Quick Overview
- 1#1: Mimecast - Cloud-based email archiving solution offering secure storage, eDiscovery, and compliance retention for enterprises.
- 2#2: Proofpoint - Enterprise email archiving platform with advanced search, legal holds, and integration for compliance and security.
- 3#3: Microsoft Purview - Unified compliance and governance tool for Microsoft 365 that archives emails with retention policies and eDiscovery.
- 4#4: Google Vault - Archiving and eDiscovery service for Google Workspace emails, drives, and chats with customizable retention rules.
- 5#5: MailStore Server - On-premises and cloud email archiving software for SMBs providing fast search and unlimited storage.
- 6#6: Barracuda Message Archiver - Cloud email archiving service with journaling, supervision, and rapid recovery for compliance needs.
- 7#7: Smarsh - Digital communications archiving platform supporting email and other channels for regulatory compliance.
- 8#8: Global Relay - Cloud archiving solution for email, chats, and social media with AI-powered supervision and search.
- 9#9: Spanning Cloud Apps - Automated cloud-to-cloud backup and recovery tool for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 emails.
- 10#10: Backupify - Cloud backup service for Google Workspace and Office 365 providing granular email recovery and archiving.
We ranked these tools based on core features (secure storage, eDiscovery, compliance), usability, and long-term value, ensuring they meet varied requirements from large enterprises to small businesses.
Comparison Table
Email storage software is vital for organizing, safeguarding, and retrieving digital communications efficiently. This comparison table examines tools like Mimecast, Proofpoint, Microsoft Purview, Google Vault, MailStore Server, and more, detailing their core features, capabilities, and ideal use cases. Readers will discover key differences to select the best fit for their storage and security needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mimecast Cloud-based email archiving solution offering secure storage, eDiscovery, and compliance retention for enterprises. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Proofpoint Enterprise email archiving platform with advanced search, legal holds, and integration for compliance and security. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 3 | Microsoft Purview Unified compliance and governance tool for Microsoft 365 that archives emails with retention policies and eDiscovery. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Google Vault Archiving and eDiscovery service for Google Workspace emails, drives, and chats with customizable retention rules. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | MailStore Server On-premises and cloud email archiving software for SMBs providing fast search and unlimited storage. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 6 | Barracuda Message Archiver Cloud email archiving service with journaling, supervision, and rapid recovery for compliance needs. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Smarsh Digital communications archiving platform supporting email and other channels for regulatory compliance. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Global Relay Cloud archiving solution for email, chats, and social media with AI-powered supervision and search. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 9 | Spanning Cloud Apps Automated cloud-to-cloud backup and recovery tool for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 emails. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Backupify Cloud backup service for Google Workspace and Office 365 providing granular email recovery and archiving. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
Cloud-based email archiving solution offering secure storage, eDiscovery, and compliance retention for enterprises.
Enterprise email archiving platform with advanced search, legal holds, and integration for compliance and security.
Unified compliance and governance tool for Microsoft 365 that archives emails with retention policies and eDiscovery.
Archiving and eDiscovery service for Google Workspace emails, drives, and chats with customizable retention rules.
On-premises and cloud email archiving software for SMBs providing fast search and unlimited storage.
Cloud email archiving service with journaling, supervision, and rapid recovery for compliance needs.
Digital communications archiving platform supporting email and other channels for regulatory compliance.
Cloud archiving solution for email, chats, and social media with AI-powered supervision and search.
Automated cloud-to-cloud backup and recovery tool for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 emails.
Cloud backup service for Google Workspace and Office 365 providing granular email recovery and archiving.
Mimecast
enterpriseCloud-based email archiving solution offering secure storage, eDiscovery, and compliance retention for enterprises.
Aware Continuous Archiving that automatically captures and indexes 100% of email traffic in real-time for instant, context-aware retrieval.
Mimecast is a leading cloud-based email security and archiving platform that provides robust email storage through its Mimecast Archive solution, offering unlimited storage capacity for emails, attachments, and PST files. It features advanced search, eDiscovery, and compliance tools to manage and retrieve archived data efficiently while ensuring regulatory adherence like GDPR, HIPAA, and SEC 17a-4. Designed for enterprises, it integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, combining secure storage with threat protection for comprehensive email management.
Pros
- Unlimited storage with no data caps for long-term retention
- Advanced full-text search and eDiscovery across massive archives
- Seamless integration and automated journaling from major email platforms
Cons
- Premium pricing may be steep for small businesses
- Complex setup and configuration for advanced compliance features
- Overemphasis on security features can overwhelm users seeking basic storage
Best For
Enterprises and regulated industries needing secure, compliant, and searchable email archiving with integrated cybersecurity.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at ~$4-12 per user/month for archiving (billed annually), with custom enterprise pricing for full suites.
Proofpoint
enterpriseEnterprise email archiving platform with advanced search, legal holds, and integration for compliance and security.
