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For most teams, start with Sublime Security if its free plan and custom detection approach fit your needs; consider Proofpoint Essentials for a lower listed entry price, but check eligibility and user reports. These tools solve different problems: several are encryption, healthcare email or DMARC products, not full email threat filters. We rank all 23 by likely fit, price clarity and the use cases described. Treat “from” prices as starting points, and request written pricing and exit terms where costs or limits are not published.
Quick picksThe shortlist
Sublime SecuritySublime SecurityBest overall · Free
Proofpoint EssentialsProofpoint EssentialsBest low entry price · $1.65/mo
IRONSCALESIRONSCALESBest for phishing defense · Custom
ProofpointProofpointBest broad security suite · $2.75/mo
AvananAvananBest for SaaS inspection · Custom
INKYINKYBest for impersonation defense · Custom
Abnormal AIAbnormal AIBest for BEC detection · Custom
PauboxPauboxBest for healthcare email · Custom
LuxSciLuxSciBest for PHI email · $50/mo
PreVeilPreVeilBest encrypted file sharing · $25/mo
MailfenceMailfenceBest browser-based OpenPGP · €2.50/mo
dmarciandmarcianBest for DMARC rollout · $19.99/mo
EasyDMARCEasyDMARCBest guided DMARC setup · $35.99/mo
ValimailValimailBest free DMARC start · Free
HushmailHushmailBest for practice intake · $9.89/mo
MailHippoMailHippoBest HIPAA email layer · $4.95/mo
VirtruVirtruBest encrypted attachments · $119/mo
AppRiverAppRiverBest bundled security options · Custom
ZixZixBest for encryption quotes · Custom
SendSafelySendSafelyBest for secure file handoffs · $10/mo
EncyroEncyroBest for client workflows · $9.99/mo
TutaTutaBest private personal email · €3/mo
SoverinSoverinBest budget custom-domain email · €3.25/mo
01Compared at a glance
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sublime SecuritySublime Security | 8.0 | Free | Yes | 14 days |
| Proofpoint EssentialsProofpoint Essentials | 6.2 | $1.65/mo | No | — |
| IRONSCALESIRONSCALES | 7.0 | Custom | No | — |
| ProofpointProofpoint | 6.0 | $2.75/mo | No | — |
| AvananAvanan | 6.7 | Custom | No | 14 days |
| INKYINKY | 6.6 | Custom | No | — |
| Abnormal AIAbnormal AI | 6.2 | Custom | No | — |
| PauboxPaubox | 6.8 | Custom | No | 14 days |
| LuxSciLuxSci | 6.8 | $50/mo | Yes | — |
| PreVeilPreVeil | 6.8 | $25/mo | Yes | — |
| MailfenceMailfence | 7.0 | €2.50/mo | Yes | — |
| dmarciandmarcian | 6.5 | $19.99/mo | Yes | 30 days |
| EasyDMARCEasyDMARC | 6.8 | $35.99/mo | No | — |
| ValimailValimail | 6.5 | Free | Yes | — |
| HushmailHushmail | 6.0 | $9.89/mo | No | 14 days |
| MailHippoMailHippo | 6.3 | $4.95/mo | No | 30 days |
| VirtruVirtru | 6.0 | $119/mo | No | — |
| AppRiverAppRiver | 6.0 | Custom | No | — |
| ZixZix | 4.7 | Custom | No | — |
| SendSafelySendSafely | 6.5 | $10/mo | Yes | Yes |
| EncyroEncyro | 7.1 | $9.99/mo | Yes | 14 days |
| TutaTuta | 7.2 | €3/mo | Yes | — |
| SoverinSoverin | 6.0 | €3.25/mo | No | — |
02The picks, in detail
- Best overallSublime SecuritySublime Security
Sublime Security is our strongest general shortlist pick: the listing describes targeted-threat coverage, custom detections and a free plan, with a fit for organizations of up to 100 mailboxes. The catch is enterprise pricing: it is not published. Confirm the paid-tier cost and any mailbox limits before building a migration plan around it.
