# 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.



| | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 298 | 601 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (37.9% of reviews) | Enterprise (66.0% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | $2.00 1 User Per Month | Free Trial 0 Mailbox Per Year | 

---
## 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 (21 reviews)
- Email Security (19 reviews)

Cons:
- UX Improvement (16 reviews)
- Configuration Difficulties (10 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 (529 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.7 (117 reviews) | 8.3 (465 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.9 (100 reviews) | 8.5 (251 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.7 (225 reviews) | 8.8 (285 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (101 reviews) | 9.2 (247 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

### Cloud Email Security

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | 8.8/10 | 163 |
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | 8.9/10 | 148 |

#### Administration

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intelligence Reporting** | 8.8 (148 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.8 (126 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Email Integration Suppor** | 9.0 (147 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.1 (130 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Access Management** | 8.8 (141 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.0 (123 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Data Loss Prevention** | 8.5 (140 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.4 (84 reviews) ✓ Verified | 

#### Maintenance

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Auditing** | 8.7 (139 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.8 (125 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Allow and block lists** | 8.8 (146 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.2 (140 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Compliance** | 8.8 (143 reviews) | 9.0 (125 reviews) | 
| **Archiving** | 8.6 (136 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.2 (101 reviews) ✓ Verified | 

#### Security

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Anti-Malware/Anti-Spam** | 9.0 (151 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.3 (141 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Encryption** | 8.9 (142 reviews) | 8.8 (114 reviews) | 
| **Quarantine** | 8.8 (146 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.4 (137 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)** | 9.0 (145 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.1 (99 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Anti-Phishing** | 9.0 (149 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.1 (103 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Account takeover prevention** | 8.7 (139 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 | 98 |

#### 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 (91 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 (84 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 (93 reviews) | 
| **Spam Filtering** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 9.2 (95 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Intelligent Email Protection

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | 9.3 (10 reviews) | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | 9.3 (10 reviews) | 

### Secure Email Gateway

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | N/A | N/A |
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | 8.9/10 | 117 |

#### Functionality

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Anti-Spam** | Not enough data | 9.3 (112 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Anti-Malware** | Not enough data | 9.3 (112 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Anti-Phishing** | Not enough data | 9.2 (111 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Filtering Functionality** | Not enough data | 8.9 (112 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Quarantine** | Not enough data | 9.2 (114 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Outbound Email Monitoring** | Not enough data | 8.9 (106 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Advanced Threat Intelligence/Protection** | Not enough data | 9.0 (111 reviews) | 
| **Archiving** | Not enough data | 8.3 (91 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | 8.5 (111 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **On-prem deployment** | Not enough data | 8.6 (49 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Secure Email Gateway

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | 8.7 (23 reviews) | 

### Email Encryption

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | N/A | N/A |
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | 8.7/10 | 22 |

#### Encryption Techniques - Email Encryption

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Encryption Algorithms** | Not enough data | 9.0 (21 reviews) | 
| **Transport Encryption** | Not enough data | 9.0 (21 reviews) | 
| **End-to-End Encryption** | Not enough data | 9.3 (20 reviews) | 

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

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Revocation Mechanisms** | Not enough data | 8.9 (20 reviews) | 
| **Access Controls** | Not enough data | 8.4 (20 reviews) | 
| **Digital Signatures** | Not enough data | 8.5 (20 reviews) | 
| **Certificate Authorities** | Not enough data | 8.5 (20 reviews) | 

#### Security Enhancements and Auditing - Email Encryption

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **Malware Scanning** | Not enough data | 8.7 (21 reviews) | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | 8.7 (21 reviews) | 
| **Audit Trails** | Not enough data | 8.6 (21 reviews) | 
| **Data Loss Prevention (DLP)** | Not enough data | 8.5 (21 reviews) | 

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

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | 
|---|---|---|
| **User-Friendly Interfaces** | Not enough data | 8.6 (22 reviews) | 
| **APIs and SDKs** | Not enough data | 8.3 (20 reviews) | 
| **Email Client Integration** | Not enough data | 8.7 (21 reviews) | 
| **Automation** | Not enough data | 8.1 (20 reviews) | 

### Email Anti-spam

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | 7.8/10 | 14 |
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | 8.9/10 | 16 |

#### 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 (16 reviews) | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | 7.4 (11 reviews) | 8.9 (16 reviews) | 

---
## 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** | 25.5% | 4.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 37.9% | 29.7% | 
| **Enterprise** | 36.5% | 66.0% | 

### 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%

#### Proofpoint Core Email Protection

- **Financial Services:** 9.2%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 8.5%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 7.0%
- **Retail:** 5.3%
- **Banking:** 4.3%
- **Manufacturing:** 4.1%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 3.9%
- **Insurance:** 3.2%
- **Computer Software:** 3.1%
- **Higher Education:** 3.1%
- **Other:** 48.4%

---
## 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)
- [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)
- [Hornetsecurity Spam and Malware Protection](https://www.g2.com/products/hornetsecurity-spam-and-malware-protection/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (11 reviews)

### Alternatives to Proofpoint Core Email Protection

- [Paubox](https://www.g2.com/products/paubox/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (588 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 (320 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 (105 reviews)
- [IRONSCALES](https://www.g2.com/products/ironscales/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (65 reviews)
- [Abnormal AI](https://www.g2.com/products/abnormal-ai/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (73 reviews)
- [Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-email-threat-defense/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (28 reviews)
- [Virtru Email Encryption](https://www.g2.com/products/virtru-email-encryption/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (417 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..."

---
**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)