Best Email Security Gateways in 2026
Updated
In short: VM Backup is ranked #1 of 31 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Mailprotector and Proxmox Backup Server. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Mailprotector. The lowest first paid tier on this page is SpamHero Business Email Security at $5/mo.
Email security gateways cover protections for incoming and outgoing mail. Compare support for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 alongside impersonation protection, malware sandboxing, and outbound filtering to see which capabilities match your email environment. Deployment model, free-plan availability, and the paid-from price are also stated comparison points. The ranked entries begin with VM Backup and Proxmox Backup Server, then Sublime Security. Consider which platforms you use and which listed protections matter most to you.
31 email security gateways ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
2 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VM BackupWindows · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 2 | MailprotectorWeb · API | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 3 | Proxmox Backup ServerWeb · Linux | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | €46.67/mo | 5.5 |
| 4 | Abnormal Email SecurityWeb · API | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 5 | Check Point Harmony SASEWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 6 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 6 | Mimecast Data Leak PreventionWeb | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 7 | Symantec IT Management SuiteWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 8 | XeamsWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 9 | Sophos Secure MessageNo platforms listed | One bar | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 10 | Sublime SecurityWeb | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 11 | INKY Email SecurityWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 12 | Perception Point Advanced Email SecurityWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 13 | RspamdMac · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 14 | Scrollout F1Windows · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 15 | FortiMail Email SecurityNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 16 | Hermes Secure Email GatewayNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 17 | IRONSCALES Email ProtectWeb · Android · iPhone · API | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 18 | MailScannerLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 19 | SpamihilatorWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 20 | Darktrace / EMAILWeb · API | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 21 | Fortra Data Security Posture ManagementWeb · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 22 | LevelBlue AppDetectivePROWeb · Windows · Self-hosted | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 23 | Libraesva Email SecurityWeb · Self-hosted | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 24 | Proxmox Mail GatewayWeb · Linux | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | €15.83/mo | 5.0 |
| 25 | SpamHero Business Email SecurityWeb · API | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | $5/mo | 5.0 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which email security gateway is ranked first on Freedom251?
VM Backup is ranked #1 of 31 with a score of 6.5. Mailprotector is second and Proxmox Backup Server third.
How many of these have a free plan?
2 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, SpamHero Business Email Security has the lowest first paid tier we found: $5/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.