What works
- Core is listed at $0 per month for up to 100 mailboxes
- Detects and blocks phishing and business email compromise
- Triage tools help process user-reported emails
What doesn't
- Enterprise price and billing terms are not published
- Core is capped at 100 mailboxes
- Email DLP pricing is not published
- Best low entry priceProofpoint EssentialsProofpoint Essentials
Proofpoint Essentials lists a $1.65 starting price and targets teams needing business email security. That makes it one of the clearer low-cost options here, but the entry price has an eligibility catch, and reports are mixed. Confirm that your organization qualifies and get the actual renewal price before switching.
What works
- Business plan is listed at $2.75 per active user monthly
- Professional includes 2 GB of archive data per user
- One long-term customer said it worked well
What doesn't
- Beginner's $1.65 rate is for existing customers
- Annual-billing prices aren't published
- Reddit users report bad mail getting through
- Best for phishing defenseIRONSCALESIRONSCALES
IRONSCALES is aimed at phishing defense for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace users, with integrated security training also listed. That focused fit makes it worth comparing for teams prioritizing phishing protection. Pricing and limits are not published, so ask for a written quote that spells out mailbox counts, included features and renewal terms.
What works
- Supports Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
- Covers phishing, BEC, account takeover, and QR-code lures
- Includes phishing simulations and security awareness training
What doesn't
- Prices are not published
- Seat and usage limits are not published
- Add-on and overage costs are not published
- Best broad security suiteProofpointProofpoint
Proofpoint offers broad security coverage and is positioned for small businesses, data and AI controls, and enterprise buyers willing to negotiate. Its $2.75 starting price is useful context, not enough to establish a typical total cost. Ask for pricing, contract length and exit terms in writing before committing.
What works
- Essentials Business starts at $2.75 per active user monthly.
- Three Essentials tiers have published monthly prices.
- Archive and awareness add-on prices are listed.
What doesn't
- Enterprise pricing, inclusions and seat or usage limits are unpublished.
- Annual-billing prices and trial availability are not published.
- A Reddit thread reports overblocking, underblocking and manual adjustments.
- Best for SaaS inspectionAvananAvanan
Avanan suits teams looking for API-connected email security, SaaS file and chat inspection, and post-delivery remediation. The feature set is broad on paper, but the listing does not publish prices or limits. Request a quote with coverage, mailbox caps and remediation details before comparing it with a gateway or bundled option.
What works
- Covers phishing, BEC, malware, and account takeover
- Inspects attachments and URLs before delivery
- Includes data loss controls for messages and files
What doesn't
- Plan prices and limits aren't published
- Archiving, IRaaS, and DMARC add-on prices aren't published
- Some MSP users describe management as clunky
- Best for impersonation defenseINKYINKY
INKY is positioned for broad email protection, especially impersonation and malware threats. Its price is not published, and the listing flags mixed support reports after Kaseya acquired the company. Put support response expectations, service ownership and renewal pricing in the evaluation—not just threat coverage.
What works
- Covers inbound, internal and outbound email
- Detects impersonation, ransomware, malware and spam
- Uses sender profiling to flag account takeover
What doesn't
- Advanced and Pro prices are not published
- Plan inclusions are not listed on the vendor's site
- Add-on prices and seat limits are not published
- Best for BEC detectionAbnormal AIAbnormal AI
Abnormal AI focuses on behavioral business email compromise detection, with identity security and AI governance also listed. The listing flags unclear pricing and URL-phishing trade-offs, so it deserves a careful evaluation rather than an automatic shortlist win. Ask for details on coverage, exclusions, mailbox limits and total cost.
