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# Proofpoint Core Email Protection vs Symantec Messaging Gateway Comparison - What are their main differences?

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Proofpoint Core Email...Symantec Messaging Gateway[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection**
Free Trial

**Free Trial** 0 Mailbox Per Year · Proofpoint Core Email Protection

**Symantec Messaging Gateway**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Perceived Cost

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection**
$$$$$

**Symantec Messaging Gateway**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection**
12%

**Symantec Messaging Gateway**
Not enough reviews yet

Uncover valuable pricing insights from real user feedback to improve your shopping experience.
See it for free

Time to Implement

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Symantec Messaging Gateway** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

Return on Investment

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Symantec Messaging Gateway** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection**

Protection (88)

Email Security (81)

Outdated Interface (28)

User Interface (24)

**Symantec Messaging Gateway**
Not enough data

Integrations

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_8b3109519c061f3739371275d691098a/cortex-xsoar.png "Product Avatar Image")

Cortex XSOAR

](https://www.g2.com/products/cortex-xsoar/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_56db399f44b6fabb7c667f09bc770579/crowdstrike-product-suite.png "Product Avatar Image")

CrowdStrike Product Suite

](https://www.g2.com/products/crowdstrike-product-suite/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_5e8ef2a178e2eb8d2b5d50c95bfebc6c/cyberark-workforce-identity.png "Product Avatar Image")

CyberArk Workforce Identity

](https://www.g2.com/products/cyberark-workforce-identity/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_4a9a6d57cdd833bf0381d21fd9246641/google-workspace.png "Product Avatar Image")

Google Workspace

](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/proofpoint-core-email-protection/integrations)

**Symantec Messaging Gateway**
Not enough data

Screenshots

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection**
 ![Proofpoint Core Email Protection screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/121987/Screenshot-2025-06-16-at-2.24.55-PM.png)

**Symantec Messaging Gateway**
No screenshot available

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection**

**9.3** /10

Based on 290 responses

**Symantec Messaging Gateway**

**8.1** /10

Based on 14 responses

Ease of Use

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection**

**8.5** /10

Based on 556 responses

**Symantec Messaging Gateway**

**8.2** /10

Based on 14 responses

Ease of Setup

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection**

**8.3** /10

Based on 465 responses

**Symantec Messaging Gateway**

**8.2** /10

Based on 11 responses

Ease of Admin

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection**

**8.5** /10

Based on 252 responses

**Symantec Messaging Gateway**

**7.5** /10

Based on 12 responses

Quality of Support

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection**

**8.8** /10

Based on 313 responses

**Symantec Messaging Gateway**

**7.4** /10

Based on 13 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection**

**9.2** /10

Based on 248 responses

**Symantec Messaging Gateway**

**8.3** /10

Based on 10 responses

Product Direction (% positive)

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection**

**9.2** /10

Based on 277 responses

**Symantec Messaging Gateway**

**8.1** /10

Based on 12 responses

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Secure Email Gateway

**9.0** /10

Based on 143 responses

**8.4** /10

Based on 12 responses

Cloud Email Security

**8.9** /10

Based on 172 responses

Not enough data

Intelligent Email Protection

**9.0** /10

Based on 106 responses

Not enough data

Uncover more feature rated insights from real users to improve your shopping experience.

See it for free

Email Encryption

**8.7** /10

Based on 25 responses

Not enough data

Email Anti-spam

**8.9** /10

Based on 24 responses

Not enough data

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
4.7%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
29.5%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
65.8%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
4.7%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
29.5%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
65.8%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
26.7%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
26.7%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
46.7%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
26.7%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
26.7%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
46.7%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![Proofpoint Core Email Protection](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/8adf2eedd5616a9f5e200c4520f6d30d/proofpoint-core-email-protection.svg "Proofpoint Core Email Protection")](https://www.g2.com/products/proofpoint-core-email-protection/reviews)
Proofpoint Core Email Protection

Financial Services
9.6%

Hospital & Health Care
8.0%

Information Technology and Services
6.8%

Retail
5.2%

Banking
4.6%

Other
65.9%

[![Symantec Messaging Gateway](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0e4871d875df1fd8e78ec9d6297edb56/symantec-symantec-messaging-gateway.gif "Symantec Messaging Gateway")](https://www.g2.com/products/symantec-symantec-messaging-gateway/reviews)
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%

