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Email security software helps you block phishing attempts, stop malware before it hits inboxes, and prevent data from slipping outside your organization. But figuring out which solution to trust can be frustrating, especially when tools miss real threats or overload your team with alerts that don’t matter. You’re likely balancing compliance needs, user experience, and evolving risks, and you shouldn’t have to guess which vendor gets it right.

I’ve worked hands-on with teams evaluating email security platforms, and I’ve seen firsthand where these tools succeed and where they fall short. In this guide, I’ll break down the top options with practical insight into which tools actually deliver when it comes to securing communication without slowing your team down.

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Best Email Security Software Summary

This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top email security software selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.

Best Email Security Software Reviews

Below are my detailed summaries of the best email security software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.

Best for DMARC compliance

  • 15-day free trial + free demo
  • From $8/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 5/5

PowerDMARC is a DMARC monitoring service designed for businesses looking to enhance their email security through authentication solutions. It serves IT teams and security professionals by offering DMARC, SPF, DKIM, MTA-STS, and BIMI functionalities. 

Why I picked PowerDMARC: It excels in ensuring DMARC compliance, which is crucial for protecting your domain from phishing and email spoofing. It provides DMARC reporting and TLS-RPT reporting to give you insights into your email authentication status. The reputation monitoring feature helps you track your domain's reputation across the web. AI-driven threat intelligence adds an extra layer of protection by identifying potential threats.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include tools for DMARC and TLS-RPT reporting that provide comprehensive insights into your email security status. Reputation monitoring helps you track your domain's standing across different platforms. AI-driven threat intelligence identifies and mitigates potential threats before they impact your organization.

Integrations include Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Cisco Email Security, Proofpoint, Barracuda, Mimecast, Zimbra, SendGrid, Mailgun, and Amazon SES.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Reputation monitoring capabilities
  • AI-driven threat intelligence
  • Effective DMARC compliance tools

Cons:

  • Navigation feels clunky on smaller screens
  • Some terms in reports need explaining

Best for team collaboration

  • Free plan available
  • From $4/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.6/5

Spike is an email application designed for enhancing communication and collaboration within teams. It serves remote teams and customer support solutions by integrating features like a unified inbox and video meetings. 

Why I picked Spike: It focuses on team collaboration, making it ideal for remote work environments. It combines email, chat, and video calls into one platform, reducing the need to switch between different apps. It's collaborative notes and task management features help your team stay organized. The AES-256 encryption ensures your data remains secure, aligning well with its privacy-focused approach.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a unified inbox that merges emails and chats, reducing clutter and improving focus. Collaborative notes allow your team to create and edit documents together in real-time. Video meetings are integrated directly, so you can connect face-to-face without leaving the app.

Integrations include Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Slack, Zoom, Trello, Asana, Google Calendar, Microsoft Teams, and Evernote.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Integrated video meetings
  • Collaborative notes for teamwork
  • Unified inbox reduces app switching

Cons:

  • Limited admin controls for growing teams
  • Takes time to adjust to the chat-style layout

Best for phishing protection

  • 14-day free trial + free demo
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

TitanHQ is an email security solution tailored for businesses focused on preventing phishing and other email-based threats. It serves IT teams and organizations needing protection against spam, malware, and zero-day attacks. 

Why I picked TitanHQ: It excels in phishing protection, offering an impressive 99.9% spam blocking rate. Its AI-driven approach includes advanced threat detection and data leak prevention. The easy setup process makes it accessible, even for teams with limited IT resources. Excellent customer support ensures you get the help you need when you need it.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include advanced threat protection that detects and blocks sophisticated phishing attempts. Data leak prevention ensures sensitive information doesn't leave your organization unintentionally. Sandboxing technology analyzes suspicious emails in a safe environment before they reach your inbox.

