MailScanner

6.6easy start · #8 of 31
in Email Security Gateways

Free to practise onyes
Free trialnot on record
Well documentedyes
Runs where you worknot on record

Runs on Linux, self-hosted.

MailScanner is ranked #8 of 31 in email security gateways on The Geeks Club. It runs on Linux, Self-hosted. There is a free plan.

MailScanner plans and pricing

All plans

MailScanner Free Open source email gateway github.com · 4 Oct 2026

Compared on email security gateways

Free plan: Yes
Deployment model: gateway

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The record

Purpose: MailScanner is an open source email gateway that processes email for spam, viruses, phishing, and other malicious content.
Scanning: The project says MailScanner works with other open source software including ClamAV and SpamAssassin.
Mail transfer agents: The repository links setup guides for Sendmail, Postfix, and Exim.
Deployment: MailScanner is designed for Linux-based email gateways and can run on Linux or Unix-based operating systems.
Packages: The repository provides installation instructions for Red Hat-based, Debian-based, SUSE-based, and other Unix-like systems.
Security checks: The maker describes scanning for viruses, spam, phishing, malware, and other attacks against security vulnerabilities.
Open-source license: The v5 repository includes the GNU General Public License version 2.
Configuration: After installation, administrators configure MailScanner using files including /etc/MailScanner/MailScanner.conf and /etc/MailScanner/defaults.
Support: The repository points users to a MailScanner mailing list for support.
Professional support: The maker's professional-support page says Mailborder and Baruwa can provide support for MailScanner, including for users who do not use their management suites.
Management interfaces: The downloads page lists MailWatch as a logging and monitoring GUI that does not provide automated MailScanner installation or configuration.
Intended use: The install guide describes MailScanner as server-level software for email gateways and recommends keeping the operating system minimal.
History: The about page says Julian Field created MailScanner in 2000 in response to increasing spam.
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on The Geeks Club

Best Email Security Gateways in 2026#8 of 31

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Sources

github.com/MailScanner/v5· checked 4 Oct 2026
mailscanner.info/install/· checked 4 Oct 2026
mailscanner.info· checked 4 Oct 2026
github.com/MailScanner/v5/blob/master/LICENSE· checked 4 Oct 2026
mailscanner.info/professional-support/· checked 4 Oct 2026
mailscanner.info/downloads/· checked 4 Oct 2026
mailscanner.info/about/· checked 4 Oct 2026