# Microsoft Defender for Office 365 vs Proofpoint Core Email Protection Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Proofpoint Core Email Protection excels in its email filtering capabilities, with users praising features like the TAB and trap systems that effectively quarantine spam emails, leading to a significant reduction in risk.
- **Users say** Microsoft Defender for Office 365 stands out for its seamless integration with Office 365, which eliminates the need for additional tools. Reviewers appreciate its robust protection against phishing and malware, highlighting features like Safe Links and Safe Attachments that proactively block malicious content.
- **According to verified reviews** , Proofpoint Core Email Protection has a higher overall satisfaction score, reflecting its strong performance in areas like threat detail and information availability for investigation and remediation, which users find invaluable.
- **Reviewers mention** that while Microsoft Defender for Office 365 offers solid real-time alerts and comprehensive threat reports, some users feel it could improve in areas like proactive assistance and automated investigation, which are more robust in Proofpoint's offering.
- **Users highlight** that Proofpoint's quality of support is highly rated, with many noting the effectiveness of their customer service in addressing issues quickly, whereas Microsoft Defender for Office 365, while still competent, has received slightly lower marks in this area.
- **G2 reviewers indicate** that both products have their strengths, but Proofpoint Core Email Protection's higher number of recent reviews suggests a more consistent user experience, with many users reporting immediate impacts on risk reduction and overall satisfaction.



---
## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between Proofpoint Core Email... vs Microsoft Defender for...?

Proofpoint Core Email Protection stands out for its higher G2 rating and reviewer-cited effectiveness, while Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is favored for ease of use and integration with Microsoft 365.

| | [Proofpoint Core Email Protection](https://www.g2.com/products/proofpoint-core-email-protection/reviews) | [Microsoft Defender for Office 365](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-microsoft-defender-for-office-365/reviews) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| G2 Rating (reviews) | 4.6/5 (601 reviews) | 4.5/5 (299 reviews) |
| Largest Segment | Enterprise | Mid-Market |
| Ease of Setup score | 8.3 | 8.7 |
| Quality of Support score | 8.8 | 8.7 |
| Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | Effective (52 all-time mentions) | Ease of Use (9 all-time mentions) |



### How do the pricing models of Proofpoint Core Email... and Microsoft Defender for... compare?

Proofpoint Core Email Protection is rated higher for value, with reviewers expressing greater satisfaction with its pricing compared to Microsoft Defender for Office 365.

- **Proofpoint Core Email Protection:** Reviewers note that while Proofpoint is often viewed as expensive, many find the value justified by its effectiveness and comprehensive feature set.
- **Microsoft Defender for Office 365:** In recent reviews, several reviewers mention that advanced features require higher-tier plans, which can be costly for smaller organizations.
- **Switching reasons:** Some reviewers highlight switching to Proofpoint Core Email Protection for its advanced threat detection and reporting capabilities, despite higher perceived costs.



### What are the best alternatives to Proofpoint Core Email... and Microsoft Defender for...?

The best alternatives to Proofpoint Core Email Protection and Microsoft Defender for Office 365 are Paubox, SpamTitan Email Security, and Mimecast Advanced Email Security.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Proofpoint Core Email Protection](https://www.g2.com/products/proofpoint-core-email-protection/reviews) | 4.6/5 (601 reviews) | Enterprise | Reviewers note it is often viewed as expensive but effective | Effective (52 all-time mentions) |
| [Microsoft Defender for Office 365](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-microsoft-defender-for-office-365/reviews) | 4.5/5 (299 reviews) | Mid-Market | Advanced features require higher-tier plans, which can be costly | Ease of Use (9 all-time mentions) |
| [Paubox](https://www.g2.com/products/paubox/reviews) | 4.9/5 (621 reviews) | Small-Business | — | — |
| [SpamTitan Email Security](https://www.g2.com/products/spamtitan-email-security/reviews) | 4.5/5 (199 reviews) | Small-Business | — | — |
| [Mimecast Advanced Email Security](https://www.g2.com/products/mimecast-advanced-email-security/reviews) | 4.4/5 (349 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | — |



### Which Secure Email Gateway features should I prioritize when comparing Proofpoint Core Email... and Microsoft Defender for...?

