# Microsoft Defender for Office 365 vs Paubox Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Paubox excels in user experience, with many praising its **seamless email security** that doesn't require extra steps for recipients. Users appreciate that it allows for easy encrypted email sending without needing clients to enter codes or visit external sites.
- **According to verified reviews** , Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is favored for its **integration within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem**. Users highlight that it can be easily deployed as part of existing Office 365 installations, making it a convenient choice for organizations already using Microsoft products.
- **Reviewers mention** that Paubox offers a significantly higher satisfaction score, reflecting its strong performance in areas like **quality of support** and **ease of setup**. Users have noted the intuitive onboarding process, which contributes to a smooth implementation experience.
- **Users say** that while Microsoft Defender for Office 365 provides solid functionality, it sometimes lacks the **customization options** that Paubox offers. This can be a drawback for businesses looking for tailored solutions to fit their specific needs.
- **Reviewers highlight** that Paubox's focus on small businesses allows it to cater effectively to their unique requirements, with features like **compliance and data loss prevention** receiving high marks. This specialization can be a significant advantage for smaller organizations.
- **According to recent feedback** , Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is seen as a reliable choice for mid-market companies, but some users feel it could improve in areas like **ease of administration** and **support quality** , where Paubox has received notably higher ratings.



| | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.9 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 298 | 598 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (37.9% of reviews) | Small-Business (84.2% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | $2.00 1 User Per Month | Starting at $32.00 5 Users Per Month | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Pros:
- Ease of Use (9 reviews)
- Security (9 reviews)

Cons:
- Complexity (8 reviews)
- False Positives (6 reviews)

### Paubox

Pros:
- Ease of Use (216 reviews)
- Security (169 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (50 reviews)
- Email Issues (32 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (231 reviews) | 9.8 (516 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.9 (234 reviews) | 9.7 (522 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.7 (117 reviews) | 9.1 (417 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.9 (100 reviews) | 9.6 (257 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.7 (225 reviews) | 9.8 (498 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (101 reviews) | 9.8 (255 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.4 (222 reviews) | 9.2 (494 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Microsoft Defender for Office 365

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Microsoft Defender for Office Plan 1

Price: $2.00 1 User Per Month

Description: Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 offers protection against advanced attacks across email and collaboration tools in Office 365.

Key Features:
- Protection against advanced attacks, such as phishing, malware, spam, and business email compromise
- Protection beyond email (Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Office apps)
- Internal email protection

[Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-microsoft-defender-for-office-365/pricing)

#### Free Trial

No

### Paubox

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Paubox Email Suite Standard

Price: Starting at $32.00 5 Users Per Month

Description: HIPAA compliant email

Key Features:
- 14 day free trial
-  100% HIPAA compliant email
-  Every email encrypted automatically

[Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/paubox/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### HIPAA Compliant Messaging

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | N/A | N/A |
| **Paubox** | 9.8/10 | 247 |

#### Platform

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **User Authorization - HIPAA Compliant Messaging** | Not enough data | 9.8 (193 reviews) | 
| **Compliant Texting - HIPAA Compliant Messaging** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Compliant Emailing - HIPAA Compliant Messaging** | Not enough data | 9.9 (237 reviews) | 
| **Clinical Communication - HIPAA Compliance** | Not enough data | 9.9 (207 reviews) | 
| **HIPAA Compliance - HIPAA Compliant Messaging** | Not enough data | 9.8 (211 reviews) | 
| **Operating Systems - HIPAA Compliant Messaging** | Not enough data | 9.8 (179 reviews) | 
| **Message Lifespan - HIPAA Compliant Messaging** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Workflow Enhancement - HIPAA Compliant Messaging** | Not enough data | 9.7 (173 reviews) | 

### Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | N/A | N/A |
| **Paubox** | N/A | N/A |

#### Administration

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Incident Logs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Governance

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Access Control** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Visibility** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Security

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Encryption** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Endpoint Intelligence** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Breach Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Email Archiving

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | N/A | N/A |
| **Paubox** | 9.6/10 | 10 |

#### Functionality

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Email Storage** | Not enough data | 9.5 (10 reviews) | 
| **Encryption** | Not enough data | 10.0 (10 reviews) | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | 9.6 (9 reviews) | 
| **Email Analysis** | Not enough data | 9.4 (9 reviews) | 
| **Migration** | Not enough data | 9.4 (8 reviews) | 
| **Archive Backup** | Not enough data | 9.6 (8 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Email Archiving

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Cloud Email Security

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | 8.8/10 | 163 |
| **Paubox** | 9.7/10 | 23 |

