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Top 10 Best Email Protection Software of 2026

Compare top email protection software to secure your inbox. Find tools to block phishing, malware & spam—start protecting today.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Lindner

Feb 11, 2026

10 tools comparedExpert reviewed
Independent evaluation · Unbiased commentary · Updated regularly
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Email remains a primary attack vector for sophisticated threats like phishing, malware, and business email compromise, making robust protection essential. With a diverse range of tools available, selecting the right solution requires balancing features, performance, and integration—this list guides users through the most effective options.

Quick Overview

  1. 1#1: Proofpoint Email Protection - Delivers AI-powered protection against advanced email threats including phishing, malware, and business email compromise.
  2. 2#2: Mimecast Email Security - Provides comprehensive cloud-based email security, archiving, and continuity to defend against targeted attacks and spam.
  3. 3#3: Microsoft Defender for Office 365 - Integrated anti-phishing, anti-malware, and safe links protection for Microsoft 365 email environments.
  4. 4#4: Cisco Secure Email - Advanced threat protection gateway that blocks spam, viruses, and phishing with machine learning and sandboxing.
  5. 5#5: Barracuda Email Gateway Defense - Cloud-based email security service using AI to prevent phishing, ransomware, and impersonation attacks.
  6. 6#6: Trend Micro Email Security - Multi-layered email defense with AI-driven detection for malware, spam, and advanced persistent threats.
  7. 7#7: Broadcom Symantec Email Security - Cloud email security solution offering anti-malware, anti-spam, and data loss prevention features.
  8. 8#8: Fortinet FortiMail - Secure email gateway providing robust protection against spam, viruses, and targeted attacks with integrated sandboxing.
  9. 9#9: Sophos Email Security - Adaptive threat protection for email using AI to detect and block sophisticated phishing and malware.
  10. 10#10: Abnormal Security - AI-based email protection platform that stops account takeovers, BEC, and novel phishing attacks.

Tools were ranked based on advanced threat detection capabilities, reliability, user-friendly design, and overall value, ensuring they address modern email security challenges comprehensively.

Comparison Table

As email threats grow more sophisticated, selecting the right protection software is vital for securing data and ensuring communication safety. This comparison table examines top tools including Proofpoint Email Protection, Mimecast Email Security, Microsoft Defender for Office 365, Cisco Secure Email, and Barracuda Email Gateway Defense, comparing key features, threat detection capabilities, and integration with daily workflows. Readers will learn which solution best fits their needs, from advanced phishing defense to enterprise scalability.

Delivers AI-powered protection against advanced email threats including phishing, malware, and business email compromise.

Features
9.8/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
9.2/10

Provides comprehensive cloud-based email security, archiving, and continuity to defend against targeted attacks and spam.

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

Integrated anti-phishing, anti-malware, and safe links protection for Microsoft 365 email environments.

Features
9.4/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
8.5/10

Advanced threat protection gateway that blocks spam, viruses, and phishing with machine learning and sandboxing.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
8.3/10

Cloud-based email security service using AI to prevent phishing, ransomware, and impersonation attacks.

Features
9.1/10
Ease
8.4/10
Value
8.0/10

Multi-layered email defense with AI-driven detection for malware, spam, and advanced persistent threats.

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

Cloud email security solution offering anti-malware, anti-spam, and data loss prevention features.

Features
8.6/10
Ease
7.4/10
Value
7.8/10

Secure email gateway providing robust protection against spam, viruses, and targeted attacks with integrated sandboxing.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
7.7/10
Value
8.3/10

Adaptive threat protection for email using AI to detect and block sophisticated phishing and malware.

Features
9.0/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10

AI-based email protection platform that stops account takeovers, BEC, and novel phishing attacks.

Features
9.3/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10
1
Proofpoint Email Protection logo

Proofpoint Email Protection

enterprise

Delivers AI-powered protection against advanced email threats including phishing, malware, and business email compromise.

Overall Rating9.6/10
Features
9.8/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
9.2/10
Standout Feature

Behavioral Email Threat Analysis (BEAT) for detecting evasive, zero-day attacks via user and email behavior profiling

Proofpoint Email Protection is a leading cloud-native email security platform that defends against advanced threats like phishing, malware, ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and account takeover attempts. It employs AI, machine learning, behavioral analysis, and a vast global threat intelligence network to deliver precise inline blocking, sandbox detonation, and post-delivery remediation with industry-low false positives. Seamlessly integrating with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and other email gateways, it provides comprehensive visibility, automated response, and compliance reporting for enterprise-scale deployments.

