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Apache SpamAssassin alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

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

Top picks

Common reasons people leave Apache SpamAssassin: perl-based and slower than newer engines on busy servers, and needs a mail server and admin skills to set up. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Apache SpamAssassin, 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
2Proxmox Mail Gateway logoProxmox Mail GatewayOpen source€540/year per hostNoSelf-hosted, Linux4 of 464.8
3SpamTitan logoSpamTitanPaid—NoWeb, Self-hosted4 of 461.8
4Proofpoint logoProofpointPaid—NoWeb4 of 459.4
5Mimecast logoMimecastPaid—NoWeb4 of 457.5
  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 Apache SpamAssassin

    Faster C-based engine that can load SpamAssassin rules, so you can migrate gradually.

    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
    Visit Rspamd Details and reviews
    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 Apache SpamAssassin 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. Proxmox Mail Gateway logo

    2. Proxmox Mail Gateway

    Best for: Companies running their own mail servers who want a packaged filtering gateway with a web UI

    Open sourceSelf-hosted, Linux

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apache SpamAssassin

    Full filtering gateway with a web UI, quarantine and antivirus, built around SpamAssassin.

    Pros

    • Complete gateway with web UI, quarantine and mail tracking
    • Bundles ClamAV antivirus and SpamAssassin
    • Open source and usable without a subscription
    • Subscriptions cover unlimited users and domains per host

    Cons

    • 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
    Visit Proxmox Mail Gateway Details and reviews
    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 Proxmox Mail Gateway a good Apache SpamAssassin alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GNU AGPLv3
    Checked Nov 8, 2026proxmox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    €540/year per host
    Checked Nov 8, 2026proxmox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Users and domains
    Unlimited per subscription
    Checked Nov 8, 2026proxmox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Filtering engines
    Postfix, ClamAV, SpamAssassin
    Checked Nov 8, 2026proxmox.com(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 Apache SpamAssassin

    Hosted or appliance filtering with sandboxing and vendor support if you'd rather not run it yourself.

    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
    Visit SpamTitan Details and reviews
    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 Apache SpamAssassin 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 Apache SpamAssassin

    Hosted enterprise email security that replaces running your own filter, adding phishing and malware protection.

    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
    Visit Proofpoint Details and reviews
    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 Apache SpamAssassin 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

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apache SpamAssassin

    Cloud email gateway with spam, impersonation and attachment scanning, so there's no filter server to maintain.

    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
    Visit Mimecast Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    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 Apache SpamAssassin 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 Apache SpamAssassin alternative for…

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

Rspamd logo

Best Apache SpamAssassin alternative for most people

Rspamd

Faster C-based engine that can load SpamAssassin rules, so you can migrate gradually.

Proxmox Mail Gateway logo

Best Apache SpamAssassin alternative for a free option

Proxmox Mail Gateway

Full filtering gateway with a web UI, quarantine and antivirus, built around SpamAssassin.

Rspamd logo

Best Apache SpamAssassin alternative for Linux

Rspamd

Faster C-based engine that can load SpamAssassin rules, so you can migrate gradually.

SpamTitan logo

Best Apache SpamAssassin alternative for working in the browser

SpamTitan

Hosted or appliance filtering with sandboxing and vendor support if you'd rather not run it yourself.

Apache SpamAssassin alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Apache SpamAssassin?

Rspamd ranks first right now. Faster C-based engine that can load SpamAssassin rules, so you can migrate gradually. Proxmox Mail Gateway and SpamTitan follow it in our ranking.

Apache SpamAssassin vs Rspamd: what's the difference?

Both Apache SpamAssassin and Rspamd are free and open source. Both run on Linux.

Is Apache SpamAssassin free?

Apache SpamAssassin is free and open source.

How much do Apache SpamAssassin alternatives cost?

Verified prices for the top-ranked Apache SpamAssassin alternatives: Rspamd, From £100 + VAT/month; Proxmox Mail Gateway, €540/year per host. Each price was checked on the app's own site; see each card below for the date and source.

Is there a free alternative to Apache SpamAssassin?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Apache SpamAssassin?

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

Which Apache SpamAssassin alternatives work on Linux?

Rspamd and Proxmox Mail Gateway run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Apache SpamAssassin?

The complaints we hear most: 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 is this list ranked?

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