Best 9 Proofpoint Alternatives for Email Security (2026)

Material Security provides a complete cloud workspace security platform platform for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. It addresses email, identity and data security threats with a multi-layered platform that includes inbound threat protection, account compromise detection and automated threat response.

Where traditional email security tools filter threats at the perimeter and stop there, Material integrates directly with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 via API to cover the full attack lifecycle — before, during, and after a threat reaches the inbox.

Material Security Key Features

Material’s custom rules engine uses AI agentic automation and LLM analysis to analyze organizational context and detect advanced email threats, like credential phishing and executive impersonation.

Material also secures the sensitive information that sits inside the email inbox, like OTPs, password reset links, and sensitive files. This works by enforcing an extra layer of multi-factor authentication to contain the blast radius before sensitive data can be reached.

Beyond the email perimeter, Material provides file security permissions controls and identity security controls for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, restricting the actions available to compromised cloud accounts. The platform also includes cloud workspace posture management and OAuth app remediation that automatically identifies and revokes third-party tokens, including OAuth connections to AI tools and third-party apps that accumulate across most environments without anyone tracking them.

What Customers Say

Material is highly effective at slowing down attacks and limiting the exposure of user data, according to reviews of the service written by security teams. Security teams also highlight the automated remediation and phishing investigation capabilities as significant time savers for analysts.

Deploying the service is very straightforward, and reporting is another strength of the platform. Some customers do say that some rules can require advanced configuration, but the Material support team is helpful and responsive.

Our Take

Proofpoint is a serious product, and teams running it are catching real threats. The case for Material isn’t that those teams are wrong — it’s that perimeter defense is one part of a larger problem. What happens to the attacker who gets through, or who bypasses email entirely via OAuth or session hijacking? Proofpoint doesn’t have an answer for that. Material does: inbound detection, sensitive data lockdown, identity controls, and continuous OAuth monitoring, all in a single platform that deploys via API alongside your existing stack — no MX record changes, no mail routing disruption.

If your team is evaluating alternatives to a perimeter-focused tool and needs a platform that covers the full workspace — not just the door — Material is worth a serious look.

Abnormal AI is an API-based email security platform that builds behavioral profiles of how your people communicate and flags deviations. It connects directly to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace via API, learns normal communication patterns, and catches the social engineering attacks that rule-based filters miss. We found the behavioral approach particularly effective against BEC, impersonation, and account takeover.

Abnormal AI Key Features

The platform maps communication patterns across your entire organization, tracking department, title, tone, and interaction history to build digital profiles for every employee. Content analysis handles technical threats like spoofing and payload-based phishing, while behavioral AI tackles the social engineering side. Abnormal ingests signals from Slack, Active Directory, and other Microsoft 365 services to build richer user profiles, which helps catch account takeover attempts that email-only tools miss. Setup takes minutes through API integration with no MX record changes required. The analytics dashboard surfaces security posture gaps and automates compliance reporting. Machine learning accuracy improves continuously from user feedback on false positives and negatives.

What Customers Say

Customers praise the fast deployment and minimal resource requirements. Detection accuracy stays high without the policy tweaking that legacy gateways demand. Something to be aware of is that the post-delivery model has a timing limitation: some phishing emails may briefly reach inboxes before Abnormal can remove them. Some users also want better executive-level reporting capabilities.

Our Take

We think Abnormal AI is a strong Proofpoint alternative if you want behavioral detection that just runs without constant tuning. The cross-platform data ingestion from Slack and Active Directory adds context that email-only tools miss. The API-first deployment means no mail flow changes, making it a strong supplementary layer alongside native Microsoft or Google protections.

Barracuda Email Protection combines traditional gateway filtering with AI-powered behavioral analysis to stop phishing, ransomware, BEC, and account takeover. Winner of the 2026 SC Award for Best Secure Messaging Solution, it targets organizations of all sizes that want layered email security with Microsoft 365 integration. We think the combination of gateway and post-delivery protection gives it strong coverage across the full threat lifecycle.

Barracuda Key Features

The AI engine learns your organization’s communication patterns and identifies anomalies to prevent social engineering attacks in real time. Impersonation detection catches BEC attempts based on behavioral context rather than signatures alone. Account compromise detection identifies anomalous email behavior, alerts IT, and removes all fraud emails sent from compromised accounts. Post-delivery threat hunting continuously searches inboxes using AI models to eliminate threats that bypassed initial defenses. Automated incident response handles detection and mitigation in real time, reducing manual workload. The platform includes security awareness training alongside technical controls, and secure backup for Microsoft 365 email and data provides recovery from malware attacks or data loss. Direct cloud email integration enhances protection against phishing, ransomware, and impersonation.

What Customers Say

Users praise the reliable threat detection and the scope of the integrated platform. The Microsoft 365 integration gets strong marks for ease of setup. Automated incident response is valued for reducing manual effort. Something to be aware of is that some users find the admin interface takes time to navigate, and reporting granularity could be improved for organizations wanting detailed analytics.

