The best email security solutions: What really works in 2025

Email remains the main attack vector for cybercriminals, and cloud suites like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace are highly attractive targets. For a 20-person agency, a single Business Email Compromise (BEC) attack with a fake invoice can mean losing the entire quarter’s profit. To make matters worse, these types of email attacks happen more often than we would like to admit.

The problem for many SMEs and work teams is that traditional solutions are not designed for their reality. Some are too complex, others too expensive, or simply don’t work well with collaborative cloud environments. And when it comes to protecting email accounts and their respective passwords, there is no room for error, as choosing poorly can have very real…and costly consequences. Just look at the alarming rise in phishing email cyberattacks in recent years.

That’s why we wanted to step away from the typical recommendations and focus on what really matters. We tested ten native cloud solutions in a test environment and spoke with two managed service providers who between them manage nearly 6,000 accounts. The result is a clear and honest comparison where Proofpoint Essentials leads with a score of 9.3 out of 10, closely followed by Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 with a 9.1. In this article, we will tell you why.

Which option to choose?

What characteristics should a good enterprise email security solution have?

A good enterprise email security solution not only blocks cyberattacks and potential attackers but also adapts to the real needs of SMEs and work teams. Below, we detail the characteristics we consider essential:

• Protection against advanced threats: An effective solution must detect and block attacks such as phishing, malware, social engineering, identity spoofing, and business email compromises, which involves using technologies like behavioral analysis, sandboxing, and signature-based detection to identify both known threats and new variants. Comprehensive protection against these threats is essential to prevent security issues and new victims in email.
• End-to-end encryption: Encryption ensures that only the sender and recipient can read the email content, which is essential to protect confidential information and comply with privacy regulations. A good solution must offer automatic encryption for emails containing sensitive data, thus ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the transmitted information.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): DLP tools help prevent sensitive information from being sent outside the organization accidentally or maliciously. This is achieved through policies that identify and block the outbound transmission of confidential data such as credit card numbers or personal information.
• Authentication and security protocols: Implementing protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC helps verify the authenticity of emails and prevent identity spoofing. These email security measures are fundamental to ensuring that messages come from legitimate sources and to protect the company’s domain reputation.
• Backups and service continuity: Having automatic email backups guarantees information recovery in case of loss or attack. Additionally, solutions that offer service continuity allow access to email even during outages, ensuring the company’s operability at all times.
• Ease of configuration and management: An effective solution should be easy to configure and manage, even for teams with limited resources. For this reason, it is necessary that they include everything from intuitive interfaces to integrations with existing platforms and automation options that simplify the management of email security and associated threats.
• Compliance with regulations and certifications: It is crucial that the solution complies with email security standards and holds certifications that endorse its effectiveness. This not only ensures data protection but also facilitates compliance with legal and regulatory requirements specific to the sector.
• Support and constant updates: The threat landscape evolves constantly, so it is vital that the solution receives regular updates and has efficient technical support. Reducing unwanted email is a key factor for any business. This ensures that the company is protected against the latest vulnerabilities and can quickly resolve any incidents related to email security.

Comparative table of email security

1. Proofpoint Essentials

Proofpoint Essentials offers enterprise-level protection tailored to SMEs. Its threat filtering is highly effective, with features like URL rewriting and predictive sandboxing that analyze links before they reach the inbox. Additionally, it provides 24-hour email continuity in case of outages, ensuring that critical communications are not disrupted.

Pros of Proofpoint Essentials

• Advanced threat protection: Includes defense against phishing, business email compromise (BEC), and malware, using machine learning technologies to detect and block sophisticated attacks.
• Integration with Microsoft 365: Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft environments, enabling quick deployment and efficient management through Azure Active Directory.
• Service continuity: Offers a 24-hour spool feature that ensures access to email even during server outages.

Cons of Proofpoint Essentials

• Outdated user interface: While functional, the interface can seem outdated and less intuitive compared to other modern solutions.
• Limited advanced features in basic plans: Some features, such as advanced data loss prevention (DLP), are only available in higher-tier plans, which may require additional investment to access all functionalities.

