year's subscription. This kind of promotional pricing is common in the VPN industry, but always keep in mind that the price will likely increase upon renewal.
Free Trial and Money-Back Guarantee
Unfortunately, Total VPN doesn't offer a free trial. However, they do provide a 30-day money-back guarantee. This gives you a chance to test out the service risk-free for a month, which is pretty standard in the VPN industry.
Purchasing Process
The buying process for Total VPN (as part of TotalAV) is uncomplicated, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
- First, you'll need to select the TotalAV Ultimate package, as it's the only one that includes the VPN.
- Next, you'll enter your payment information. They accept credit cards, PayPal, and Google Pay. I opted for credit card payment for this review.
- Here's where it gets a bit tricky - you'll also need to provide your email address, physical address, and postcode. This isn't great from a privacy standpoint, especially if you're hoping to maintain anonymity.
After clicking the payment button, I was presented with several upsell offers. These included protection for an unlimited number of devices and a PC cleaner. I declined all these offers as I was only interested in testing the VPN. Once I made it through all the upsells, I finally reached a page with the download link for the installer.
Post-Purchase Communication
After completing my purchase, I received a single email containing my invoice, a download link for the software, and a link to the online dashboard. The process was smooth, but I would have appreciated fewer upsell attempts during checkout.
Installation
Installing Total VPN is a bit different from other VPN services because it's part of the TotalAV antivirus package. Here's how the process went for me:
- I downloaded the installer from the link provided in the confirmation email after my purchase.
- Interestingly, you don't actually install a standalone VPN app. Instead, you're installing the TotalAV antivirus application, which includes the VPN feature along with other privacy and security modules.
- The installation process was quick and uncomplicated, taking less than a minute to complete.
- There were no choices to make during the installation - it was a simple, one-click process.
- My account was already created during the payment process, so I didn't need to set up a new one.
When I first launched the app, it updated its virus definitions, and then everything was set and ready to go. The simplicity of the installation process is definitely a plus, especially for users who might be new to VPNs or antivirus software.
One thing to note is that Total VPN allows installation on up to three devices simultaneously. This is a bit limited compared to some other VPN services that offer five or more connections, but it should be sufficient for most individual users.
Overall, the installation process for Total VPN (as part of TotalAV) was extremely easy and user-friendly. However, it's important to remember that you're getting more than just a VPN - you're installing a full antivirus suite.
Interface
After installation, I was greeted by the TotalAV interface, which includes the Total VPN feature. The interface is clean and uncomplicated, making it easy for even VPN newcomers to navigate.
The main interface of TotalAV, including the Total VPN featureHere's a breakdown of the main interface:
- The left sidebar contains different sections of the TotalAV suite, including Antivirus, Internet Security (where you'll find the VPN), and System Boost.
- The main panel displays your current protection status and quick access to key features.
- To access the VPN, you need to hover over the Internet Security tab and then click on VPN.
The VPN interface itself is quite simple: There's a large connect/disconnect button in the center. You can also enable the Killswitch feature and see the connection uptime, upload speed, and download speed.
One nice feature is the ability to create a list of favorite servers that will appear at the top of the list. This can be handy if you frequently connect to specific locations.
In terms of customization, Total VPN is quite limited:
- The interface is only available in English. This could be a drawback for non-English speakers.
- There are no alternative themes available - you're stuck with the default dark theme.
- The UI isn't adjustable, although you can move the window around your screen.
While the simplicity of the interface makes it easy to use, more advanced users might find it lacking in terms of customization options. However, for those who just want a simple, no-fuss VPN experience, Total VPN's interface should suffice.
VPN Servers
Regarding the server networks, Total VPN's offering is rather modest compared to some of the leading VPN providers in the market. Here's what I found during my Total VPN review testing:
- Total VPN offers over 50 servers across 35 countries. This is really low compared to other providers like NordVPN and PIA.
- The home country of the company behind Total VPN (TotalAV) is the UK, which is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. This could be a concern for users who prioritize privacy.
- I didn't notice any virtual servers during my use, which is a positive as virtual servers can sometimes lead to unexpected performance issues.
