Apache SpamAssassin vs MailWasher
Apache SpamAssassin
spamassassin.apache.orgMailWasher
firetrust.comSide by side
| Figure | Apache SpamAssassin | MailWasher |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $4.16/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 11 |
| Spec score · Email Anti-Spam Software | 9.1 (#1) | 9.0 (#2) |
| Purpose | SpamAssassin classifies email and helps system administrators block unsolicited bulk email. | MailWasher previews email on the mail server so users can remove unwanted messages before downloading them to their computer. |
| Self-hosting | The product is downloaded as source archives and operated by system administrators on their own mail infrastructure. | Enterprise Server is sold as software installed on customer mail servers, with Linux and Windows installation documentation available. |
| Support | The user mailing list accepts questions, and developers and PMC members answer as time permits. | The paid Pro license includes customer support, and Firetrust provides support by email. |
| What it does | Apache SpamAssassin is an open-source filter that classifies email and blocks unsolicited bulk mail. | MailWasher previews messages on the mail server and lets users delete unwanted mail before their normal email program downloads it. |
Plans
MailWasher
- MailWasher FreeFree
- MailWasher Pro — 1 year$49.95 a year
- MailWasher Pro 1 year$49.95 a year
- MailWasher Pro — 2 year$77.21 a year
- MailWasher Pro 2 year$77.21 a year
- MailWasher Pro — 3 year$99.90 a year
- MailWasher Pro 3 year$99.90 a year
- MailWasher Pro — Lifetime$149.95, paid once
- MailWasher Pro Lifetime$149.95, paid once
- MailWasher Enterprise Server 10 Users$199.95 a year
In their own words
Apache SpamAssassin
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.
MailWasher
MailWasher previews email on the mail server so users can remove unwanted messages before downloading them to a computer. Its filtering tools include Friends List, Blacklist, RBLs, custom and learning filters, a profanity list, and spam ratings. The free edition works with one email account and has no support; Pro supports unlimited accounts and POP3 and IMAP. Firetrust lists Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo, AOL, and Hotmail, along with programs such as Outlook, eM Client, and Thunderbird. The maker says email content stays on the PC and only the license key is sent to its servers. It also says MailWasher uses OAuth for services such as Gmail and Outlook.com, or app passwords, rather than asking users to enter their actual email passwords in the app. Mobile apps are available for iPhone, iPad, and Android. Pro has a 30-day trial with full functionality. Listed purchase options include $49.95 a year for one year, $77.21 a year for two years, $99.90 a year for three years, or 149.95 USD once for a lifetime license; annual plans thereafter cost $34.95 a year.