Pros

  • Unmatched threat detection accuracy powered by AI/ML and behavioral analysis (BEAT)
  • Superior BEC and impersonation protection with real-time URL/attachment sandboxing
  • Extensive integrations, detailed analytics, and automated incident response

Cons

  • High cost suitable mainly for enterprises
  • Steep learning curve for advanced configuration
  • Overkill and complex for small businesses

Best For

Large enterprises and organizations with high email threat exposure needing top-tier, AI-driven protection.

Pricing

Quote-based enterprise pricing, typically $5-12 per user/month depending on features, volume, and deployment scale.

2
Mimecast Email Security logo

Mimecast Email Security

enterprise

Provides comprehensive cloud-based email security, archiving, and continuity to defend against targeted attacks and spam.

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

Precision Impersonation Protect, using machine learning to detect subtle BEC attacks and lookalike domains missed by traditional filters

Mimecast Email Security is a cloud-native platform that delivers advanced protection against email-based threats like phishing, malware, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC). It combines AI-driven detection, URL and attachment sandboxing, DMARC authentication, and impersonation protection to safeguard inboxes across Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace environments. Beyond security, it includes email continuity services to maintain access during outages and archiving for compliance.

Pros

  • Multi-layered threat defense with AI and sandboxing
  • Seamless integration with major email providers
  • Robust reporting, analytics, and continuity features

Cons

  • Pricing can be steep for small businesses
  • Steep learning curve for advanced configurations
  • Occasional false positives requiring tuning

Best For

Mid-to-large enterprises needing comprehensive email security with compliance archiving and outage resilience.

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing, typically $10-15 per user/month, billed annually with volume discounts.

3
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 logo

Microsoft Defender for Office 365

enterprise

Integrated anti-phishing, anti-malware, and safe links protection for Microsoft 365 email environments.

Overall Rating8.9/10
Features
9.4/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
8.5/10
Standout Feature

Zero-hour auto-purge (ZAP) that automatically detects and removes malicious emails even after delivery

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is an advanced email security solution integrated within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, providing robust protection against phishing, malware, spam, and business email compromise. It features Safe Attachments for sandbox detonation of email files, Safe Links for real-time URL scanning, and anti-impersonation policies to thwart sophisticated attacks. The tool also includes campaign views for threat hunting and Zero-hour auto-purge (ZAP) to automatically remove malicious emails post-delivery.

Pros

  • Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 and Exchange Online
  • AI-powered threat detection including Safe Attachments and Safe Links
  • Advanced analytics, reporting, and automated response capabilities

Cons

  • Requires Microsoft 365 subscription, limiting flexibility for non-Microsoft users
  • Steep learning curve for advanced configurations
  • Higher pricing tiers may not suit small businesses

Best For

Mid-sized to large organizations already invested in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem seeking comprehensive, enterprise-grade email threat protection.

Pricing

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

4
Cisco Secure Email logo

Cisco Secure Email

enterprise

Advanced threat protection gateway that blocks spam, viruses, and phishing with machine learning and sandboxing.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
8.3/10
Standout Feature

Cisco Talos threat intelligence for proactive, real-time global threat visibility and blocking

Cisco Secure Email, formerly known as Cisco Secure Email Gateway, is an enterprise-grade email protection solution that safeguards organizations from spam, phishing, malware, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC) attacks. Leveraging Cisco Talos threat intelligence and advanced machine learning, it provides real-time threat detection, URL filtering, attachment sandboxing, and data loss prevention (DLP). It supports both on-premises appliances and cloud deployment for scalable protection across hybrid environments.

Pros

  • Powered by Cisco Talos, one of the world's largest threat intelligence networks for superior threat detection
  • Comprehensive protection including BEC, encryption, and DLP in a single platform
  • Highly scalable for large enterprises with hybrid cloud/on-premises options

Cons

  • High cost suitable mainly for mid-to-large organizations
  • Complex setup and management requiring Cisco expertise
  • Limited flexibility for small businesses due to enterprise focus

Best For

Large enterprises and organizations with complex email environments needing advanced threat intelligence and compliance features.