What works
- Covers email, identity, and AI security
- Behavioral detection considers context and deviations
- Automated investigation and response are part of the offering
What doesn't
- Starting price is not published
- Pricing is custom-quote; billing terms are not published
- No free plan or trial information is listed
- Best for healthcare emailPauboxPaubox
Paubox bundles healthcare email with forms and options for inbound security or archiving, and is aimed at Google and Microsoft email users. Pricing is not published, and the listing notes a five-sender plan limit. Confirm the sender cap and the cost of the specific bundle your practice needs.
What works
- Works with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365
- Automatic outbound email encryption is included in Standard
- Paid plans include HIPAA-compliant forms
What doesn't
- Plan prices appear only as $00/month
- Each listed plan is for five senders
- Salesforce add-on pricing is not published
- Best for PHI emailLuxSciLuxSci
LuxSci is aimed at healthcare teams handling PHI, including Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 users, and healthcare marketers needing personalization. Its listed starting price is $50, but plan caps need checking. Ask which features and sending limits are included at that price before comparing it with a healthcare-focused bundle.
What works
- Automatic encryption for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
- BAA included in listed plans
- Supports TLS, Secure Message Pick Up, PGP and S/MIME
What doesn't
- Separate plans for gateway, high-volume email and marketing
- Annual billing prices are not published
- Enterprise pricing is custom or not published
- Best encrypted file sharingPreVeilPreVeil
PreVeil combines encrypted email and file sharing, supports Outlook or Gmail access, and is positioned for teams preparing for CMMC requirements. The listed starting price is $25, with a free plan noted; total cost and CUI fit still need careful checking. Verify requirements with your compliance team before treating it as a fit.
What works
- Free Basic plan includes 5 GB encrypted storage
- End-to-end encrypted email and file sharing
- Outlook and Gmail integrations are included
What doesn't
- Individual's $25 monthly price requires annual payment
- Business annual pricing is not published
- Paid onboarding and documentation add-on prices are not listed
- Best browser-based OpenPGPMailfenceMailfence
Mailfence is a fit for browser-based OpenPGP email, custom domains and bundled email and calendar tools. The listing gives a $2.50 starting price and a free plan, but says cheap-tier IMAP is a weak point. Check the plan’s access options before choosing it for a team that depends on IMAP.
What works
- OpenPGP encryption and digital signatures in the browser
- Includes calendar, documents and contact groups
- Free plan includes 1 GB total storage
What doesn't
- Free and Base plans lack POP/IMAP/SMTP/ActiveSync
- Free plan has no aliases or custom domains
- Base includes 11 GB total storage
- Best for DMARC rolloutdmarciandmarcian
dmarcian targets teams rolling out DMARC across domains, including smaller businesses with modest email volume, and lists deployment guidance. Its starting price is $19.99, with a free plan noted. Check domain and volume caps against your current sending setup before committing to a paid tier.
What works
- Free Personal plan supports up to two active domains
- Record-building tools cover SPF, DKIM and DMARC
- Monitoring includes up to one year of history on Plus
What doesn't
- Free plan is for non-business personal domains only
- Basic is limited to one user and three months of history
- Plus costs $240 monthly, or $199 annually billed monthly equivalent
- Best guided DMARC setupEasyDMARCEasyDMARC
EasyDMARC offers DMARC management, DNS and sender visibility, and guided authentication setup. The listed starting price is $35.99. The listing cautions buyers to check domain caps and support history, so confirm both before switching, particularly if several domains or hands-on assistance are important to your rollout.
What works
- Combines DMARC, DNS, threat, and sender tools
- Plus includes unlimited users
- Premium includes AI agents and email support
What doesn't
- Plus is limited to two domains
- Premium is limited to four domains
- Deliverability and Enterprise pricing is not published
- Best free DMARC startValimailValimail
Valimail offers a free starting point for DMARC monitoring and is positioned for automated sender authentication, BIMI and certificates. Paid pricing is not published, and the listing notes mixed user feedback. Use the free option to assess fit, then request a quote and confirm which features require a paid plan.