Plans, pricing, and usability of Proofpoint Essentials

Proofpoint Essentials pricing varies depending on the selected plan:

• Business: Includes inbound and outbound mail filtering. Approximate price: €34.54/user/year.
• Business+: Adds predictive URL defense and one-click message recovery. Approximate price: €38.30/user/year.
• Advanced: Includes email encryption and social media protection. Approximate price: €47.08/user/year.
• Advanced+: Adds advanced BEC detection and warning banners on emails. Approximate price: €58.48/user/year.
• Professional: Includes email archiving. Approximate price: €66.80/user/year.
• Professional+: Includes all previous features plus additional functions. Approximate price: €78.20/user/year.

Proofpoint Essentials offers both a 15-day free trial and a demo on its website and through partners such as ConstantEdge. It also provides customized discounts for companies with over 100 users, as well as educational and government institutions.

Regarding support, Proofpoint Essentials provides 24/7 technical support, ensuring that any incident can be addressed at any time. Support includes access to its help portal, detailed documentation, and direct contact with the technical support team.

Proofpoint Essentials is very easy to use, especially in Microsoft 365 environments. Integration with Azure Active Directory facilitates user management, and the interface, although somewhat outdated, allows simple navigation and efficient administration of security policies.

2. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 is natively integrated into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, offering advanced protection against threats in email and collaboration tools. Its key features include Safe Links, which analyzes and rewrites URLs in real time to prevent access to malicious sites, and Safe Attachments, which scans attachments in an isolated environment before delivering them to the recipient. Additionally, security reports are directly integrated into the Microsoft 365 portal, facilitating threat management and monitoring.

Pros of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1

• Seamless integration with Microsoft 365: Being designed by Microsoft, it integrates perfectly with Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, offering a unified experience without the need for additional configurations.
• Real-time protection: Safe Links and Safe Attachments features provide proactive defense against phishing and malware by analyzing content before it reaches the user.
• Detailed and centralized reports: Administrators can access security reports and analyses directly from the Microsoft 365 portal, facilitating decision-making and incident response.

Cons of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1

• Limited advanced features: Some functions, such as automated investigation and attack simulation, are only available in Plan 2, which may require an upgrade for organizations with more complex needs.
• Dependence on the Microsoft ecosystem: Its maximum effectiveness is achieved within the Microsoft 365 environment, which can limit its usefulness for organizations using tools from other providers.

Plans, pricing, and usability of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1

The price of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 is approximately €2.00/user/month with an annual commitment. Additionally, it is included in some Microsoft 365 subscriptions, such as Business Premium. For organizations wishing to test its capabilities, Microsoft offers a 90-day free trial of Plan 2, which includes all Plan 1 features.

Regarding support, users can access technical assistance through the Microsoft Defender portal, where help is offered via chat, email, and phone. Additionally, the portal includes extensive documentation and step-by-step guides to facilitate security configuration and management.

This solution is especially easy to use for organizations already using Microsoft 365. The native integration and familiar interface of the Microsoft portal make it easy to configure and manage security policies without the need for extra training.

3. Mimecast Email Security Cloud Gateway

Mimecast Email Security Cloud Gateway offers comprehensive protection through seven detection engines that use artificial intelligence to identify and block advanced threats such as phishing, malware, and impersonation attacks. Its instant MX record switching capability ensures service continuity in case of disruptions. Additionally, its immutable archive complies with data retention regulations, facilitating e-discovery and audit processes.

Pros of Mimecast Email Security Cloud Gateway

• Multilayer protection with artificial intelligence: The seven detection engines use AI to analyze and block sophisticated threats before they reach the end user.
• Instant MX record switching: Ensures email continuity by automatically redirecting traffic in case of failures in the main server.
• Immutable archive and regulatory compliance: Provides an archiving system that ensures data integrity, complying with regulations such as SEC 17a-4.

Cons of Mimecast Email Security Cloud Gateway

• Initial learning curve: The wide range of features may require time and training for effective implementation and management.
• Potentially high cost for small businesses: Although it offers flexible plans, the price may be a barrier for organizations with limited budgets.

