Quick Overview
- 1#1: Smarsh - Provides cloud-based archiving, supervision, and surveillance for email and digital communications to ensure regulatory compliance.
- 2#2: Global Relay - Offers secure capture, storage, and monitoring of email and collaboration data for compliance in regulated industries.
- 3#3: Proofpoint - Delivers email archiving, data loss prevention, and compliance monitoring with advanced threat protection features.
- 4#4: Mimecast - Provides cloud email security, archiving, and policy enforcement to support compliance and risk management.
- 5#5: OpenText Retain Unified Archiving - Enables enterprise email archiving, eDiscovery, and information governance for long-term compliance retention.
- 6#6: Barracuda Message Archiver - Offers scalable cloud and on-premises email archiving for compliance, search, and storage optimization.
- 7#7: MailStore Server - Server-based solution for email backup, archiving, and compliance auditing across multiple platforms.
- 8#8: Intradyn - Specialized email compliance and archiving software for regulated industries with supervision capabilities.
- 9#9: TitanHQ ArcTitan - Cloud email archiving service focused on compliance, eDiscovery, and efficient data management.
- 10#10: Archive360 - Data archiving platform for email and unstructured data to meet compliance and governance requirements.
Tools were ranked by core features (regulatory alignment, data management), quality (reliability, scalability), ease of use, and value, prioritizing effectiveness for modern organizational requirements.
Comparison Table
Email compliance is vital for safeguarding data and meeting regulatory standards, requiring tailored software solutions. This comparison table examines top tools like Smarsh, Global Relay, Proofpoint, Mimecast, and OpenText Retain Unified Archiving, equipping readers to assess key features, usability, and alignment with organizational needs. By reviewing these options, users can identify the right fit to streamline compliance efforts and reduce risks.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smarsh Provides cloud-based archiving, supervision, and surveillance for email and digital communications to ensure regulatory compliance. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 2 | Global Relay Offers secure capture, storage, and monitoring of email and collaboration data for compliance in regulated industries. | enterprise | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 3 | Proofpoint Delivers email archiving, data loss prevention, and compliance monitoring with advanced threat protection features. | enterprise | 8.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Mimecast Provides cloud email security, archiving, and policy enforcement to support compliance and risk management. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | OpenText Retain Unified Archiving Enables enterprise email archiving, eDiscovery, and information governance for long-term compliance retention. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Barracuda Message Archiver Offers scalable cloud and on-premises email archiving for compliance, search, and storage optimization. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | MailStore Server Server-based solution for email backup, archiving, and compliance auditing across multiple platforms. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 8 | Intradyn Specialized email compliance and archiving software for regulated industries with supervision capabilities. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | TitanHQ ArcTitan Cloud email archiving service focused on compliance, eDiscovery, and efficient data management. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 10 | Archive360 Data archiving platform for email and unstructured data to meet compliance and governance requirements. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
Provides cloud-based archiving, supervision, and surveillance for email and digital communications to ensure regulatory compliance.
Offers secure capture, storage, and monitoring of email and collaboration data for compliance in regulated industries.
Delivers email archiving, data loss prevention, and compliance monitoring with advanced threat protection features.
Provides cloud email security, archiving, and policy enforcement to support compliance and risk management.
Enables enterprise email archiving, eDiscovery, and information governance for long-term compliance retention.
Offers scalable cloud and on-premises email archiving for compliance, search, and storage optimization.
Server-based solution for email backup, archiving, and compliance auditing across multiple platforms.
Specialized email compliance and archiving software for regulated industries with supervision capabilities.
Cloud email archiving service focused on compliance, eDiscovery, and efficient data management.
Data archiving platform for email and unstructured data to meet compliance and governance requirements.
Smarsh
enterpriseProvides cloud-based archiving, supervision, and surveillance for email and digital communications to ensure regulatory compliance.