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing; typically subscription-based starting at $5-10 per user/month, with appliance options and volume discounts.

5
Barracuda Email Gateway Defense logo

Barracuda Email Gateway Defense

enterprise

Cloud-based email security service using AI to prevent phishing, ransomware, and impersonation attacks.

Overall Rating8.6/10
Features
9.1/10
Ease of Use
8.4/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

AI-driven Impersonation Protection that specifically targets business email compromise and executive fraud

Barracuda Email Gateway Defense is a cloud-based email security platform designed to protect organizations from spam, phishing, malware, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats. It leverages AI-driven machine learning for real-time threat detection, including impersonation and account takeover prevention, while offering data loss prevention (DLP), email archiving, and continuity services. The solution integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, providing comprehensive inbound and outbound email protection without requiring on-premises hardware.

Pros

  • Highly accurate AI-powered threat detection with near-perfect spam filtering
  • Seamless integration with major email platforms like Office 365
  • Comprehensive DLP and archiving capabilities for compliance

Cons

  • Pricing can be steep for small businesses
  • Occasional false positives requiring admin tuning
  • Advanced configuration has a moderate learning curve

Best For

Mid-sized enterprises needing robust, scalable cloud email security with strong AI defenses.

Pricing

Starts at $2.40/user/month for Essentials; Advanced plans up to $6/user/month (billed annually).

6
Trend Micro Email Security logo

Trend Micro Email Security

enterprise

Multi-layered email defense with AI-driven detection for malware, spam, and advanced persistent threats.

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

Smart Protection Network: A cloud-scale threat intelligence platform correlating data from over 250 billion daily queries for proactive global threat defense.

Trend Micro Email Security is a cloud-based email protection solution that safeguards organizations against phishing, spam, malware, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC) attacks. It leverages AI-driven machine learning, sandboxing, and global threat intelligence from the Smart Protection Network to detect and block advanced threats in real-time. The service integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and on-premises systems, offering centralized management, detailed reporting, and policy enforcement for comprehensive email security.

Pros

  • Advanced AI and machine learning for high-accuracy threat detection including zero-day attacks
  • Seamless integration with major email platforms and strong BEC protection
  • Global threat intelligence network providing real-time insights from billions of data points

Cons

  • Pricing is enterprise-focused and can be expensive for SMBs
  • Occasional false positives requiring admin tuning
  • Advanced configuration may have a learning curve for non-experts

Best For

Mid-to-large enterprises needing robust, scalable email security with advanced threat intelligence and multi-platform support.

Pricing

Quote-based subscription pricing, typically $3-6 per user/month depending on features, volume, and deployment (cloud or hybrid).

7
Broadcom Symantec Email Security logo

Broadcom Symantec Email Security

enterprise

Cloud email security solution offering anti-malware, anti-spam, and data loss prevention features.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.6/10
Ease of Use
7.4/10
Value
7.8/10
Standout Feature

Symantec Live Shell sandboxing for safe detonation and analysis of malicious attachments and URLs

Broadcom Symantec Email Security, available via symantec.com, is a cloud-based email protection gateway that defends against spam, phishing, malware, ransomware, and advanced threats using AI/ML-driven detection engines. It provides real-time analysis through sandboxing, URL detonation, and behavioral analytics, while integrating seamlessly with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. The solution also includes robust Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies and compliance reporting to prevent data exfiltration and ensure regulatory adherence.

Pros

  • Comprehensive threat intelligence from Symantec's global network
  • Advanced sandboxing and AI-powered behavioral analysis for zero-day threats
  • Strong DLP and encryption features for compliance-heavy environments

Cons

  • Complex configuration and steep learning curve for non-experts
  • Custom enterprise pricing can be opaque and costly for SMBs
  • Occasional reports of slower support response post-Broadcom acquisition

Best For

Large enterprises with high-volume email traffic and stringent compliance needs seeking enterprise-grade protection.

Pricing

Quote-based subscription starting at approximately $4-8 per user/month (volume discounts apply; contact sales for exact pricing).

8
Fortinet FortiMail logo

Fortinet FortiMail

enterprise

Secure email gateway providing robust protection against spam, viruses, and targeted attacks with integrated sandboxing.

