# Proofpoint Core Email Protection vs Symantec Messaging Gateway Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Proofpoint Core Email Protection excels in user satisfaction, boasting a significantly higher overall score compared to Symantec Messaging Gateway. Users appreciate its **email filtering system** , which effectively quarantines spam and reduces risk immediately.
- **According to verified reviews** , Proofpoint's implementation process is praised for its **intuitive onboarding** , making it easier for teams to get started. In contrast, while Symantec Messaging Gateway is noted for its **easy deployment** , it lacks the same level of user satisfaction in overall experience.
- **Users say** that Proofpoint provides detailed threat information, which is crucial for investigation and remediation. This feature is a standout for those needing robust security measures, while Symantec's users mention its **friendly interface** and good protection, but it doesn't match the depth of insights offered by Proofpoint.
- **Reviewers mention** that Proofpoint Core Email Protection has a strong focus on anti-spam capabilities, with users highlighting its effectiveness in filtering unwanted emails. On the other hand, while Symantec Messaging Gateway offers decent spam protection, it falls short in user ratings for this specific feature.
- **According to recent feedback** , Proofpoint's quality of support is highly rated, with users feeling well-supported in their security needs. In contrast, Symantec's support is seen as less responsive, which can be a critical factor for businesses relying on timely assistance.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that Proofpoint's advanced threat intelligence features are a major advantage, providing users with a comprehensive security solution. Symantec Messaging Gateway, while effective in basic virus detection, does not offer the same level of advanced protection, which may leave some users wanting more.



| | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.6 out of 5 | 3.9 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 601 | 21 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (66.0% of reviews) | Enterprise (46.7% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | Free Trial 0 Mailbox Per Year | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Proofpoint Core Email Protection

Pros:
- Protection (21 reviews)
- Email Security (19 reviews)

Cons:
- UX Improvement (16 reviews)
- Configuration Difficulties (10 reviews)

### Symantec Messaging Gateway

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.3 (290 reviews) | 8.1 (14 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.5 (529 reviews) | 8.2 (14 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.3 (465 reviews) | 8.2 (11 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.5 (251 reviews) | 7.5 (12 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.8 (285 reviews) | 7.4 (13 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.2 (247 reviews) | 8.3 (10 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.2 (277 reviews) | 8.1 (12 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### 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

### Symantec Messaging Gateway

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Cloud Email Security

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | 8.9/10 | 148 |
| **Symantec Messaging Gateway** | N/A | N/A |

#### Administration

| Feature | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intelligence Reporting** | 8.8 (126 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Email Integration Suppor** | 9.1 (130 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Access Management** | 9.0 (123 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Data Loss Prevention** | 8.4 (84 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 

#### Maintenance

| Feature | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Auditing** | 8.8 (125 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Allow and block lists** | 9.2 (140 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance** | 9.0 (125 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Archiving** | 8.2 (101 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 

#### Security

| Feature | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Anti-Malware/Anti-Spam** | 9.3 (141 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Encryption** | 8.8 (114 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Quarantine** | 9.4 (137 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)** | 9.1 (99 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Anti-Phishing** | 9.1 (103 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Account takeover prevention** | 8.6 (87 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 

### Intelligent Email Protection

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | 9.0/10 | 98 |
| **Symantec Messaging Gateway** | N/A | N/A |

#### Administration

| Feature | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Compliance** | 9.1 (84 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Intelligence Reporting** | 8.7 (91 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Email Clients** | 9.0 (90 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Role-Based Rules** | 8.9 (86 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Detection

| Feature | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Exfiltration Detection** | 8.5 (79 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Monitoring** | 8.9 (84 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Detection** | 9.1 (93 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Protection

| Feature | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Targeted Attack Prevention** | 9.2 (90 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Policy Enforcement** | 9.1 (93 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Spam Filtering** | 9.2 (95 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Intelligent Email Protection

| Feature | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | 9.3 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | 9.3 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Secure Email Gateway

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | 8.9/10 | 117 |
| **Symantec Messaging Gateway** | 8.4/10 | 12 |

