AppBreakup

Proxmox Mail Gateway alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll email spam filters

Top picks

Common reasons people leave Proxmox Mail Gateway: you run and maintain the gateway yourself, and support and the enterprise repository need a paid subscription. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Proxmox Mail Gateway, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Rspamd currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Rspamd logoRspamdOpen sourceFrom £100 + VAT/monthNoSelf-hosted, Linux4 of 468.8
2Apache SpamAssassin logoApache SpamAssassinOpen source—NoSelf-hosted, Linux5 of 564.8
3SpamTitan logoSpamTitanPaid—NoWeb, Self-hosted4 of 461.8
4Proofpoint logoProofpointPaid—NoWeb4 of 459.4
5Mimecast logoMimecastPaid—NoWeb4 of 442.3
  1. Rspamd logo

    1. RspamdTop pick

    Best for: Admins of busy mail servers who want a faster, modern replacement for SpamAssassin

    Open sourceSelf-hosted, Linux

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Proxmox Mail Gateway

    Faster modern filtering engine with its own web UI, for admins who want to build their own stack.

    Pros

    • Fast C core that handles high mail volumes
    • Built-in SPF, DKIM, DMARC and ARC checks
    • Loads SpamAssassin rules for gradual migration
    • Free engine, with optional paid support and data feeds

    Cons

    • Many modules and settings to learn
    • Some extra detection data requires a paid plan
    • Needs a mail server and admin skills to run
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Rspamd a good Proxmox Mail Gateway alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    Apache 2.0
    Checked Nov 8, 2026rspamd.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Premium plans
    From £100 + VAT/month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026rspamd.com(opens source in a new tab)
    SpamAssassin rules
    Supported
    Checked Nov 8, 2026rspamd.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Sender authentication
    SPF, DKIM, DMARC, ARC
    Checked Nov 8, 2026rspamd.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Apache SpamAssassin logo

    2. Apache SpamAssassin

    Best for: Mail server admins who want a free, well-documented and widely supported spam filter

    Open sourceSelf-hosted, Linux

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Proxmox Mail Gateway

    The underlying filter on its own, if you only need scoring on an existing mail server.

    Pros

    • Free and open source with no paid tier
    • Works with most mail transfer agents and control panels
    • Rules and scores are plain text and easy to extend
    • Long track record and plenty of documentation

    Cons

    • Perl-based and slower than newer engines on busy servers
    • Needs a mail server and admin skills to set up
    • Community support only, with no official paid support
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Apache SpamAssassin a good Proxmox Mail Gateway alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    Apache-2.0
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Apache Software Foundation
    Checked Nov 8, 2026spamassassin.apache.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Detection methods
    Rules, Bayesian filtering, DNS blocklists
    Checked Nov 8, 2026spamassassin.apache.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Latest release
    4.0.2 (30 Aug 2025)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026spamassassin.apache.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Integrations
    Postfix, Sendmail, qmail and more
    Checked Nov 8, 2026spamassassin.apache.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. SpamTitan logo

    3. SpamTitan

    Best for: IT teams and MSPs who want managed spam and phishing filtering in front of Microsoft 365 or a mail server

    PaidWeb, Self-hosted

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Proxmox Mail Gateway

    Vendor-hosted filtering option, so there's no gateway box to run or patch.

    Pros

    • Cloud service, so there's no filtering engine to maintain
    • Sandboxing and dual antivirus for attachments
    • Adds a layer in front of Microsoft 365
    • User quarantine reports and per-domain policies

    Cons

    • No public prices; quotes only
    • Closed source, unlike SpamAssassin or Rspamd
    • Aimed at businesses and MSPs rather than individuals
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is SpamTitan a good Proxmox Mail Gateway alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Owner
    TitanHQ
    Checked Nov 8, 2026spamtitan.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Microsoft 365
    Integrates
    Checked Nov 8, 2026spamtitan.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Sandboxing
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026spamtitan.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pricing
    By quote
    Checked Nov 8, 2026spamtitan.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Proofpoint logo

    4. Proofpoint

    Best for: Large organisations that want gateway or API email protection plus DLP and training from one vendor

    PaidWeb

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Proxmox Mail Gateway

    Enterprise-grade cloud filtering with strong phishing and impersonation defences, for larger organisations.

