If regular email doesn’t cut it and you need something to keep your electronic communications extra safe, Paubox is here to save the day. This platform was built for healthcare professionals and organizations that want to send emails safely and protect patient data against any possible data breach.
If you’re considering Paubox email and you’re wondering about the costs, the pros and cons, pricing, and more, we’re giving you all that in a moment.
Let’s look at Paubox: what it offers, who it’s for, and how much it costs.
What is Paubox, and who is it for?
Paubox is an email security and marketing platform built for healthcare organizations that need to send Protected Health Information (PHI) securely.
Unlike traditional secure email tools that require portals or extra logins, Paubox encrypts every message automatically and delivers it straight to a patient’s regular inbox while keeping communication compliant with HIPAA and HITRUST standards. You get premium data security and peace of mind.
Paubox is designed for healthcare providers, insurance payers, and business associates who handle sensitive patient data.
It is also a good fit for IT and compliance teams that want encryption by default, coupled with strong deliverability, threat protection, and audit controls.
It integrates smoothly with existing systems such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Salesforce. This makes it practical for both small practices and large healthcare organizations.
Top Paubox features
Given Paubox’s specialized use case, it has a narrow feature set that you won’t find in many other general email tools. For example:
- Automatic encryption of emails and attachments ensures every message is secured by default without requiring manual steps.
- Business associate agreement (BAA) support provides healthcare organizations with the legal assurance needed to handle PHI securely.
- Seamless integration with existing email systems allows teams to continue using Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 without changing the app they’re working in.
- HITRUST CSF certification demonstrates compliance with rigorous healthcare security standards.
- Advanced threat protection for inbound email includes spam filtering, anti-malware, and anti-phishing defenses.
- Audit logs and email archiving make it easy to track communications and meet compliance requirements.
- HIPAA-compliant email marketing supports personalized campaigns, segmentation, and A/B testing with PHI.
- A developer-friendly email API allows applications to send secure transactional messages at scale.
- Secure forms let providers collect patient data through encrypted platforms.
- Seamless user experience for recipients delivers encrypted emails directly to inboxes with no need for extra passwords or portals.
Paubox pricing explained
Paubox pricing depends on the number of senders you have and the plan you pick.
The first plan is called Standard, and it gives you all the features for HIPAA compliance so you can protect patient data. These include:
- 100% HIPAA compliant email
- Email encryption
- Works with Google Workspace and Microsoft Outlook
- Recipients don’t have to log into any tools or healthcare platforms
This plan costs $29 for one sender.
The next plan is called Plus and it gives you HIPAA compliant email features and email security.
It comes with all the features from Standard, and a few extras such as:
- Preventing display name spoofing attacks with ExecProtect+
- Malware and virus protection
- Spam, ransomware, and phishing attack prevention
- Automatically transcribing audio attachments in email with Paubox Transcribe
- Safe sender identification with Paubox [Tags]
This plan starts at $59 per month for one sender.
Lastly, the most expensive plan is called Premium and it comes with all the features from Standard and Plus, along with:
- The ability to search, view, and export archived emails
- Unlimited storage for inbound and outbound mail
- The option to block emails with sensitive data, including in attachments
- Customization of filtering options to stop unauthorized data from leaving the organization
It starts at $69 monthly for one sender.
There is no free plan available, only a 14-day free trial.
Paubox Email API is a standalone package that gives you REST API and SMTP API options. It’s free for up to 300 emails per month. From 400+ emails, you’ll pay a minimum of $99 monthly.
What Paubox reviews are saying
Paubox ratings are exceptional, with a whopping 4.9 stars on G2 and more than 400 reviews. Having said that, there are a few considerations and downsides we picked up while doing our research.
The first one is the HIPAA compliant forms feature. While it’s great that Paubox has it, the forms are very limited in customization options compared to most other form builders you can get for different CMS platforms.
“Form creation through Paubox Forms is limited in design features and customization options. While the forms are functional and HIPAA compliant, the aesthetic and branding capabilities are quite basic compared to other form builders. I’d appreciate more flexibility in styling, layout options, and the ability to better match my organization’s visual identity. The form templates feel somewhat generic, and advanced conditional logic features are limited.” – Source
There are also many accounts of Paubox customers complaining about the cost of this tool.