#### Administration

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intelligence Reporting** | 8.8 (148 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.6 (15 reviews) | 
| **Email Integration Suppor** | 9.0 (147 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.7 (21 reviews) | 
| **Access Management** | 8.8 (141 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.7 (13 reviews) | 
| **Data Loss Prevention** | 8.5 (140 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.7 (11 reviews) | 

#### Maintenance

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Auditing** | 8.7 (139 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.5 (11 reviews) | 
| **Allow and block lists** | 8.8 (146 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.8 (16 reviews) | 
| **Compliance** | 8.8 (143 reviews) | 10.0 (17 reviews) | 
| **Archiving** | 8.6 (136 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.7 (11 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Anti-Malware/Anti-Spam** | 9.0 (151 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.7 (16 reviews) | 
| **Encryption** | 8.9 (142 reviews) | 10.0 (18 reviews) | 
| **Quarantine** | 8.8 (146 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.6 (12 reviews) | 
| **Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)** | 9.0 (145 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.5 (11 reviews) | 
| **Anti-Phishing** | 9.0 (149 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.6 (12 reviews) | 
| **Account takeover prevention** | 8.7 (139 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.6 (12 reviews) | 

### Intelligent Email Protection

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | 8.9/10 | 5 |
| **Paubox** | N/A | N/A |

#### Administration

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Compliance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Intelligence Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Email Clients** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Role-Based Rules** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Detection

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Exfiltration Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Detection** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Protection

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Targeted Attack Prevention** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Policy Enforcement** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Spam Filtering** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Intelligent Email Protection

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Secure Email Gateway

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | N/A | N/A |
| **Paubox** | 9.1/10 | 128 |

#### Functionality

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Anti-Spam** | Not enough data | 9.2 (108 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Anti-Malware** | Not enough data | 9.3 (105 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Anti-Phishing** | Not enough data | 9.3 (104 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Filtering Functionality** | Not enough data | 9.4 (99 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Quarantine** | Not enough data | 9.2 (96 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Outbound Email Monitoring** | Not enough data | 9.7 (108 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Advanced Threat Intelligence/Protection** | Not enough data | 9.6 (92 reviews) | 
| **Archiving** | Not enough data | 9.2 (88 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | 9.2 (100 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **On-prem deployment** | Not enough data | 9.0 (70 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Secure Email Gateway

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | 7.6 (18 reviews) | 

### Email Encryption

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | N/A | N/A |
| **Paubox** | 9.5/10 | 262 |

#### Encryption Techniques - Email Encryption

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Encryption Algorithms** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Transport Encryption** | Not enough data | 9.8 (137 reviews) | 
| **End-to-End Encryption** | Not enough data | 9.9 (127 reviews) | 

#### Authentication, Verification, and Access Controls - Email Encryption

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Revocation Mechanisms** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Access Controls** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Digital Signatures** | Not enough data | 9.1 (100 reviews) | 
| **Certificate Authorities** | Not enough data | 9.1 (102 reviews) | 

#### Security Enhancements and Auditing - Email Encryption

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Malware Scanning** | Not enough data | 9.3 (103 reviews) | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | 9.5 (111 reviews) | 
| **Audit Trails** | Not enough data | 9.6 (102 reviews) | 
| **Data Loss Prevention (DLP)** | Not enough data | 9.3 (101 reviews) | 

#### Integration, Compatibility, and Usability - Email Encryption

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **User-Friendly Interfaces** | Not enough data | 9.8 (213 reviews) | 
| **APIs and SDKs** | Not enough data | 9.2 (91 reviews) | 
| **Email Client Integration** | Not enough data | 9.7 (154 reviews) | 
| **Automation** | Not enough data | 9.8 (159 reviews) | 

### Email Anti-spam

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | 7.8/10 | 14 |
| **Paubox** | N/A | N/A |

#### Agentic AI - Email Anti-spam Features

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | 8.1 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | 7.4 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Data Security

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | N/A | N/A |
| **Paubox** | N/A | N/A |

#### Compliance

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Access Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **At-Risk Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **DLP Configuration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Sensitive Data Compliance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Administration

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Database Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Deduplication ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Backup** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API / integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Security 

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Multi-Factor Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Transport** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Types** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Security Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (2):** [Cloud Email Security Solutions](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-email-security), [Email Anti-spam Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/email-anti-spam)

**Unique to Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (1):** [Intelligent Email Protection Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/intelligent-email-protection)

**Unique to Paubox (5):** [Email Encryption Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/email-encryption), [HIPAA Compliant Messaging Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/hipaa-compliant-messaging), [Secure Email Gateway Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/secure-email-gateway), [Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/data-loss-prevention-dlp), [Email Archiving Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/email-archiving)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Paubox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 25.5% | 84.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 37.9% | 13.9% | 
| **Enterprise** | 36.5% | 1.9% | 