    Pros

    • Choice of inline gateway or API deployment for Microsoft 365
    • Attachment and URL sandboxing with post-delivery removal
    • Broad suite: DMARC, DLP, awareness training and archiving

    Cons

    • Quote-only pricing with no self-serve plan
    • Built for enterprises; heavy for very small businesses
    • Many features are split across separately sold modules
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Proofpoint a good Proxmox Mail Gateway alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Deployment
    API or secure email gateway
    Checked Nov 8, 2026proofpoint.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Microsoft 365
    API integration
    Checked Nov 8, 2026proofpoint.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Sandboxing
    Attachments and URLs
    Checked Nov 8, 2026proofpoint.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Supported platforms
    Microsoft 365, Google Workspace
    Checked Nov 8, 2026proofpoint.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Mimecast logo

    5. Mimecast

    Best for: Companies wanting a hosted email gateway with continuity and archiving in the same contract

    PaidWeb

    42.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Proxmox Mail Gateway

    Hosted gateway with continuity if you'd rather not run filtering servers yourself.

    Pros

    • MX gateway or API deployment, for cloud, on-prem or hybrid mail
    • Mail continuity if your own server goes down
    • Archiving, DMARC and training available on the same platform

    Cons

    • No public pricing; quote through sales or partners
    • Feature set and console can be a lot for small teams
    • Advanced modules cost extra on top of core filtering
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Mimecast a good Proxmox Mail Gateway alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Deployment
    MX-based or API-based
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mimecast.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Supported mail
    Microsoft 365, Google, on-prem, hybrid
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mimecast.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Email continuity
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mimecast.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Customers
    42,000
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mimecast.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Proxmox Mail Gateway alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Rspamd logo

Best Proxmox Mail Gateway alternative for most people

Rspamd

Faster modern filtering engine with its own web UI, for admins who want to build their own stack.

Apache SpamAssassin logo

Best Proxmox Mail Gateway alternative for a free option

Apache SpamAssassin

The underlying filter on its own, if you only need scoring on an existing mail server.

Rspamd logo

Best Proxmox Mail Gateway alternative for Linux

Rspamd

Faster modern filtering engine with its own web UI, for admins who want to build their own stack.

SpamTitan logo

Best Proxmox Mail Gateway alternative for working in the browser

SpamTitan

Vendor-hosted filtering option, so there's no gateway box to run or patch.

Proxmox Mail Gateway alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Proxmox Mail Gateway?

Rspamd ranks first right now. Faster modern filtering engine with its own web UI, for admins who want to build their own stack. Apache SpamAssassin and SpamTitan follow it in our ranking.

Proxmox Mail Gateway vs Rspamd: what's the difference?

Both Proxmox Mail Gateway and Rspamd are free and open source. Verified prices: Proxmox Mail Gateway €540/year per host, Rspamd From £100 + VAT/month. Both run on Linux.

Is Proxmox Mail Gateway free?

Proxmox Mail Gateway is free and open source. Starting price: €540/year per host. Checked on Proxmox Mail Gateway's own site, November 2026.

Is there a free alternative to Proxmox Mail Gateway?

Yes. Rspamd (open source) and Apache SpamAssassin (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Proxmox Mail Gateway?

None of the 5 alternatives in this list is open source.

Which Proxmox Mail Gateway alternatives work on Linux?

Rspamd and Apache SpamAssassin run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Proxmox Mail Gateway?

The complaints we hear most: you run and maintain the gateway yourself; support and the enterprise repository need a paid subscription; relies on SpamAssassin, so it inherits its performance limits.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Proxmox Mail Gateway, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.