Buyers should prioritize threat detection, ease of use, reporting, integration capabilities, and spam filtering when comparing Proofpoint Core Email Protection and Microsoft Defender for Office 365.

- **Threat Detection:** Proofpoint Core Email Protection: 52 all-time mentions for effectiveness; Microsoft Defender for Office 365: 5 all-time mentions for detection efficiency.
- **Ease of Use:** Proofpoint Core Email Protection: 8.5/10; Microsoft Defender for Office 365: 8.9/10.
- **Reporting:** Proofpoint Core Email Protection: Reviewers highlight detailed and actionable reporting; Microsoft Defender for Office 365: Some reviewers cite limited reporting and complexity.
- **Integration Capabilities:** Microsoft Defender for Office 365: 13 all-time mentions for Microsoft 365 integration; Proofpoint Core Email Protection: Reviewers mention integration issues (10 all-time mentions).
- **Spam Filtering:** Proofpoint Core Email Protection: 18 all-time mentions for spam blocking; Microsoft Defender for Office 365: Reviewers note strong spam filtering but mention occasional false positives.



### What are the pros and cons of Proofpoint Core Email... vs Microsoft Defender for...?

Proofpoint Core Email Protection is most recognized for its effectiveness, while Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is praised for ease of use and integration with Microsoft 365.

- **Proofpoint Core Email Protection strengths:** Effective (52 all-time mentions), robust feature set (33 all-time mentions), strong protection (21 all-time mentions), spam blocking (18 all-time mentions), and customization (14 all-time mentions).
- **Proofpoint Core Email Protection trade-offs:** Poor customer support (19 all-time mentions), limited features (17 all-time mentions), integration issues (10 all-time mentions), and navigation difficulty (10 all-time mentions).
- **Microsoft Defender for Office 365 strengths:** Ease of use (9 all-time mentions), security (9 all-time mentions), Office 365 integration (8 all-time mentions), phishing protection (6 all-time mentions), and real-time protection (5 all-time mentions).
- **Microsoft Defender for Office 365 trade-offs:** Complexity (8 all-time mentions), false positives (6 all-time mentions), configuration difficulties (4 all-time mentions), and limited reporting (4 all-time mentions).



### Is Proofpoint Core Email... or Microsoft Defender for... better for small businesses?

Paubox is the top-rated Secure Email Gateway for small businesses, but among the two, Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is more frequently adopted by mid-market and small-business segments.

- **Proofpoint Core Email Protection:** Largest segment is Enterprise; reviewers highlight its effectiveness and robust protection, but note higher complexity and cost, which may be less ideal for small businesses.
- **Microsoft Defender for Office 365:** Largest segment is Mid-Market; reviewers in smaller organizations appreciate its integration with Microsoft 365 and ease of use, making it a more accessible choice for small businesses.



### Which Secure Email Gateway platform has better integrations?

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is favored for integrations, especially with Microsoft 365.

- **Proofpoint Core Email Protection:** Reviewers mention integration issues (10 all-time mentions), with some noting challenges integrating with third-party tools.
- **Microsoft Defender for Office 365:** Microsoft 365 integration is cited in 13 all-time mentions, with reviewers consistently highlighting its strong native integration within the Microsoft ecosystem.



### How do Proofpoint Core Email... and Microsoft Defender for... compare on customer support?

Proofpoint Core Email Protection and Microsoft Defender for Office 365 score within 0.1 points on Quality of Support, indicating parity.

- **Proofpoint Core Email Protection:** Reviewers note responsive support in many cases, but 19 all-time mentions cite poor customer support, with some reporting slow response times and complex escalation processes.
- **Microsoft Defender for Office 365:** Reviewers describe support as generally helpful, but some mention slow resolution and lack of direct contact options, with a few citing challenges in reaching support quickly.



### Which is easier to implement, Proofpoint Core Email... or Microsoft Defender for...?

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 scores higher on Ease of Setup, with a 0.4-point advantage over Proofpoint Core Email Protection.

