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Top 10 Best Email Filtering Software of 2026

Discover top email filtering software to simplify your inbox. Compare features & pick the best solution today.

Alexander Schmidt

Alexander Schmidt

Feb 11, 2026

10 tools comparedExpert reviewed
Independent evaluation · Unbiased commentary · Updated regularly
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Email remains a critical attack surface for phishing, malware, and targeted threats, making robust filtering software essential for protecting data, productivity, and trust. With a range of tools—from AI-driven enterprise platforms to cloud-based solutions for small businesses—choosing the right option is key to effective defense.

Quick Overview

  1. 1#1: Proofpoint Email Protection - Advanced email security platform that uses AI to protect against phishing, spam, malware, and targeted attacks.
  2. 2#2: Mimecast Email Security - Cloud-based service providing targeted threat protection, spam filtering, and email continuity for enterprises.
  3. 3#3: Microsoft Defender for Office 365 - Integrated email filtering and threat protection solution within Microsoft 365 that blocks phishing and malware.
  4. 4#4: Barracuda Email Security Gateway - Cloud and on-premises gateway offering spam, virus, and advanced phishing protection for businesses.
  5. 5#5: Abnormal Security - AI-native platform that detects sophisticated email attacks like BEC and account takeovers using behavioral analysis.
  6. 6#6: IRONSCALES - AI-powered email security with human intelligence for real-time phishing detection and automated response.
  7. 7#7: Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense - Enterprise-grade email security gateway that defends against spam, phishing, and ransomware with machine learning.
  8. 8#8: Trend Micro Email Security - Cloud email security service that filters spam, phishing, and malware using global threat intelligence.
  9. 9#9: Fortinet FortiMail - Secure email gateway with AI-driven threat protection, DLP, and anti-spam capabilities for organizations.
  10. 10#10: SpamTitan - Cloud-based spam and virus filtering service with high-accuracy detection for SMBs and enterprises.

Tools were selected based on advanced threat detection capabilities (including AI/ML performance), ease of use, reliability, and value, ensuring they cater to diverse organizational needs, from small teams to large enterprises.

Comparison Table

Email filtering software is essential for protecting organizations from phishing, malware, and other threats embedded in incoming messages. This comparison table analyzes top tools—such as Proofpoint Email Protection, Mimecast Email Security, and Microsoft Defender for Office 365—outlining key features and strengths to help readers select the right solution for their security needs.

Advanced email security platform that uses AI to protect against phishing, spam, malware, and targeted attacks.

Features
9.9/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
9.2/10

Cloud-based service providing targeted threat protection, spam filtering, and email continuity for enterprises.

Features
9.6/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
8.9/10

Integrated email filtering and threat protection solution within Microsoft 365 that blocks phishing and malware.

Features
9.5/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
8.5/10

Cloud and on-premises gateway offering spam, virus, and advanced phishing protection for businesses.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10

AI-native platform that detects sophisticated email attacks like BEC and account takeovers using behavioral analysis.

Features
9.3/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10
6IRONSCALES logo8.7/10

AI-powered email security with human intelligence for real-time phishing detection and automated response.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10

Enterprise-grade email security gateway that defends against spam, phishing, and ransomware with machine learning.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
7.8/10
Value
8.0/10

Cloud email security service that filters spam, phishing, and malware using global threat intelligence.

Features
8.7/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
7.5/10

Secure email gateway with AI-driven threat protection, DLP, and anti-spam capabilities for organizations.

Features
9.1/10
Ease
7.6/10
Value
8.0/10
10SpamTitan logo8.7/10

Cloud-based spam and virus filtering service with high-accuracy detection for SMBs and enterprises.

Features
9.0/10
Ease
9.2/10
Value
8.5/10
1
Proofpoint Email Protection logo

Proofpoint Email Protection

enterprise

Advanced email security platform that uses AI to protect against phishing, spam, malware, and targeted attacks.

Overall Rating9.8/10
Features
9.9/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
9.2/10
Standout Feature

Precision BEC protection using patented machine learning to detect highly targeted impersonation and account compromise attacks with unmatched accuracy

Proofpoint Email Protection is a leading enterprise-grade email security solution that delivers advanced filtering against spam, phishing, malware, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC) using AI-driven detection and behavioral analysis. It integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 and other platforms, offering features like URL and attachment sandboxing, precise threat intelligence, and automated response capabilities. The platform emphasizes people-centric security, protecting users from account takeover and impersonation attacks while ensuring compliance through DLP controls.

