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Head-to-head · Anti-spam Software

Rspamd vs Apache SpamAssassin

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Rspamd #1 in Anti-spam Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Rspamd
Apache SpamAssassin #2 in Anti-spam Software 8.8/10 Open source ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit SpamAssassin

Rspamd leads on 0 checks, Apache SpamAssassin on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreRspamd · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Rspamd
  • Most featuresApache SpamAssassin · 1 of 5

Rspamd scores higher on our rubric for anti-spam software: 9.1 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

Rspamd is the better fit for admins wanting configurable, open-source gateway filtering. Apache SpamAssassin is the better fit for teams comfortable managing open-source mail filtering.

  • Rspamd fits best

    Admins wanting configurable, open-source gateway filtering

  • Apache SpamAssassin fits best

    Teams comfortable managing open-source mail filtering

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Rspamd 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Apache SpamAssassin 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.8
Ranking #1 in Anti-spam Software #2 in Anti-spam Software
Best for Admins wanting configurable, open-source gateway filtering Teams comfortable managing open-source mail filtering
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price £100/mo Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Self-hosted Self-hosted
Integrations 11 integrations 4 integrations
Features Rspamd 0/5 · Apache SpamAssassin 1/5
Phishing protection Not checked yet Not checked yet
Malware scanning Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Quarantine controls Not checked yet Not checked yet
API access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Email continuity Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
Users included Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Open-source filtering with Bayesian classification and machine learning
  • Validates SPF, DKIM, and DMARC while detecting phishing URLs
  • Integrates with major mail transfer agents through HTTP or Milter
  • Bayesian, heuristic, DNS blocklist, and collaborative filtering checks
  • Phishing URI, macro, exploit, executable, and attachment detection
  • Integrates with procmail, sendmail, Postfix, and qmail
Cons
  • Paid Scale access starts at £100/month for 5K mailboxes
  • Gateway deployment demands responsibility for mail infrastructure
  • Advanced Lua rules and configurable scoring add administration work
  • Requires self-hosted deployment and administrator operation
  • Rule and policy configuration demands mail-system expertise
  • Community and documentation support rather than vendor-managed service
Our verdict

Rspamd is an open-source email filtering engine for enterprises, email service providers, hosting providers, and mail-server operators. It analyzes inbound and outbound messages with statistical learning, reputation data, authentication…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. RspamdAnti-spam Software 9.1Free plan
  2. Apache SpamAssassinAnti-spam Software 8.8Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Rspamd — where it wins

    • Open-source filtering with Bayesian classification and machine learning
    • Validates SPF, DKIM, and DMARC while detecting phishing URLs
    • Integrates with major mail transfer agents through HTTP or Milter

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid Scale access starts at £100/month for 5K mailboxes
    • Gateway deployment demands responsibility for mail infrastructure
    • Advanced Lua rules and configurable scoring add administration work

  • 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

More comparisons

All anti-spam software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update