- **Proofpoint Core Email Protection:** Reviewers describe setup as straightforward for standard environments but note complexity in advanced configurations and integration, especially in hybrid or enterprise deployments.
- **Microsoft Defender for Office 365:** Reviewers highlight easy deployment, especially for organizations already using Microsoft 365, and appreciate the lack of need for additional infrastructure.



### Which product has better Reporting?

Proofpoint Core Email Protection is more frequently cited for its reporting capabilities, while Microsoft Defender for Office 365 receives mixed feedback on reporting complexity.

- **Proofpoint Core Email Protection:** Reviewers highlight detailed and actionable reporting, with several citing its effectiveness in monitoring and capturing risk; reporting is mentioned as a key benefit in recent reviews.
- **Microsoft Defender for Office 365:** Reviewers note that reporting is powerful but can be complex and less intuitive, with 4 all-time mentions of limited reporting and several recent reviews citing a learning curve for dashboards.



| | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 298 | 628 | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Pros:
- Ease of Use (9 reviews)
- Security (8 reviews)

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

### Proofpoint Core Email Protection

Pros:
- Protection (88 reviews)
- Email Security (81 reviews)

Cons:
- Outdated Interface (28 reviews)
- User Interface (24 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (231 reviews) | 9.3 (290 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.9 (234 reviews) | 8.5 (555 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.7 (118 reviews) | 8.3 (466 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.9 (100 reviews) | 8.5 (252 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.7 (225 reviews) | 8.8 (311 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (101 reviews) | 9.2 (248 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.4 (222 reviews) | 9.2 (277 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

### Proofpoint Core Email Protection

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Proofpoint Core Email Protection

Price: Free Trial 0 Mailbox Per Year

Key Features:
- Core Email Protection

[Learn more about Proofpoint Core Email Protection](https://www.g2.com/products/proofpoint-core-email-protection/reviews)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Email Security

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | N/A | N/A |
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | N/A | N/A |

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Phishing Protection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Threat Response** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Domain Check** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Security Auditing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI/Machine Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting/Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anomaly/Malware Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SURLB/URIBL Filtering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Scheduled/Automated Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **For MSPs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Whitelisting/Blacklisting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Fraud Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Spam Blocker** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Spam Quarantine** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Leak Prevention** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Encryption** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Trail** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Spam Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Policy Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Escalation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Email Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Vulnerability Scanning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Threat Protection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Email Attachment Protection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Email Filtering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Two-Factor Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Cloud Email Security

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | 8.8/10 | 164 |
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | 8.9/10 | 171 |

#### Administration

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intelligence Reporting** | 8.8 (148 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.8 (127 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Email Integration Suppor** | 9.0 (147 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.1 (133 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Access Management** | 8.8 (140 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.0 (123 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Data Loss Prevention** | 8.5 (140 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.4 (85 reviews) ✓ Verified | 

#### Maintenance

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Auditing** | 8.7 (138 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.8 (127 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Allow and block lists** | 8.8 (145 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.2 (141 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Compliance** | 8.8 (142 reviews) | 9.0 (125 reviews) | 
| **Archiving** | 8.6 (135 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.2 (102 reviews) ✓ Verified | 

#### Security

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Anti-Malware/Anti-Spam** | 9.0 (151 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.4 (156 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Encryption** | 8.9 (141 reviews) | 8.8 (114 reviews) | 
| **Quarantine** | 8.7 (145 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.4 (139 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)** | 9.0 (144 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.2 (102 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Anti-Phishing** | 9.0 (148 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.2 (113 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Account takeover prevention** | 8.7 (138 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.6 (87 reviews) ✓ Verified | 

### Intelligent Email Protection

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | 8.9/10 | 5 |
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | 9.0/10 | 106 |

#### Administration

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Compliance** | Not enough data | 9.1 (84 reviews) | 
| **Intelligence Reporting** | Not enough data | 8.7 (92 reviews) | 
| **Email Clients** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 9.0 (90 reviews) | 
| **Role-Based Rules** | Not enough data | 8.9 (86 reviews) | 