### By Industry

#### Microsoft Defender for Office 365

- **Information Technology and Services:** 26.1%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 12.5%
- **Computer Software:** 12.5%
- **Financial Services:** 5.4%
- **Accounting:** 2.9%
- **Consulting:** 2.9%
- **Telecommunications:** 2.5%
- **Education Management:** 2.5%
- **Oil & Energy:** 2.5%
- **Higher Education:** 1.8%
- **Other:** 28.6%

#### Paubox

- **Mental Health Care:** 35.9%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 25.4%
- **Medical Practice:** 11.5%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 11.4%
- **Insurance:** 4.1%
- **Medical Devices:** 1.2%
- **Consulting:** 1.0%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 1.0%
- **Alternative Medicine:** 0.8%
- **Real Estate:** 0.7%
- **Other:** 6.9%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Microsoft Defender for Office 365

- [Proofpoint Core Email Protection](https://www.g2.com/products/proofpoint-core-email-protection/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (601 reviews)
- [SpamTitan Email Security](https://www.g2.com/products/spamtitan-email-security/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (199 reviews)
- [Symantec Email Security.Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/symantec-email-security-cloud/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (66 reviews)
- [IRONSCALES](https://www.g2.com/products/ironscales/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (65 reviews)
- [Mimecast Advanced Email Security](https://www.g2.com/products/mimecast-advanced-email-security/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (320 reviews)
- [Barracuda Email Gateway Defense](https://www.g2.com/products/barracuda-email-gateway-defense/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (39 reviews)
- [Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-email-threat-defense/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (28 reviews)
- [Proofpoint Essentials for Small Business](https://www.g2.com/products/proofpoint-essentials-for-small-business/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (24 reviews)
- [Vade](https://www.g2.com/products/vade/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (180 reviews)
- [Cloudflare One (SASE)](https://www.g2.com/products/cloudflare-one-sase/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (105 reviews)

### Alternatives to Paubox

- [Proofpoint Core Email Protection](https://www.g2.com/products/proofpoint-core-email-protection/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (601 reviews)
- [Virtru Email Encryption](https://www.g2.com/products/virtru-email-encryption/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (417 reviews)
- [NeoCertified Secure Email](https://www.g2.com/products/neocertified-secure-email/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (101 reviews)
- [Mimecast Advanced Email Security](https://www.g2.com/products/mimecast-advanced-email-security/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (320 reviews)
- [Spruce Health](https://www.g2.com/products/spruce-health/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (344 reviews)
- [Weave](https://www.g2.com/products/weave-weave/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (433 reviews)
- [Proton Mail For Business](https://www.g2.com/products/proton-mail-for-business/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (426 reviews)
- [Rocket.Chat](https://www.g2.com/products/rocket-chat/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (374 reviews)
- [Connecteam](https://www.g2.com/products/connecteam/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (3505 reviews)
- [Valimail](https://www.g2.com/products/valimail/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (459 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Microsoft Defender for Office 365

- Title: [What are the security features of Microsoft 365?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/microsoft-defender-for-office-365-what-are-the-security-features-of-microsoft-365) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Multi Factor authentication. data encryption, threat protection, data protection, identity and access management are major features of MS Office 365,"
- Title: [Does Microsoft 365 include Microsoft Defender?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/does-microsoft-365-include-microsoft-defender) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Yes"

### Paubox

- Title: [What is Paubox?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-paubox) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "It’s a service that works through your email to encrypt and secure outgoing and/or incoming messages. It’s pretty seamless! "
- Title: [Does Paubox interface with Salesforce or other CRM platforms?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/37231-does-paubox-interface-with-salesforce-or-other-crm-platforms) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi Randy,
Paubox seamlessly integrates with business email providers such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Exchange.

If you use..."
- Title: [Are there any fees for a Business Associate Agreement?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/are-there-any-fees-for-a-business-associate-agreement) — 2 comments, 2 upvotes *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "No. All customers receive a Business Associate Agreement for free."
- Title: [Can I use my smartphone with Paubox?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-i-use-my-smartphone-with-paubox) — 2 comments, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "Yes, you can use your smartphone and your favorite email apps. Paubox can also easily be setup on tablets and smartwatches with no proprietary apps or..."
- Title: [Outlook integration](https://www.g2.com/discussions/paubox-outlook-integration) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi Brian,
Yes, Paubox works with all versions of Microsoft Outlook. Nothing to configure or install for the Outlook user. 

More info..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/microsoft-microsoft-defender-for-office-365-vs-paubox)