TotalAV vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against TotalAV's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

TotalAV
This App
Core Identity
DeveloperTotal Security LimitedGen Digital Inc.Express VPNNordvpn S.A.DuckDuckGo, Inc.DEEP FLOW SOFTWARE SERVICESMosaic S.r.l.SOON BODYWERKZ AUTO PTE. LTD.
CategoryUtilitiesUtilitiesUtilitiesUtilitiesUtilitiesUtilitiesUtilitiesUtilities
PlatformAndroid, iOSAndroid, iOSiOSiOSAndroid, iOSiOS, AndroidiOSiOS, Android
Store Metrics
Rating4.6 / 54.7 / 54.7 / 54.7 / 54.8 / 54.7 / 54.5 / 54.6 / 5
Ratings Count70,789171,618414,849669,5782,325,699642,188413,21214,696
PriceFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFree
Release DateOct 10, 2016Oct 2, 2018Aug 11, 2014Dec 9, 2014Jun 27, 2013Dec 5, 2020Sep 8, 2015Sep 26, 2023
Last UpdatedFeb 17, 2026May 4, 2026May 19, 2026Apr 8, 2026May 11, 2026Apr 16, 2026Apr 29, 2026Apr 24, 2026
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentimentmixedmixedpositivenegativepositivemixednegativeexcellent
Score35/10045/10085/10025/10075/10055/10025/10085/100
Praises
  • Core security scanning functionality provides immediate peace of mind for new mobile users
  • Core security features provide peace of mind for users monitoring device safety
  • Reliable connection stability across international travel and diverse network environments
  • Reliable VPN connection speeds allow for consistent streaming and browsing on high-bandwidth home networks
  • Privacy-focused browsing experience effectively blocks trackers and intrusive advertisements for users
  • Efficiency and Speed
  • Storage Recovery
  • Automated answer bots provide significant satisfaction by wasting time for telemarketers and scammers
  • Effective filtering of spam calls and text messages provides a sense of daily peace
  • High connection reliability across restricted networks allows users to bypass local internet censorship effectively
  • Minimalist ad-supported model provides a free and accessible experience for casual daily users
Complaints
  • Opaque subscription billing and aggressive upsell tactics create significant user distrust
  • Subscription and billing transparency issues create significant friction for long-term users
  • Authentication loop errors preventing new account access after subscription purchase
  • Post-update performance regressions cause significant app unresponsiveness and slow connection times on mobile devices
  • Screen flickering during page loads and tracker blocking animations disrupts the browsing flow
  • Aggressive Monetization
  • Technical Instability
  • Inconsistent call screening performance post-update leaves many users exposed to persistent spam calls
  • Deceptive pricing practices and lack of transparent refund policies frustrate long-term subscribers
  • Frequent session timeouts require manual reconnection every hour, disrupting long-term browsing or gaming
Requests
  • Transparent pricing and simplified cancellation workflows are required to restore user trust
  • Granular control over VPN behavior to prevent unnecessary battery and data usage
-
  • Granular connection pause options beyond the current one-hour or twenty-four-hour duration settings
  • Background video playback support allows users to listen to media while using other apps
-
  • Granular control over blocking specific area codes to improve filtering precision for regional spam
-
Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Broad utility suite bundles security and cleanup
  • Lightweight mobile-first interface
  • High-frequency scanning provides immediate user feedback
  • AI-powered scam protection provides comprehensive defense against SMS threats
  • Established brand trust drives high organic install velocity
  • Proprietary Lightway protocol creates performance-based switching costs
  • RAM-only server infrastructure functions as a verifiable privacy moat
  • High-frequency global server availability sustains organic install velocity
  • NordLynx protocol sustains high-speed encrypted connections
  • Meshnet utility creates high switching costs for multi-device users
  • Threat Protection Pro bundles security tools for subscription value
  • Editors' Choice badge across five markets sustains organic install velocity
  • Local-device tracker blocking functions as a privacy-first distribution moat
  • Top-tier market rankings (#1 Grossing Utility)
  • Strong cross-platform presence (824k+ total ratings)
  • Unique feature bundling (Compression + Vault + Animations)
  • Answer Bots create viral social sharing loops
  • Audio fingerprinting provides proactive defense against automated spam
  • One-tap interface minimizes onboarding friction [Platform: iOS/Android]
  • No-logs policy builds long-term user trust [Mechanism: Privacy-first retention]
  • Ad-supported model captures price-sensitive segments [Segment: Casual users]
Weaknesses
  • Opaque billing and aggressive upsell pop-ups
  • Complex cancellation path
  • Technical instability post-update
  • VPN connectivity instability disrupts daily utility
  • Subscription management flow creates significant user friction
  • Authentication loop errors post-purchase create immediate churn
  • Lack of a permanent free tier limits top-of-funnel acquisition
  • Premium pricing sits above the category median
  • Post-update UI unresponsiveness on mobile devices
  • VPN tunnel interference with cellular data and SMS
  • Obstructive refund process creates user distrust
  • 0.7★ Android-iOS rating gap on majority Android base
  • Screen flickering and navigation regressions post-update
  • No cloud-save functionality despite user requests
  • High weekly subscription cost ($8.99) causing user resentment
  • Frequent crashes during the critical deletion phase
  • Significant version lag between iOS and Android
  • Premium tier pricing above category median
  • Lack of human-led support for technical setup
  • Hourly session limit disrupts active usage [Metric: 1-hour timeout]
  • Misleading security alerts erode user sentiment [Metric: 1★ review theme]
  • Limited device support restricts power-user adoption [Constraint: 2-device limit]
Pricingsubscriptionsubscriptionsubscriptionsubscriptionsubscriptionsubscriptionsubscriptionsubscription
MomentumMaintenanceActiveMaintenanceActiveActiveMaintenanceActiveActive
Update Cadence2 versions, ~30d avg5 versions, ~9d avg5 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~21d avg5 versions, 2 majors/6mo, ~10d avg5 versions, ~9d avg4 versions, ~12d avg5 versions, ~10d avg5 versions, ~8d avg

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Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by TotalAV, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

Data licensed under CC-BY-NC 4.0