SendSafely Alternatives for Email Encryption and Data Security in 2024

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

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.

While SendSafely offers features for data protection, it may not be the ideal solution for every organization. In this article, we review SendSafely'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 SendSafely

User-generated reviews help illustrate SendSafely's limitations:

• “I was under the impression from various reviews that the program was free and did not have size limits on the number or size of messages. I sent a few messages that arrived without problem. However, I then sent a message that according to the recipient had not arrived. I reviewed the message, noticed that it was large, and then googled "Sendsafely size." I found that there was a 10 mb size limit. I also learned that there was a 50 mb monthly total for the free version. I think that the program should have advised me that my message had not been sent, and that I should have been informed of the size limits when I signed up. No money lost here, but now I have to go back to looking for a more suitable program.” (G2)
• “SendSafely can be a bit intimidating to set up for the novice user.” (G2)
• “App UI can be made more attractive. More features for organizing documents can be added.” (G2)
• “You can't send an encrypted email to a group email you need to add everyones indvidual email. Some people on my team have a difficult time understanding how to identify a group email vs an individual which can lead to resends and overall frustration.” (G2)

Summary of limitations

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

File size and transfer limits

• The free version has a 10 MB size limit per message and a 50 MB monthly total limit, leading to frustrations when large messages fail to send without notification.

Separate login for viewing attachments

• Reviewing attachments requires a separate login, which can be cumbersome.

Group email limitations

• Users cannot send encrypted emails to group emails; each recipient's individual email must be added. This can cause confusion and frustration, leading to resends and inefficiencies.

Clunky UI

• The UI could be more user friendly, especially for novice users who find the setup process intimidating.
• Users have requested additional features for organizing documents and creating Workspace templates to streamline workflows.

Integration issues

• The Gmail and Outlook integrations sometimes require a browser restart to function correctly.

Alternatives to SendSafely

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 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 SendSafely 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 SendSafely 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.

Paubox

Paubox provides HIPAA-compliant email encryption with a focus on healthcare organizations. Customers might choose Paubox over SendSafely for its seamless, "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.

Paubox integrates with major email providers and offers additional features like inbound security against phishing and malware. Its HITRUST CSF certification may be particularly appealing to healthcare organizations.

However, Paubox's specialized focus on healthcare may make it less suitable for organizations in other industries. 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.

Proofpoint

Proofpoint DLP secures sensitive data across various channels, including email, web, cloud applications, and endpoints. Customers might choose Proofpoint over SendSafely 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 offer robust features, Nightfall AI stands out as the most innovative and effective option, particularly for organizations prioritizing 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 SendSafely 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.