“Paubox is a bit expensive, though they have incentives and specials you can complete to help pay for their services.” – Source
“Perhaps, the pricing could be more competitive.” – Source
The best Paubox alternatives to try in 2025
If HIPAA compliance is not at the top of your priorities list or you need something that is more geared towards sales and marketing, there are plenty of better choices than Paubox.
Woodpecker
Woodpecker is a cold email platform for sales teams, agencies, and recruiters that focuses on deliverability and sequence automation so you can contact prospects at scale with less risk of spam.
It includes email verification, warm up, inbox rotation, adaptive sending, a centralized inbox, and a domain audit, all built to improve inbox placement and reply rates.
Key features
- Deliverability controls use free warm up, inbox rotation, adaptive sending, human like sending randomization, spam words and links checker, and a deliverability monitor to keep sending safe.
- Automation and sequencing provide condition-based campaigns, workflows, and A/B tests up to five versions, with automatic reply sorting by interest level and out-of-office filtering.
- AI assistance includes an AI email writer and interest level detection to help draft copy and prioritize replies.
- Personalization at scale offers snippets, spintax, send in prospect timezone, and snippet-based conditions to keep messages relevant.
- Integrations and API are available through an add-on that unlocks API, webhooks, MCP Server, and native two-way sync with HubSpot and Pipedrive, plus tools like Calendly and Google Sheets.
- Agency features add a dedicated panel with separate prospect databases, bulk actions, automated client domain audits, centralized billing, uptime commitments, and client view-only access.
- Lead sourcing and verification include email verification and one hundred Lead Finder credits each month to help you start sending with cleaner lists.
Main downsides and considerations
- Teams that need unlimited integrations or very high monthly prospect volumes should plan pricing carefully since costs scale with contacted and stored prospects, even on higher plans.
Pricing:
- Starter plan from $20 per month, includes 500 contacted prospects, 6,000 emails, 2,000 stored prospects, and two free warm-ups (annual pricing equivalent is $20 per month).
- 7-day free trial or 50 contacted prospects available.
- Add ons:
- Integrations and API at $20 per month
- LinkedIn outreach automation $29 per connected account
- Agency panel $27 per active client
- Extra warm-ups at $5 per inbox
- Dedicated servers, domains, and mailboxes are available at an extra cost
Why it is better than Paubox
Woodpecker is built for prospecting and cold outreach, it gives you sending safeguards, multistep sequences, personalization at scale, and optional LinkedIn steps to run sales campaigns from one place. Paubox focuses on secure and compliant email for healthcare, not on high-volume prospect sequences or sales automation.
Get started with Woodpecker for free today.
Canary Mail
Canary Mail is an email client built for people who want strong encryption, AI-powered productivity, and intuitive email management across multiple devices. It works across macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android and is ideal for professionals seeking privacy without sacrificing smart features.
Key features
- AI email assistant helps you compose messages, summarize long threads, and keep your inbox organized with smart triage and filters.
- End-to-end encryption and PGP support secure your messages for privacy-conscious users.
- SecureSend option adds HIPAA-compliant encryption when needed.
- Built-in protection from phishing, ransomware, and impersonation using security tools to keep incoming email safe.
- Unified inbox, templates, snooze, pin, read receipts, and scheduled sends improve organization and productivity.
- Works across multiple platforms and supports Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, and more with seamless syncing.
- Link tracking and advanced privacy controls help you manage how recipients interact with your emails.
- Biometric app lock and impersonation detection features add extra layers of personal security.
Main downsides and considerations
- AI-powered tools may feel unnecessary to some users.
- Higher security features require the Pro+ plan, which costs more than the free or Growth tiers.
- Some of the advanced features come with a learning curve for new users.
Pricing: Free tier is available for personal use; the Growth plan is $3 per user per month; the Pro+ plan is $10 per user per month and includes encryption, priority support, and advanced security features.