Pros

  • Exceptional AI/ML-powered threat detection with near-zero false positives and high catch rates for advanced threats like BEC and ransomware
  • Comprehensive ecosystem including URL Defense, Attachment Defense, and TAP for granular policy enforcement
  • Robust integrations with SIEM, EDR, and cloud email services for streamlined operations

Cons

  • Premium pricing that may be prohibitive for small businesses
  • Complex setup and management requiring skilled administrators
  • Occasional over-aggressiveness in filtering legitimate emails during initial tuning

Best For

Large enterprises and mid-sized organizations prioritizing top-tier email threat protection and compliance in high-risk environments.

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing, typically $5-12 per user/month depending on volume and features; volume discounts available.

2
Mimecast Email Security logo

Mimecast Email Security

enterprise

Cloud-based service providing targeted threat protection, spam filtering, and email continuity for enterprises.

Overall Rating9.2/10
Features
9.6/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
8.9/10
Standout Feature

Targeted Threat Protection with polymorphic engine for real-time detection of zero-day phishing and BEC attacks

Mimecast Email Security is a cloud-native platform delivering advanced email threat protection, including AI-driven detection of phishing, malware, ransomware, and business email compromise. It features multi-layered defenses like URL and attachment sandboxing, impersonation protection, and DMARC monitoring to safeguard inboxes across Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Beyond filtering, it integrates archiving, continuity, and compliance tools for enterprise-grade email management.

Pros

  • Superior AI/ML-powered threat detection with high accuracy rates
  • Comprehensive multi-layered protection including sandboxing and URL rewriting
  • Seamless integrations and rapid deployment for enterprises

Cons

  • Premium pricing may deter small businesses
  • Setup and configuration can be complex for non-experts
  • Some advanced features require add-on modules

Best For

Mid-to-large enterprises with high email volumes needing robust protection against sophisticated threats and compliance support.

Pricing

Quote-based enterprise pricing, typically $8-15 per user/month depending on features and scale.

3
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 logo

Microsoft Defender for Office 365

enterprise

Integrated email filtering and threat protection solution within Microsoft 365 that blocks phishing and malware.

Overall Rating8.8/10
Features
9.5/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
8.5/10
Standout Feature

Zero-hour auto purge (ZAP) that automatically removes malicious emails post-delivery

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is an advanced cloud-based email security solution designed to protect organizations from phishing, malware, spam, and business email compromise attacks. It leverages AI-driven detection, machine learning, and behavioral analysis to scan emails, attachments, and links in real-time, preventing threats from reaching user inboxes. Integrated natively with Exchange Online and Microsoft 365, it offers features like Safe Attachments, Safe Links, and anti-impersonation protection for comprehensive email filtering.

Pros

  • AI-powered real-time threat detection with high accuracy
  • Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 ecosystem
  • Advanced features like Zero-hour auto purge (ZAP) and impersonation protection

Cons

  • Requires Microsoft 365 subscription for full functionality
  • Configuration can be complex for smaller teams
  • Occasional false positives requiring admin tuning

Best For

Mid-to-large enterprises using Microsoft 365 that need robust, scalable email threat protection.

Pricing

Included in Microsoft 365 E3/E5 plans; standalone Plan 1 at ~$2/user/month, Plan 2 at ~$5/user/month (annual commitment).

4
Barracuda Email Security Gateway logo

Barracuda Email Security Gateway

enterprise

Cloud and on-premises gateway offering spam, virus, and advanced phishing protection for businesses.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Barracuda Threat Exchange: A global crowdsourced network sharing real-time threat intelligence across millions of users for proactive defense.

Barracuda Email Security Gateway is a robust cloud-based and on-premises email security solution designed to protect organizations from spam, phishing, malware, ransomware, and advanced email threats using AI-driven machine learning and behavioral analysis. It provides multi-layered filtering, data loss prevention (DLP), email encryption, archiving, and continuity features to ensure secure and compliant email operations. With flexible deployment options including virtual appliances and hardware gateways, it integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and other platforms.

