Proofpoint vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Email Security pricing comparison · 2026
Proofpoint pricing ranges from $2–$15/user/month, while Microsoft Defender for Office 365 ranges from $2–$5/user/month. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is typically 30% more affordable, though your actual cost depends on tier and team size.
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Proofpoint and Microsoft Defender for Office 365 both operate in the email security category. This page compares their list pricing.
Plan-by-Plan Pricing
| Plan | Proofpoint | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials Business | $3.03 /month | $2 /month |
| Essentials Business+ | $3.36 /month | $5 /month |
| Essentials Professional | $5.86 /month | — |
| Enterprise (TAP) | Custom | — |
Cost at Scale
Total cost of ownership — licenses, implementation, and hidden costs included.
Proofpoint
3 scenarios—
Small Business (50 users)
—
Mid-Size Company (250 users)
—
Enterprise (1,000 users)
Microsoft Defender for Office 365
3 scenarios—
Small Business on E3 (50 users)
—
Mid-Size Company on E3 with Plan 2 (250 users)
—
Enterprise on E5 (1,000 users)
Market Intelligence
Proofpoint
- Median annual cost
- $87,000
- Average negotiated discount
- 10%
- Based on
- 85 deals
Microsoft Defender for Office 365
- Median annual cost
- $250
- Based on
- 42 deals