Software · head to head
Kaspersky Total Security vs ProtonVPN
Kaspersky Total Security
Software
Complete protection for your digital life
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Kaspersky Total Security uS sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024; ProtonVPN free plan limited to one device at a time
- They diverge on capability: Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Kaspersky Total Security and ProtonVPN actually diverge.
| Attribute | Kaspersky Total Security | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | freemium |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 1997 | 2014 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 ProtonVPN
- No-logs policy
- Secure Core
- Kill Switch
- DNS leak protection
- Tor over VPN
- Split tunneling
- NetShield ad-blocker
- VPN Accelerator
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
- Desktop support
- Mobile support
- English language support
- German language support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Kaspersky Total Security
- Antivirusnot ProtonVPN
- Internet Securitynot ProtonVPN
- Parental Controlnot ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN
- Privacy-focused browsing without subscription costnot Kaspersky Total Security
- Multi-device protection with Plus plan supporting 10 devicesnot Kaspersky Total Security
- Integrated access to Proton email and cloud services via Unlimited plannot 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
ProtonVPN
- Free plan limited to one device at a time
- Free plan restricted to 10 countries with random selection
- Pricing amounts not clearly published; shown as variable
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
ProtonVPN
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the ProtonVPN review.
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 ProtonVPN if
- You need no-logs policy.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- You also want secure core.
Questions people ask
- Is Kaspersky Total Security or ProtonVPN better?
- Neither clearly leads. Kaspersky Total Security starts at Free and ProtonVPN at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Kaspersky Total Security or ProtonVPN?
- Kaspersky Total Security starts at Free and ProtonVPN at Free.
- Does Kaspersky Total Security or ProtonVPN run on more platforms?
- Kaspersky Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. ProtonVPN runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Kaspersky Total Security for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- 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 ProtonVPN is typically brought in for.
- What can Kaspersky Total Security do that ProtonVPN cannot?
- Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Ransomware protection, Safe Money, Privacy protection. ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy, Secure Core, Kill Switch, DNS leak protection. Both handle Cloud deployment, Web support, Desktop support, Mobile support.
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
Keep looking
Other head to heads
- Kaspersky Total Security vs 1Password
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Bitdefender Total Security
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Norton 360
- Kaspersky Total Security vs LastPass
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Bitwarden
- Kaspersky Total Security vs McAfee Total Protection
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Avast One
- Kaspersky Total Security vs CrowdStrike Falcon
- Kaspersky Total Security vs CyberGhost VPN
- Kaspersky Total Security vs ESET NOD32 Antivirus
- Kaspersky Total Security vs ExpressVPN
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Malwarebytes
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Kaspersky Total Security vs NordVPN
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Snyk
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Trend Micro Vision One
- Kaspersky Total Security vs Acunetix
- ProtonVPN vs 1Password
- ProtonVPN vs Bitdefender Total Security
- ProtonVPN vs Norton 360
- ProtonVPN vs LastPass
- ProtonVPN vs Bitwarden
- ProtonVPN vs McAfee Total Protection
- ProtonVPN vs Avast One
- ProtonVPN vs CrowdStrike Falcon
- ProtonVPN vs CyberGhost VPN
- ProtonVPN vs ESET NOD32 Antivirus
- ProtonVPN vs ExpressVPN
- ProtonVPN vs Malwarebytes
- ProtonVPN vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- ProtonVPN vs NordVPN
- ProtonVPN vs Snyk
- ProtonVPN vs Trend Micro Vision One
- ProtonVPN vs Acunetix