Pros

  • Highly effective AI-powered spam and phishing detection with low false positives
  • Comprehensive threat intelligence via Barracuda Threat Exchange network
  • Flexible deployment options including cloud, virtual, and hardware appliances

Cons

  • Subscription pricing can be higher than basic competitors for SMBs
  • Occasional configuration complexity for advanced custom rules
  • Mixed reports on customer support response times

Best For

Mid-sized businesses and enterprises needing advanced, scalable email threat protection with compliance features.

Pricing

Subscription-based starting at ~$4/user/month for Essentials, up to $10+/user/month for Premium bundles with DLP and archiving; custom quotes for on-premises.

5
Abnormal Security logo

Abnormal Security

specialized

AI-native platform that detects sophisticated email attacks like BEC and account takeovers using behavioral analysis.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.3/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Behavioral AI engine that models normal email behavior per user and organization to stop unseen threats

Abnormal Security is an AI-powered email security platform designed to protect organizations from advanced email threats like phishing, business email compromise (BEC), account takeovers, and malware. It leverages behavioral AI and machine learning to analyze email patterns, sender relationships, and anomalies in real-time, surpassing traditional signature-based filters. The solution integrates natively with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, offering automated remediation and detailed forensic reports.

Pros

  • Exceptional AI-driven behavioral analysis for detecting zero-day threats and BEC
  • Low false positive rates with high accuracy in threat blocking
  • Seamless integration and quick deployment with major email platforms

Cons

  • Premium enterprise pricing may be steep for SMBs
  • Limited visibility into non-email threats compared to broader EDR solutions
  • Advanced reporting and customization require some learning curve

Best For

Mid-to-large enterprises needing cutting-edge, AI-based protection against sophisticated email attacks.

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing, typically $6-12 per user/month with volume discounts and annual contracts.

Visit Abnormal Securityabnormal.security
6
IRONSCALES logo

IRONSCALES

specialized

AI-powered email security with human intelligence for real-time phishing detection and automated response.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Phishing Immune System: Real-time learning from user reports and clicks for autonomous threat neutralization

IronScales is an AI-powered email security platform designed to combat phishing, business email compromise (BEC), and other advanced email threats through a combination of machine learning and human intelligence. It offers real-time detection, autonomous remediation, and user-empowered reporting to minimize false positives and enhance organizational resilience. The solution integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, providing continuous threat hunting and simulated phishing training.

Pros

  • Exceptional accuracy in phishing detection with AI-human fusion reducing false positives
  • Autonomous remediation and real-time response capabilities
  • User reporting and training tools that strengthen security culture

Cons

  • Higher pricing may deter small businesses
  • Some advanced configuration requires IT expertise
  • Relies partly on user interaction for optimal performance

Best For

Mid-sized enterprises and organizations prioritizing proactive, AI-driven phishing defense with human oversight.

Pricing

Quote-based enterprise pricing, typically $5-8 per user per month based on volume and features.

Visit IRONSCALESironscales.com
7
Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense logo

Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense

enterprise

Enterprise-grade email security gateway that defends against spam, phishing, and ransomware with machine learning.

Overall Rating8.5/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
7.8/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Cisco Talos threat intelligence with real-time global visibility into over 300 billion email messages daily

Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense is a cloud-based email security solution that provides advanced protection against phishing, malware, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC) threats. Leveraging Cisco Talos global threat intelligence and AI/ML-driven detection engines, it scans inbound, outbound, and internal emails in real-time, including sandboxing for attachments and URLs. The platform integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 and other ecosystems, offering policy management, incident response, and reporting for enterprise-scale deployments.

Pros

  • Unmatched threat intelligence from Cisco Talos processing billions of queries daily
  • Advanced AI/ML for detecting zero-day threats and sophisticated evasion techniques
  • Seamless integration with Cisco SecureX and Microsoft 365 for unified security operations

Cons

  • Complex setup and management requiring IT expertise
  • Premium pricing may not suit small to mid-sized businesses
  • Limited flexibility in customization compared to some competitors

Best For

Large enterprises with high-volume email traffic needing intelligence-driven, scalable threat defense.

Pricing

Quote-based subscription, typically $4-8 per user per month depending on features and volume.

