Retarus
Privately owned Munich vendor marketed explicitly as email security 'made in Europe', gateway or API
Quick Overview
| Company | Retarus Email Security |
|---|---|
| Category | Email Security & Anti-Phishing Software |
| Headquarters | Munich, Germany |
| Founded | Not stated by the vendor |
| EU Presence | EU (Germany) |
| Open Source | Not stated; closed-source |
| Compliance | GDPR-compliant (as stated by the vendor) |
| Pricing | Quoted on request; not published |
| Free Option | Demo or trial available on request; no published free tier |
| Replaces | Proofpoint, Mimecast, Microsoft Defender for Office 365 |
Detailed Review
Retarus is a privately owned, independent company headquartered in Munich, Germany, that describes itself directly: "we answer to customers not investors." Its Email Security product is offered as a classic secure email gateway or as an API for Microsoft 365, and it includes advanced threat protection with sandboxing, post-delivery protection that keeps re-checking links and attachments after arrival, and email continuity for outages.
Retarus markets the product explicitly as "the comprehensive solution for email security made in Europe" and states its infrastructure is 100% GDPR compliant. Email security is one line in a broader Retarus messaging portfolio that also includes fax and SMS services, rather than the company's sole focus.
What Retarus does well
- Post-delivery protection keeps checking links and attachments after they arrive, catching threats weaponized later
- API deployment option for Microsoft 365 alongside the classic gateway
- Privately owned and independent, marketed explicitly as "made in Europe" with 100% GDPR-compliant infrastructure
Where Retarus falls short
- Pricing is quote-only
- Email security is one product line within a broader messaging portfolio (fax, SMS) rather than the company's sole focus
- Less brand recognition outside German-speaking Europe than the larger US gateways
Standout feature. Post-delivery protection that keeps re-checking links and attachments after arrival, on infrastructure marketed as 100% GDPR compliant.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Choice of classic gateway or an API deployment for Microsoft 365
- Post-delivery protection that re-checks links and attachments after arrival
- Sandboxing and email continuity included in the offer
- Privately owned and independent, marketed explicitly as made in Europe
- Enterprise support organisation from a long-established messaging vendor
Cons
- Pricing is quote-only with no published free tier
- Email security is one line in a wider messaging portfolio
- Processing location should be specified contractually rather than assumed
- Less brand recognition outside German-speaking Europe
Alternatives to Retarus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Retarus?
Retarus is privately owned Munich vendor marketed explicitly as email security 'made in Europe', gateway or API.
Where is Retarus based?
Retarus is headquartered in Munich, Germany.
What does Retarus cost?
Quoted on request; not published.
Who is Retarus best for?
Post-delivery protection that keeps re-checking links and attachments after arrival, on infrastructure marketed as 100% GDPR compliant.
Is Retarus a good alternative to Proofpoint or Mimecast?
Retarus is built as a genuinely European alternative to US and UK email security vendors like Proofpoint and Mimecast. It will not be a like-for-like feature match in every respect, so check the review above for where it genuinely differs before switching.
How does Retarus compare to other Email Security & Anti-Phishing Software tools?
Retarus is one of several European email security tools covered on this site. See the full Email Security & Anti-Phishing Software category page for how it ranks against its closest European competitors.