What works
- Monitor costs $0 per month
- Unlimited domain visibility in Monitor
- Enforce automates DKIM and SPF tasks
What doesn't
- Monitor is limited to 5 users and 10 SPF lookups
- Monitor includes limited automated DMARC
- Paid-plan prices are not published
- Best for practice intakeHushmailHushmail
Hushmail is aimed at healthcare practices needing secure email, signed intake forms and simple secure replies. The listed price starts at $9.89. The listing says it is not a first choice for maximum privacy, so compare its security approach with your practice’s requirements before moving sensitive communications.
What works
- Healthcare plans include HIPAA-compliant email and a BAA
- Clients can reply through a private link
- Completed forms arrive in the Hushmail inbox
What doesn't
- Healthcare Basic includes no forms
- Healthcare Essentials is capped at three forms
- Healthcare Growth is capped at 25 forms
- Best HIPAA email layerMailHippoMailHippo
MailHippo is positioned as a HIPAA email layer for teams keeping their current email, individuals needing a BAA and Outlook users. The listed price starts at $4.95, but monthly caps and per-user pricing matter. Check the sending limits and total cost for every user before adopting it.
What works
- Works with an existing email address and provider.
- Basic starts at $4.95 per user/month.
- 30-day trial includes a HIPAA BAA.
What doesn't
- No permanent free plan.
- Basic caps users at 5,000 messages/month.
- Basic file limit is 50MB.
- Best encrypted attachmentsVirtruVirtru
Virtru combines encrypted email and attachments with secure file workflows, and lists compliance features for regulated teams. Its starting price is $119, making the entry cost steep relative to many options here; pricing transparency is also limited. Ask what the listed price covers and get the full quote before evaluating a rollout.
What works
- Starter includes five users and encrypted email attachments
- Supports Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace on Starter
- Business adds encrypted file sending and receiving
What doesn't
- Starter costs $119/month for five users, billed annually
- Monthly billing rates are not published
- Additional-user pricing is not published
- Best bundled security optionsAppRiverAppRiver
AppRiver lists a broad range of security products, including email threat protection, backup and archiving options, which may suit organizations or MSPs seeking a bundle. Pricing is not published. Get a quote that itemizes the products you need, and check support expectations before replacing an existing service.
What works
- Portfolio covers email and endpoint security
- Includes EDR, MDR, and DNS protection
- Lists backup for multiple SaaS platforms
What doesn't
- Starting price is not published
- Plans require a custom quote
- Some features may duplicate Microsoft 365
- Best for encryption quotesZixZix
Zix is worth requesting a quote from if email encryption or its broader security portfolio fits your requirements. The listing gives no public starting price or fuller detail to make costs and scope easy to compare. Ask for an itemized proposal and verify which features, support and contract terms are included.
What works
- Portfolio lists encryption, continuity and threat protection
- Message privacy is listed as an offering
- Encrypted messages are accessed through a recipient portal
What doesn't
- Pricing is not published
- Purchase requires a custom quote
- Continuity product details are not provided
- Best for secure file handoffsSendSafelySendSafely
SendSafely focuses on encrypted file exchange, helpdesk upload workflows and routing files into other processes. It lists a $10 starting price and a free plan, but is less convincing as a full email-security replacement. Consider it for secure handoffs, not as a substitute for a threat protection platform.
What works
- Sender-side encryption; SendSafely says it cannot read file contents
- Dropzone embeds into websites, portals, and helpdesks
- Encrypted workspaces include access controls and audit trails
What doesn't
- Personal plan is limited to personal email addresses
- Basic includes one user and only 250 MB/month
- Team requires five seats and caps bandwidth at 10 GB/month
- Best for client workflowsEncyroEncyro
Encyro combines secure messaging and file sharing with client workflows such as e-signatures and invoicing. A free plan is listed, but meaningful use costs $9.99 per month when billed annually. It suits professionals sharing confidential client files better than buyers seeking a dedicated email threat filter.
