How does email encryption work?
Email encryption works by coding an email in such a way that it cannot be translated or understood without the corresponding decryption key, which only trusted or authorized recipients have.
Email Encryption Software
Email Encryption Software Overview
Top Rated Email Encryption Products
These products won a Top Rated award for having excellent customer satisfaction ratings. The list is based purely on reviews; there is no paid placement, and analyst opinions do not influence the rankings. Read more about the Top Rated criteria.
Email Encryption Software TrustMap
TrustMaps are two-dimensional charts that compare products based on trScore and research frequency by prospective buyers. Products must have 10 or more ratings to appear on this TrustMap.
Email Encryption Products
(1-25 of 43) Sorted by Most Reviews
The list of products below is based purely on reviews (sorted from most to least). There is no paid placement and analyst opinions do not influence their rankings. Here is our Promise to Buyers to ensure information on our site is reliable, useful, and worthy of your trust.
Zix Email Encryption (formerly ZixEncrypt) provides automatic email encryption and data loss prevention solution. Zix scans the content of outbound email and automatically encrypts or takes action based on user-defined policies, for any email environment to secure any mailbox beyond…
Proofpoint Email Protection is available as an on-premise or cloud based solution and blocks unwanted, malicious and impostor emails with granular search capabilities and visibility into all messages. Outbound controls include encryption and data loss prevention, while continuity…
Key Features
- Anti-malware (76)97%9.7
- Cusomizability (75)96%9.6
- Threat Detection (75)88%8.8
DataMotion, headquartered in New Jersey, offers the DataMotion SecureMail Gateway, an email security gateway.
Microsoft Exchange is a secure email / messaging gateway with file archiving and encryption / data loss capability, available as a hosted service (Exchange Online) or installed (Exchange Server).
Key Features
- Management Tools (35)81%8.1
- Threat Detection (30)76%7.6
- Cusomizability (32)76%7.6
Twilio SendGrid Marketing Campaigns provides users with segmentation, campaign editing, and deliverability. According to the vendor, Twilio SendGrid Marketing Campaigns is trusted by over 80,000 customers globally, including Airbnb, Spotify and Uber. Twilio SendGrid Marketing Campaigns…
Key Features
- Email deliverability reporting (75)81%8.1
- Standard reports (40)74%7.4
- Dashboards (40)66%6.6
AppRiver, now from Zix (acquired January 2019), is a hosted messaging gateway and security platform featuring anti-spam and email encryption / data loss capability.
Zix Email Threat Protection
Top Rated
With organizations facing new and unprecedented challenges, the need for a secure modern workplace has never been greater. As companies seek to achieve more with less and keep their increasingly remote workforces productive, they also face an array of evolving security and compliance…
Barracuda Essentials
Top Rated
Barracuda Essentials is an email security platform designed to protect users and businesses from volumetric threats like malware and spam, as well advanced threats like targeted spear phishing and ransomware, and provides email archiving and data protection from corruption and deletion…
Key Features
- Anti-malware (15)94%9.4
- Threat Detection (15)93%9.3
- Management Tools (15)83%8.3
Paubox, headquarted in San Francisco, offers their HIPAA compliant encrypted email service, the Paubox Email Suite, which features Encrypted Email, Inbound Security with ExecProtect, and Email DLP under one subscription.
SpamTitan blocks unsolicited emails, phishing attempts, spoofing and illicit content. According to the vendor, SpamTitan blocks over 99.9% of spam, viruses, malware, and other email threats.Hundreds of advanced tests scan email separating unwanted email and security threats from…
NeoCertified offers their HIPAA compliant Secure Email service, providing email encryption across all devices, including mobile and tablet devices.
SolarWinds offers Mail Assure, a cloud-based email security solution designed to help customers stay in control and protect their inbound and outbound email using collective threat intelligence, 24/7 email continuity, and long-term email archiving.
RMail is RPost’s software-as-a-service solution that enables business users to track and prove email delivery and encrypt sensitive emails. Available as a MS Outlook add-in and for other popular software platforms, RMail works with any email address without any customization required.…
Websense's Triton AP-Email is a messaging security platform and module extension of the Triton platform.
Proofpoint's Enterprise Privacy platform includes supports messaging security with data loss prevention and email encryption.
Trend Micro offers the InterScan Messaging Security secure email gateway with anti-spam, advanced threat & data loss prevention, and encryption capability.
WatchGuard XCS reached End of Life (EOL) reached end of life December 2018. WatchGuard proffers they offer multiple solutions, including migration to a WatchGuard Firebox UTM.