The server selection screen in Total VPNTo choose a server, you need to:
- Go to the TotalAV app
- Hover your mouse over the Internet Security tab
- Click on VPN
- You'll see the full list of servers with country flags
- Click on a server and then click the Connect button at the bottom
The server types are generally for general use, without specific optimizations for activities like torrenting or gaming. This could be a drawback if you're looking for servers tailored to specific online activities.
While the server network is functional, it's definitely on the smaller side. The limited network of Total VPN might lead to slower speeds during peak times and could make it harder to find a nearby server for optimal performance.
On the positive side, connecting to servers was generally quick and stable during my testing for this Total VPN review. However, the limited selection might be a significant drawback for users who need a wide variety of server locations or those looking for specialized servers for specific tasks.
Gaming
Using a VPN for gaming can offer several advantages, such as protecting you from DDoS attacks, potentially reducing lag in some cases, and allowing you to access geo-restricted game servers. However, it's important to note that Total VPN doesn't have any specific features that set it apart for gaming.
In my Total VPN review testing, I tried playing a few popular online games with Total VPN connected. Here's what I experienced:
- Connecting to a VPN server in Romania (my location), I got a ping of around 30 ms.
- Games like World of Warcraft and League of Legends ran smoothly without noticeable lag or connectivity issues.
- The ping remained fairly constant and was acceptable for casual gaming.
However, it's worth noting that more competitive players would typically want a ping under 20 ms for optimal performance. Total VPN's speeds might not be ideal for professional or highly competitive gaming scenarios.
Also, the limited server network could be a drawback for gamers. With fewer server options, you might have a harder time finding a server that provides the best balance of speed and low ping for your location and the game servers you're trying to reach.
Overall, while Total VPN can work for casual gaming, it doesn't offer any standout features for gamers. If gaming is your primary use case for a VPN, you might want to consider services that offer more gaming-optimized servers or features.
Torrenting
Using a VPN for torrenting can provide several benefits, including masking your IP address from peers in the swarm and potentially protecting you from copyright trolls. However, it's crucial to remember that you should only use torrents for legal, non-copyrighted material.
Total VPN doesn't advertise any specific features for torrenting, nor does it have dedicated P2P servers. However, during my testing, I found that it does support P2P activities on its regular servers.
Here's what I experienced when using Total VPN for torrenting:
- I tested the VPN by downloading some open-source software, specifically Linux installers.
- Connected to a European server, I achieved speeds of about 300 Mbps, which is quite respectable.
- The connection remained stable throughout the downloads.
While these results are promising, here's what you need to know:
- The lack of dedicated P2P servers means you might experience slower speeds during peak hours when servers are crowded.
- The limited server network could make it harder to find a nearby server for optimal torrenting speeds.
- Total VPN's privacy policy is not as clear as some other VPN providers when it comes to logging practices, which could be a concern for privacy-conscious users.
All in all, while Total VPN can handle torrenting, it doesn't offer any standout features in this area. If P2P file sharing is a primary use case for you, you might want to consider VPN services that offer dedicated P2P servers and clearer no-logs policies.
Streaming
One of the popular uses of VPNs is to access geo-restricted streaming content. A good VPN for streaming should be able to consistently unblock various streaming platforms and provide speeds fast enough for high-quality video playback.
During my testing of Total VPN, I tried accessing several popular streaming services. Here are my results:
- Netflix US: Worked successfully
- Netflix UK: Worked successfully
- Netflix Germany: Didn't work
- Netflix France: Didn't work
- Netflix Spain: Didn't work
As you can see, the results were mixed. While Total VPN was able to unblock the US and UK Netflix libraries, it struggled with other regional Netflix catalogs. This inconsistent performance could be frustrating if you're looking to access a wide variety of international content.
Note that Total VPN doesn't offer any specialized streaming servers, which some other VPN services provide to ensure more reliable access to streaming platforms.
On the positive side, when streaming did work, the video quality was generally good, and I didn't experience significant buffering issues. This suggests that when Total VPN can successfully unblock a streaming service, it provides sufficient speeds for enjoyable viewing.
To conclude, even if Total VPN can handle some streaming tasks, its performance in this area is not as consistent or comprehensive as some dedicated streaming VPNs. If accessing a wide range of international streaming content is a priority for you, you might want to consider VPN services with more robust unblocking capabilities and larger server networks.