AI-driven intelligent archiving with defensible deletion and proactive supervision
Proofpoint is a leading enterprise-grade email archiving and storage solution that provides unlimited cloud-based storage for emails, attachments, and metadata to meet compliance and regulatory requirements. It features advanced search, eDiscovery, legal hold management, and integration with Proofpoint's security suite for threat detection and data loss prevention. Designed for large organizations, it ensures defensible retention policies, rapid retrieval, and scalable storage without performance degradation.
Pros
- Unlimited scalable storage with intelligent indexing for sub-second searches
- Robust compliance tools including legal holds and eDiscovery
- Seamless integration with email security and DLP features
Cons
- High cost suitable only for enterprises
- Complex setup and steep learning curve for admins
- Limited customization for non-standard email environments
Best For
Large enterprises requiring integrated email archiving, compliance, and security for regulatory adherence.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing, typically $10-20 per user/month with minimum commitments.
Microsoft Purview
enterpriseUnified compliance and governance tool for Microsoft 365 that archives emails with retention policies and eDiscovery.
Unified retention and labeling across email, files, and other data sources for holistic compliance management
Microsoft Purview is a comprehensive data governance and compliance platform that manages email storage through retention policies, archiving, and eDiscovery capabilities within Microsoft 365 environments. It enables organizations to classify, protect, and retain email data securely while ensuring regulatory compliance. As an email storage solution, it integrates seamlessly with Exchange Online for scalable archiving and advanced search functionalities.
Pros
- Deep integration with Microsoft 365 ecosystem for seamless email retention and archiving
- Powerful eDiscovery and content search tools for efficient email data management
- Robust compliance features including retention labels and adaptive policies
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup for non-expert admins
- Requires Microsoft 365 subscription, limiting standalone use
- Higher costs for advanced features compared to dedicated email archiving tools
Best For
Large enterprises already using Microsoft 365 that need integrated compliance and governance for email storage.
Pricing
Included in Microsoft 365 E3/E5 plans starting at $36/user/month; advanced compliance features require E5 Compliance add-on at $12/user/month.
Google Vault
enterpriseArchiving and eDiscovery service for Google Workspace emails, drives, and chats with customizable retention rules.
Unlimited, automatic Gmail archiving with matter-based legal holds and advanced audit log exports
Google Vault is a data retention and eDiscovery solution integrated with Google Workspace, designed to archive and manage Gmail messages, Google Drive files, and Chat data for compliance and legal purposes. It enables organizations to set retention rules, place legal holds, and perform advanced searches across vast amounts of email data without storage limits. Ideal for regulated industries, it facilitates quick exports in standard formats for audits or litigation.
Pros
- Unlimited storage for Gmail and Google data
- Powerful full-text search and eDiscovery tools
- Seamless integration with Google Workspace ecosystem
Cons
- Requires qualifying Google Workspace edition
- Limited to Google services, no third-party email support
- Complex setup for advanced retention policies
Best For
Google Workspace organizations in regulated industries needing robust email retention and eDiscovery capabilities.
Pricing
Included in Google Workspace Business Plus ($18/user/mo) and Enterprise plans; add-on Vault license ~$10-15/user/mo for eligible plans.
MailStore Server
specializedOn-premises and cloud email archiving software for SMBs providing fast search and unlimited storage.
Proprietary indexing engine delivering lightning-fast, context-aware full-text search on petabyte-scale archives
MailStore Server is a comprehensive on-premises email archiving solution that enables businesses to store, index, and retrieve emails from sources like Microsoft Exchange, Office 365, Gmail, and IMAP/POP3 servers. It provides powerful full-text search, eDiscovery tools, and compliance features to meet legal retention requirements. The software offers a centralized web-based archive accessible to users and administrators, ensuring efficient email management without disrupting daily workflows.
Pros
- Exceptional full-text search speed across massive archives
- Broad compatibility with various email systems and protocols
- Robust auditing, compliance, and legal hold capabilities
Cons
- Requires dedicated on-premises server infrastructure
- Initial setup and configuration demand IT expertise
- Lacks native cloud deployment options compared to competitors
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses and enterprises needing secure, self-hosted email archiving for compliance without subscription fees.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses starting at around €1,200 for up to 5 users, with scalable pricing based on user count and volume discounts for larger deployments.
Barracuda Message Archiver
enterpriseCloud email archiving service with journaling, supervision, and rapid recovery for compliance needs.
Instant Message Search that delivers results in under 3 seconds across billions of emails without full re-indexing
Barracuda Message Archiver is a robust email archiving solution that captures, stores, and manages email data for compliance, e-discovery, and storage optimization. It supports both on-premises appliances and cloud-based deployments, integrating seamlessly with Microsoft Exchange, Office 365, and other platforms via journaling or API. The software offers policy-based retention, rapid full-text search across petabytes of data, and tools for legal holds and PST consolidation.
