Apache SpamAssassin vs Cleanmail

Apache SpamAssassin is free, open-source software that classifies email to help system administrators block unsolicited bulk messages. It runs on a server to filter mail before it reaches a mailbox. Detection combines header and text analysis, Bayesian filtering, DNS blocklists, collaborative filtering databases, and local and network tests. Its scoring framework and plugins add heuristic and statistical checks. Tests and configuration are stored as plain text, so administrators can adjust settings and add rules. The Mail::SpamAssassin API can be integrated with systems such as procmail, sendmail, Postfix, and qmail. The core distribution includes command-line filtering tools and Perl modules for use in other products. The downloads page lists version 4.0.2 as the released version. Official releases are signed, with GPG signatures and SHA-256 and SHA-512 checksum links for downloads. Users can ask questions on the mailing list; developers and PMC members answer as time permits.

Cleanmail is Alinto’s email security relay for filtering unwanted and malicious messages. Alinto says it eliminates 99,9% of spam messages and email viruses, and protects against scams, phishing, spoofing, malware, and ransomware. An outbound scanner checks outgoing mail to help prevent server misuse and domain or IP blocklisting. Administrators can manage allowlists and blocklists at the domain and individual-user levels. The control panel provides real-time tracking, analytics, and log files, with self-service log access using the ELK stack. If the standard messaging service is unavailable, an emergency webmail interface provides another way to access email. Cleanmail can archive non-modifiable copies of incoming and outgoing mail, including attachments, for up to 10 years, subject to business rules and legal requirements. Alinto describes it as compatible with professional mail servers and says it does not require changes to existing infrastructure. Deployment choices include SaaS, cloud, and on-premises options, including dedicated platforms and customer-selected private or public clouds. Alinto says its private cloud is hosted in the EU, France, Switzerland, or another country according to customer requirements. Pricing is on request, and a free trial is available.