For my speed tests, I used a Dell XPS laptop with an Intel i7-1065G7 CPU @ 1.30GHz and 16 GB of RAM running on Windows 11. My network configuration is Wi-Fi 5 protocol with a theoretical speed of 866 MBps. Here's the continuation of the article in Markdown format:
My general observations on speed and performance across different servers and during different times of day is that the VPN is stable and pretty consistent regarding speed.
To test the speed of the VPN servers, I used Ookla's Speedtest for this Total VPN review. Here are the results:
- No VPN (Romania): 419 Mbps download, 299 Mbps upload, and 23 ms latency
- Atlanta, USA: 184 Mbps download, 32 Mbps upload, and 196 ms latency
- Los Angeles, USA: 226 Mbps download, 16 Mbps upload, and 705 ms latency
- New York, USA: 233 Mbps download, 39 Mbps upload, and 133 ms latency
- GERMANY: 322 Mbps download, 94 Mbps upload, and 72 ms latency
- FRANCE: 322 Mbps download, 94 Mbps upload, and 72 ms latency
- SPAIN: 304 Mbps download, 61 Mbps upload, and 89 ms latency
- ITALY: 305 Mbps download, 93 Mbps upload, and 47 ms latency
- UK: 287 Mbps download, 92 Mbps upload, and 55 ms latency
- BRAZIL: 71 Mbps download, 12 Mbps upload, and 261 ms latency
Overall, Total VPN's speed performance is decent, especially for European servers. The US servers showed a more significant drop in speed, which is expected due to the distance. The Brazilian server had the poorest performance, likely due to its distance from my location and possibly less optimized infrastructure.
For most everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and even casual gaming, these speeds should be sufficient. However, users looking for the absolute fastest VPN speeds might find Total VPN's performance a bit lacking compared to some top-tier VPN providers.
VPN Privacy Features
Here, we’ll examine the VPN’s privacy fundamentals: the robustness of its encryption, the integrity of its secure protocols, and the reliability of its no-logging promises.
VPN Protocols and Encryption
Total VPN offers a limited selection of VPN protocols:
While these are both reliable protocols, the lack of newer options like WireGuard might disappoint some users looking for cutting-edge performance.
IKEv2 is known for its speed and stability, especially on mobile devices. It's a good choice for users who frequently switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. OpenVPN, on the other hand, is highly regarded for its security and is a solid all-around choice.
Total VPN uses the standard AES-256 encryption cipher, which is the industry standard and provides thorough security for your data.
The settings window where you can change VPN protocolsOne significant disadvantage I noticed is the lack of configuration options. You can change protocols from the VPN settings window, but there are no other configuration options available. This is very limiting compared to other VPN services that allow users to fine-tune their connection settings.
No-Logs Policy and Transparency
As far as the privacy policies go, Total VPN leaves something to be desired. Their privacy policy doesn't specifically state that they don't keep logs of user information, which is concerning. Many top VPN providers have clear no-logs policies and even undergo third-party audits to verify their claims.
Furthermore, Total VPN hasn't been audited by third-party firms to check their privacy policy. This lack of transparency might be a red flag for users who prioritize privacy and want assurances about how their data is handled.
Kill Switch
Total VPN does include a kill switch feature, which is essential for maintaining privacy in case your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. The kill switch works at the system level, meaning it shuts down all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects.
Interestingly, Total VPN's kill switch has both automatic and manual modes. This is somewhat unique, as many VPNs only offer an automatic kill switch. The manual mode allows you to have more control over when the kill switch activates.
You can enable the kill switch feature in the VPN window (lower left corner) and choose between manual and automatic mode from the VPN settings. During my Total VPN review testing, the kill switch worked as expected in both modes, effectively cutting off internet access when the VPN connection was interrupted.
DNS and IP Leak Protection
DNS and IP leak protection are crucial features for any VPN, as they prevent your real location and browsing activity from being exposed. Unfortunately, my tests revealed some concerns with Total VPN's leak protection.
I conducted several tests using different online tools:
- ipleak.net: A DNS leak was detected
- perfect-privacy.com: Total VPN passed this test
- dnsleaktest.com: Total VPN didn't pass this test; a leak was detected
These results are concerning. While Total VPN passed one IP leak test, it failed to prevent DNS leaks in two separate tests. This means that your browsing activity could potentially be visible to your ISP or other third parties, defeating one of the primary purposes of using a VPN.