8
Trend Micro Email Security logo

Trend Micro Email Security

enterprise

Cloud email security service that filters spam, phishing, and malware using global threat intelligence.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.7/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
7.5/10
Standout Feature

AI-powered sandbox correlation that detonates suspicious attachments and links across a global network for zero-day threat detection

Trend Micro Email Security is a cloud-based email filtering solution that protects against spam, phishing, malware, ransomware, and advanced threats using AI, machine learning, and global threat intelligence. It scans inbound, outbound, and internal emails in real-time, with features like sandbox analysis, URL filtering, and attachment detonation. The service integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and on-premises systems, providing compliance tools and detailed reporting for enterprise environments.

Pros

  • Superior AI and ML-driven threat detection with low false positives
  • Robust sandboxing and global threat intelligence network
  • Strong integrations with major email platforms like Microsoft 365

Cons

  • Pricing can be steep for small businesses or basic needs
  • Initial setup and configuration may require IT expertise
  • Reporting customization could be more intuitive

Best For

Mid-sized to large enterprises needing scalable, advanced email threat protection with deep Microsoft ecosystem integration.

Pricing

Subscription-based, typically $3-$6 per user/month depending on volume and features; custom enterprise quotes available.

9
Fortinet FortiMail logo

Fortinet FortiMail

enterprise

Secure email gateway with AI-driven threat protection, DLP, and anti-spam capabilities for organizations.

Overall Rating8.4/10
Features
9.1/10
Ease of Use
7.6/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

FortiSandbox integration for real-time analysis of unknown threats

Fortinet FortiMail is a robust email security gateway that provides advanced protection against spam, viruses, phishing, and malware using AI-driven machine learning and FortiGuard threat intelligence. It offers data loss prevention (DLP), email encryption, archiving, and sandboxing for zero-day threats, supporting both on-premises appliances and cloud deployments. Designed for scalability, it integrates seamlessly with the Fortinet Security Fabric for unified threat management across networks.

Pros

  • Comprehensive threat detection with AI/ML and inline sandboxing
  • Deep integration with Fortinet Security Fabric ecosystem
  • High scalability for enterprise email volumes with strong DLP

Cons

  • Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
  • Higher pricing unsuitable for small businesses
  • Best performance requires other Fortinet products

Best For

Large enterprises with existing Fortinet infrastructure needing advanced, scalable email security.

Pricing

Quote-based; on-premises appliances start at ~$2,000 with annual FortiGuard subscriptions ~20-30% of license cost; cloud options ~$4-7/user/month.

10
SpamTitan logo

SpamTitan

specialized

Cloud-based spam and virus filtering service with high-accuracy detection for SMBs and enterprises.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.0/10
Ease of Use
9.2/10
Value
8.5/10
Standout Feature

Dual sandbox analysis for zero-day malware detection, providing proactive defense beyond traditional signature-based methods

SpamTitan is a cloud-based email security gateway that provides robust protection against spam, phishing, malware, viruses, and business email compromise (BEC). It leverages advanced AI, machine learning, heuristics, and sandboxing to achieve over 99.9% spam detection rates with minimal false positives. The solution supports inbound/outbound filtering, email archiving, encryption, and compliance features, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes seeking reliable email defense.

Pros

  • Exceptional spam and phishing detection accuracy (99.95%+)
  • Quick deployment with setup in under 10 minutes
  • Comprehensive threat intelligence and sandboxing included

Cons

  • Reporting dashboard lacks advanced customization options
  • Customer support response times can vary during peak periods
  • Higher pricing tiers for premium features may deter very small teams

Best For

Small to mid-sized businesses needing straightforward, high-performance email filtering without IT expertise.

Pricing

Starts at ~$2 per user/month for basic cloud plans, with bundles up to $4/user/month including archiving and encryption; custom enterprise quotes available.

Visit SpamTitanspamtitan.com

Conclusion

The reviewed email filtering tools demonstrate excellence across key areas, with Proofpoint Email Protection leading due to its advanced AI for holistic threat defense. Mimecast and Microsoft Defender for Office 365 follow as strong alternatives, catering to enterprise continuity and Microsoft ecosystem integration respectively, ensuring diverse needs are met.

Proofpoint Email Protection logo
Our Top Pick
Proofpoint Email Protection

Don’t compromise on email security—explore Proofpoint Email Protection to leverage its top-tier AI capabilities and protect against evolving threats.