MailWasher

Overview

MailWasher is a mailbox-screening app for people who want to review messages before they reach a computer’s email program. It suits users who need several ways to flag unwanted mail across familiar accounts; the free edition’s one-account ceiling and Pro’s renewal terms make plan choice important.

Rather than replace an email service or client, MailWasher previews messages on the mail server and lets users delete unwanted ones before downloading them. Firetrust is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.

For more options, see Email Anti-Spam Software.

Key features

Screen mail before it reaches the computer

Previewing and deleting messages on the server creates a useful checkpoint before mail arrives in a desktop program. That is a practical fit for people who want to avoid downloading unwanted messages. MailWasher does not offer quarantine access, however, so it is not a choice for readers who want a separate holding area for suspicious mail.

Several filtering controls

Friends List, Blacklist, RBLs, custom and learning filters, a profanity list and spam ratings give users multiple ways to identify unwanted messages. That range is useful for people who want to shape filtering; readers seeking quarantine as part of the workflow should look elsewhere.

Account support and access

Pro supports POP3 and IMAP accounts, and supported services include Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail and Microsoft 365. It works with email programs such as Outlook, eM Client and Thunderbird. Firetrust says it uses OAuth for services such as Gmail and Outlook.com, or app passwords, rather than requiring users to enter their actual email passwords in MailWasher.

Security and mobile

Firetrust says email content stays on the PC and that only the license key is sent to its servers. The product lists phishing detection and malware scanning. MailWasher Mobile is available for iPhone and iPad through the Apple App Store and for Android through Google Play, giving mobile users an app alongside the Windows version.

Pricing

MailWasher is freemium, with a 30-day Pro trial that includes full functionality. Firetrust also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for purchases. The paid Pro license includes customer support, provided by email; Free has no support.

• MailWasher Free: 0.00 USD per free. It covers one email account, making it suitable for a single-mailbox user who can do without support. Anyone managing multiple accounts will need Pro.
• Pro — 1 year: 49.95 USD per year, billed Thereafter $34.95 per year; use on 3 computers. It fits users who want multiple accounts and a lower initial commitment, but the renewal price is materially different from the first-year price.
• Pro — 2 year: 77.21 USD per year, billed Thereafter $34.95 per year; use on 3 computers and 2 years of updates. It provides a longer update period, but still renews annually at the stated rate.
• Pro — 3 year: 99.90 USD per year, billed Thereafter $34.95 per year; use on 3 computers and 3 years of updates. This suits buyers prioritizing a longer update span, with the same renewal consideration.
• Pro — Lifetime: 149.95 USD per once; use on 3 computers with all future version updates. It avoids a recurring renewal, though its upfront cost is higher than the listed first-year options.

Pro removes the one-account limit and supports unlimited email accounts. The 1-, 2- and 3-year plans allow use on three computers; the longer terms specify two or three years of updates respectively. Compare the stated upfront and renewal prices before choosing a term.

Platforms

MailWasher is available for Android, iOS and Windows. The Windows download page lists Pro version 8.5.1 for Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11, and Vista. Mobile apps are available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

Who it's for

MailWasher is best suited to people who want to screen messages before downloading them, especially those with multiple accounts who value Pro’s broad account support and configurable filters. The free edition is a reasonable fit for one mailbox and no support requirement. It is less suitable for users who need quarantine access, or for anyone who wants to avoid checking renewal terms on an annual Pro purchase.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Server-side preview and deletion lets users reject unwanted messages before download.
• Pros: Pro supports unlimited accounts, POP3 and IMAP, and works with a broad set of named mail services and clients.
• Pros: Multiple filtering controls and a 30-day fully functional trial give users room to assess and shape screening.
• Cons: Free is capped at one account and includes no support, so it is restrictive for multi-mailbox use.
• Cons: Annual Pro plans renew at $34.95 per year after their stated first term, which buyers should factor into the cost.
• Cons: No quarantine access means flagged messages do not have a separate holding area in MailWasher.

Alternatives

Cleanmail is a paid option with a free trial and self-hosted and web platforms; consider it if those deployment choices suit your needs better.

Retarus Transactional Email is a paid API and web option with a 30-day free trial capped at 5,000 emails and 200 emails per hour, with no load testing. Its transactional-email focus makes it a different category of choice from screening personal mailboxes.

JetEmail is a freemium web option whose free tier does not expire and covers 1,000 subscribers and 1 GB of image storage. Consider it instead if you need a web-based marketing suite rather than pre-download mailbox screening.

Forcepoint ZTNA is a paid option with pricing by request; its listed platforms are macOS, self-hosted, web and Windows.

Mailprotector is a paid email-security alternative with a free Radar email security check and product pricing available from an account manager; consider it if that kind of security check is your priority.

MX Guarddog is freemium, with a free trial and a listed rate of 0.25 USD per month per email address. Its per-address pricing may suit readers who want to compare that model with MailWasher’s account-based free cap and Pro plans.

Mimecast Data Leak Prevention is a paid web option with custom pricing for its Advanced plan, which adds data protection; consider it when data protection is the priority.

Proxmox Backup Server is a freemium Linux and web product for a different software category.

Verdict

Choose MailWasher if you want a pre-download screening step, flexible filters and support for multiple mail accounts in Pro. Its clearest advantage is removing unwanted messages before they reach a computer; look elsewhere if quarantine access is essential or if you prefer not to manage Pro’s renewal pricing.