Our Take

We think Barracuda is a solid Proofpoint alternative for organizations that want layered email security combining gateway and API-based protection in one platform. The post-delivery threat hunting adds a layer that catches what initial filtering misses. The included backup and recovery for Microsoft 365 data is a practical bonus that most email security vendors do not offer. If you need only API-based behavioral detection without gateway filtering, a more focused platform may be a better fit.

Check Point Email Security (formerly Avanan, rebranded March 2026) is an API-based email and collaboration security platform that uses NLP-powered threat prevention to catch phishing before it reaches the inbox. It protects Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Teams, SharePoint, Slack, and Dropbox. We think the multi-platform collaboration coverage makes it a strong alternative for organizations that need protection beyond email.

Check Point Email Security Key Features

The platform connects via API and blocks malicious emails before they reach the inbox, acting as a full secure email gateway replacement. AI-powered NLP analyzes metadata, attachments, and links to catch phishing, whaling, malicious attachments, and compromised QR codes. We found the plain text phishing detection strong: it catches social engineering with no malicious links, just deceptive language. The platform integrates with historical email data to detect BEC attacks based on communication patterns. DLP, ransomware protection, and post-delivery measures are included. URL rewriting, anomaly detection, and Check Point’s threat intelligence database provide additional layers. Protection extends to Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Slack, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Check Point reports a 99.2% reduction in phishing attacks reaching inboxes.

What Customers Say

Users praise the quick deployment, typically under two days, and high malware detection rates. The Microsoft Entra ID integration gets positive feedback for account security. Something to be aware of is that some users find the admin portal navigation clunky, with configuration changes sometimes requiring multiple attempts. Support experiences are reported as inconsistent.

Our Take

We think Check Point Email Security is a strong Proofpoint alternative if you need protection extending beyond email to collaboration tools. The API deployment means no MX record changes, and the reported 99.2% phishing reduction demonstrates strong detection efficacy. If your needs are limited to email-only protection, a more focused platform may offer a simpler experience.

Cisco Secure Email provides enterprise-grade email protection backed by Talos, one of the largest commercial threat research teams in the industry. It covers phishing, BEC, malware, and ransomware with full visibility into inbound, outbound, and internal messages. We think the Talos intelligence depth gives Cisco an edge that few competitors can replicate.

Cisco Secure Email Key Features

Threat intelligence from Cisco Talos powers detection, giving you access to research covering billions of threat signals daily. The platform uses machine learning and real-time behavior analytics to model trusted email behavior and catch identity deception-based threats. Integration with Secure Endpoint and Secure Malware Analytics handles advanced threats with proactive defense. XDR integration enables rapid cross-platform message remediation. Full visibility covers inbound, outbound, and internal communications. The integrated dashboard provides streamlined search, reporting, and tracking. Conversation view and message trajectory help admins trace attack paths and understand context quickly.

What Customers Say

Users praise the integrated dashboard and the quality of Talos threat intelligence. Support gets consistently strong marks for responsiveness. Something to be aware of is that the range of features can feel overwhelming without dedicated time to learn the platform. Some users report occasional Java-related friction points when opening emails through certain interfaces.

Our Take

We think Cisco Secure Email is a strong Proofpoint alternative if you are already a Cisco shop or want enterprise-grade threat intelligence depth. The Talos intelligence combined with XDR integration makes remediation fast when seconds matter. If you are not already invested in the Cisco ecosystem, the platform’s full value depends on how deeply you integrate it.

Forcepoint Email Security combines behavioral detection, URL and attachment sandboxing, and spoofing protection to block advanced threats including zero-day variants. It is part of Forcepoint’s unified data security platform, which lets you enforce consistent policies across email, web, cloud apps, and endpoints. We think the flexible deployment options across cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environments make it a practical choice for organizations with complex infrastructure.

Forcepoint Email Security Key Features

The platform detects and blocks advanced threats that traditional rule-based filters miss, protecting sensitive data and user credentials. Behavioral detection identifies threats based on patterns rather than signatures alone. URL and attachment sandboxing catches zero-day variants before they reach inboxes. DLP integration is a strength; as part of Forcepoint’s unified platform, you can enforce granular policies on content, attachments, and recipients consistently across email, web, cloud apps, and endpoints. The platform integrates natively with Microsoft Exchange without endpoint agents. Flexible deployment supports cloud, hybrid, or fully on-premises configurations. Real-time notifications with automatic alerts and detailed reporting provide full visibility into inbound email security events. TLS enforcement supports configurable security levels and encryption strength.

What Customers Say

Users appreciate the flexible deployment options and the DLP integration with Forcepoint’s broader platform. The real-time alerting and reporting get positive feedback. Something to be aware of is that the platform is primarily positioned as part of the broader Forcepoint data security ecosystem, which means standalone email security buyers may find tighter-focused platforms simpler to evaluate and deploy.

Our Take

We think Forcepoint Email Security is a Proofpoint alternative worth considering if email security is part of a broader data security strategy and you need consistent DLP enforcement across channels. The flexible deployment across cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environments fits organizations with complex or legacy infrastructure. If you are looking for a standalone, API-first email security platform, other options in this list may be a better fit.

