Virtru Alternatives for Email Encryption and Data Security in 2024

Virtru is a data protection company known for its email encryption and digital privacy solutions. Using Virtru, businesses can secure sensitive information in emails and attachments. Companies often choose Virtru for its encryption capabilities and integrations with popular email platforms.

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

Limitations of Virtru

User-generated reviews help illustrate Virtru's limitations:

• “The errors, and having to reset or re-login, is a pain. Sometimes Virtu will pick up an item and encrypt an email that I didn't want to encrypt due to the client not being able to open it on their end. Usually, we have to find a workaround when this happens.” (G2)
• “Lots of errors! It freezes a lot, links don’t send properly, attachments will send as flat images vs links. It constantly logs me out and with the amount of volume we do, it needs to run smoothly. Customers have issues opening our Virtu links as well. This could be great, but needs lots of bug fixes.” (G2)
• “Virtru is clunky to use. It isn't integrated with Outlook. When using Outlook, one needs to open a separate web page to be able to read the email. I have had clients tell me to send reports unencrypted because they don't want to deal with using Virtru. I am constantly having to sign in with Virtru to be able to read emails. Please make it compatible with Outlook.” (G2)
• “There has been difficulty onboarding our employees to the features provided by Virtru. Also, at times filters are too aggressive and detect CC numbers in links that don't exist. They also auto-encrypt emails even when the word "password" is used but no password is included. Initial filters had to be adjusted so workflows were not interrupted.” (G2)
• “I don't particularly appreciate that others we send emails to are having difficulty opening the messages. It has caused a lot of issues because we are sending essential documents daily and then having to find a way to resend them.” (G2)

Summary of limitations

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

Performance and reliability issues

• Frequent freezing and errors, impacting workflow efficiency.
• Links don't send properly, and attachments may display incorrectly (e.g., sent as flat images).
• Users experience frequent logouts, disrupting work continuity.

Encryption errors

• Unintentional or incorrect encryption of emails, causing issues for recipients.
• Overly aggressive filters detecting non-existent sensitive information.
• Auto-encryption based on keywords without context, leading to unnecessary encryption.

User interface and integration challenges

• Clunky and not user-friendly interface.
• Poor integration with email clients like Outlook, requiring additional steps to access emails.
• Separate web page needed to read encrypted emails, inconveniencing both senders and recipients.

Compatibility and accessibility issues

• Recipients often struggle to open Virtru-encrypted emails or access attachments.
• Particular difficulties reported with mobile device access.
• Some clients request unencrypted reports to avoid dealing with Virtru.

Onboarding and workflow disruptions

• Difficulty in onboarding employees to Virtru's features.
• Initial filters often require adjustment to prevent workflow interruptions.
• Frequent need for workarounds when encryption causes issues.

Alternatives to Virtru

Nightfall AI

Nightfall AI is a comprehensive, AI-native data security platform that enables organizations to discover and protect sensitive data across SaaS, email, AI apps, and endpoint devices. Nightfall's industry-leading detection engine and flexible APIs cover a wide variety of use cases for complex cloud-based workspaces.

Powered by advanced AI and machine learning techniques, Nightfall's detectors for PII, PCI, PHI, secrets, and IP have 2x greater precision and 4x fewer false positives than legacy solutions. This increased accuracy allows security teams to respond to high-priority alerts in near-real time and maintain continuous compliance with leading standards like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, and GDPR.

Focusing on email DLP capabilities, Nightfall offers seamless email scanning and automatic encryption for emails containing sensitive data. Using Nightfall's browser plugin, native integrations, and intuitive email reader, security teams can protect sensitive data in real-time without interrupting mission-critical workflows.

You can get a demo of Nightfall here.

Zix

Zix's Webroot Advanced Email Encryption offers email encryption capabilities within their "Secure Cloud" framework. Customers may choose Zix over Virtru 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, accessible on any device. This flexibility can enhance the experience for both senders and recipients. Zix also provides detailed reporting for comprehensive oversight and ease of use.

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.

SendSafely

SendSafely is a secure file transfer and email encryption platform that emphasizes ease of use and strong security. Customers might choose SendSafely over Virtru 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 make it easy for users to 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.

Paubox

Paubox provides HIPAA-compliant email encryption with a focus on healthcare organizations. Customers might choose Paubox over Virtru 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 email DLP and 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 Virtru 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 user-friendly interface and detailed reporting capabilities allow security teams to manage policies, investigate incidents, and generate compliance reports with ease.

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 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 Virtru 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.