Apache SpamAssassin vs MailRoute

Apache SpamAssassin8.8Visit MailRoute8.6Visit

Higher score Apache SpamAssassin #2 in Anti-spam Software 8.8/10 Open source ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit SpamAssassin

vs

MailRoute #4 in Anti-spam Software 8.6/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit MailRoute

• Apache SpamAssassin fits best

  Teams comfortable managing open-source mail filtering

• MailRoute fits best

  Organizations needing broad, affordable mail protection

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Side by side

Feature	Apache SpamAssassin 8.8/10 Visit ↗	MailRoute 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.6
Ranking	#2 in Anti-spam Software	#4 in Anti-spam Software
Best for	Teams comfortable managing open-source mail filtering	Organizations needing broad, affordable mail protection
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Open source	$2/user/mo
Free plan	Not checked yet	—
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Self-hosted	Cloud
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs · 24/7
Integrations	4 integrations	9 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache SpamAssassin 1/5 · MailRoute 5/5
Phishing protection	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Malware scanning	✓	✓
Quarantine controls	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
API access	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Email continuity	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Deployment	Not checked yet	Cloud
Users included	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Bayesian, heuristic, DNS blocklist, and collaborative filtering checks Phishing URI, macro, exploit, executable, and attachment detection Integrates with procmail, sendmail, Postfix, and qmail	Filters spam, phishing, ransomware, viruses and impersonation Works with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and SMTP-compatible servers Enterprise plans add continuity, API access and directory sync
Cons	Requires self-hosted deployment and administrator operation Rule and policy configuration demands mail-system expertise Community and documentation support rather than vendor-managed service	No standalone free plan; paid plans start at $2 per user monthly Continuity and API access require Enterprise tiers Hosted mail costs more, starting at $5 per user monthly
Our verdict	Apache SpamAssassin is an open-source email filtering platform for system administrators who need to classify and tag unsolicited bulk email. It applies heuristic and statistical tests to message headers, body text, and selected MIME… Read the review →	MailRoute combines a cloud email-security gateway with an optional hosted-mail service. It is aimed at organizations that want to filter inbound and outbound mail before delivery, whether they run Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, an… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Apache SpamAssassin — where it wins

  • Bayesian, heuristic, DNS blocklist, and collaborative filtering checks
  • Phishing URI, macro, exploit, executable, and attachment detection
  • Integrates with procmail, sendmail, Postfix, and qmail

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires self-hosted deployment and administrator operation
  • Rule and policy configuration demands mail-system expertise
  • Community and documentation support rather than vendor-managed service

• MailRoute — where it wins

  • Filters spam, phishing, ransomware, viruses and impersonation
  • Works with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and SMTP-compatible servers
  • Enterprise plans add continuity, API access and directory sync

  Where it doesn't

  • No standalone free plan; paid plans start at $2 per user monthly
  • Continuity and API access require Enterprise tiers
  • Hosted mail costs more, starting at $5 per user monthly

• Apache SpamAssassin8.8/10 · Open source

  A configurable, self-hosted filter for teams managing their own mail infrastructure.

  Visit SpamAssassinFull verdict →
• MailRoute8.6/10 · 30-day trial

  Broad email filtering starts at $2 per user monthly, with hosted-mail options.

  Visit MailRouteFull verdict →