Phishing Prevention -- Proofpoint Alternatives

Best Proofpoint Alternatives for Phishing Prevention in 2026

Phishing remains the most common initial attack vector, with threat actors using increasingly sophisticated techniques including AI-generated content, multi-stage attacks, and targeted spear-phishing to compromise credentials and deliver malware. Effective phishing prevention requires multiple detection layers including URL analysis, attachment sandboxing, sender reputation, behavioral analysis, and real-time threat intelligence. These Proofpoint alternatives provide different approaches to phishing detection, from traditional gateway filtering to AI-powered behavioral analysis.

How It Works

1

Deploy Multi-Layer Phishing Detection

Implement email security that combines multiple detection techniques: URL analysis and sandboxing to catch malicious links, attachment detonation for weaponized files, sender authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to verify legitimate senders, and behavioral analysis to detect social engineering. No single technique catches all phishing — effective prevention requires layered detection.

2

Configure URL and Attachment Policies

Set policies for URL rewriting or time-of-click analysis to protect against deferred phishing attacks where links are weaponized after delivery. Configure attachment sandboxing to detonate suspicious files in isolated environments before delivery. Define policies for handling password-protected archives and embedded macros.

3

Implement Sender Authentication

Deploy SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for your domain to prevent attackers from spoofing your organization. Configure your email security platform to enforce DMARC policies on inbound email to block spoofed messages from other domains. Monitor DMARC reports to identify unauthorized senders using your domain.

4

Deploy Phishing Simulation and Training

Launch regular phishing simulation campaigns to measure user susceptibility and provide targeted training to high-risk users. Use simulation results to identify departments or roles that need additional security awareness. Integrate simulation with your email security platform to create a feedback loop between real attacks and training content.

5

Establish Phishing Incident Response

Create a streamlined process for users to report suspected phishing via a report button in their email client. Configure automated analysis of reported emails with automatic remediation for confirmed threats. Implement post-delivery clawback to remove phishing emails from all inboxes if a threat is identified after initial delivery.

Top Recommendations

#1

Abnormal Security

AI Email Security

Custom pricing / per-user licensing

Superior behavioral AI detection catches sophisticated phishing that bypasses traditional gateways. API deployment means it layers seamlessly on top of existing security for defense-in-depth against the most evasive phishing campaigns.

#2

Mimecast

Enterprise Email Gateway

Custom pricing / per-user licensing

Comprehensive gateway-based phishing protection with strong URL rewriting, attachment sandboxing, and impersonation detection. The most direct Proofpoint replacement with comparable detection across the full phishing spectrum.

#3

Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Cloud Email Security

Plan 1 from $2/user/month / Plan 2 from $5/user/month / included in E5

Strong phishing protection for Microsoft 365 environments with Safe Links, Safe Attachments, and XDR correlation. Included in E5 licensing, making it the most cost-efficient option for Microsoft-centric organizations.

#4

IRONSCALES

AI Email Security

From $4.50/user/month

AI-powered phishing detection with crowdsourced intelligence and integrated phishing simulation. The feedback loop between real attack detection and user training creates a continuous improvement cycle for phishing resilience.

#5

Barracuda Email Security

Enterprise Email Gateway

From $3.60/user/month / appliance pricing varies

Solid phishing protection at a budget-friendly price point with multi-layer scanning, link protection, and bundled PhishLine training. Best for organizations that need effective basics without enterprise-grade pricing.

Detailed Tool Profiles

Abnormal Security

AI Email Security
4.5

AI-powered email security platform specializing in behavioral detection of social engineering attacks

Pricing

Custom pricing / per-user licensing

Best For

Organizations facing sophisticated social engineering and BEC attacks that bypass traditional email gateways

Key Features
Behavioral AI threat detectionBusiness email compromise preventionVendor and supply chain fraud detectionAccount takeover protection+4 more
Pros
  • +Superior detection of socially-engineered attacks with no malicious payload
  • +API-based deployment requires no MX record changes — deploys in minutes
  • +Behavioral AI catches novel attacks that signature-based tools miss
Cons
  • Does not replace a full email gateway — typically layers on top of one
  • Less effective against traditional malware and payload-based attacks
  • Premium pricing for what is an additional security layer
Cloud

Mimecast

Enterprise Email Gateway
4.3

Cloud email security platform with threat protection, archiving, and continuity

Pricing

Custom pricing / per-user licensing

Best For

Mid-to-large enterprises wanting a unified email security, archiving, and continuity platform with strong API integrations

Key Features
Targeted Threat Protection (URL, attachment, impersonation)Email continuity and failoverCloud-based email archivingSecurity awareness training+4 more
Pros
  • +Email continuity keeps mail flowing during outages — unique differentiator
  • +Strong impersonation and brand protection capabilities
  • +Unified platform covering security, archiving, and continuity
Cons
  • Detection efficacy slightly behind Proofpoint for advanced threats
  • Email archiving search performance can be slow on large datasets
  • Pricing is still premium and comparable to Proofpoint
Cloud

Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Cloud Email Security
4.4

Microsoft's native email security for Microsoft 365 with XDR integration

Pricing

Plan 1 from $2/user/month / Plan 2 from $5/user/month / included in E5

Best For

Microsoft 365-centric organizations wanting native email security with XDR integration and cost efficiency through E5 licensing

Key Features
Safe Links (URL detonation and rewriting)Safe Attachments (sandbox analysis)Anti-phishing with impersonation protectionAutomated investigation and response (AIR)+4 more
Pros
  • +Deep native integration with Microsoft 365 and Defender XDR ecosystem
  • +Included in Microsoft 365 E5 — significant cost savings for E5 customers
  • +Automated investigation and response reduces analyst workload
Cons
  • Only protects Microsoft 365 — does not support Google Workspace or other platforms
  • Detection efficacy for advanced threats historically behind Proofpoint and Mimecast
  • Configuration complexity across multiple Microsoft security portals
Cloud

IRONSCALES

AI Email Security
4.2

AI-powered anti-phishing platform with crowdsourced threat intelligence

Pricing

From $4.50/user/month

Best For

Mid-market organizations wanting automated phishing protection with integrated security awareness and phishing simulation

Key Features
AI-powered phishing detectionCrowdsourced threat intelligence from analyst networkComputer vision for brand impersonation detectionIntegrated phishing simulation and training+4 more
Pros
  • +Crowdsourced intelligence means one analyst's decision protects all customers
  • +Strong integration of detection with phishing simulation and training
  • +API deployment requires no MX record changes
Cons
  • Not a full email gateway — supplements rather than replaces one
  • Detection scope narrower than Proofpoint's comprehensive platform
  • Crowdsourced model depends on quality of analyst decisions across customer base
Cloud

Barracuda Email Security

Enterprise Email Gateway
4.1

Email threat protection platform available as gateway appliance or cloud service

Pricing

From $3.60/user/month / appliance pricing varies

Best For

Small-to-mid-market organizations wanting effective email security at a lower price point than Proofpoint or Mimecast

Key Features
Multi-layer email threat scanningLink and attachment sandboxingAnti-spam and anti-malware filteringEmail encryption and DLP+4 more
Pros
  • +Significantly lower pricing than Proofpoint and Mimecast
  • +Available as both appliance and cloud service for deployment flexibility
  • +Straightforward administration with less complexity
Cons
  • Detection efficacy below Proofpoint for advanced targeted threats
  • Cloud-native API protection less mature than gateway product
  • Reporting and analytics less sophisticated than enterprise competitors
CloudSelf-Hosted

Phishing Prevention FAQ

Which email security platform has the best phishing detection rate?

Proofpoint and Abnormal Security lead in phishing detection, but through different approaches. Proofpoint's gateway catches the broadest range of phishing attacks using URL sandboxing, attachment analysis, and threat intelligence. Abnormal Security catches sophisticated social engineering attacks that bypass gateways by analyzing behavioral patterns. For maximum coverage, many organizations deploy both a gateway (Proofpoint, Mimecast) and an AI layer (Abnormal Security) to create defense-in-depth. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 has improved significantly and provides strong protection for Microsoft 365 environments.

How do AI-powered tools detect phishing differently than Proofpoint?

Proofpoint detects phishing primarily by analyzing the content of emails — scanning URLs against threat intelligence, detonating attachments in sandboxes, and checking sender reputation. AI-powered tools like Abnormal Security and IRONSCALES analyze the context — who is sending the email, does this communication pattern match historical behavior, is the writing style consistent with the claimed sender, and are there anomalies in the email metadata. This behavioral approach catches attacks where the content appears legitimate but the context is suspicious, such as a CEO impersonation email sent from a lookalike domain.

Is built-in Microsoft 365 security enough to prevent phishing?

Exchange Online Protection (EOP), included with all Microsoft 365 plans, provides baseline anti-spam and anti-malware but is not sufficient against sophisticated phishing. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 significantly improves protection with Safe Links, Safe Attachments, and automated investigation. For organizations with E5 licensing, Defender provides solid phishing protection. However, organizations in high-risk industries or those facing targeted attacks generally benefit from additional protection from Proofpoint, Mimecast, or an AI-based supplementary layer.

How important is phishing simulation alongside detection?

Very important. Even the best email security misses some phishing — industry estimates suggest 1-3% of phishing emails reach the inbox regardless of the security platform. User awareness is the last line of defense. Regular phishing simulation reduces click rates by 50-80% over time. IRONSCALES and Proofpoint both offer integrated simulation alongside detection. Mimecast and Barracuda also include awareness training. The most effective approach combines strong technical detection with regular user simulation and targeted training for high-risk individuals.

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Comparison

Proofpoint vs Abnormal Security

AI-powered email security platform specializing in behavioral detection of social engineering attacks

Comparison

Proofpoint vs Mimecast

Cloud email security platform with threat protection, archiving, and continuity

Comparison

Proofpoint vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Microsoft's native email security for Microsoft 365 with XDR integration

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