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Security & Cybersecurity · head to head

Acunetix vs Kaspersky Total Security

Acunetix logo

Acunetix

Security & Cybersecurity

Web application security testing made easy

From
On request
Rated
-
Kaspersky Total Security logo

Kaspersky Total Security

Security & Cybersecurity

Complete protection for your digital life

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Acunetix aWS Marketplace lists Acunetix Online Premium, published by seller Invicti Security, at $7,000 per year for 5 targets under a 12 month contract, where a target is one fully qualified domain, website, web app, API or web service; Kaspersky Total Security uS sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
  • They diverge on capability: Acunetix covers DAST scanning, Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Acunetix and Kaspersky Total Security actually diverge.

Attributes where Acunetix and Kaspersky Total Security differ
AttributeAcunetixKaspersky Total Security
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsDesktop, Web, ApiWindows, macOS, iOS, Android
Founded20051997

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & Cybersecurity).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Acunetix

  • DAST scanning
  • IAST technology
  • AcuSensor
  • JavaScript security
  • SQL injection testing
  • XSS detection
  • OWASP Top 10
  • API security testing

Only in Kaspersky Total Security

  • Real-time protection
  • Ransomware protection
  • Safe Money
  • Privacy protection
  • Parental controls
  • Password manager
  • VPN
  • File encryption

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Acunetix

  • Vulnerability Scannernot Kaspersky Total Security
  • Web Securitynot Kaspersky Total Security
  • Dastnot Kaspersky Total Security

Kaspersky Total Security

  • Antivirusnot Acunetix
  • Internet Securitynot Acunetix
  • Parental Controlnot Acunetix

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Acunetix

  • AWS Marketplace lists Acunetix Online Premium, published by seller Invicti Security, at $7,000 per year for 5 targets under a 12 month contract, where a target is one fully qualified domain, website, web app, API or web service
  • AWS Marketplace's Invicti listing shows Premium Support priced separately at $150,000 per year and Premium Support with Guided Success at $300,000 per year, on top of the base scanning licence

Kaspersky Total Security

  • US sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
  • VPN limited to 200 MB per day and servers in only 24 countries
  • Password manager has privacy concerns with questionable terms and policies
  • VPN and password manager only included in Plus and Premium tiers, not in Standard
  • Occasionally flags legitimate files as false positives
  • Firewall leaves open ports on public networks

Pricing, plan by plan

Acunetix

On request
  • StandardFree
    • Single user
    • 5 targets
    • Scheduled scans
  • PremiumFree
    • Multiple users
    • Unlimited targets
    • CI/CD integration
  • Acunetix 360Free
    • Enterprise features
    • SDLC integration
    • Custom workflows

Kaspersky Total Security

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic antivirus
    • No real-time protection
  • Standard$38.99/year
    • Antivirus
    • Firewall
    • Anti-phishing
  • Plus$52.99/year
    • Standard features
    • Password manager
    • VPN with limit
  • Premium$74.99/year
    • Plus features
    • Identity protection
    • Unlimited VPN

Which should you pick?

Choose Acunetix if

  • You need dast scanning.
  • You work on Desktop, Web, Api.
  • You also want iast technology.

Choose Kaspersky Total Security if

  • You need real-time protection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • You also want ransomware protection.

Questions people ask

Is Acunetix or Kaspersky Total Security better?
Neither clearly leads. Acunetix starts at On request and Kaspersky Total Security at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Acunetix or Kaspersky Total Security?
Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Acunetix and Free for Kaspersky Total Security.
Does Acunetix or Kaspersky Total Security run on more platforms?
Acunetix runs on Desktop, Web, Api. Kaspersky Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Can I use Kaspersky Total Security for free?
Yes. Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Acunetix starts at On request.
What is Acunetix best used for?
Acunetix is most often used for vulnerability scanner, web security, dast. Of those, vulnerability scanner and web security are not what Kaspersky Total Security is typically brought in for.
What can Acunetix do that Kaspersky Total Security cannot?
Acunetix covers DAST scanning, IAST technology, AcuSensor, JavaScript security. Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Ransomware protection, Safe Money, Privacy protection.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Kaspersky Total Security: What does Kaspersky Total Security include?

Kaspersky Total Security (Premium tier) includes antivirus, firewall, password manager, VPN with 200 MB daily limit, parental controls (Kaspersky Safe Kids), and anti-ransomware protection.

Source
Kaspersky Total Security: How much does Kaspersky Total Security cost?

Kaspersky Standard costs $38.99/year for 3 devices. Plus tier is $52.99/year for 5 devices. Premium is $74.99/year for 10 devices. Multi-year discounts available.

Source
Kaspersky Total Security: Is Kaspersky available in the United States?

No. The U.S. government banned Kaspersky software sales in June 2024, with support and software updates ceasing September 29, 2024, citing national security concerns regarding Russian government ties.

Source
Kaspersky Total Security: Does Kaspersky have parental controls?

Yes. Premium and Plus tiers include one year free access to Kaspersky Safe Kids parental controls app, which provides activity reports, app monitoring, usage limits, and geo-fencing with location tracking.

Source
Kaspersky Total Security: How much does the VPN provide?

Kaspersky's free VPN (Kaspersky Secure Connection) offers only 200 MB per day of traffic, limiting data usage. Full VPN is included in Plus and Premium plans but with limited servers in only 24 countries.

Source

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