Plans, pricing, and usability of Mimecast Email Security Cloud Gateway

Although Mimecast does not provide public data on the cost of Email Security Cloud Gateway, it is known that the company offers customized quotes through its partners or from its own website, and the estimated price of the service would be around €5/user per month for annual commitments of at least 250 users, which equates to around €60/user per year. This cost may vary slightly depending on the country, distributor, and added features.

Additionally, a 30-day free trial is available without the need to enter payment details, allowing evaluation of the product before making a final decision.

Regarding support, Mimecast provides technical assistance through its support portal, which includes detailed documentation, step-by-step guides, and the possibility to contact the support team to resolve issues or specific inquiries.

Mimecast is very easy to use and highly recommended for organizations seeking a robust and centralized solution. Although initial setup may require time, its intuitive interface and automation options greatly simplify daily email security management.

4. Barracuda Email Protection

Barracuda Email Protection offers comprehensive defense against advanced threats through artificial intelligence. Its multilayered approach includes protection against phishing, identity spoofing, malware, and ransomware. Additionally, it provides features such as email encryption, security awareness training, and backup for Microsoft 365, all managed from a unified platform.

Pros of Barracuda Email Protection

• Advanced threat protection: Uses techniques like attachment analysis in sandboxed environments and link protection to detect and block emerging threats.
• Security awareness training: Includes training modules for employees, helping to reduce the risk of successful attacks by educating users.
• Integration with Microsoft 365: Provides backup and archiving for Microsoft 365, ensuring continuity and data recovery in case of incidents.

Cons of Barracuda Email Protection

• Initial learning curve: The wide range of functionalities may require time and training for effective implementation and management.
• Potentially high cost for small businesses: Although it offers flexible plans, the price can be a barrier for organizations with limited budgets.

Plans, pricing, and usability of Barracuda Email Protection

Barracuda Email Protection offers three main plans: Advanced, Premium, and Premium Plus. Each includes different levels of protection and additional features. However, the specific prices of these plans are not published on their website. To obtain a quote tailored to your organization’s needs, it is necessary to request a personalized estimate through their website or via their commercial partners.

Although exact prices may vary depending on configuration and company size, the average cost of Barracuda Email Protection is estimated around 5 €/user per month. This price can fluctuate depending on factors such as the number of users, selected features, and distributor agreements. Additionally, Barracuda offers a 14-day free trial, allowing organizations to evaluate its capabilities before committing.

Regarding support, Barracuda provides 24/7 worldwide technical assistance. Users can contact a representative in real time without having to navigate automated systems.

As for usability, the Barracuda interface may initially seem somewhat technical, especially for those not familiar with advanced security concepts. However, once configured, the system operates quite autonomously and the navigation of the dashboard is reasonably clear for day-to-day tasks.

5. Avanan / Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration

Avanan, now integrated into the Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration platform, stands out for its API-first approach, which allows analyzing emails after they have passed through Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace filters. This strategy enables detecting threats that other solutions might miss, such as advanced phishing attacks and business email compromise (BEC). Additionally, it offers comprehensive protection for collaboration applications like Slack, Teams, SharePoint, and Dropbox, all managed from a single console.

Pros of Avanan / Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration

• Advanced threat detection: Uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify and block sophisticated threats, including malware, ransomware, and targeted phishing attacks.
• Integration with collaboration platforms: Provides security not only for email but also for collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Google Drive, ensuring complete protection in the digital work environment.
• Simple and fast deployment: Thanks to its API-based approach, deployment is quick and does not require changes to MX records, minimizing service interruptions.

Cons of Avanan / Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration

• Initial learning curve: Offering a wide range of features and settings, it may take time for administrators to become fully familiar with the platform.
• Cost for small businesses: Although flexible plans are available, the price can be a barrier for organizations with limited budgets.

