Software · head to head
Kaspersky Total Security vs KnowBe4
Kaspersky Total Security
Software
Complete protection for your digital life
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
KnowBe4
Software
World's largest security awareness training platform
- From
- $1/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Kaspersky Total Security uS sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024; KnowBe4 published prices assume a three year term, so the quoted per seat rate depends on a long commitment
- They diverge on capability: Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, KnowBe4 covers Security awareness training.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Kaspersky Total Security and KnowBe4 actually diverge.
| Attribute | Kaspersky Total Security | KnowBe4 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $1/month |
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Web, Mobile, Email |
| Founded | 1997 | 2010 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Kaspersky Total Security
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
- Safe Money
- Privacy protection
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- VPN
- File encryption
Only in KnowBe4
- Security awareness training
- Phishing simulation
- Risk assessments
- Compliance training
- Incident reporting
- API access
- Custom policies
- Behavior analytics
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Kaspersky Total Security
- Antivirusnot KnowBe4
- Internet Securitynot KnowBe4
- Parental Controlnot KnowBe4
KnowBe4
- Security awareness training and simulated phishing for staffnot Kaspersky Total Security
- Tracking employee susceptibility to phishing over timenot Kaspersky Total Security
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
KnowBe4
- Published prices assume a three year term, so the quoted per seat rate depends on a long commitment
- Pricing is banded by seat count, and the lowest band of 25 to 50 seats pays the highest rate
- Accounts above 1,000 seats have no published price and require a custom quote
- Third party integrations, Compliance Plus and PhishER Plus are all separately priced per seat add ons
- The Foundation tier carries 200 training modules against more than 1,000 on Advanced, so content volume is the main gate
Pricing, plan by plan
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
KnowBe4
$1/month- Basic$1/month
- Per user
- Training modules
- Phishing templates
- Advanced$2/month
- All Basic features
- Advanced phishing
- Risk assessments
- Pro$3/month
- All Advanced features
- API access
- Custom content
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose KnowBe4 if
- You need security awareness training.
- You work on Web, Mobile, Email.
- You also want phishing simulation.
Questions people ask
- Is Kaspersky Total Security or KnowBe4 better?
- Neither clearly leads. Kaspersky Total Security starts at Free and KnowBe4 at $1/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Kaspersky Total Security or KnowBe4?
- Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Kaspersky Total Security and $1/month for KnowBe4.
- Does Kaspersky Total Security or KnowBe4 run on more platforms?
- Kaspersky Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. KnowBe4 runs on Web, Mobile, Email.
- Can I use Kaspersky Total Security for free?
- Yes. Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. KnowBe4 starts at $1/month.
- What is Kaspersky Total Security best used for?
- Kaspersky Total Security is most often used for antivirus, internet security, parental control. Of those, antivirus and internet security are not what KnowBe4 is typically brought in for.
- What can Kaspersky Total Security do that KnowBe4 cannot?
- Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Ransomware protection, Safe Money, Privacy protection. KnowBe4 covers Security awareness training, Phishing simulation, Risk assessments, Compliance training. Both handle Cloud deployment.
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.
SourceKaspersky 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.
SourceKaspersky 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.
SourceKaspersky 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.
SourceKaspersky 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.
SourceRelated pages
More on Kaspersky Total Security
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