Other
33.3%

Alternatives

**Proofpoint Core Email Protection Alternatives**

 ![Paubox](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/57b768928a3f3f68b3afeb8a9c97e31b/paubox.svg "Paubox")

[
Paubox
](/products/paubox/reviews)

 ![SpamTitan Email Security](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1553620140/spamtitan-email-security.svg "SpamTitan Email Security")

[
SpamTitan Email Security
](/products/spamtitan-email-security/reviews)

 ![Mimecast Email & Collaboration Security](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/c97922b8b687c48a1c77730e5b621a3a/mimecast-email-collaboration-security.svg "Mimecast Email & Collaboration Security")

[
Mimecast Email &...
](/products/mimecast-email-collaboration-security/reviews)

 ![Symantec Email Security.Cloud](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/7e0271a147c13a70a6587f9586b454a0/symantec-email-security-cloud.png "Symantec Email Security.Cloud")

[
Symantec Email Security.Cloud
](/products/symantec-email-security-cloud/reviews)

**Symantec Messaging Gateway Alternatives**

 ![SpamTitan Email Security](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1553620140/spamtitan-email-security.svg "SpamTitan Email Security")

[
SpamTitan Email Security
](/products/spamtitan-email-security/reviews)

 ![Mimecast Email & Collaboration Security](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/c97922b8b687c48a1c77730e5b621a3a/mimecast-email-collaboration-security.svg "Mimecast Email & Collaboration Security")

[
Mimecast Email &...
](/products/mimecast-email-collaboration-security/reviews)

 ![Microsoft Defender for Office 365](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a8a99a96fda235658139f710592f8a53/microsoft-microsoft-defender-for-office-365.svg "Microsoft Defender for Office 365")

[
Microsoft Defender for...
](/products/microsoft-microsoft-defender-for-office-365/reviews)

 ![Paubox](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/57b768928a3f3f68b3afeb8a9c97e31b/paubox.svg "Paubox")

[
Paubox
](/products/paubox/reviews)

## Proofpoint Core Email... vs Symantec Messaging Gateway FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 16, 2026

### What is the difference between Proofpoint Core Email... vs Symantec Messaging Gateway?

Proofpoint Core Email Protection stands out for its higher reviewer satisfaction, broader feature strengths, and superior support compared to Symantec Messaging Gateway.

| [Proofpoint Core Email Protection](https://www.g2.com/products/proofpoint-core-email-protection/reviews) | [Symantec Messaging Gateway](https://www.g2.com/products/symantec-symantec-messaging-gateway/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.6/5 (601 reviews) | 3.9/5 (21 reviews) |
| — | — |
| 8.3 | 8.2 |
| 8.8 | 7.4 |
| Effective (52 all-time mentions) | — |

### How do the pricing models of Proofpoint Core Email... and Symantec Messaging Gateway compare?

Proofpoint Core Email Protection is rated higher for value, with reviewers expressing greater satisfaction with its pricing compared to Symantec Messaging Gateway.

- **Proofpoint Core Email Protection:** Reviewers frequently mention the product as expensive but justify the cost with its effectiveness and comprehensive feature set.
- **Symantec Messaging Gateway:** Reviewers do not highlight pricing as a major concern or advantage, with most feedback focusing on features and ease of use.

### What are the best alternatives to Proofpoint Core Email... and Symantec Messaging Gateway?

The top three alternatives to Proofpoint Core Email Protection and Symantec Messaging Gateway 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) | — | Expensive but justified by effectiveness | Effective (52 all-time mentions) |
| [Symantec Messaging Gateway](https://www.g2.com/products/symantec-symantec-messaging-gateway/reviews) | 3.9/5 (21 reviews) | — | — | Ease of use and accessibility |
| [Paubox](https://www.g2.com/products/paubox/reviews) | 4.9/5 (622 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 (350 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | — |

### Which Secure Email Gateway features should I prioritize when comparing Proofpoint Core Email... and Symantec Messaging Gateway?

