ClamAV catches some threats.
We catch the rest.
ClamAV is a great open-source project, but signature-based detection alone isn't enough. AttachmentScanner runs multiple engines to catch what ClamAV misses, with zero infrastructure to maintain.
Why developers move on from ClamAV
Detection gaps are real
No single scanning engine catches everything. ClamAV's community-maintained signatures are good at known threats, but running multiple engines significantly improves detection rates. AttachmentScanner combines multiple engines so what one misses, another catches.
No more infrastructure to manage
Self-hosting ClamAV means managing signature updates, monitoring daemon health, scaling workers, and handling crashes. With AttachmentScanner you make an API call and we handle everything else.
Signatures lag behind threats
ClamAV's signature database is community-maintained and updates less frequently than commercial engines. New malware can circulate for days before a signature is available. Multi-engine scanning closes that window significantly.
Predictable performance at any scale
ClamAV's throughput depends on your hardware and configuration. As volume grows you need bigger servers or a queue system. AttachmentScanner scales automatically and returns results via webhook so your app never blocks.
How they compare
| ClamAV | AttachmentScanner | |
|---|---|---|
| Detection approach | Signature-only | Multi-engine |
| Infrastructure | Self-hosted, self-managed | Fully managed API |
| Signature updates | Community-maintained | Commercial engines, auto-updated |
| Scaling | Manual (more servers) | Automatic |
| Async results | DIY queue system | Webhook callbacks |
| Region selection | Wherever you host it | US, EU, Asia-Pacific |
| Cost | Free (+ your server costs) | From $99/month |
| Support | Community forums | Email & phone support |
Single-engine detection isn't enough
ClamAV's signature-based approach is well-documented to have high false negative rates — real threats that pass through undetected. Independent testing consistently shows that no single engine catches everything. AttachmentScanner uses multiple commercial-grade engines so threats that slip past one are caught by another.
You don't have to rip out ClamAV
If you've already integrated ClamAV, that's fine. AttachmentScanner's REST API is simple enough to run alongside it, or replace it entirely. Either way, you get better detection with less operational overhead.
Built for the same developers who use ClamAV
If you chose ClamAV, you probably wanted something you could integrate into your own system rather than an off-the-shelf product. AttachmentScanner is the same philosophy — a clean REST API you call from your code — without the operational burden.
Better detection, zero maintenance
Stop managing ClamAV infrastructure and start catching more threats. One API call, multiple engines, clear results.
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