Avast Email Security is a service available and delivered through the company's CloudCare security management console. Three features of Avast Email Security service allow employees and customers to manage their email more safely: Anti-spam to keep email boxes free of unwanted email,…
Trustifi is a cyber security firm featuring solutions delivered on software as a service platform. Trustifi email security products provide both inbound and outbound email security from a single vendor.Trustifi states their key objective is keeping client’s data, reputation, and…
Intermedia Email Plus Exchange Email is a combined email productivity and security suite, providing anti-phishing, email archiving, email backup and archiving, as well as access to AnyMeeting web conferencing included via a subscription.
EdgeWave headquartered in San Diego, California offers ePrism Email Security, a messaging security platform featuring continuous web mail access, data loss prevention, encryption, archiving, and anti-spam / anti-malware capability.
Tresorit offers end-to-end encrypted file sync & sharing. The vendor promises an ultra-secure place in the cloud to store, sync and share files easily from anywhere, anytime. The vendor says Tresorit is powered by end-to-end encryption and enhanced with a flexible permission…
Micro Focus Voltage SecureMail (formerly HP SecureMail) is an email encryption platform based on technology acquired with Voltage Security (February 2015) by HPE and then acquired by Micro Focus in 2017.
Learn More About Email Encryption Software
What is Email Encryption Software?
Email Encryption Software disguises content within email messages so that they cannot be read by anyone apart from the intended recipient. Emails are typically encrypted and then decrypted by means of a digital signature mechanism that uses public and private keys. The public key is shared with everyone while the private key is kept private.
There is a range of related security features that frequently accompany email encryption software. For instance, many vendors pair encryption with Data Loss Protection or package it within a broader secure email gateway. Other providers offer an all-in-one email hosting and managed security service, allowing companies to outsource the entire email management process.
Email encryption and compliance
Email encryption software is increasingly deployed to maintain regulatory compliance. Email encryption has become a necessary tool for ensuring that companies don’t violate a growing list of regulations around sensitive information and data protection rules. For instance, medical regulations like HIPAA have made email encryption standard practice in that field when working with sensitive patient information. Broader regulations like GDPR also incentivize extra caution among enterprises and smaller organizations alike.
Some email encryption software is tailored to serving these regulatory needs. Some vendors may offer their secure email solutions to at-risk organizations like healthcare providers, while others may offer additional support around compliance reporting and auditing.
Email Encryption Software Features & Capabilities
All email encryption software includes the ability to secure email communications between the sender and receiver. The extended capabilities that each product has beyond the core function will vary more, but will frequently include:
- Support for internal and external users
- Integration with existing email infrastructure
- Continually improving cryptography
- File security
- Mobile device support
- Policy and identity-based encryption
Encryption also usually includes authentication where the user is obliged to prove his or her identity by using a username and password combination in order to get access. More recently biometrics (fingerprints or eye retina recognition) is used instead of username and password, making it more difficult for hackers to break into computer systems.
Email Encryption Solutions Comparison
To compare different email encryption solutions, consider these factors:
- Point solution vs. security suite: Some products offer more specific data transmission-focused security, such as encryption and DLP. Other vendors package a much broader set of features, from secure email gateways to end-to-end hosted security. The former situation may be appropriate to organizations with very specific encryption needs around specific kinds of data, or around just emails specifically. Other companies may prefer a suite option if they require broader security features.
- Regulatory compliance: Some organizations, such as those in the medical industry, are driven to email encryption primarily to stay compliant with various regulations. These users require very specific security features and processes. However, they may not require the same broad range of security that other organizations need. Some email encryption vendors tailor their encryption services to meet these specific requirements without forcing organizations to pay for unnecessary capabilities.
- Email encryption or all-in-one email service: The other type of suite available is a vertical suite that encompasses all email-related capabilities. These products host the email inboxes and data management as well as handling encryption needs. Other products focus on integrating with existing email services, like Gmail or Outlook. Buyers should consider whether they want to adopt a new system as a whole, or layer an email encryption software over their existing infrastructure.
Start an email encryption comparison
Pricing Information
While some email tools have built-in encryption capabilities, standalone encryption tools cost between $10 and $100 per month. Pricing varies depending on the scope of capabilities offered and the number of users.
Email Encryption Software Best Of Awards
The following email encryption software offer award-winning customer relationships, feature sets, and value for price. Learn more about our Best Of Awards methodology here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an encrypted email?
An encrypted email is an email that has already been coded so that it cannot be understood, interpreted, or its contents decoded without the decryption key.
Who uses email encryption?
Email encryption can be used by anyone looking to ensuring privacy between their email and the recipient. Professionally, it is used by two main groups. First, it’s used by organizations that have to email other parties’ sensitive data, such as personal medical information. It’s also used when emailing a company’s own sensitive or propriety information. other people’s sensitive data. Sometimes also companies’ sensitive or proprietary information.
What are the benefits of email encryption?
Email encryption helps various organizations remain compliant with applicable regulations. It also mitigates data leaks that can cost organizations thousands or millions of dollars.
How much does email encryption software cost?
Email encryption on its own can range from $5/user/month to nearly $100/user/month.