Total VPN Review
When considering Total VPN, it’s important to look beyond the $4.99/month price. The service offers AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy, which are standard features aimed at ensuring user privacy.
However, the limited server network might affect your browsing experience, particularly in comparison to larger services like NordVPN, which offers more advanced features, such as split tunneling.
Additionally, while Total VPN claims to offer 24/7 customer support, there have been reports of accessibility issues.
In terms of streaming and torrenting capabilities, these are areas worth examining to determine if Total VPN aligns with your specific needs.
Key Takeaways
- TotalVPN offers competitive pricing but lacks advanced features like split tunneling and dedicated streaming servers.
- Employs AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy, but UK-based location may raise privacy concerns.
- Streaming and torrenting capabilities are basic with inconsistent performance and no dedicated P2P servers.
- User-friendly apps for major platforms, though limited to three simultaneous device connections.
- Customer support includes 24/7 live chat and email, with some challenges in accessing live chat.
Pricing and Plans
TotalVPN offers a variety of pricing and plan options designed to meet different user requirements. The premium subscription starts at $4.99 per month and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, providing flexibility for those who prefer not to make a long-term commitment.
For users willing to commit for a longer duration, there’s a 12-month plan available at $5.99 per month and a two-year plan priced at $2.99 per month. These options include unlimited bandwidth and data, which ensures that users won’t encounter data caps.
For those seeking a budget-friendly option, TotalVPN provides a free plan. This plan is more restricted, offering access to only 3 server locations and imposing a 2 Mbps data cap, as well as potential bandwidth throttling that may affect browsing speeds.
In terms of payment methods, TotalVPN accepts credit cards and PayPal but doesn’t currently support cryptocurrency payments, which may be a limitation for some users.
Features
TotalVPN offers a range of features focused on privacy and security. It utilizes AES-256 encryption, a highly secure encryption standard. The service supports various protocols, with OpenVPN recommended for its enhanced security.
TotalVPN adheres to a no-logs policy, ensuring user activities remain confidential, although its UK location may present privacy considerations due to the 5-Eyes intelligence alliance.
The service includes a kill switch, though this is limited to Windows users, which helps maintain privacy by disconnecting the internet if the VPN connection is unexpectedly lost. DNS leak protection is also provided, ensuring DNS requests are secure and don’t expose browsing activities.
The user interface is designed for ease of use, simplifying server selection and connection processes. TotalVPN offers access to over 50 servers in more than 30 countries, with specific locations in the US, UK, and Australia.
Additionally, TotalVPN integrates with TotalAV antivirus, providing further online protection. It’s compatible with various devices, allowing users to maintain security and privacy across different platforms.
Privacy and Security
In terms of privacy and security, TotalVPN offers a no-logs policy, ensuring that users’ online activities aren’t recorded. Although based in the UK, which is part of the 5-Eyes intelligence alliance, TotalVPN’s privacy policy asserts that user data remains private.
The service uses AES-256 encryption, a widely recognized standard for protecting data and internet traffic from unauthorized access and surveillance.
TotalVPN supports multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN and IKEv2, with OpenVPN noted for its strong security attributes. This provides a reliable level of security for users during browsing sessions. Additionally, the Windows application includes a kill switch feature, which is designed to prevent data leaks in the event of an unexpected VPN disconnection.
Furthermore, TotalVPN has been tested for DNS and WebRTC leaks, with results indicating effective protection of the user’s IP address during internet use. This suite of security features contributes to TotalVPN’s ability to offer solid IP address protection, facilitating a secure browsing experience.
Streaming and Torrenting
TotalVPN offers basic functionality when it comes to streaming and torrenting, but there are some limitations to consider.
For streaming, TotalVPN’s ability to access major platforms like Netflix can be inconsistent, particularly on its US servers. While it does support streaming in resolutions up to 1080p, server congestion may affect performance, leading to potential disruptions in viewing quality.
In terms of torrenting, TotalVPN permits such activities, but it doesn’t provide dedicated P2P servers. This absence may influence download speeds and the overall reliability of the service. Users report varied experiences; some find the performance adequate, while others encounter slowdowns, particularly during peak server usage times.
Additionally, TotalVPN doesn’t include certain advanced features that can enhance user experience for streaming and torrenting, like a kill switch or split tunneling. These features help manage bandwidth and protect data integrity during sessions. Without them, users might experience interruptions or potential data exposure.
User Experience and Apps
TotalVPN’s user experience emphasizes simplicity and ease of use. The TotalVPN app is designed to be user-friendly across multiple platforms such as Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Both the desktop application and the mobile app offer a straightforward and quick setup process, minimizing the time spent on configurations. The server list is clearly organized and includes a search function, making it straightforward to locate and connect to preferred server locations.
The desktop application is accessible from the system tray, enabling quick connection and disconnection without opening the full app. Users can also save favorite server locations for convenient future access.
However, the mobile app lacks some advanced features found in other VPN services, such as a kill switch or the ability to change protocols. Additionally, navigating TotalVPN’s online resources can be challenging due to a fragmented website layout, which may complicate accessing troubleshooting support.
Despite these limitations, TotalVPN provides a generally efficient user experience.
Customer Support
Navigating TotalVPN’s customer support can present both efficient and challenging experiences. They offer 24/7 support via live chat and email, ensuring users have access to assistance around the clock.
However, some users report difficulty in locating the live chat feature on the website, which can be inconvenient when immediate support is needed.
Email inquiries to TotalVPN are typically addressed within 24 hours, providing a generally reliable service for most issues.
Nonetheless, there are occasional shortcomings, particularly with billing inquiries, where feedback may not always meet user expectations.
For those inclined to resolve issues independently, TotalVPN’s Help Center serves as a useful resource. It features a comprehensive self-help guide and an FAQ section that addresses common issues.
These resources are beneficial for users seeking prompt solutions without waiting for support team responses.
While some users find the support team responsive, others experience less satisfactory interactions.
Engaging with their customer service may require patience, but available resources can assist those who manage to locate them.
Comparison with Competitors
When comparing TotalVPN to its competitors, notable differences emerge, particularly in the areas of server network size and performance. TotalVPN provides a network of just over 50 servers in 30 countries. In contrast, NordVPN and Private Internet Access offer thousands of servers, which typically results in more options and potentially smoother performance. This relatively smaller server network at TotalVPN may impact connection speeds and the overall user experience.
In terms of pricing, TotalVPN’s premium plan begins at $4.99 per month. While this is competitive, it lacks some advanced features found in NordVPN’s offerings, which start at approximately $3.71 per month on a long-term plan. Features such as split tunneling and dedicated streaming servers aren’t included in TotalVPN’s package, which might be a consideration for users seeking more extensive functionality.
TotalVPN’s performance has been reported as inconsistent, with some users experiencing slower speeds compared to those offered by competitors like ExpressVPN, which is noted for its high-speed connections and effective streaming capabilities.
Additionally, TotalVPN permits only three simultaneous connections, whereas NordVPN and Private Internet Access support ten or more devices at once. For users managing multiple devices, this limitation could be a drawback, potentially making competitors a more viable option for broader device support and enhanced performance.
Conclusion
To summarize, Total VPN offers a budget-friendly option at $4.99/month and guarantees privacy with AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy. However, it falls short on advanced features like split tunneling and has a limited server network, affecting performance. Streaming and speed experiences can be hit or miss, and while customer support is available 24/7, it has some accessibility issues. Overall, compared to competitors like NordVPN, Total VPN may not be the best choice for power users.