For extra antimalware protection, I strongly recommend enablng the Total AV antivirus shield, which comes with Total VPN. For alternatives, take a look at reputable solutions like Bitdefender and Norton.
Wi-Fi Protection
Total VPN does offer some protection when using public Wi-Fi networks. When you access the internet via public Wi-Fi, there's a risk that hackers could intercept your data. Total VPN's encryption helps reduce this risk by making your data unreadable to potential attackers.
However, it's worth noting that Total VPN doesn't offer any special features specifically designed for Wi-Fi protection beyond its basic VPN functionality. Some other VPN services provide additional features like automatic connection on unsecured Wi-Fi networks or the ability to set different VPN settings for different networks.
Device Compatibility
Total VPN offers a decent range of device compatibility, covering the most common platforms:
This covers most users' needs, allowing you to protect your computers and mobile devices. However, Total VPN allows connections on only 3 devices simultaneously. This is quite limited compared to many other VPN services that often allow 5-10 simultaneous connections.
One significant exclusion is the lack of browser extensions. Many users appreciate the convenience of lightweight browser extensions for quick VPN connections, so this could be a disadvantage for some.
Additionally, Total VPN doesn't offer native apps for less common platforms like Linux or support for routers. This could be limiting if you have a diverse range of devices you want to protect or if you're looking to secure your entire home network at the router level.
Total VPN Review: Conclusion and Recommendations
After spending two weeks writing this Total VPN review, I've come to a somewhat mixed conclusion. While it offers some solid features, it also has some significant drawbacks that might make you think twice before subscribing.
Let's start with the positives:
- The interface is simple and easy to use, making it great for VPN newcomers.
- It's integrated with the TotalAV antivirus package, which could be convenient if you're looking for a comprehensive security solution.
- The kill switch feature works well and offers both automatic and manual modes.
- It successfully unblocked some streaming services, including US and UK Netflix.
However, there are several areas where Total VPN falls short:
- The server network is quite limited, with only 50+ servers across 35 countries.
- The privacy policy lacks clarity, especially regarding logging practices.
- There are no advanced features like split-tunneling.
- Streaming performance was inconsistent across different services.
- Protocol options are limited, and there are very few configuration settings available.
- DNS leaks were detected in my tests, which is a significant privacy concern.
When it comes to using Total VPN's features, here are a few recommendations:
- Always enable the kill switch feature to protect your privacy in case of unexpected disconnections.
- Be cautious when using Total VPN for privacy-critical tasks, given the unclear logging policy and the DNS leaks detected in my tests.
- If you're using Total VPN for streaming, stick to US and UK servers, as these seemed to work best in my tests.
- Consider using the IKEv2 protocol for mobile devices and OpenVPN for desktop for the best balance of speed and security.
In conclusion, while Total VPN offers a user-friendly experience and some solid basic features, it falls short in several key areas that more advanced users might find crucial.
Thinking about other options beyond this antivirus? CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are strong VPN candidates. Discover our top VPN recommendations for 2025.
FAQs
- Is Total VPN safe to use? While Total VPN uses strong encryption, the detected DNS leaks and unclear logging policy raise some concerns about its overall safety.
- Can Total VPN unblock Netflix? Total VPN successfully unblocked US and UK Netflix in my tests, but struggled with other regional libraries.
- How many devices can I use with Total VPN? Total VPN allows you to connect up to 3 devices simultaneously.
- Does Total VPN work in China? Total VPN doesn't advertise specific features for bypassing censorship in countries like China. Its limited server network and lack of advanced features suggest it might not be the best choice for this purpose.
- Is Total VPN good for torrenting? While Total VPN supports P2P activities, it doesn't offer specialized servers for torrenting. The limited server network and potential privacy concerns make it a less-than-ideal choice for heavy torrent users.
Octav Fedor (Cybersecurity Editor)
Octav is a cybersecurity researcher and writer at AntivirusGuide. When he’s not publishing his honest opinions about security software online, he likes to learn about programming, watch astronomy documentaries, and participate in general knowledge competitions.