Plans, pricing, and usability of Avanan / Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration

Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration offers different protection plans, such as Protect, Advanced Protect, and Complete Protect. However, detailed pricing information is not publicly available on its official website. To obtain a quote tailored to your organization’s specific needs, a personalized budget request must be made through their website or via their commercial partners.

Although exact prices may vary depending on configuration and company size, the average cost of Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration is estimated around €5/user per month. This price can fluctuate depending on factors such as the number of users, selected features, and agreements with distributors.

Additionally, the company offers a 14-day free trial, allowing organizations to evaluate its capabilities before committing.

Regarding support, Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration provides technical assistance through various channels, including email and support tickets. Users also have access to a knowledge base and training resources to facilitate management and incident resolution.

Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration is a very user-friendly tool, especially for organizations already using platforms like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. The API-based integration enables fast, interruption-free deployment, and its intuitive interface allows easy management of email security and collaboration tools.

6. Cisco Secure Email Cloud Gateway

Cisco Secure Email Cloud Gateway stands out from other competitors due to its integration with Cisco Talos, one of the largest threat intelligence networks in the world. This solution offers comprehensive protection against advanced threats such as ransomware, malware, and phishing attacks. Additionally, it provides automatic remediation capabilities for Microsoft 365 environments, removing malicious emails directly from users’ inboxes. Its multilayer approach and dynamic file analysis capabilities ensure a robust and up-to-date defense against emerging threats.

Pros of Cisco Secure Email Cloud Gateway

• Leading threat intelligence: Thanks to Cisco Talos, it offers constant updates and real-time analysis to detect and block threats before they reach users.
• Automatic remediation: Integrates features that allow the automatic removal of malicious emails in Microsoft 365 environments, reducing exposure time to threats.
• Multilayer protection: Combines spam filtering, URL analysis, sandboxing, and malware detection to provide comprehensive defense against various threats.

Cons of Cisco Secure Email Cloud Gateway

• Configuration complexity: The wide range of functionalities and options may be overwhelming for administrators without previous experience with Cisco products.
• Variable cost: Although it offers robust protection, the cost can be high for small and medium-sized businesses, especially if advanced features are required.

Plans, pricing, and usability of Cisco Secure Email Cloud Gateway

Cisco does not publish official fixed prices for Secure Email Cloud Gateway. Contracting is done through certified partners and the final cost depends on factors such as company size and number of domains. As a guideline, packages for SMEs are estimated at around €5 per user per month, but a personalized quote must be requested.

It is also important to highlight that Cisco offers a 45-day free trial, allowing organizations to evaluate its capabilities before committing.

Cisco’s support is solid, including access to extensive technical documentation, active forums, and telephone assistance for customers with maintenance contracts. Additionally, there are 24/7 support options depending on the purchased plan, which is very useful in critical environments that cannot afford interruptions.

Finally, regarding usability, the administration interface of Cisco Secure Email Cloud Gateway can be complex for users without prior experience with Cisco products. However, once properly configured, it offers efficient and detailed management of email security.

7. Trend Micro Email Security Advanced

Trend Micro Email Security Advanced focuses on multilayer security driven by artificial intelligence, known as XGen™. This technology combines traditional and modern techniques to detect and block advanced threats such as business email compromise (BEC), ransomware, and targeted phishing attacks. Additionally, it incorporates sandbox analysis to identify and neutralize zero-day threats before they reach users.

Pros of Trend Micro Email Security Advanced

• Comprehensive protection against advanced threats: Uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and block BEC, ransomware, and targeted phishing.
• Sandbox analysis: Triggers suspicious files in a secure environment to identify zero-day threats and unknown malware.
• Integration with multiple platforms: Compatible with Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft 365, Gmail, and other email services, providing consistent protection across different environments.

Cons of Trend Micro Email Security Advanced

• Initial learning curve: The wide range of features may require time for administrators to become fully familiar with the platform.
• Variable cost depending on the provider: Prices can vary depending on the distributor and the number of licenses purchased.

