Email Security
Proofpoint is a leading email security and cybersecurity platform that protects organizations from advanced threats targeting their people through email, cloud, and social media channels. Its Threat Protection platform combines machine learning, behavioral analysis, and threat intelligence to block phishing, business email compromise, malware, and ransomware attacks before they reach end users. Proofpoint also provides email data loss prevention, encryption, archiving, and compliance capabilities, making it a comprehensive platform for securing enterprise email communications and meeting regulatory requirements.
Cloud email security platform with threat protection, archiving, and continuity
Custom pricing / per-user licensing
Mid-to-large enterprises wanting a unified email security, archiving, and continuity platform with strong API integrations
Microsoft's native email security for Microsoft 365 with XDR integration
Plan 1 from $2/user/month / Plan 2 from $5/user/month / included in E5
Microsoft 365-centric organizations wanting native email security with XDR integration and cost efficiency through E5 licensing
AI-powered email security platform specializing in behavioral detection of social engineering attacks
Custom pricing / per-user licensing
Organizations facing sophisticated social engineering and BEC attacks that bypass traditional email gateways
Email threat protection platform available as gateway appliance or cloud service
From $3.60/user/month / appliance pricing varies
Small-to-mid-market organizations wanting effective email security at a lower price point than Proofpoint or Mimecast
Enterprise email security gateway with Cisco Talos threat intelligence integration
Custom enterprise pricing / per-user licensing
Cisco-centric enterprises wanting email security that integrates with their existing Cisco networking and security stack
Cloud email security gateway with AI-powered BEC detection and XDR integration
Custom pricing / per-user licensing
Organizations wanting capable email security integrated with Trend Micro's broader Vision One XDR platform
AI-powered anti-phishing platform with crowdsourced threat intelligence
From $4.50/user/month
Mid-market organizations wanting automated phishing protection with integrated security awareness and phishing simulation
Human layer security platform preventing inbound threats and outbound misdirected emails
Custom pricing / per-user licensing
Organizations concerned about both inbound email threats and accidental data loss from misdirected emails and human error
Compare all 8 Proofpoint alternatives side-by-side across pricing, deployment, and key capabilities.
| Feature | Mimecast 4.3/5 | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 4.4/5 | Abnormal Security 4.5/5 | Barracuda Email Security 4.1/5 | Cisco Secure Email 4/5 | Trend Micro Email Security 4.1/5 | IRONSCALES 4.2/5 | Tessian 4.1/5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per-user subscription | Per-user subscription (bundled with Microsoft 365 E5) | Per-user subscription | Per-user subscription or appliance license | Per-user subscription or appliance license | Per-user subscription | Per-user subscription (tiered plans) | Per-user subscription |
| Open Source | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Cloud-Hosted | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + |
| Self-Hosted | -- | -- | -- | + | + | -- | -- | -- |
| Best For | Mid-to-large enterprises wanting a unified email security, archiving, and continuity platform with strong API integrations | Microsoft 365-centric organizations wanting native email security with XDR integration and cost efficiency through E5 licensing | Organizations facing sophisticated social engineering and BEC attacks that bypass traditional email gateways | Small-to-mid-market organizations wanting effective email security at a lower price point than Proofpoint or Mimecast | Cisco-centric enterprises wanting email security that integrates with their existing Cisco networking and security stack | Organizations wanting capable email security integrated with Trend Micro's broader Vision One XDR platform | Mid-market organizations wanting automated phishing protection with integrated security awareness and phishing simulation | Organizations concerned about both inbound email threats and accidental data loss from misdirected emails and human error |
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| Website | Visit | Visit | Visit | Visit | Visit | Visit | Visit | Visit |
The top Proofpoint alternatives include Mimecast, Microsoft Defender for Office 365, Abnormal Security, Barracuda Email Security, Cisco Secure Email, and more. Each offers different strengths in email security.
Proofpoint is a leading email security tool, but the best choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical requirements. Compare alternatives on this page to find the best fit.
Proofpoint pricing: Custom enterprise pricing / per-user licensing. Pricing model: Per-user subscription. Compare with alternatives on this page to find the most cost-effective option.
Compare the best AI-powered email security alternatives to Proofpoint in 2026. Abnormal Security, IRONSCALES, Tessian — behavioral detection, BEC protection, and pricing compared.
CategoryCompare the best enterprise email gateway alternatives to Proofpoint in 2026. Mimecast, Cisco Secure Email, Barracuda — detection, archiving, pricing, and features compared.
CategoryCompare the best cloud email security alternatives to Proofpoint in 2026. Microsoft Defender for Office 365, Trend Micro, Mimecast — cloud-native protection, XDR integration, and pricing compared.
Use CaseCompare the best Proofpoint alternatives for phishing prevention in 2026. Abnormal Security, Mimecast, Microsoft Defender, IRONSCALES — detection, deployment, and pricing compared.
Use CaseCompare the best Proofpoint alternatives for BEC protection in 2026. Abnormal Security, Tessian, Mimecast, Microsoft Defender — behavioral AI, detection rates, and pricing compared.
Use CaseCompare the best Proofpoint alternatives for email DLP in 2026. Tessian, Microsoft Defender, Barracuda, Trend Micro — DLP capabilities, behavioral detection, and compliance compared.
Use CaseCompare the best Proofpoint alternatives for email archiving and compliance in 2026. Mimecast, Barracuda, Microsoft Purview — archiving, eDiscovery, retention policies, and compliance features compared.