Why it’s better than Paubox for some users
Canary Mail excels if you want a secure, AI-enhanced email experience across all your everyday accounts without needing health-care-specific compliance. It gives you strong privacy, modern design, and productivity tools in one email app.
LuxSci
LuxSci is a secure email and web services provider built for organizations that need HIPAA-compliant communication and hosting. It has been around for over two decades and is known for combining strong encryption with customizable features for healthcare, finance, and other industries that handle sensitive information.
Key features
- HIPAA-compliant email encryption works automatically and includes multiple options for delivery, such as TLS, Escrow, or SecureLine.
- Secure marketing and transactional email allows organizations to send high-volume, PHI-containing campaigns or system notifications safely.
- Dedicated servers and hosting services provide HIPAA-compliant web hosting, databases, and file storage alongside secure email.
- Advanced threat protection defends against spam, phishing, and malware while keeping security requirements in place.
- Customizable policies and access controls let organizations configure security levels and compliance settings to fit their needs.
- Audit logs and reporting make it easy to demonstrate compliance and track communications.
- 24/7 support ensures regulated organizations have direct help whenever they need it.
Main downsides and considerations
- Pricing is higher than that of many standard email platforms, especially for smaller practices.
- The interface and setup can feel more complex compared to simpler providers.
- Some features require technical knowledge or IT support to configure fully.
Pricing: Plans for HIPAA-compliant email start at about $50 per user per month, with costs increasing for dedicated servers, higher volumes, or add-ons.
Why it’s better than Paubox
LuxSci offers more flexibility and additional services beyond secure email, such as HIPAA-compliant web hosting, dedicated servers, and large-scale transactional email. This makes it a stronger choice for organizations that need a broader range of compliant digital infrastructure, not just encrypted email delivery.
ProtonMail
Proton Mail is an encrypted email platform built for users who prioritize privacy, security, and ownership of their communications. It’s ideal for individuals and businesses looking for end-to-end encrypted messaging, minimal tracking, and a suite of privacy tools, all hosted under Switzerland’s strong privacy laws.
Key features
- End‑to‑end encryption means only the sender and recipient can read messages, not Proton, not ISPs, protecting your email privacy.
- No‑log policy ensures IP addresses and metadata aren’t logged, enhancing user anonymity.
- Free plan available offering around 1 GB of storage and a daily send limit of about 150 messages.
- Paid plans at competitive rates include Plus (about 5EUR/month) with 15 GB storage, one custom domain, and more email aliases; higher tiers add storage, domains, priority support, and Proton Scribe (AI writing assistant).
- Swiss‑based infrastructure with secure data centers ensures robust data protection under strong Swiss laws.
- Open source and transparent code, trusted by users for unbiased privacy.
- Extras like expiring emails, email aliases, filters, and HTML signatures enhance usability while maintaining privacy.
- Two‑factor authentication (TOTP) and digital signatures add extra security layers.
- Write‑and‑proofread assistant (Proton Scribe) available in higher-tier plans for composing faster.
Main downsides and considerations
- Paid plans can feel pricey compared to mainstream email services, especially if you’re scaling storage or domains.
- Search capabilities and message subject lines aren’t fully encrypted, limiting searchability and privacy in those areas.
- Free plan has limited storage and send limits, which may be restrictive for heavy users.
- Feature rollout can be slow, with upgrades and new tools arriving gradually.
Pricing: Free to use with basic limits; paid Plus plan starts at around €5/month, and higher plans like Visionary go up to around €30/month with more storage, aliases, AI tools, and priority support.
Why it’s better than Paubox for some users: Proton Mail is a strong choice if your priority is personal or business email encryption and privacy, without dealing with portals or healthcare-focused tooling. It gives you full control over your data, won’t read your emails, and provides a polished, privacy-first inbox, while Paubox is explicitly built for HIPAA compliance and healthcare workflows.
Conclusion
Paubox is a good tool, but it may not be built for your specific needs. It doesn’t have deep customization features and it’s pretty expensive considering the feature set. If you’re looking to do cold email, it also doesn’t have all the deliverability features.
With Woodpecker, you don’t have to worry about any of that. We’re built for cold email and we have a free trial you can check out before starting.