Plans, pricing, and usability of Trend Micro Email Security Advanced

Prices of Trend Micro Email Security Advanced vary based on the provider and the number of licenses purchased. For example, with the distributor CDW, the price per user for an annual subscription is approximately €53.99. With another provider, Genesis Technologies, the price is €34.20 per user for an annual subscription. These prices are indicative and may fluctuate depending on factors such as the number of users and selected features.

Trend Micro offers a free trial of its email security solutions, allowing organizations to evaluate its capabilities before committing.

Regarding support, Trend Micro provides 24/7 technical assistance with different service levels depending on the subscription type. In addition to access to its global support center, customers have detailed documentation, active community forums, and an administration portal where they can manage incidents. The overall experience is solid, although the portal can be somewhat dense for those unfamiliar with the Trend ecosystem.

As for ease of use, Trend Micro Email Security Advanced offers an intuitive interface and simple configuration, making it easy to use even for administrators with limited experience in email security solutions. Additionally, its integration with popular platforms like Microsoft 365 and Gmail allows for quick and hassle-free deployment.

8. IRONSCALES

IRONSCALES stands out primarily for its innovative approach to email security, combining artificial intelligence with human collaboration. Its platform offers protection against advanced threats such as phishing, BEC (business email compromise), and ransomware, integrating seamlessly with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Additionally, it provides phishing simulation tools and security awareness training for employees.

Pros of IRONSCALES

• Advanced threat protection: Uses artificial intelligence to detect and mitigate threats like phishing, BEC, and ransomware in real time.
• Easy integration: Integrates easily with platforms such as Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, allowing quick deployment without changes to existing configurations.
• Security training: Offers phishing simulations and awareness programs to educate employees about cyber threats.

Cons of IRONSCALES

• Limitations in the free plan: The free Starter plan has restrictions on the number of training campaigns and advanced features.
• Additional cost for advanced features: More advanced features, such as account takeover protection and security awareness training, are only available in higher paid plans.

IRONSCALES plans, pricing, and usability

IRONSCALES offers several plans tailored to the needs of different organizations:

• Starter: Free for up to 500 mailboxes, includes basic phishing simulations and a threat management dashboard.
• Protect: €3.49 per mailbox per month (billed annually), adds BEC detection and autonomous remediation.
• Email Protect: €4.98 per mailbox per month (billed annually), includes continuous URL and file scanning, and unlimited phishing simulations.
• Complete Protect: €6.93 per mailbox per month (billed annually), offers account takeover protection, security for Microsoft Teams, and security awareness training.

For government and educational organizations, IRONSCALES offers customized rates. Additionally, it provides 24/7 technical support and 99.9% availability.

IRONSCALES is designed to be intuitive and easy to implement. Its integration with popular platforms and friendly interface allow IT and security teams to effectively manage email protection without a steep learning curve.

9. Fortinet FortiMail Cloud

Fortinet FortiMail Cloud stands out for its operational flexibility, allowing deployment both in Gateway mode and via API, thus adapting to various email infrastructures. Its integration with FortiSandbox provides an additional layer of security, analyzing suspicious files in an isolated environment to detect zero-day threats. Additionally, it offers efficient management of domains and user groups, facilitating administration in complex enterprise environments.

Pros of Fortinet FortiMail Cloud

• Flexible implementation: Supports Gateway and API modes, adapting to different email configurations.
• Integration with FortiSandbox: Provides advanced threat analysis through sandboxing.
• Advanced domain management: Enables efficient administration of multiple domains and user groups.

Cons of Fortinet FortiMail Cloud

• Learning curve: Initial configuration can be complex for administrators without prior experience in Fortinet products.
• Variable cost: Prices can vary significantly depending on the number of mailboxes and contract duration.

Plans, pricing, and usability of Fortinet FortiMail Cloud

The prices of Fortinet FortiMail Cloud vary according to the number of mailboxes and contract duration. For example, for organizations with 25 to 100 mailboxes, the annual price per mailbox in the Gateway plan is approximately €22.33. For much larger organizations, with more than 10,000 mailboxes, the annual price per mailbox can be around €9.82. Premium plans, which include API support and additional features, have higher prices; for example, for 25 to 100 mailboxes, the annual price per mailbox in the Premium plan is approximately €28.67.