#### Functionality

| Feature | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Anti-Spam** | 9.3 (112 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.5 (8 reviews) | 
| **Anti-Malware** | 9.3 (112 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.0 (8 reviews) | 
| **Anti-Phishing** | 9.2 (111 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.6 (7 reviews) | 
| **Filtering Functionality** | 8.9 (112 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.0 (8 reviews) | 
| **Quarantine** | 9.2 (114 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (8 reviews) | 
| **Outbound Email Monitoring** | 8.9 (106 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.1 (8 reviews) | 
| **Advanced Threat Intelligence/Protection** | 9.0 (111 reviews) | 8.6 (7 reviews) | 
| **Archiving** | 8.3 (91 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.1 (7 reviews) | 
| **Reporting** | 8.5 (111 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.5 (8 reviews) | 
| **On-prem deployment** | 8.6 (49 reviews) | 8.5 (8 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Secure Email Gateway

| Feature | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Proactive Assistance** | 8.7 (23 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Email Encryption

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | 8.7/10 | 22 |
| **Symantec Messaging Gateway** | N/A | N/A |

#### Encryption Techniques - Email Encryption

| Feature | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Encryption Algorithms** | 9.0 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Transport Encryption** | 9.0 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **End-to-End Encryption** | 9.3 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 

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

| Feature | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Revocation Mechanisms** | 8.9 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls** | 8.4 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Digital Signatures** | 8.5 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Certificate Authorities** | 8.5 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Security Enhancements and Auditing - Email Encryption

| Feature | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Malware Scanning** | 8.7 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting** | 8.7 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Trails** | 8.6 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Loss Prevention (DLP)** | 8.5 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | 

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

| Feature | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **User-Friendly Interfaces** | 8.6 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **APIs and SDKs** | 8.3 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Email Client Integration** | 8.7 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Automation** | 8.1 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Email Anti-spam

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** | 8.9/10 | 16 |
| **Symantec Messaging Gateway** | N/A | N/A |

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

| Feature | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | 8.9 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | 8.9 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (2):** [Secure Email Gateway Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/secure-email-gateway), [Email Anti-spam Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/email-anti-spam)

**Unique to Proofpoint Core Email Protection (3):** [Cloud Email Security Solutions](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-email-security), [Intelligent Email Protection Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/intelligent-email-protection), [Email Encryption Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/email-encryption)



---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | Symantec Messaging Gateway | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 4.2% | 26.7% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 29.7% | 26.7% | 
| **Enterprise** | 66.0% | 46.7% | 

### By Industry

#### 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%

#### Symantec Messaging Gateway

- **Information Technology and Services:** 26.7%
- **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 13.3%
- **Banking:** 13.3%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 6.7%
- **Hospitality:** 6.7%
- **Education Management:** 6.7%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 6.7%
- **Civil Engineering:** 6.7%
- **Broadcast Media:** 6.7%
- **Architecture & Planning:** 6.7%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Proofpoint Core Email Protection

- [Paubox](https://www.g2.com/products/paubox/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (585 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)
- [Microsoft Defender for Office 365](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-microsoft-defender-for-office-365/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (298 reviews)
- [Cloudflare One (SASE)](https://www.g2.com/products/cloudflare-one-sase/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (104 reviews)
- [N-able Mail Assure](https://www.g2.com/products/n-able-mail-assure/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (68 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)

### Alternatives to Symantec Messaging Gateway

- [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)
- [Microsoft Defender for Office 365](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-microsoft-defender-for-office-365/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (298 reviews)
- [Paubox](https://www.g2.com/products/paubox/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (585 reviews)
- [Check Point Email Security](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-email-security/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (534 reviews)
- [Valimail](https://www.g2.com/products/valimail/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (459 reviews)
- [Virtru Email Encryption](https://www.g2.com/products/virtru-email-encryption/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (416 reviews)
- [CyberSentriq](https://www.g2.com/products/cybersentriq/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (391 reviews)
- [FortiMail](https://www.g2.com/products/fortimail/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (24 reviews)
- [SaneBox](https://www.g2.com/products/sanebox/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (221 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### 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..."

### Symantec Messaging Gateway

No discussions available for this product.

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/proofpoint-core-email-protection-vs-symantec-symantec-messaging-gateway)