Overall Rating8.6/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
7.7/10
Value
8.3/10
Standout Feature

Inline FortiSandbox integration for real-time zero-day malware analysis without external forwarding

FortiMail is Fortinet's enterprise-grade email security gateway that delivers advanced protection against spam, phishing, malware, ransomware, and business email compromise using AI-driven detection and machine learning. It includes features like inline sandboxing via FortiSandbox, data loss prevention (DLP), content disarm and reconstruction (CDR), email encryption, and archiving for compliance. Deployable as hardware appliances, virtual machines, or cloud-based SaaS, it integrates seamlessly with the Fortinet Security Fabric for unified threat management.

Pros

  • Comprehensive multi-layered threat protection with AI/ML and sandboxing
  • Seamless integration with Fortinet Security Fabric ecosystem
  • High scalability and performance for large enterprises

Cons

  • Steep learning curve and complex setup for non-Fortinet users
  • Higher costs compared to simpler cloud-only competitors
  • Limited flexibility for organizations outside the Fortinet stack

Best For

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

Pricing

Subscription-based pricing starts at ~$5-10/user/month for cloud SaaS; hardware appliances range from $5,000-$100,000+ based on capacity, plus annual licenses.

9
Sophos Email Security logo

Sophos Email Security

enterprise

Adaptive threat protection for email using AI to detect and block sophisticated phishing and malware.

Overall Rating8.5/10
Features
9.0/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

AI-powered BEC Guardian that uses natural language processing to detect and block impersonation and account compromise attempts

Sophos Email Security is a cloud-based gateway solution that protects organizations from spam, phishing, malware, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC) threats using AI, machine learning, and real-time threat intelligence. It scans inbound, outbound, and internal emails with dual antivirus engines, rewritten URLs, and sandbox analysis to neutralize sophisticated attacks before they reach inboxes. Integrated into the Sophos Central platform, it provides unified management, detailed reporting, and seamless synchronization with other Sophos security tools for endpoint and network protection.

Pros

  • AI-driven detection with high accuracy for zero-day threats and BEC attacks
  • Seamless integration with Sophos Central and endpoint protection
  • Comprehensive policy controls and detailed threat forensics

Cons

  • Pricing is quote-based and can be higher for small businesses
  • Some advanced features require additional Sophos licenses
  • Customization of reporting is somewhat limited compared to competitors

Best For

Mid-sized businesses and enterprises already in the Sophos ecosystem seeking robust, integrated email threat protection.

Pricing

Custom quote-based pricing, typically $3-$6 per user/month depending on volume, features, and contract length.

10
Abnormal Security logo

Abnormal Security

enterprise

AI-based email protection platform that stops account takeovers, BEC, and novel phishing attacks.

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

Behavioral AI that analyzes user-entity interactions to stop 99%+ of attacks pre-delivery

Abnormal Security is an AI-powered email protection platform designed to detect and prevent advanced threats like phishing, business email compromise (BEC), account takeovers, and malware using behavioral AI analysis rather than traditional signatures or rules. It integrates natively with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, providing real-time threat detection, automated remediation, and detailed investigation tools. The platform excels in identifying anomalous user and entity behaviors across email threads, offering comprehensive visibility into email risks for enterprises.

Pros

  • Superior behavioral AI detects unknown threats with low false positives
  • Seamless integration with M365 and Google Workspace
  • Automated response and remediation capabilities

Cons

  • Premium pricing may not suit small businesses
  • Limited to email security without broader endpoint coverage
  • Advanced features require configuration expertise

Best For

Mid-to-large enterprises needing AI-driven protection against sophisticated email attacks like BEC and phishing.

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing, typically $6-10 per user/month with volume discounts; contact sales for quote.

Visit Abnormal Securityabnormalsecurity.com

Conclusion

The reviewed email protection software offers robust defenses against phishing, malware, and advanced threats, with Proofpoint Email Protection leading as the top choice, leveraging AI for cutting-edge threat detection. Mimecast Email Security stands out for comprehensive cloud-based solutions, while Microsoft Defender for Office 365 provides seamless integration for Microsoft 365 environments—each top performer, tailored to distinct needs.

Proofpoint Email Protection logo
Our Top Pick
Proofpoint Email Protection

Secure your email today with Proofpoint Email Protection to experience its superior protection, or explore Mimecast or Microsoft Defender for options aligned with specific ecosystem or integration needs.