Integrations include Office 365, G Suite, Microsoft Exchange, Outlook, Zimbra, Kerio Connect, Lotus Domino, Barracuda, and Mimecast.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent customer support
  • High spam blocking rate
  • AI-driven threat detection

Cons:

  • Reporting layout can feel cluttered
  • Filter tuning needs regular check-ins

Best for large enterprises

  • Free demo available
  • From $15/user/month (billed annually)

Proofpoint Email Protection is a cloud-based solution that helps organizations block phishing, malware, and other targeted email threats. It’s mainly used by large IT teams who need strong visibility into their email traffic and threat response tools.

Why I picked Proofpoint Email Protection: It gives your team granular control over policy settings and filtering logic. It uses dynamic reputation scoring and targeted attack protection to catch threats early. The platform helps you isolate and analyze suspicious messages before they reach users. It also lets you track attacks by user, location, and threat type in one place. If you’ve got a large org and complex risk profiles, it’s built for that kind of scale.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include message tracing with full click-through logs, delegated admin roles for team-based management, and granular quarantine controls. You can set custom rules that apply across user groups or locations. It also tracks threats by campaign, so your team can study how attacks unfold.

Integrations include Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Okta, Azure AD, Splunk, ServiceNow, Slack, Palo Alto Networks, and CrowdStrike.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Offers flexible message re-routing tools
  • Supports detailed forensics for email events
  • Filters adjust based on user threat profile

Cons:

  • Alert noise if policies aren’t tuned well
  • Takes time to set up custom rule sets

Best for small businesses

  • From $12/user/month (billed annually)

Mimecast Email Security is a cloud-based service designed to protect businesses from email threats such as phishing, malware, and spam. It serves small businesses by providing email protection, archiving, and continuity services. 

Why I picked Mimecast Email Security: It is tailored for small businesses, offering comprehensive protection without the need for extensive IT resources. The service includes targeted threat protection to block spear-phishing and impersonation attacks. Its easy-to-use dashboard allows you to monitor and manage email security effectively. Additionally, Mimecast provides continuity services that ensure email access during server downtime.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include targeted threat protection that helps identify and block sophisticated email threats. Email archiving ensures compliance and data retention with easy access to archived emails. Continuity services keep your email up and running even during outages, ensuring business continuity.

Integrations include Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Microsoft Exchange, Outlook, Salesforce, SharePoint, Slack, Box, Dropbox, and Zendesk.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Email continuity services
  • Effective threat protection
  • Suitable for small businesses

Cons:

  • Reports sometimes lag or fail to load
  • Setup can drag for small IT teams

Best for data loss prevention

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $0.98/user/month (min 10 seats)

Barracuda is an email protection solution designed to safeguard businesses from threats like phishing, malware, and email-based attacks. It caters to organizations of all sizes, offering comprehensive data loss prevention and threat protection. 

Why I picked Barracuda: It focuses on data loss prevention, making it ideal for businesses that need to protect sensitive information. Barracuda's advanced threat protection identifies and blocks sophisticated threats. Its email encryption ensures that your sensitive data remains secure. Additionally, the easy-to-use interface allows you to manage settings without extensive IT knowledge.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include email encryption that secures sensitive information from unauthorized access. The solution provides advanced threat protection to identify and block sophisticated email threats. Data archiving ensures compliance and easy access to important communications.

Integrations include Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Microsoft Exchange, Outlook, Salesforce, Slack, Box, Dropbox, ServiceNow, and Zendesk.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface
  • Advanced threat protection
  • Effective data loss prevention

Cons:

  • Rule builder takes time to understand
  • Quarantine emails don’t always get delivered

Best for AI threat detection

  • Free demo available
  • From $10/user/month (billed annually)

Vade is an email security solution that uses AI to protect businesses from email threats like phishing, malware, and spear-phishing attacks. It serves organizations looking for advanced threat detection and protection. 

Why I picked Vade: It specializes in AI threat detection, offering real-time protection against evolving threats. Vade's AI engine analyzes email content and context to identify potential threats before they reach your team. The solution includes predictive email defense, which adapts to new threats as they emerge. This makes it a strong choice for businesses that need proactive security measures.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include predictive email defense that anticipates and neutralizes threats before they impact your business. The solution provides real-time threat detection to identify and block malicious emails. Vade also offers spear-phishing protection, safeguarding your team from targeted attacks.