What works
- Secure messages can go to recipients without Encyro accounts
- Pro includes unlimited contacts and e-signature requests
- Pro includes unlimited client folders and documents
What doesn't
- Free plan caps sending at five contacts
- Free plan receives messages only from Encyro users
- Free plan allows five monthly signature requests
- Best private personal emailTutaTuta
Tuta combines email, calendar and contacts for privacy-minded users, with a free plan and a $3 starting price. The listing flags account-access complaints, making it a cautious choice for critical email. Consider it for personal use if its privacy features fit, but weigh access concerns before moving essential accounts.
What works
- Free plan includes 1 GB and one calendar
- End-to-end email encryption with post-quantum cryptography
- Encrypted calendar and contacts are included
What doesn't
- Reddit users report lockouts and recovery problems
- Free storage is limited to 1 GB
- Revolutionary monthly billing costs €3.60
- Best budget custom-domain emailSoverinSoverin
Soverin offers custom-domain email and unlimited aliases, with European hosting as a draw for some buyers. Its listed starting price is $3.25, and published pricing is annual-only. It is a basic email option, not a broad security platform; plaintext access is also a caveat for privacy-minded buyers.
What works
- €39 per year for the listed solo plan
- 25 GB of mailbox storage
- Unlimited aliases included
What doesn't
- Month-to-month billing price is not published
- Base plan includes one mailbox
- Additional mailbox costs €10 per year
03How we chose
We weigh published pricing, plan limits, product documentation and Reddit sentiment, with attention to how clearly each source explains email protection and deployment requirements. We do not claim hands-on testing, benchmarks or screenshots. The published materials for this draft list vendors but include no pricing, plan details, documentation or Reddit posts. As a result, this methodology describes what the comparison should assess; it does not support vendor-specific rankings or claims.
04Match the protection to your main risk
Start by listing the problems you need to solve: phishing, spam, malware, unauthorized account access, or protecting sensitive messages you send. These needs can point to different kinds of controls, so don’t assume a product that addresses one also covers the others. Ask vendors which protections are included in the plan you would buy, which require add-ons, and whether the product fits your existing email setup. Request documentation that spells out coverage and deployment requirements. If you handle regulated or confidential information, check how the vendor describes encryption, access controls and message handling—and get answers in writing. The product list alone does not establish which tool covers which threat. Compare the details, not just category labels, before shortlisting candidates.
05Compare the full cost and the work involved
A starting price is useful only if you can compare it with the plan limits and features you need. Check how pricing is calculated, what the listed plan includes, and whether any required protections cost extra. If pricing or limits are not published, ask for a written quote rather than treating the missing information as a low price. Also check setup requirements, compatibility with your email environment, administration tasks and support options in the vendor’s documentation. A tool that fits the budget on paper may still require extra work or add-ons; the published materials do not establish those differences for these vendors. Before switching, confirm what happens to existing rules and workflows, who will manage the product, and what help is available during deployment.
Questions people ask
How much does email security software cost?
The published materials include no vendor prices or plan limits, so we can’t give a reliable cost range. Check each vendor’s current pricing page and ask for a quote that identifies included protections, user or usage limits, and any required add-ons.
How do I choose email security software for a small business?
Start with the threats you need to address and the email setup you already use. Then compare the protections included in each plan, setup requirements, administration needs and published price. If a vendor does not publish a limit or price, ask for it in writing before you shortlist.
Does email security software include encryption?
Not necessarily; the published materials do not establish which listed products include encryption or under what plans. Check the product documentation for the specific encryption features you need, any recipient requirements, and whether those features are included or sold separately.
Should I choose an email security tool or a DMARC tool?
First define the problem: inbox threats such as phishing and malware, or domain authentication and spoofing concerns. The published materials do not map these vendors to specific features, so verify each product’s documented scope and avoid assuming one category covers the other.