#### Detection

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Exfiltration Detection** | Not enough data | 8.5 (79 reviews) | 
| **Activity Monitoring** | Not enough data | 8.9 (85 reviews) | 
| **Real-Time Detection** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 9.1 (93 reviews) | 

#### Protection

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Targeted Attack Prevention** | Not enough data | 9.2 (90 reviews) | 
| **Policy Enforcement** | Not enough data | 9.1 (96 reviews) | 
| **Spam Filtering** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 9.3 (99 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Intelligent Email Protection

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | 9.4 (11 reviews) | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | 9.0 (12 reviews) | 

### Secure Email Gateway

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | N/A | N/A |
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | 9.0/10 | 142 |

#### Functionality

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Anti-Spam** | Not enough data | 9.3 (124 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Anti-Malware** | Not enough data | 9.4 (120 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Anti-Phishing** | Not enough data | 9.2 (123 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **SURLB/URIBL Filtering** | Not enough data | 8.9 (112 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Quarantine** | Not enough data | 9.2 (116 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Outbound Email Monitoring** | Not enough data | 8.9 (107 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Advanced Threat Intelligence/Protection** | Not enough data | 9.0 (112 reviews) | 
| **Archiving** | Not enough data | 8.3 (92 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | 8.5 (113 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **On-prem deployment** | Not enough data | 8.6 (49 reviews) | 
| **Email Attachment Protection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Phishing Protection** | Not enough data | 10.0 (7 reviews) | 
| **Single Sign On** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Email Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Secure Email Gateway

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | 8.8 (24 reviews) | 

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Trail** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Allow/Block List** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Vulnerability Scanning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Active Directory Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Threat Response** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Search** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Intrusion Detection System** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Spam Blocker** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Encryption** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Verification** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Escalation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Policy Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Archiving & Retention** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Synchronization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Microsoft Outlook Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SSL Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Login** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Spam Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Scheduled/Automated Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Email Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Fraud Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Event Logs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Retention Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Backup and Recovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Threat Intelligence** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Whitelisting/Blacklisting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Import/Export** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Two-Factor Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting & Statistics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anti Virus** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Loss Prevention** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Risk Alerts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Password Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Email Encryption

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | N/A | N/A |
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | 8.7/10 | 25 |

#### Encryption Techniques - Email Encryption

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Encryption Algorithms** | Not enough data | 9.0 (22 reviews) | 
| **Transport Encryption** | Not enough data | 9.1 (22 reviews) | 
| **End-to-End Encryption** | Not enough data | 9.3 (21 reviews) | 

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

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Revocation Mechanisms** | Not enough data | 9.0 (21 reviews) | 
| **Access Controls** | Not enough data | 8.5 (21 reviews) | 
| **Digital Signatures** | Not enough data | 8.6 (21 reviews) | 
| **Certificate Authorities** | Not enough data | 8.6 (21 reviews) | 

#### Security Enhancements and Auditing - Email Encryption

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Malware Scanning** | Not enough data | 8.8 (22 reviews) | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | 8.7 (22 reviews) | 
| **Audit Trails** | Not enough data | 8.6 (22 reviews) | 
| **Data Loss Prevention (DLP)** | Not enough data | 8.6 (23 reviews) | 

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

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **User-Friendly Interfaces** | Not enough data | 8.5 (24 reviews) | 
| **APIs and SDKs** | Not enough data | 8.3 (21 reviews) | 
| **Email Client Integration** | Not enough data | 8.8 (22 reviews) | 
| **Automation** | Not enough data | 8.2 (21 reviews) | 

### Email Anti-spam

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | 7.8/10 | 14 |
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | 8.9/10 | 23 |

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

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | 8.1 (13 reviews) | 8.9 (17 reviews) | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | 7.4 (11 reviews) | 8.9 (17 reviews) | 

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Phishing Protection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Recovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Archiving & Retention** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Backup and Recovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Policy Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Email Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Loss Prevention** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Single Sign On** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Storage Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Fraud Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Email Routing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Verification** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Filtering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Search/Filter** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SURLB/URIBL Filtering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Security Auditing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Synchronization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anti Virus** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Risk Assessment** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Greylisting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Trail** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting/Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Allow/Block List** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Vulnerability Scanning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Active Directory Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compression** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Email Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Encryption** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anti Spam** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Disaster Recovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Tagging** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Data Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Spam Blocker** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Microsoft Outlook Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Spam Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Categorization/Grouping** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Event Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Inbox Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Spam Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting & Statistics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Spam Quarantine** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SSL Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Retention Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (3):** [Cloud Email Security Solutions](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-email-security), [Email Anti-spam Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/email-anti-spam), [Intelligent Email Protection Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/intelligent-email-protection)


