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MailScanner logo

MailScanner

Secure Email Gateway

Open Source
Free Tier
Paid Plans
Self-hosted
OpenMSP Score
43
22
Reddit Impact Score
Github Score
233K
203Stars
68Forks
638Commits
GNU General Public License v2.0License
Sep 14, 2026Last commit

Alternative Vendors

Rspamd
Rspamd
SpamAssassin
SpamAssassin
Piler
Piler

Commercial Alternatives

Barracuda Email Security
Barracuda Email Security
Mimecast Email Security
Mimecast Email Security
Proofpoint Essentials
Proofpoint Essentials
MailScanner is a highly respected open source email security system designed for Linux-based email gateways. First released in 2001, it is used at over 40,000 sites worldwide including government departments, corporations, and educational institutions. It scans email for viruses, spam, phishing, malware, and other security threats. The system integrates with popular tools like ClamAV for virus scanning and SpamAssassin for spam detection. While the core is free under GPL license, commercial front-ends and support options are available.
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Key Features

Multi-Engine Virus Scanning

Supports over 25 different anti-virus engines including ClamAV for comprehensive malware detection

Advanced Spam Filtering

Integrates with SpamAssassin for sophisticated spam detection and filtering with customizable rules

Phishing Protection

Sophisticated phishing detection that identifies URL obfuscation attempts and warns users

Email Content Filtering

Comprehensive content filtering with filename detection, attachment scanning, and policy enforcement

Quarantine Management

Flexible quarantine system with email review, release, and automated cleanup capabilities

Pros and Cons

Pros

Mature and Battle-Tested

In production since 2001, processes over 80 billion emails per month worldwide

Open Source Foundation

Core engine is free and open source under GPL with community support

Comprehensive Email Security

Covers all major email threats: viruses, spam, phishing, malware, and content filtering

High Performance

Can process 2.2+ million messages per day on appropriate hardware

Cons

Complex Installation

Setup can be challenging and time-consuming, especially for new users

No Native Web Interface

Core system lacks GUI, requires third-party front-ends for web management

Linux Only

Designed specifically for Linux/Unix systems, no Windows support

Feature Comparison

Comments

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Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

OpenMSP is The MSP Knowledge Hub & Community Platform designed specifically for Managed Service Providers seeking to optimize their technology stack, reduce vendor costs, and discover open-source alternatives. We combine a comprehensive vendor directory, open-source solution catalog, and integrated community discussions to help MSPs make informed decisions.
Yes, completely free. Browse vendors and tools, read comparisons, and join community discussions - no cost, no registration required. OpenMSP is community-supported and focused on empowering MSPs to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency through open-source technology.
We help MSPs identify cost-effective alternatives to expensive commercial solutions, provide transparent vendor information, and connect you with proven open-source alternatives. Our platform enables MSPs to make informed decisions about their technology investments.
No account required for browsing vendors, reading comparisons, or accessing community content. Creating a free account with SSO (Microsoft, Google, or Slack) allows you to participate in discussions and save your favorite tools.

Platform Information

OpenMSP is currently community-supported. We focus on providing value to the MSP community first. Any future monetization will keep the core platform free for MSPs while maintaining our independence and commitment to unbiased information.
We focus exclusively on MSP needs with transparent vendor information and open-source alternatives. No vendor partnerships or sponsored listings - just honest, community-driven information to help MSPs make better technology decisions. Our biggest value is our community where MSPs help each other with questions, setup guidance, and sharing real-world experiences.
Our community of MSP professionals helps verify and update information. We also maintain direct research on tools and vendors to ensure accuracy. Community members can report outdated information, and we work to keep everything current.
OpenMSP was founded by Michael Assraf, who has extensive experience in the MSP industry and product leadership. As the former CEO & Founder of Vicarius, Michael grew a startup from $0 to $9M ARR with 500+ customers and deep experience working with MSPs, partners, and fundraising. OpenMSP represents his commitment to empowering the MSP community through better technology decisions and cost optimization.

Open-Source Tools & Alternatives

We assess tools based on active development, community size, documentation quality, production deployments by MSPs, and available support options. Tools must meet strict criteria for reliability and enterprise readiness.
Many open-source projects offer multiple support options including community forums, commercial support from vendors, professional services, and our community discussions where experienced MSPs share implementation guidance.