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Head-to-head · Email Archiving Software

Barracuda Message Archiver vs MailStore Server

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Barracuda Message Archiver #2 in Email Archiving Software 9.3/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Barracuda
MailStore Server #11 in Email Archiving Software 8.7/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit MailStore

Barracuda Message Archiver leads on 0 checks, MailStore Server on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBarracuda Message Archiver · 9.3/10
  • Free trialonly MailStore Server

Barracuda Message Archiver scores higher on our rubric for email archiving software: 9.3 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #11.

On deployment, MailStore Server gives you On-premises where Barracuda Message Archiver offers Hybrid.

Barracuda Message Archiver is the better fit for hybrid enterprises with complex infrastructure. MailStore Server is the better fit for windows organizations seeking a low-cost archive.

  • Barracuda Message Archiver fits best

    Hybrid enterprises with complex infrastructure

  • MailStore Server fits best

    Windows organizations seeking a low-cost archive

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Side by side

Feature Barracuda Message Archiver 9.3/10 Visit ↗ MailStore Server 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.7
Ranking #2 in Email Archiving Software #11 in Email Archiving Software
Best for Hybrid enterprises with complex infrastructure Windows organizations seeking a low-cost archive
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request $259 one-time
Free plan — —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS Windows
Integrations 13 integrations 10 integrations
Features Barracuda Message Archiver 3/3 · MailStore Server 3/3
Legal hold ✓ ✓
eDiscovery tools ✓ ✓
Journal capture ✓ ✓
Specs
Retention period Not checked yet Unlimited
Deployment Hybrid On-premises
Search and export PST, EML EML, MSG, PST
Our review
Pros
  • Captures messages through SMTP journaling as they are sent or received
  • Supports legal holds, eDiscovery workflows, audit trails, and Boolean search
  • Offers physical, virtual, cloud, and federated archive deployment options
  • Journal capture, legal hold, retention policies, and eDiscovery search
  • Supports Microsoft 365, Exchange, Google Workspace, IMAP, POP3, and PST
  • Tamper-proof storage, signed exports, restore, and full-text search
Cons
  • Pricing requires a customized quote rather than published numeric plans
  • No free plan is available for evaluation
  • AI-powered features are not included
  • Windows deployment limits platform flexibility
  • The Starter Kit covers up to five users
  • No free plan; the included support service lasts one year
Our verdict

Barracuda Message Archiver stores and retrieves email from standards-compliant mail servers and cloud services. It is designed for organizations that need policy-based retention, legal holds, eDiscovery, audit workflows, and controlled…

Read the review →

MailStore Server is an on-premises email archiving application for small and medium-sized businesses. It centralizes messages from Microsoft 365, Microsoft Exchange Server, Google Workspace, MDaemon, IceWarp, Kerio Connect, IMAP- and…

Read the review →
  1. Barracuda Message ArchiverEmail Archiving Software 9.3Pricing on request
  2. MailStore ServerEmail Archiving Software 8.730-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Barracuda Message Archiver — where it wins

    • Captures messages through SMTP journaling as they are sent or received
    • Supports legal holds, eDiscovery workflows, audit trails, and Boolean search
    • Offers physical, virtual, cloud, and federated archive deployment options

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a customized quote rather than published numeric plans
    • No free plan is available for evaluation
    • AI-powered features are not included

  • MailStore Server — where it wins

    • Journal capture, legal hold, retention policies, and eDiscovery search
    • Supports Microsoft 365, Exchange, Google Workspace, IMAP, POP3, and PST
    • Tamper-proof storage, signed exports, restore, and full-text search

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows deployment limits platform flexibility
    • The Starter Kit covers up to five users
    • No free plan; the included support service lasts one year
  • Barracuda Message Archiver9.3/10 · Pricing on request

    A flexible archive for enterprises managing complex email retention and discovery requirements.

    Visit BarracudaFull verdict →
  • MailStore Server8.7/10 · 30-day trial

    A Windows-based archive with compliance controls and a $259 one-time Starter Kit.

    Visit MailStoreFull verdict →

More comparisons

All email archiving software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update