Microsoft Defender for Office 365 vs Barracuda Email Protection
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of Top 11 Email Security Software. Last verified July 4, 2026.
The short answer
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 ranks higher on Top 11 (#4 vs #5) for IT and security leaders. Native M365 protection, included in E5 at $0 extra.
At a glance
| Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Barracuda Email Protection | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #4 / Top 11 Email Security Software | #5 / Top 11 Email Security Software |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| Best for | Best native option for Microsoft 365 | Best for small and mid-market budgets |
| Pricing | $ ($2/user/mo Plan 1, $5/user/mo Plan 2, or bundled in E5) | $$ (roughly $3 to $7 per user per month) |
| HQ | Redmond, USA | Campbell, USA |
| Founded | 2015 | 2003 |
Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Native M365 protection, included in E5 at $0 extra.
www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/siem-and-xdr/microsoft-defender-office-365Barracuda Email Protection
API inbox defense plus gateway at a mid-market price.
www.barracuda.com/products/email-protectionMethodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.