Pros
- Powerful instant search and indexing for quick e-discovery
- Unlimited storage in cloud plans with scalable options
- Strong compliance tools including automated retention and legal holds
Cons
- Complex initial setup requiring IT expertise
- Pricing can be higher for small organizations
- Limited reporting customization compared to competitors
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises requiring reliable email retention for regulatory compliance and litigation support.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at ~$4/user/month for cloud archiving with unlimited storage; on-premises appliances from $5,000+; custom quotes required.
Smarsh
enterpriseDigital communications archiving platform supporting email and other channels for regulatory compliance.
MAESTRO AI-powered supervision that automates review of emails and other communications for compliance risks
Smarsh is a leading cloud-based email archiving and compliance platform tailored for regulated industries like finance and healthcare. It captures, stores, and indexes emails from various sources, ensuring long-term retention and easy retrieval for audits and e-discovery. The solution also extends to supervising communications across email, chat, social media, and voice, with advanced search and analytics tools.
Pros
- Comprehensive multi-channel archiving including email and beyond
- Powerful AI-driven search, supervision, and e-discovery tools
- Scalable cloud infrastructure with high reliability and security
Cons
- High enterprise-level pricing requires custom quotes
- Steep learning curve for full feature utilization
- Integration with legacy systems can be complex
Best For
Regulated enterprises in finance, insurance, or government needing robust compliant email archiving and supervision.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $10/user/month, with annual contracts and volume discounts; contact sales for quotes.
Global Relay
enterpriseCloud archiving solution for email, chats, and social media with AI-powered supervision and search.
Integrated AI-powered supervision that reviews communications for compliance risks beyond basic storage
Global Relay is an enterprise-grade platform specializing in compliant email archiving and storage for regulated industries like finance. It securely captures, stores, and manages emails with WORM-compliant technology, advanced search, eDiscovery, and retention policies to meet standards such as SEC 17a-4 and FINRA. The solution also supports multi-channel archiving including chats and offers supervision tools for risk monitoring.
Pros
- Robust compliance features with WORM storage and audit trails
- Powerful eDiscovery and AI-driven search capabilities
- Seamless integrations with Office 365, Google Workspace, and email servers
Cons
- High cost unsuitable for SMBs
- Steep learning curve for setup and management
- Overkill for non-regulated businesses
Best For
Large financial institutions and regulated enterprises needing secure, compliant email archiving.
Pricing
Custom quote-based enterprise pricing, typically $15-50/user/month depending on volume, features, and retention period.
Spanning Cloud Apps
specializedAutomated cloud-to-cloud backup and recovery tool for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 emails.
Immutable backups that prevent ransomware alterations and enable direct item-level restores to the original cloud location
Spanning Cloud Apps is a cloud backup and archiving solution designed for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, focusing on protecting email data through automated, immutable backups. It enables users to search, restore, and archive emails with granular precision, supporting compliance and eDiscovery needs. The platform safeguards against data loss from deletions, ransomware, or service outages, while providing long-term storage for email retention.
Pros
- Automated daily backups with retention up to 10+ years
- Powerful search and granular restore capabilities
- Strong compliance features including eDiscovery and audit logs
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for large organizations
- Limited integrations beyond Google Workspace and Microsoft 365
- No support for on-premises email systems
Best For
Mid-sized businesses using Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 that require reliable email backup, archiving, and quick recovery for compliance.
Pricing
Per-user/month starting at $3 for email backup, up to $6+ for full suites including Drive and Sites; billed annually with custom enterprise plans.
Backupify
specializedCloud backup service for Google Workspace and Office 365 providing granular email recovery and archiving.
Unthrottled, high-speed backups that handle large-scale Google Workspace accounts without API limitations
Backupify is a cloud backup service designed for SaaS applications, with a strong focus on email storage for Google Workspace (Gmail) and Microsoft 365 (Outlook). It provides automated daily backups, enabling point-in-time recovery, advanced search, and export options to protect against data loss from deletions, hacks, or compliance needs. The platform ensures unlimited storage and granular restoration, making it reliable for business email archiving and recovery.
Pros
- Automated daily backups with unlimited storage
- Powerful search and granular email restore capabilities
- Strong compliance and eDiscovery tools
Cons
- Limited to Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 ecosystems
- Backups are daily rather than real-time
- Pricing scales higher for smaller teams
Best For
Mid-sized businesses relying on Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for email who prioritize reliable backup and quick recovery.
Pricing
Starts at $3/user/month for Essentials (up to 100 users), $4/user/month for Business, with Enterprise plans custom quoted.
Conclusion
The top 10 email storage tools reviewed offer varied solutions, with Mimecast leading as the top choice, boasting cloud-based security, eDiscovery, and enterprise compliance. Proofpoint follows strongly, providing advanced archiving and integration for compliance needs, while Microsoft Purview excels with Microsoft 365 governance and retention policies. Each tool delivers unique value, ensuring there’s a fit for diverse users, from large enterprises to smaller teams.
Start with Mimecast—its leading features make it a standout choice for enhancing email storage security and meeting compliance goals.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.
