Paubox Alternatives for Email Encryption and Data Security in 2024

Paubox provides HIPAA-compliant email encryption with a focus on healthcare organizations. Customers might choose Paubox for its "no extra steps" approach to email encryption, which doesn't require recipients to log in to a portal or download an app to view encrypted messages.

However, Paubox's specialized focus on healthcare may make it less suitable for organizations in other industries. On the more technical side of things, some users have reported occasional delays in email delivery. Moreover, Paubox is a point solution, so organizations that prefer a more holistic data security offering with encryption included will select from other options.

While Paubox offers features for data protection, it may not be the ideal solution for every organization. In this article, we review Paubox’s capabilities and limitations, comparing them against top competitors in the market to help you make an informed decision about your email encryption and data security solution.

Limitations of Paubox

User-generated reviews help illustrate Paubox's limitations:

• “If you are looking for true end to end encryption, Paubox might not be your best bet. They do TLS encryption, which essentially will only encrypt your data in transit. They create a "secure" connection with every email you share via TLS and the downfall is that once the email is delivered, it will live in plain text in the recipient's mailbox. It's great if you aren't concerned with security and the integrity of the email, and more concerned with just complying with HIPAA since there is no real authentication and the email you share will not be encrypted at rest, and will live in plain text on both your mail server and the recipient's mail server.” (Reddit)
• “I *really* wish there was better admin visibility and controls.” (G2)
• “Cost. For the sole purpose of what we are utilizing it for, I'm not sure if it's cost-effective.” (G2)
• “Shortly after we set up Paubox, one employee's emails suddenly stopped being encrypted. It took us a couple of weeks to notice (thankfully, no sensitive information had been sent during that time). We were immediately able to connect with Paubox about getting it fixed.” (G2)

Summary of limitations

These insights provide a comprehensive view of the challenges users face when implementing and using Paubox, which are crucial for potential users to consider:

Clunky interface

• The webmail interface is basic and outdated.
• The user experience for sign-in and setup is described as clunky and could benefit from a modern, streamlined design.
• The administrative console lacks the ability to view referrals.

Complex setup

• Initial setup and integration with domains can seem complicated and daunting.
• Setting up Paubox in Outlook is particularly tricky for some users, requiring support assistance.

Limited functionality

• Users have reported occasional issues with emails not being encrypted.
• Features like recalling an errant email and expiring emails after a set duration could be improved.

Limited storage

• There is not enough storage space provided for emails, requiring the use of additional services to host emails.

High cost

• This pricing structure does not accommodate independent professionals or small startups effectively.
• Paubox could benefit from more scalable enterprise pricing options.

Alternatives to Paubox

Nightfall AI

Nightfall AI is the comprehensive, AI-native data security platform that enables organizations to discover and protect sensitive data where end-users work in the modern enterprise: across SaaS, email, AI apps, and endpoint devices. Whether you’re looking to prevent secret sprawl, stop data exfiltration, or secure AI usage, Nightfall’s industry-leading detection engine and flexible APIs cover a wide variety of use cases.

Powered by advanced AI and machine learning techniques, Nightfall’s PII, PCI, PHI, secret, and IP detectors deliver greater accuracy than legacy DLP solutions, which are built on regular expressions (regexes) and heuristics. This increased accuracy means that security teams can respond to high-priority alerts across the SaaS ecosystem (not just within Microsoft products), and maintain continuous compliance with leading standards like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, and GDPR. 

You can get a demo of Nightfall here.

Virtru

Virtru empowers organizations to share information securely while maintaining control over sensitive data across emails, files, and applications. Customers might choose Virtru over Paubox for its use of the Trusted Data Format (TDF), which provides robust, military-grade encryption and granular access controls.

Virtru integrates with applications such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and Zendesk. Organizations can choose from various deployment options, including self-managed, fully air-gapped environments, or fully managed commercial cloud solutions.

However, some users report that Virtru can be clunky to use and may have integration issues with certain email clients. Recipients might face difficulties opening Virtru-encrypted emails, especially on mobile devices. Moreover, Virtru is a point solution, so organizations that prefer a more holistic data security offering with encryption included will select from other options.

Zix

Zix's Webroot Advanced Email Encryption offers seamless email encryption capabilities within their "Secure Cloud" framework. Customers may choose Zix over Paubox for its policy-based filters that automatically scan emails and attachments, encrypting those containing sensitive data.

Zix's patented "Best Method of Delivery" ensures secure message transmission through various methods, such as secure web portals or secure PDFs, which are accessible on any device. This flexibility can enhance the experience for both senders and recipients.

However, some users report that Zix can be complex to set up and manage, especially for smaller organizations. The learning curve for both administrators and end-users can be steep. Moreover, Zix is a point solution, so organizations that prefer a more holistic data security offering with encryption included will select from other options.

SendSafely

SendSafely is a secure file transfer and email encryption platform that emphasizes ease of use and strong security. Customers might choose SendSafely over Paubox for its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with popular email clients and productivity tools.

SendSafely offers end-to-end encryption, secure file sharing, and the ability to recall or expire sent messages. Its drag-and-drop interface and browser extensions let users encrypt files and messages without leaving their usual workflow.

However, SendSafely may have limitations in terms of advanced DLP features and might not be as suitable for large enterprises with complex compliance requirements. Moreover, SendSafely is a point solution, so organizations that prefer a more holistic data security offering with encryption included will select from other options.

Proofpoint

Proofpoint DLP secures sensitive data across various channels, including email, web, cloud applications, and endpoints. Customers might choose Proofpoint over Paubox for its comprehensive approach to data protection and its strong integration with email security solutions.

Proofpoint leverages content inspection techniques to identify, monitor, and control data. Its interface and detailed reporting capabilities allow security teams to manage policies, investigate incidents, and generate compliance reports.

However, Proofpoint can be complex to set up and manage, especially for smaller organizations. Some users report high false positive rates, requiring frequent fine-tuning. Pricing can be expensive, particularly for comprehensive coverage.  As a firm that was delisted from the public markets, some view Proofpoint as no longer modern or innovative.

Final thoughts

When choosing an email encryption and data security solution, it's crucial to consider your organization's specific needs, budget, and existing infrastructure. While all the mentioned alternatives to Paubox offer robust features, Nightfall AI stands out as the most innovative and effective option, particularly for organizations prioritizing scalability, cloud security, and AI-driven protection.

Nightfall's use of generative AI (GenAI) and advanced machine learning techniques provides superior accuracy in detecting sensitive data, with significantly fewer false positives compared to traditional solutions. Its ability to secure both SaaS and GenAI applications, along with email and endpoints, makes it a versatile choice for modern enterprises.

However, each solution has its strengths. Ultimately, while Paubox remains a viable option for some organizations, alternatives like Nightfall AI offer more advanced technologies and better accuracy, potentially providing more value and stronger protection in today's rapidly evolving threat landscape. We recommend thoroughly evaluating each solution, with particular attention to Nightfall AI's cutting-edge features, before making a final decision.