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- Email Anti-spam Software
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365
- Proofpoint Essentials for Small Business
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365-vs-Proofpoint Essentials for Small Business
Compare Microsoft Defender for Office 365 and Proofpoint Essentials for Small Business 
At a Glance
Market Segments
Mid-Market (37.5% of reviews)
Mid-Market (52.4% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
$2.00 1 User Per Month
No pricing available
Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Star Rating
(291)4.5 out of 5
Market Segments
Mid-Market (37.5% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
$2.00 1 User Per Month
Browse all 2 pricing plansProofpoint Essentials for Small Business
Star Rating
(22)3.9 out of 5
Market Segments
Mid-Market (52.4% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about Proofpoint Essentials for Small BusinessSummary
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
- Users report that Proofpoint Essentials for Small Business excels in its anti-spam capabilities, with a strong filtering functionality that effectively reduces unwanted emails, while Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is noted for its advanced threat protection features, particularly in detecting and preventing phishing attacks.
- Reviewers mention that the ease of setup for both products is comparable, with both scoring 8.8, but users on G2 highlight that Proofpoint's user-friendly interface makes it easier for small businesses to get started quickly.
- G2 users indicate that Microsoft Defender for Office 365 shines in its integration capabilities, particularly with other Microsoft products, making it a seamless choice for organizations already using Microsoft services, whereas Proofpoint is praised for its robust email archiving features.
- Users say that the quality of support for Microsoft Defender is rated higher (8.7) compared to Proofpoint (8.2), suggesting that users may find more responsive assistance when issues arise with Microsoft’s product.
- Reviewers mention that Proofpoint's reporting features are particularly strong, allowing for detailed insights into email security metrics, while Microsoft Defender's intelligence reporting is also well-regarded, but users feel it could benefit from more customization options.
- Users report that both products have strong data loss prevention features, but Proofpoint's granular retention management is highlighted as a standout feature, allowing businesses to tailor their data protection strategies more effectively than with Microsoft Defender.
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Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Microsoft Defender for Office Plan 1
$2.00
1 User Per Month
Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 offers protection against advanced attacks across email and collaboration tools in Office 365.
- 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
Proofpoint Essentials for Small Business
No pricing availableFree Trial
Microsoft Defender for Office 365
No trial information availableProofpoint Essentials for Small Business
No trial information availableRatings
Meets Requirements
9.0
227
8.9
19
Ease of Use
8.9
229
8.7
19
Ease of Setup
8.8
106
8.8
12
Ease of Admin
8.9
101
8.5
12
Quality of Support
8.7
222
8.2
14
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
8.8
102
8.9
11
Product Direction (% positive)
9.4
218
7.1
16
Features by Category
Functionality
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Agentic AI - Email Archiving
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Administration
8.8
143
|
Verified
Not enough data
9.0
141
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.9
138
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.5
136
|
Verified
Not enough data
Maintenance
8.7
134
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.8
141
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.8
137
Not enough data
8.6
132
|
Verified
Not enough data
Security
9.0
143
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.9
137
Not enough data
8.8
140
|
Verified
Not enough data
9.1
140
|
Verified
Not enough data
9.0
143
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.7
133
|
Verified
Not enough data
Administration
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Detection
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Protection
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Agentic AI - Intelligent Email Protection
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Assesment
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Training
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Administration
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Functionality
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Agentic AI - Secure Email Gateway
Not enough data
Not enough data
Functionality
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Usability
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Reliability
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Agentic AI - Email Backup
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Encryption Techniques - Email Encryption
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Authentication, Verification, and Access Controls - Email Encryption
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Security Enhancements and Auditing - Email Encryption
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Integration, Compatibility, and Usability - Email Encryption
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Agentic AI - Email Anti-spam Features
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Management
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Reporting
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Security
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 and Proofpoint Essentials for Small Business are categorized as Cloud Email Security and Email Anti-spam
Unique Categories
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is categorized as Intelligent Email Protection
Proofpoint Essentials for Small Business is categorized as Email Archiving, Email Encryption, Security Awareness Training, Secure Email Gateway, and Email Backup
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Proofpoint Essentials for Small Business
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Small-Business
(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market
(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise
(> 1000 emp.)
Reviewers' Industry
Information Technology and Services
27.3%
Computer Software
12.4%
Computer & Network Security
12.0%
Financial Services
5.5%
Consulting
2.9%
Other
40.0%
Information Technology and Services
23.8%
Non-Profit Organization Management
14.3%
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
9.5%
Wholesale
4.8%
Utilities
4.8%
Other
42.9%
Most Helpful Reviews
Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Faizan S.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
The best of Microsoft defender office 365 provides smoother and secure user experience. Also you can trust it blindly because of its security. You dont have to use another software's because MDO is #1.
Most Helpful Critical Review
Obadiah C.
Verified User in Education Management
Does not block all spam emails. I have not tried customer support for anything related to defender.
Proofpoint Essentials for Small Business
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Verified User in Wholesale
Much better in terms of Spam detection and also link protection , It will scan any links in our incoming mail and check whether it's genuine. Earlier we were using Trend micro email security and i find proof point much better in terms of spam detection and...
Most Helpful Critical Review
Verified User in Construction
Proofpoint shields my email from spam supposedly. I will typically tell the software to block a sender that has been sending me information, but it wont actually block them, I have to allow it through, and then block them myself through my personal email,...
Faizan S.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
The best of Microsoft defender office 365 provides smoother and secure user experience. Also you can trust it blindly because of its security. You dont have to use another software's because MDO is #1.
Verified User in Wholesale
Much better in terms of Spam detection and also link protection , It will scan any links in our incoming mail and check whether it's genuine. Earlier we were using Trend micro email security and i find proof point much better in terms of spam detection and...
Obadiah C.
Verified User in Education Management
Does not block all spam emails. I have not tried customer support for anything related to defender.
Verified User in Construction
Proofpoint shields my email from spam supposedly. I will typically tell the software to block a sender that has been sending me information, but it wont actually block them, I have to allow it through, and then block them myself through my personal email,...
Alternatives
Discussions
What are the security features of Microsoft 365?
2 comments
EF
Multi-factor authentication, data encryption, threat protection, data protection, identity and access management are major features of MS Office 365.Read more
Does Microsoft 365 include Microsoft Defender?
2 comments
RS
Certainly! Please provide the text in the Unknown Language that you would like translated into English.Read more
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 has no more discussions with answers
Proofpoint Essentials for Small Business has no discussions with answers
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