IRONSCALES is an adaptive AI-driven email security platform that combines threat detection with automated phishing simulations and security awareness training. It protects against BEC, account takeover, deepfakes, QR-code attacks, and social engineering while reducing manual SOC workload through agentic automation. We think it is a strong alternative for organizations that want detection and training unified in one platform.

IRONSCALES Key Features

Adaptive AI and advanced machine learning evolve to detect the newest email threats. NLP and social graphs establish communication baselines for detecting anomalies. The platform learns normal patterns over a 90-day baseline period, then flags deviations in real time. Behavioral patterns and email authentication checks improve BEC detection accuracy. Agentic SOC automation handles autonomous investigation and remediation, cutting phishing remediation from hours to minutes. Automated incident response groups similar threats for efficient management. The report phish button lets employees flag both genuine threats and simulations, feeding directly into the detection engine. GPT-powered phishing simulations evolve alongside attacker tactics. The platform integrates with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace via API without mail flow disruption.

What Customers Say

Users consistently praise the intuitive interface and simple installation. The API-based deployment is fast with no disruption. Automation is valued for reducing manual review workload and supporting cyber insurance qualification. Something to be aware of is that some advanced features take time to master, and granular regional or group settings require manual admin effort.

Our Take

We think IRONSCALES is a strong Proofpoint alternative for organizations that want unified email security and awareness training at accessible pricing. The adaptive AI learns your environment rather than relying on static rules, and the agentic SOC automation reduces the manual burden. If you need only detection technology without the training component, a more focused platform may be a better fit.

CyberSentriq Email Security, now part of the CyberSentriq platform, provides email protection and phishing prevention serving over 3,000 MSPs and 150,000 SMBs worldwide. The SpamTitan gateway handles spam, malware, and virus filtering, while PhishTitan adds AI-powered phishing protection for Microsoft 365. We think the MSP-focused design and fast deployment make it a practical choice for service providers and smaller teams.

CyberSentriq Email Security Key Features

SpamTitan delivers a 99.99% spam catch rate with advanced filtering that blocks phishing, malware, and viruses. PhishTitan integrates directly with Microsoft 365 to catch phishing attacks that native Microsoft protections miss. The auto-remediation feature lets administrators tailor management of malicious emails based on severity level. Link Lock rewrites all URLs and inspects them at click time to detect delayed malicious payloads. Threat Coach uses AI to identify the parts of a phishing email that indicate malicious content, educating users at the point of detection. The platform is engineered for MSPs with multi-tenant management, granular policy controls, and a full reporting suite. Setup completes in minutes. Flexible policies enable custom block lists for users, domains, and systems.

What Customers Say

Users praise the high spam catch rate and the ease of setup. MSPs appreciate the multi-tenant management and fast deployment. Quarantine reports give end users control over their accounts. Something to be aware of is that PhishTitan is designed for Microsoft 365 environments.

Our Take

We think CyberSentriq is a strong Proofpoint alternative for MSPs and SMBs that want effective, affordable email security without enterprise complexity. The combination of SpamTitan gateway filtering and PhishTitan’s M365 phishing protection covers the core threat landscape. The MSP-focused design with multi-tenant management fits service provider workflows well.

Trustifi is an AI-powered email security platform that combines inbound threat protection, outbound DLP and encryption, account takeover detection, archiving, and security awareness training. The Inbound Shield uses four AI-enabled filtering engines to catch BEC, spam, graymail, and vendor email compromise. We think the all-in-one approach covering both inbound and outbound email security makes it a practical choice for organizations that want a single vendor.

Trustifi Key Features

The Inbound Shield uses AI for text-based analysis to catch impersonation, spear phishing, BEC, and vendor email compromise. Four filtering engines handle different threat categories: BEC, spam, graymail, and vendor compromise. Email body and header analysis detects spoofing and impersonation techniques. Content understanding through natural language models flags urgency, payment changes, and sensitive data requests. URL rewriting and time-of-click checks catch delayed payloads, including QR code-based attacks. The Outbound Shield scans outgoing emails for sensitive content and secures them with 256-bit AES encryption. Account Takeover Protection detects anomalies and suspicious activities through AI behavioral learning, alerting admins in real time. Email archiving securely preserves, retrieves, and indexes communications. Security awareness training provides phishing simulations and assessments.

What Customers Say

Users praise the ease of deployment and the intuitive interface. The combination of inbound and outbound protection in one platform is valued for reducing vendor sprawl. Something to be aware of is that the platform is newer to the enterprise market compared to established vendors, and some users note that integration options with third-party SIEM and SOAR tools could be expanded.

Our Take

We think Trustifi is a strong Proofpoint alternative for organizations that want inbound and outbound email security, encryption, and training in a single platform. The four-engine Inbound Shield covers a wider range of threat categories than many competitors. The built-in encryption and DLP for outbound email means you do not need a separate solution for sensitive communications. For large enterprises with complex SIEM and SOAR integration requirements, verify the platform meets your integration needs during evaluation.