Integrations include Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Microsoft Exchange, Outlook, Salesforce, Slack, Box, Dropbox, Zendesk, and ServiceNow.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Predictive email defense
  • Real-time protection capabilities
  • Effective AI threat detection

Cons:

  • You can’t always tweak AI decision rules
  • Detection can lag during high-traffic hours

Best for spam filtering

  • Pricing upon request

Hornetsecurity Email Security is a cloud-based solution designed to protect businesses from email threats like spam, malware, and phishing. It caters to organizations of all sizes, providing comprehensive email filtering and advanced threat protection.

Why I picked Hornetsecurity Email Security: Its focus on spam filtering makes it effective for organizations dealing with high volumes of unwanted emails. The spam filter uses multiple layers of detection to block unwanted messages. Advanced threat protection identifies and neutralizes threats before they reach your inbox. The easy-to-use interface allows your team to manage email security without extensive training.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include real-time threat detection that identifies and neutralizes threats as they emerge. The solution offers email archiving to ensure compliance and data retention. A user-friendly dashboard provides insights into email security status and threat reports.

Integrations include Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Microsoft Exchange, Outlook, Lotus Notes, Zimbra, IBM Domino, Kerio Connect, Slack, and Salesforce.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Lets you sort by threat type in logs
  • Gives admins full control over quarantine rules
  • Filters junk with very few false positives

Cons:

  • Spam reports can be hard to customize
  • Dashboard menus take some getting used to

Best for advanced threat protection

  • Pricing upon request

FireEye Email Security is designed to protect businesses from advanced email threats, including phishing, malware, and zero-day exploits. Its main user base includes organizations that require high-level security to protect sensitive data.

Why I picked FireEye Email Security: It provides advanced threat protection, which is crucial for defending against sophisticated attacks. FireEye uses deep inspection techniques to detect and block threats before they reach your inbox. The solution also offers dynamic threat intelligence to keep your team informed of emerging risks. With its focus on security, FireEye helps your organization maintain data integrity.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include deep inspection techniques that analyze email content for threats. Dynamic threat intelligence keeps your team updated on the latest security risks. The solution also provides real-time threat protection to block malicious emails before they reach your inbox.

Integrations include Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Microsoft Exchange, Outlook, Salesforce, Slack, Box, Dropbox, Zendesk, and ServiceNow.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Dynamic threat intelligence
  • Real-time threat blocking
  • Effective advanced threat protection

Cons:

  • Some clean emails get delayed in scanning
  • Reports feel too technical for non-security staff

Best for healthcare compliance

  • Free plan available
  • From $29/user/month

Paubox is an email security platform specifically designed for the healthcare industry, focusing on HIPAA compliance. It serves healthcare providers and organizations by offering secure email communication and encryption. 

Why I picked Paubox: It specializes in healthcare compliance, making it ideal for organizations that handle sensitive patient data. The Paubox Email Suite ensures emails are encrypted without requiring recipients to log into a portal. The platform's ease of use means your team can send secure emails directly from their inbox. Automatic encryption and HIPAA compliance are built into the solution.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include automatic email encryption, which ensures all emails are secure without any extra steps for your team. The platform supports seamless inbox integration, allowing you to send encrypted emails directly from your existing email client. Paubox also provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies compliance with healthcare regulations.

Integrations include G Suite, Office 365, Microsoft Exchange, Outlook, Salesforce, Zoho CRM, Zendesk, Slack, Box, and Dropbox.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Easy integration with existing inboxes
  • HIPAA compliance features
  • Automatic email encryption

Cons:

  • Limited options for advanced policy settings
  • Admin panel feels too basic for some teams

Other Email Security Software

Here are some additional email security software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:

  1. Tessian Cloud Email Security

    For insider threat protection

  2. Avanan

    For SaaS integration

  3. SaneBox

    Good for email organization and prioritization

  4. Egress Intelligent Email Security

    Good for data loss prevention

  5. Appriver

    Good for multi-vector threat protection

  6. Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense

    Good for large-scale email threat defense

  7. Abnormal Cloud Email Security

    Good for AI-driven anomaly detection

  8. FortiMail

    Good for integrated threat intelligence

  9. NeoCertified

    Good for compliant email communications

  10. IRONSCALES

    Good for automated phishing threat remediation

  11. Trend Micro Cloud App Security

    Good for integrated cloud application security

  12. Virtru

    Good for robust data protection controls

  13. Darktrace/Email

    Good for real-time email threat visualization

  14. Symantec Messaging Gateway

    Good for targeted attack protection

  15. Coro Cybersecurity

    Good for multi-layered defense mechanisms

  16. SpamTitan

    Good for advanced spam filtering capabilities

  17. Symantec Email Security.cloud

    Good for comprehensive cloud email protection

Email Security Software Selection Criteria

When selecting the best email security software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like phishing protection and data loss prevention. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair: 

Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:

  • Protect against phishing attacks
  • Filter spam emails
  • Detect and block malware
  • Encrypt sensitive data
  • Ensure email continuity

Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:

  • Advanced threat detection
  • AI-driven analysis
  • User behavior monitoring
  • Real-time threat intelligence
  • Data loss prevention

Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:

  • Intuitive interface design
  • Simple navigation
  • Minimal learning curve
  • Customizable settings
  • Efficient workflow integration

Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:

  • Availability of training videos
  • Interactive product tours
  • Comprehensive documentation
  • Access to webinars
  • Migration support tools

Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:

  • 24/7 support availability
  • Live chat options
  • Responsive email support
  • Comprehensive knowledge base
  • Personalized assistance

Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:

  • Competitive pricing
  • Flexible subscription plans
  • Cost-effectiveness of features
  • Discounts for annual billing
  • Free trial availability

Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:

  • Overall satisfaction ratings
  • Feedback on reliability
  • Comments on customer service
  • User testimonials on ease of use
  • Critiques on feature effectiveness

How to Choose Email Security Software

It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:

FactorWhat to Consider
ScalabilityWill the software grow with your business? Consider future needs and whether the tool can handle increased email volumes or users without extra costs.
IntegrationsDoes it work with your existing tech stack? Check compatibility with your current email providers and other software tools to avoid integration headaches.
CustomizabilityCan you tailor the tool to fit your processes? Look for options to adjust settings or features to meet your specific security policies and workflow requirements.
Ease of useHow intuitive is the interface? Ensure your team can navigate the software without extensive training, reducing downtime and frustration.
Implementation and onboardingHow quickly can you get up and running? Evaluate the time and resources needed for setup, and look for solutions offering strong onboarding support like tutorials and migration tools.
CostWhat's the total cost of ownership? Compare subscription fees, potential add-on costs, and discounts for annual billing to ensure the tool fits your budget.
Security safeguardsAre the security measures robust enough? Verify that the software provides encryption, threat detection, and other security features to protect against common email threats.
Compliance requirementsDoes it meet industry standards? Ensure the tool complies with relevant regulations like GDPR or HIPAA, especially if you're handling sensitive or personal data.

What Is Email Security Software?

Email security software is a tool designed to protect email communications from threats like phishing, malware, and spam. IT professionals, security teams, and business managers generally use these tools to safeguard sensitive information and maintain communication integrity.

Features like spam filtering, encryption, and threat detection help with protecting data, ensuring compliance, and maintaining email continuity. Overall, these tools provide peace of mind by securing email channels against potential threats.

Features of Email Security Software

When selecting email security software, keep an eye out for the following key features:

  • Spam filtering: Identifies and blocks unwanted emails, reducing clutter and minimizing the risk of phishing attacks.
  • Encryption: Secures email content by converting it into unreadable code, protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access.
  • Threat detection: Monitors incoming emails for malicious content, helping prevent malware and virus infections.
  • Data loss prevention: Ensures sensitive data doesn't leave your organization without authorization, maintaining data integrity.
  • Phishing protection: Detects and mitigates phishing attempts, safeguarding users from fraudulent email schemes.
  • Real-time alerts: Provides immediate notifications about potential threats, allowing for quick response and mitigation.
  • User behavior monitoring: Analyzes email patterns to detect anomalies, helping identify insider threats or compromised accounts.
  • Email continuity: Maintains email access during server outages, ensuring uninterrupted communication.
  • Compliance support: Assists in meeting industry regulations like GDPR or HIPAA, ensuring legal and regulatory adherence.
  • Integration capabilities: Allows seamless connection with existing software tools, enhancing overall workflow efficiency.