Buyers should prioritize threat detection, spam and phishing protection, ease of administration, reporting, and support quality when comparing Proofpoint Core Email Protection and Symantec Messaging Gateway.

- **Threat Detection:** Proofpoint Core Email Protection is cited for advanced threat detection and prevention (52 all-time mentions for effectiveness); Symantec Messaging Gateway is noted for good protection and content analysis.
- **Spam and Phishing Protection:** Proofpoint Core Email Protection has 18 all-time mentions for spam blocking and 19 for email security; Symantec Messaging Gateway is recognized for blocking spam, phishing, and ransomware.
- **Ease of Administration:** Proofpoint Core Email Protection scores 8.5 on Ease of Admin; Symantec Messaging Gateway scores 7.5.
- **Reporting:** Reporting is a frequently mentioned feature for Proofpoint Core Email Protection, with reviewers highlighting its detailed and actionable reports; Symantec Messaging Gateway reviewers request more advanced reporting and analytics.
- **Support Quality:** Proofpoint Core Email Protection scores 8.8 for Quality of Support; Symantec Messaging Gateway scores 7.4.

### What are the pros and cons of Proofpoint Core Email... vs Symantec Messaging Gateway?

Proofpoint Core Email Protection's headline strength is its effectiveness and comprehensive protection, while Symantec Messaging Gateway is recognized for ease of use and flexible deployment.

- **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 ease of use (12 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).
- **Symantec Messaging Gateway strengths:** Reviewers highlight ease of use, flexible deployment options, and strong content filtering and data loss prevention.
- **Symantec Messaging Gateway trade-offs:** Reviewers note an outdated management console, less advanced threat detection for newer phishing attacks, and requests for improved reporting and analytics.

### Is Proofpoint Core Email... or Symantec Messaging Gateway better for small businesses?

Paubox is the top-rated Secure Email Gateway for small businesses, but among the two, Proofpoint Core Email Protection is better suited for small-business needs based on reviewer sentiment and ratings.

- **Proofpoint Core Email Protection:** Reviewers from small businesses highlight its ease of setup, strong spam and phishing protection, and effective administration.
- **Symantec Messaging Gateway:** Reviewers note ease of deployment and use, but also mention the need for more advanced features and reporting for growing small businesses.

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

Proofpoint Core Email Protection and Symantec Messaging Gateway are at parity for integrations, with reviewers mentioning integration needs but not favoring one over the other.

- **Proofpoint Core Email Protection:** Recent reviews mention integration with SIEM and ticketing tools, but also note ongoing integration challenges.
- **Symantec Messaging Gateway:** Reviewers mention integration with sandbox solutions and other email platforms, but highlight limitations in third-party integrations.

### How do Proofpoint Core Email... and Symantec Messaging Gateway compare on customer support?

Proofpoint Core Email Protection leads Symantec Messaging Gateway in Quality of Support by a margin of 1.4 points, a material difference.

- **Proofpoint Core Email Protection:** Reviewers frequently praise responsive and knowledgeable support, though some mention slow response times and the need for improvement in complex cases.
- **Symantec Messaging Gateway:** Reviewers describe support as generally good and helpful, but less consistent and less responsive compared to Proofpoint Core Email Protection.

### Which is easier to implement, Proofpoint Core Email... or Symantec Messaging Gateway?

Proofpoint Core Email Protection and Symantec Messaging Gateway are at near-parity on Ease of Setup, with scores of 8.3 and 8.2 respectively.

- **Proofpoint Core Email Protection:** Reviewers describe setup as straightforward and easy, with some noting challenges in complex environments or with initial configuration.
- **Symantec Messaging Gateway:** Reviewers highlight easy deployment and intuitive setup, with occasional mentions of the need for customization and learning for optimal use.

### Which product has better Reporting?

Proofpoint Core Email Protection is favored for Reporting, with reviewers highlighting its detailed and actionable reports.

- **Proofpoint Core Email Protection:** Reviewers frequently mention effective and easy-to-monitor reporting, with several citing its usefulness for risk capture and monitoring.
- **Symantec Messaging Gateway:** Reviewers request more advanced reporting and analytics, though existing capabilities are described as good.