AI-driven behavioral analytics and real-time supervision that flags non-compliant communications across emails and chats with contextual insights
Smarsh is a premier email compliance and archiving platform tailored for regulated industries like finance and healthcare, capturing and supervising emails across multiple channels including Office 365, Gmail, and Bloomberg. It provides tamper-proof storage, advanced search with contextual analytics, and automated supervision to detect compliance risks. With robust e-discovery and audit-ready reporting, Smarsh ensures organizations meet stringent regulations such as SEC 17a-4, FINRA, and MiFID II while scaling to handle petabytes of data.
Pros
- Comprehensive multi-channel capture and archiving with unlimited retention
- AI-powered supervision and risk detection for proactive compliance
- Powerful search, e-discovery, and analytics for efficient audits
Cons
- High enterprise-level pricing requires custom quotes
- Steep learning curve for full feature utilization
- Implementation can take time for complex integrations
Best For
Large financial institutions and regulated enterprises needing scalable, end-to-end email compliance and surveillance.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $15-30 per user/month for basic archiving, scaling to $50+ with advanced supervision (annual contracts).
Global Relay
enterpriseOffers secure capture, storage, and monitoring of email and collaboration data for compliance in regulated industries.
Sentinel AI surveillance engine that monitors 100+ communication channels for compliance risks in real-time across structured and unstructured data
Global Relay is a cloud-based compliance platform specializing in secure archiving, supervision, and surveillance of electronic communications, including email, instant messaging, voice, and social media. It helps regulated industries like finance meet stringent requirements from regulators such as SEC 17a-4, FINRA, and MiFID II through tamper-proof retention and advanced eDiscovery. The solution leverages AI for risk detection and provides scalable, high-availability storage with robust data sovereignty options.
Pros
- Comprehensive multi-channel capture and archiving with infinite retention capabilities
- AI-driven surveillance for real-time risk detection and alerts
- Enterprise-grade security, uptime (99.999%), and seamless integrations with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace
Cons
- High enterprise-level pricing not suitable for small businesses
- Steep learning curve for advanced surveillance and reporting features
- Custom setup and onboarding can take time for complex environments
Best For
Large financial institutions and highly regulated enterprises needing robust, scalable email and multi-channel compliance solutions.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing, typically starting at $50,000+ annually based on user volume, data ingested, and features.
Proofpoint
enterpriseDelivers email archiving, data loss prevention, and compliance monitoring with advanced threat protection features.
Precision Supervision with behavioral AI that proactively identifies risky employee communications across email, chat, and mobile
Proofpoint is a leading enterprise-grade email security and compliance platform that provides robust tools for email archiving, supervision, data loss prevention (DLP), and eDiscovery to ensure regulatory adherence. It uses AI-driven analytics to monitor communications for compliance risks, prevent data leaks, and facilitate rapid legal holds and audits. Ideal for organizations handling sensitive data, it integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 and other ecosystems to maintain standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and SEC 17a-4.
Pros
- Advanced AI-powered supervision detects compliance violations in real-time
- Comprehensive email archiving with unlimited retention and fast search
- Strong DLP and integration with threat protection for holistic security
Cons
- High cost suitable only for large enterprises
- Complex setup and steep learning curve for admins
- Limited customization for smaller-scale deployments
Best For
Large enterprises in highly regulated industries like finance and healthcare requiring sophisticated email compliance monitoring and archiving.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing; typically $10-30 per user/month depending on modules, with minimum commitments for archiving and supervision.
Mimecast
enterpriseProvides cloud email security, archiving, and policy enforcement to support compliance and risk management.
Precision Supervision, an AI-powered tool for automated review and redaction of communications to meet strict compliance requirements.
Mimecast is a cloud-based email security and compliance platform that provides advanced archiving, eDiscovery, supervision, and data loss prevention to ensure regulatory adherence for emails and communications. It integrates threat protection with compliance tools, enabling organizations to retain data, monitor for risks like insider threats, and respond to audits efficiently. Primarily targeted at enterprises, it supports standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SEC 17a-4 through automated policies and searchable archives.