Benefits of Email Security Software

Implementing email security software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:

  • Enhanced protection: Shields your organization from phishing, malware, and spam, reducing the risk of data breaches.
  • Data integrity: Maintains the confidentiality of sensitive information with encryption and data loss prevention features.
  • Regulatory compliance: Helps meet industry regulations like GDPR or HIPAA, avoiding legal penalties.
  • Business continuity: Ensures uninterrupted communication with email continuity features, even during server outages.
  • Threat awareness: Keeps your team informed with real-time alerts and threat intelligence, allowing for proactive security measures.
  • Improved productivity: Reduces email clutter and minimizes distractions, enabling your team to focus on essential tasks.
  • Insightful monitoring: Analyzes user behavior to detect anomalies, helping identify potential insider threats.

Costs and Pricing of Email Security Software

Selecting email security software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in email security software solutions:

Plan Comparison Table for Email Security Software

Plan TypeAverage PriceCommon Features
Free Plan$0Basic spam filtering, limited threat detection, and essential email encryption.
Personal Plan$5-$15/user/monthAdvanced spam filtering, basic phishing protection, and email encryption.
Business Plan$15-$30/user/monthComprehensive threat detection, data loss prevention, and user behavior monitoring.
Enterprise Plan$30-$50/user/monthReal-time threat intelligence, compliance support, and customizable security settings.

Email Security Software: FAQs

Here are some answers to common questions about email security software:

How does email security software work?

Email security software works by monitoring and filtering email content to detect and block threats. It uses various scanning techniques to inspect email headers, links, and content for signs of phishing or malware. By doing so, it helps protect your team from potential email-based attacks.

What are the disadvantages of email security?

While email security software is essential, it can sometimes lead to false positives, blocking legitimate emails. It may also require regular updates and maintenance to stay effective. Additionally, relying solely on software can give a false sense of security, so ongoing user education is crucial.

Can an email security software protect the users from email attacks like phishing?

Yes, email security software is designed to protect users from phishing attacks by identifying and blocking suspicious emails. It analyzes email content, sender information, and links to detect potential threats. This helps prevent users from falling victim to phishing scams.

What are the 3 email safety rules to stay safe?

To stay safe with email, always verify the sender’s identity before clicking links or downloading attachments. Use strong, unique passwords for your email accounts and enable two-factor authentication. Regularly update your email security software to ensure it’s equipped to handle the latest threats.

How do I choose the right email security software for my business?

Consider factors like scalability, compatibility with existing systems, and ease of use when selecting email security software. Evaluate the software’s ability to meet your security needs and compliance requirements. It’s also essential to assess the level of customer support and training provided by the vendor.

Is it necessary to have email security software for small businesses?

Yes, small businesses are often targeted by cybercriminals due to perceived vulnerabilities. Email security software helps protect sensitive data and maintain business continuity. It offers an added layer of defense against threats like phishing and malware, which can have significant impacts on small businesses.

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Paulo Gardini Miguel
By Paulo Gardini Miguel

Paulo is the Director of Technology at the rapidly growing media tech company BWZ. Prior to that, he worked as a Software Engineering Manager and then Head Of Technology at Navegg, Latin America’s largest data marketplace, and as Full Stack Engineer at MapLink, which provides geolocation APIs as a service. Paulo draws insight from years of experience serving as an infrastructure architect, team leader, and product developer in rapidly scaling web environments. He’s driven to share his expertise with other technology leaders to help them build great teams, improve performance, optimize resources, and create foundations for scalability.