Best Email Security Software (2026)
6 email security tools ranked on real review data, live pricing and feature coverage — refreshed automatically.
IRONSCALES
8.4/10Best for MSPs and mid-market teams wanting human + AI phishing defense with public self-serve pricing.
The best email security software in 2026 is IRONSCALES — best for MSPs and mid-market teams wanting human + AI phishing defense with public self-serve pricing. It scores 8.4/10 on our data-weighted ranking (4.7/5 (~45 G2 reviews)) and starts at $3.11/mailbox/mo. Proofpoint Email Protection is the strongest runner-up. Full comparison table and per-tool breakdown below — all figures stamped with a data-as-of date and linked sources.
-
Best for MSPs and mid-market teams wanting human + AI phishing defense with public self-serve pricing.
- API-based deployment (no MX change)
- Human + AI crowdsourced detection
- Automated phishing remediation
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
-
Best for Regulated enterprises wanting the most mature secure email gateway with deep threat intelligence.
- Secure email gateway (MX-routed)
- NexusAI threat detection
- TAP attachment + URL sandboxing
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
-
Best for Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace shops wanting API-based protection with no MX change.
- Inline API deployment (no MX change)
- Post-delivery + internal email scanning
- Anti-phishing + malware + BEC
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
-
Best for Enterprises prioritizing best-in-class behavioral AI detection of BEC and account takeover.
- API-based behavioral AI
- No-tuning anomaly detection
- BEC + impersonation protection
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
-
Best for Mid-market to enterprise teams wanting email security bundled with archiving + continuity.
- Secure email gateway
- CyberGraph AI threat intel
- Built-in email archiving (10+ yr)
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
-
Best for SMBs and MSPs wanting broad, no-drama email protection plus backup from one familiar vendor.
- Gateway + API-based protection
- Impersonation + phishing protection
- Automated incident response
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
No products match these filters.
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free trial | Reviews | Our score /10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRONSCALES | MSPs and mid-market teams wanting human + AI phishing defense with public self-serve pricing | $3.11/mailbox/mo | Free tier + 14 days | 4.7 (45) | 8.4 |
| Proofpoint Email Protection | Regulated enterprises wanting the most mature secure email gateway with deep threat intelligence | Custom quote | 30 days | 4.6 (548) | 8.3 |
| Check Point Harmony Email (Avanan) | Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace shops wanting API-based protection with no MX change | Custom quote | 14 days | 4.6 (511) | 8.1 |
| Abnormal AI | Enterprises prioritizing best-in-class behavioral AI detection of BEC and account takeover | Custom quote | — | 4.8 (65) | 8.0 |
| Mimecast Advanced Email Security | Mid-market to enterprise teams wanting email security bundled with archiving + continuity | Custom quote | 30 days | 4.4 (297) | 7.9 |
| Barracuda Email Protection | SMBs and MSPs wanting broad, no-drama email protection plus backup from one familiar vendor | $5/user/mo | 30 days | 4.4 (220) | 7.8 |
Email Security Leaders Matrix
Every tracked tool plotted by ability to deliver (our data-weighted score) against market presence (independent review volume). Top-right is a market leader — hover any logo. How this is scored →
- 1 IRONSCALES 8.4
- 2
Proofpoint Email Protection 8.3 - 3
Check Point Harmony Email (Avanan) 8.1 - 4
Abnormal AI 8.0 - 5
Mimecast Advanced Email Security 7.9 - 6
Barracuda Email Protection 7.8
How to choose
When choosing email security software, weigh four things against your environment: pricing model (per-endpoint vs per-technician vs per-user — it changes total cost dramatically at scale), deployment and integration fit with your existing stack, breadth of automation, and independent review scores. The table above ranks every tracked option on the data we hold; use the per-tool notes to match capabilities to your use case.
Budgeting the whole stack? Use our MSP software cost calculator to estimate monthly and annual spend for email security alongside the rest of your tools, using real published pricing.
Buyer's guide
How we ranked the best email security software
We score every tool on a transparent 0–10 scale weighted from third-party review data (G2/Capterra, adjusted for review volume), published pricing, and verified feature breadth — never opinion alone. All figures were last checked June 2026 and every row links its source.
Pricing models in email security software
Across the 6 tracked tools, billing runs on per user, quote models — which changes total cost dramatically at scale, so compare on your endpoint or technician count, not headline price. IRONSCALES carries the lowest published entry price at $3.11/mailbox/mo. IRONSCALES offers a genuinely free tier; several others run free trials.
Who each is for
- IRONSCALES — MSPs and mid-market teams wanting human + AI phishing defense with public self-serve pricing. 8.4/10, from $3.11/mailbox/mo (4.7/5 (~45 G2 reviews)).
- Proofpoint Email Protection — Regulated enterprises wanting the most mature secure email gateway with deep threat intelligence. 8.3/10, from Custom quote (4.6/5 (~548 G2 reviews)).
- Check Point Harmony Email (Avanan) — Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace shops wanting API-based protection with no MX change. 8.1/10, from Custom quote (4.6/5 (~511 G2 reviews)).
- Abnormal AI — Enterprises prioritizing best-in-class behavioral AI detection of BEC and account takeover. 8.0/10, from Custom quote (4.8/5 (~65 G2 reviews)).
- Mimecast Advanced Email Security — Mid-market to enterprise teams wanting email security bundled with archiving + continuity. 7.9/10, from Custom quote (4.4/5 (~297 G2 reviews)).
- Barracuda Email Protection — SMBs and MSPs wanting broad, no-drama email protection plus backup from one familiar vendor. 7.8/10, from $5/user/mo (4.4/5 (~220 G2 reviews)).
Our pick
On the data we hold, IRONSCALES leads at 8.4/10. The MSP favorite for phishing defense — transparent self-serve pricing, a free tier, and human+AI detection that punches above its size. Read the full IRONSCALES review or compare it head-to-head below.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best email security software in 2026?
- IRONSCALES ranks first in our data-weighted comparison (8.4/10, 4.7/5 (~45 G2 reviews)), starting at $3.11/mailbox/mo.
- What is the cheapest email security software?
- Among tracked options, IRONSCALES has the lowest published starting price at $3.11/mailbox/mo. Pricing models differ, so compare per-endpoint vs per-technician costs for your fleet size.
- Is there a free email security software option?
- IRONSCALES offers a free tier. Several others provide free trials — see the pricing column in the table above.