**Unique to Proofpoint Core Email Protection (2):** [Secure Email Gateway Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/secure-email-gateway), [Email Encryption Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/email-encryption)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 25.9% | 4.7% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 37.9% | 29.3% | 
| **Enterprise** | 36.2% | 66.0% | 

### By Industry

#### Microsoft Defender for Office 365

- **Information Technology and Services:** 25.7%
- **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:** 28.9%

#### Proofpoint Core Email Protection

- **Financial Services:** 9.6%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 8.2%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 6.7%
- **Retail:** 5.2%
- **Banking:** 4.6%
- **Manufacturing:** 4.4%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 3.8%
- **Higher Education:** 3.3%
- **Computer Software:** 3.3%
- **Insurance:** 3.1%
- **Other:** 48.0%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Microsoft Defender for Office 365

- [SpamTitan Email Security](https://www.g2.com/products/spamtitan-email-security/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (199 reviews)
- [IRONSCALES](https://www.g2.com/products/ironscales/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (71 reviews)
- [Symantec Email Security.Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/symantec-email-security-cloud/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (66 reviews)
- [Mimecast Advanced Email Security](https://www.g2.com/products/mimecast-advanced-email-security/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (372 reviews)
- [Barracuda Email Gateway Defense](https://www.g2.com/products/barracuda-email-gateway-defense/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (40 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)
- [Abnormal AI](https://www.g2.com/products/abnormal-ai/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (90 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 (104 reviews)

### Alternatives to Proofpoint Core Email Protection

- [Paubox](https://www.g2.com/products/paubox/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (653 reviews)
- [SpamTitan Email Security](https://www.g2.com/products/spamtitan-email-security/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (199 reviews)
- [Mimecast Advanced Email Security](https://www.g2.com/products/mimecast-advanced-email-security/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (372 reviews)
- [Symantec Email Security.Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/symantec-email-security-cloud/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (66 reviews)
- [N-able Mail Assure](https://www.g2.com/products/n-able-mail-assure/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (68 reviews)
- [Cloudflare One (SASE)](https://www.g2.com/products/cloudflare-one-sase/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (104 reviews)
- [Abnormal AI](https://www.g2.com/products/abnormal-ai/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (90 reviews)
- [Virtru Email Encryption](https://www.g2.com/products/virtru-email-encryption/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (437 reviews)
- [IRONSCALES](https://www.g2.com/products/ironscales/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (71 reviews)
- [Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-email-threat-defense/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (28 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"

### Proofpoint Core Email Protection

- Title: [What is the best way to allow users to safely release quarantined emails to their inbox ?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/14391-what-is-the-best-way-to-allow-users-to-safely-release-quarantined-emails-to-their-inbox) — 3 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi Kadeem, this is Merry from G2. Sorry to hear you're having these difficulties. Perhaps you have the "Require Admin Privileges to Release" setting on? When..."
- Title: [How is it possible to limit the quaratine folder. I still have too many mails quarantined.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/15180-how-is-it-possible-to-limit-the-quaratine-folder-i-still-have-too-many-mails-quarantined) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi Patrick - this is Merry from G2. Sounds like you get at ton of emails per day! Proofpoint has a ton of tutorials on their YouTube channel & several videos..."
- Title: [What is proofpoint PPS Ppps net?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-proofpoint-pps-ppps-net) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "I don't believe there is a 'ppps net.  We extensively use ProofPoint."
- Title: [Is there a road map to enhance the Smart Search feature?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/15126-is-there-a-road-map-to-enhance-the-smart-search-feature) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "The Smartserarch tool, is seen more as a troubleshooting tool, the actions you want to do are inside the quarantine folders. But in my opinion, putting some..."

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