Piler vs Google Vault
Own your email archive. Don't rent it from Google.
The Real Cost of Cloud Lock-In
Google Vault is convenient if you're all-in on Google Workspace. But what happens when you need to archive emails from other systems, require data sovereignty, or want to avoid per-user cloud fees forever?
Google Vault
- ❌Google Workspace only
- ❌Data stored on Google's infrastructure
- ❌Per-user monthly fees (forever)
- ❌Subject to Google's policies and access
- ❌Can't archive non-Google email systems
- ❌Limited export options
- ❌US CLOUD Act applies to your data
Piler Enterprise
- ✅Works with any email system
- ✅Your infrastructure, your control
- ✅Annual subscription (predictable budgeting)
- ✅Complete data sovereignty
- ✅Archive Google, M365, on-prem, and more
- ✅Full export in standard formats (EML, MBOX)
- ✅GDPR/local compliance on your terms
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Google Vault | Piler Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Email Sources | Google Workspace only | Any SMTP source |
| Data Location | Google Cloud (US jurisdiction) | Any cloud or on-premise |
| Pricing Model | Per-user/month (recurring) | Per-mailbox license |
| eDiscovery / Legal Hold | Yes | Yes |
| Retention Policies | Yes | Yes |
| Full-Text Search | Yes | Yes (sub-200ms) |
| AI/Semantic Search | No | Yes (on-premise ML and LLM) |
| Sensitive Data Detection | Limited (DLP separate) | Built-in Smart Insights |
| Export Formats | MBOX, PST | EML |
| Archive Non-Google Email | No | Yes |
| Self-Hosted Option | No | Yes |
| Multi-Tenant (MSPs) | No | Yes |
Why Organizations Choose Piler Over Google Vault
🌍 Data Sovereignty
Google Vault stores your data on Google's infrastructure, subject to US CLOUD Act and other regulations. Many organizations in Europe, healthcare, finance, and government require data to stay within specific jurisdictions.
With Piler, your archive lives on your infrastructure - on-premise, in your private cloud, or with a provider you choose.
📧 Multi-System Archives
Most organizations don't run pure Google Workspace. You likely have legacy emails, acquired company mailboxes, or departments using Microsoft 365, on-premise Exchange, or other systems.
Piler archives from any SMTP source, giving you a unified archive across all email platforms.
💰 Transparent Pricing
Google Vault pricing is bundled with Workspace editions or sold as add-ons, making true archiving costs hard to track. Vault also requires higher-tier Workspace plans for full eDiscovery features.
Piler offers straightforward per-mailbox annual subscription. Clear pricing, all features included.
🔒 Independence from Google
What if you migrate away from Google Workspace? Your Vault archive becomes inaccessible or requires complex export. You're locked into the ecosystem.
Piler is independent of your email provider. Switch from Google to M365, or vice versa - your archive stays intact.
When Piler Makes More Sense
EU/GDPR Compliance
Organizations requiring data residency in specific EU countries. Keep archives within your jurisdiction, not on US-based cloud infrastructure.
Hybrid Email Environments
Companies using both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, or with legacy on-premise systems. One archive for all sources.
MSPs / Multi-Tenant
Managed service providers archiving for multiple clients. Google Vault has no multi-tenant model. Piler is built for MSPs.
M&A / Acquisitions
Acquired a company with different email infrastructure? Import their archives into Piler without forcing migration to Google Workspace.
Long-Term Cost Control
Organizations that prefer CapEx over OpEx, or want to avoid perpetual per-user SaaS fees that compound over time.
AI Without Cloud Exposure
Want semantic search and sensitive data detection without sending emails to cloud AI services? Piler runs ML models and LLMs entirely on-premise.
Migrating from Google Vault
Already using Google Vault? You can migrate to Piler while continuing to archive new emails.
Export from Google Vault
Use Google Vault's export feature to download archives in MBOX format
Deploy Piler
Set up Piler on your infrastructure (Docker deployment takes minutes)
Import Historical Data
Import MBOX files into Piler to bring over your historical archive
Configure Live Archiving
Set up SMTP routing or journal forwarding to archive new emails in real-time
Take Control of Your Email Archive
Try Piler Enterprise Edition free for 30 days. See why organizations choose ownership over rental.