Pros
- Comprehensive email archiving with defensible retention policies
- AI-driven Precision Supervision for compliance monitoring
- Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
Cons
- Enterprise pricing can be high for smaller organizations
- Advanced features require training and configuration time
- Limited standalone options without broader security suite
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises in regulated industries like finance and healthcare needing robust email archiving and supervision.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing, typically $10-15 per user/month for compliance-focused bundles, with annual contracts.
OpenText Retain Unified Archiving
enterpriseEnables enterprise email archiving, eDiscovery, and information governance for long-term compliance retention.
Unified archiving across diverse sources including email, chat, voice, and social media in a single, searchable repository.
OpenText Retain Unified Archiving is a robust enterprise-grade solution designed for capturing, storing, and managing emails, instant messages, and other communications to meet strict regulatory compliance requirements. It provides defensible archiving with advanced search, eDiscovery, and supervision tools across platforms like Microsoft Exchange, Office 365, Google Workspace, and more. The software ensures long-term retention, audit trails, and tamper-proof storage to support legal holds and regulatory audits such as SEC 17a-4, FINRA, and GDPR.
Pros
- Comprehensive multi-platform support for email, IM, and collaboration tools
- Powerful AI-driven search, analytics, and eDiscovery capabilities
- Proven compliance certifications and scalable storage for petabyte-scale data
Cons
- Complex setup and deployment requiring IT expertise
- High licensing and maintenance costs for smaller organizations
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
Best For
Large enterprises in highly regulated industries like finance, healthcare, and government needing unified archiving for massive email volumes and strict compliance.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing; typically starts at $50,000+ annually, scaling with users, storage, and features.
Barracuda Message Archiver
enterpriseOffers scalable cloud and on-premises email archiving for compliance, search, and storage optimization.
Unlimited immutable storage with no data caps, ensuring perpetual compliance without ongoing storage cost escalations
Barracuda Message Archiver is a cloud-based email archiving solution that enables organizations to securely store, search, and retrieve emails for compliance, eDiscovery, and regulatory requirements. It supports integration with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and on-premises systems, offering features like immutable storage, legal holds, and advanced full-text search. The platform scales effortlessly with unlimited storage options, reducing the need for on-premises hardware while ensuring long-term data retention policies are met.
Pros
- Unlimited cloud storage eliminates capacity concerns
- Powerful eDiscovery and rapid search across petabytes of data
- Seamless integration with major email platforms like Microsoft 365
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small organizations
- Some advanced features require add-on modules
- Occasional reports of slower support response times
Best For
Mid-sized enterprises needing scalable, compliant email archiving without managing physical infrastructure.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at ~$3/user/month (billed annually); perpetual licenses available for larger deployments.
MailStore Server
enterpriseServer-based solution for email backup, archiving, and compliance auditing across multiple platforms.
Universal Archive Import: Archives emails from virtually any source using standard protocols, no APIs or plugins needed
MailStore Server is an on-premises email archiving solution that enables organizations to centrally store, manage, and retrieve emails from sources like Microsoft Exchange, Office 365, Gmail, and more than 50 other email systems. It supports compliance through features like automated retention policies, immutable WORM storage, audit-proof logging, and powerful e-discovery tools for legal holds and regulatory adherence. The software emphasizes fast full-text search across petabytes of data, making it suitable for long-term archiving and reducing primary email server loads.
Pros
- Universal archiving support for over 50 email sources without custom connectors
- Robust compliance tools including retention policies, legal holds, and audit trails
- Perpetual licensing model offers excellent long-term cost savings
Cons
- On-premises deployment requires IT infrastructure management and maintenance
- User interface feels dated compared to modern cloud-based alternatives
- Limited native mobile access and real-time monitoring features
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses needing a cost-effective, self-hosted email archiving solution for compliance and e-discovery without recurring cloud fees.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses start at €690 for 5 users, scaling to €17,900 for 1,000 users; annual support contracts ~20% of license cost.