Fortinet offers several support levels, from basic assistance to premium options with continuous attention. The documentation is quite comprehensive, although somewhat technical, and aimed at profiles with security experience. Additionally, customers can access the support portal, detailed knowledge bases, and specific training through Fortinet Training Institute.

Regarding usability, the administration interface of Fortinet FortiMail Cloud is designed to be intuitive, but the wide range of features may require a learning curve for administrators without prior experience in Fortinet products. However, once properly configured, it offers efficient and detailed management of email security.

10. Tessian / Proofpoint Adaptive Email Security

Tessian, now integrated into the Proofpoint Adaptive Email Security platform, specializes in protecting the “human layer” of email. The service uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze user behavior and detect anomalies in real time, preventing mistakes such as sending emails to incorrect recipients or the exfiltration of sensitive data. This solution natively integrates with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, offering extra protection against threats that traditional solutions might not detect.

Pros of Tessian / Proofpoint Adaptive Email Security

• Human error prevention: Detects and blocks emails sent by mistake or with unauthorized sensitive information in real time.
• Protection against advanced threats: Identifies and mitigates phishing attacks, business email compromise (BEC), and other sophisticated threats.
• Easy integration: Integrates easily with platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, without the need for changes to existing infrastructure.

Cons of Tessian / Proofpoint Adaptive Email Security

• Variable cost: Prices are not public and require a personalized quote request.
• Learning curve: The wide range of functionalities may require time for administrators to become fully familiar with the platform.

Plans, pricing, and usability of Tessian / Proofpoint Adaptive Email Security

Pricing for Tessian / Proofpoint Adaptive Email Security is not public and must be requested directly from the provider for a personalized quote. However, according to market estimates, the cost may be around €30 per user per year for organizations with approximately 200 users. It is important to note that these prices are indicative and may vary depending on the specific needs of each organization.

Proofpoint’s support is aimed at companies that value close assistance during implementation. Although the company does not have as extensive a partner network as other providers, it offers personalized attention through its internal team. It also provides clients with a useful knowledge base and onboarding sessions to make the most of the platform from the start.

Finally, focusing on usability, Tessian is designed to be intuitive and easy to implement. Its integration with popular platforms and its focus on automating email security allow IT and security teams to effectively manage email protection without a steep learning curve.

Artificial Intelligence: Can AI Replace These Email Security Solutions?

Generative artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT or Gemini, has proven to be very useful for tasks related to analysis and writing, but it is not designed to replace an email security solution. While it can, for example, explain suspicious headers or help create awareness content, it is not capable of detecting threats in real time or automatically enforcing security policies.

On the other hand, a cloud email security solution can block malicious links upon clicking, “detonate” attachments in an isolated environment, and remove phishing emails from hundreds of mailboxes at once. Although many email security solutions make use of AI, functions like these are beyond the reach of a chatbot. Additionally, Proofpoint, Cisco, and IRONSCALES along with other platforms offer automated responses that an AI assistant cannot replicate in any way.

In short, generative AI can complement the services offered and support IT teams, but it cannot replace the advanced email security measures implemented by specialized solutions, such as threat quarantine, URL rewriting, or sandbox analysis.

Which option to choose?

The best cybersecurity solutions for email within our reach

The best thing we can do is experiment. Since many of these solutions offer free trials or no-commitment demonstrations, it is crucial to take advantage of those opportunities to verify firsthand if the tool fits our real needs, including the team’s workload, whether it integrates with Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, if it includes customized alerts, etc.

For example, if you are looking for protection that simply works, without complications, Proofpoint Essentials is a safe bet. Or, if you already use Microsoft 365 or work within its ecosystem, Defender for Office 365 could cover you without adding more complexity to the equation.

Protecting email today is essential if you want to continue operating with complete peace of mind, so go ahead: try, compare, and choose wisely. Whatever tool you choose, investing a few euros per mailbox is much more sensible than risking a six-figure email scam.