# Microsoft Defender for Office 365 vs Symantec Email Security.Cloud Comparison

| | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.1 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 293 | 66 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (37.2% of reviews) | Enterprise (40.0% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | $2.00 1 User Per Month | No pricing available | 

---
## 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)

### Symantec Email Security.Cloud

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (228 reviews) | 8.1 (52 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.9 (231 reviews) | 8.0 (50 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.7 (114 reviews) | 7.6 (27 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.9 (100 reviews) | 7.9 (25 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.7 (222 reviews) | 7.9 (50 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (101 reviews) | 8.2 (25 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.4 (220 reviews) | 7.9 (49 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

### Symantec Email Security.Cloud

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Cloud Email Security

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | 8.8/10 | 161 |
| **Symantec Email Security.Cloud** | 8.6/10 | 16 |

#### Administration

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intelligence Reporting** | 8.8 (147 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.5 (12 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Email Integration Suppor** | 9.0 (145 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.2 (12 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Access Management** | 8.8 (140 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (12 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Data Loss Prevention** | 8.5 (140 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.7 (10 reviews) ✓ Verified | 

#### Maintenance

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Auditing** | 8.7 (138 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.2 (12 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Allow and block lists** | 8.8 (145 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.5 (12 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Compliance** | 8.8 (142 reviews) | 8.5 (12 reviews) | 
| **Archiving** | 8.6 (136 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.5 (12 reviews) ✓ Verified | 

#### Security

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Anti-Malware/Anti-Spam** | 9.0 (149 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.5 (13 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Encryption** | 8.9 (142 reviews) | 9.3 (12 reviews) | 
| **Quarantine** | 8.7 (145 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.6 (12 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)** | 9.0 (144 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.5 (12 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Anti-Phishing** | 9.0 (147 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.3 (10 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Account takeover prevention** | 8.7 (137 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.2 (10 reviews) ✓ Verified | 

### Intelligent Email Protection

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | N/A | N/A |
| **Symantec Email Security.Cloud** | 8.6/10 | 7 |

#### Administration

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Compliance** | Not enough data | 8.3 (7 reviews) | 
| **Intelligence Reporting** | Not enough data | 8.6 (7 reviews) | 
| **Email Clients** | Not enough data | 8.6 (7 reviews) | 
| **Role-Based Rules** | Not enough data | 8.3 (7 reviews) | 

#### Detection

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Exfiltration Detection** | Not enough data | 8.8 (7 reviews) | 
| **Activity Monitoring** | Not enough data | 8.1 (7 reviews) | 
| **Real-Time Detection** | Not enough data | 8.8 (7 reviews) | 

#### Protection

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Targeted Attack Prevention** | Not enough data | 8.3 (7 reviews) | 
| **Policy Enforcement** | Not enough data | 8.9 (6 reviews) | 
| **Spam Filtering** | Not enough data | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Intelligent Email Protection

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Security Awareness Training

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | N/A | N/A |
| **Symantec Email Security.Cloud** | N/A | N/A |

#### Assessment

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Continuous Assessment** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Phishing Assessment** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Baselining** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Training

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Content Library** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Interactive Training** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Gamification** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Administration

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Risk-scoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **White-Labeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI-generated Content** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Secure Email Gateway

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | N/A | N/A |
| **Symantec Email Security.Cloud** | 8.7/10 | 9 |

#### Functionality

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Anti-Spam** | Not enough data | 8.9 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Anti-Malware** | Not enough data | 9.1 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Anti-Phishing** | Not enough data | 9.1 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Filtering Functionality** | Not enough data | 8.5 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Quarantine** | Not enough data | 8.1 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Outbound Email Monitoring** | Not enough data | 8.9 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Advanced Threat Intelligence/Protection** | Not enough data | 8.9 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Archiving** | Not enough data | 8.7 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | 8.5 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **On-prem deployment** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

#### Agentic AI - Secure Email Gateway

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Email Anti-spam

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Defender for Office 365** | 8.0/10 | 12 |
| **Symantec Email Security.Cloud** | N/A | N/A |

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

| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | 8.3 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | 7.6 (9 reviews) | 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 Symantec Email Security.Cloud (2):** [Secure Email Gateway Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/secure-email-gateway), [Security Awareness Training Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/security-awareness-training)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Symantec Email Security.Cloud | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 25.6% | 23.3% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 37.2% | 36.7% | 
| **Enterprise** | 37.2% | 40.0% | 

### By Industry

#### Microsoft Defender for Office 365

- **Information Technology and Services:** 26.4%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 12.6%
- **Computer Software:** 12.6%
- **Financial Services:** 5.4%
- **Accounting:** 2.9%
- **Consulting:** 2.9%
- **Telecommunications:** 2.5%
- **Oil & Energy:** 2.5%
- **Education Management:** 1.8%
- **Higher Education:** 1.8%
- **Other:** 28.5%

#### Symantec Email Security.Cloud

- **Information Technology and Services:** 18.3%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 15.0%
- **Financial Services:** 8.3%
- **Computer Software:** 6.7%
- **Higher Education:** 6.7%
- **Telecommunications:** 5.0%
- **Government Administration:** 3.3%
- **Banking:** 3.3%
- **Education Management:** 1.7%
- **Civil Engineering:** 1.7%
- **Other:** 30.0%

---
## 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 (584 reviews)
- [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 (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 (104 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 Symantec Email Security.Cloud

- [Proofpoint Core Email Protection](https://www.g2.com/products/proofpoint-core-email-protection/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (584 reviews)
- [Mimecast Advanced Email Security](https://www.g2.com/products/mimecast-advanced-email-security/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (320 reviews)
- [SpamTitan Email Security](https://www.g2.com/products/spamtitan-email-security/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (199 reviews)
- [Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-email-threat-defense/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (28 reviews)
- [Paubox](https://www.g2.com/products/paubox/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (556 reviews)
- [Virtru Email Encryption](https://www.g2.com/products/virtru-email-encryption/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (407 reviews)
- [Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/acronis-cyber-protect-cloud/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (1347 reviews)
- [Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-harmony-email-collaboration/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (511 reviews)
- [Valimail](https://www.g2.com/products/valimail/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (459 reviews)
- [CyberSentriq](https://www.g2.com/products/cybersentriq/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (391 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"

### Symantec Email Security.Cloud

No discussions available for this product.

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