Intradyn
specializedSpecialized email compliance and archiving software for regulated industries with supervision capabilities.
JournalBounce technology for 100% automatic email capture without mail server journaling or PST imports
Intradyn provides specialized email compliance software, including Justification Archive for secure, long-term email retention compliant with SEC 17a-4, FINRA, and other regulations, and Justification Supervision for automated surveillance of employee communications. The platform supports e-discovery, tamper-proof storage, and advanced search capabilities to help regulated organizations manage compliance risks efficiently. It offers both on-premises and cloud deployment options, focusing primarily on email journaling, archiving, and monitoring without disrupting mail servers.
Pros
- Proven regulatory compliance for financial services (SEC, FINRA)
- Powerful e-discovery and keyword search with millisecond retrieval
- Reliable email capture via proprietary JournalBounce technology
Cons
- Pricing is quote-based and opaque without public tiers
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Primarily email-focused, limited multi-channel support
Best For
Mid-to-large financial institutions and regulated firms requiring robust SEC/FINRA-compliant email archiving and surveillance.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing via quote; typically starts at several thousand dollars per month based on users and deployment.
TitanHQ ArcTitan
enterpriseCloud email archiving service focused on compliance, eDiscovery, and efficient data management.
Unlimited archiving storage across all plans, eliminating ongoing data management costs and scalability concerns
ArcTitan by TitanHQ is a cloud-based email archiving and compliance solution that captures, indexes, and stores emails from platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace with unlimited storage capacity. It ensures regulatory compliance through features like eDiscovery, legal holds, audit trails, and rapid search capabilities for quick retrieval. Designed for businesses needing to meet standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and FINRA, it provides immutable storage and automated retention policies to simplify data management and reduce legal risks.
Pros
- Unlimited email storage with no data caps
- Fast, indexed search and eDiscovery tools
- Seamless integration with major email providers like Office 365 and Google Workspace
Cons
- Pricing requires custom quotes, lacking transparency
- Fewer advanced analytics compared to enterprise leaders
- Limited reporting customization for complex compliance needs
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses seeking affordable, straightforward email archiving for regulatory compliance without complex setups.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $1.75-$3.50 per user/month depending on storage needs and features.
Archive360
enterpriseData archiving platform for email and unstructured data to meet compliance and governance requirements.
Automated, agentless migration from legacy systems like Enterprise Vault with minimal downtime
Archive360 is a cloud-based archiving platform designed for email compliance, governance, and eDiscovery, supporting sources like Microsoft 365, Exchange, and Google Workspace. It provides secure, compliant storage with features like retention policies, WORM immutability, and advanced search capabilities to meet regulations such as SEC 17a-4, GDPR, and HIPAA. The solution excels in large-scale data migration from legacy systems like Veritas Enterprise Vault to cost-effective cloud storage.
Pros
- Powerful migration tools for legacy archive consolidation
- Strong compliance features with defensible retention and deletion
- Scalable cloud storage with cost-optimized tiering
Cons
- Complex initial setup and configuration
- Limited real-time compliance monitoring compared to dedicated DLP tools
- Pricing lacks public transparency and can be high for smaller orgs
Best For
Large enterprises with massive email archives needing migration to compliant cloud storage.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically per-GB ingestion and storage fees, starting around $5-10/GB/year depending on volume.
Conclusion
The top email compliance software tools reviewed excel at ensuring regulatory adherence, with Smarsh leading as the best choice, offering robust cloud-based archiving, supervision, and surveillance. Global Relay and Proofpoint follow closely, providing exceptional alternatives—Global Relay for regulated industries and Proofpoint with advanced threat protection—each suited to different needs. Together, these tools deliver reliable solutions for maintaining compliance in a complex landscape.
Take the first step toward secure, compliant communications: Try Smarsh to leverage its comprehensive features, or explore Global Relay or Proofpoint to find the tool that best matches your specific requirements.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
