[Home](https://www.selecthub.com/) \> [Email Security Software](https://www.selecthub.com/c/email-security-software/) \> [Microsoft Defender for Office 365](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/microsoft-defender-for-office-365/) \> Microsoft Defender for Office 365 vs FortiMail # Microsoft Defender for Office 365 vs FortiMail Last Updated: May 25th, 2026 Our analysts compared [Microsoft Defender for Office 365](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/microsoft-defender-for-office-365/) vs [FortiMail](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/fortimail/) based on data from our 400+ point analysis of [Email Security Software](https://www.selecthub.com/c/email-security-software/), user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our [free software selection platform](https://www.selecthub.com/about/start-free-selection-project-site/?category=Email Security Software&cta=email-security-software). [Overview](#product-overview) [Pricing](#product-pricing) [Our Review](#product-analyst-summary) [User Ratings](#user-sentiment-section) [Features](#product-benefits-features) [Analyst Ratings](#analyst-rating-section) [Comparison Charts](#product-comparison-charts) [Screenshots](#product-screenshots) Remove Add to Compare [![Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Software Tool](https://cdn.selecthub.com/products/8497a1cc70f42de1ab3d4ed57d54ff83-e4298cce32465bf761086a681e48ec2f/resources/normal/logo.png?1725662405)](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/microsoft-defender-for-office-365/) [ ![Product Awards](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/awards_badge.svg) ](#awards-section) Remove Add to Compare [![FortiMail Software Tool](https://cdn.selecthub.com/products/72215f7896ee90dfda83e7803a3c08db-625b105f58265af49b677597b2c7b0f3/resources/original/logo.svg?1725662486)](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/fortimail/) [ ![Product Awards](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/awards_badge.svg) ](#awards-section) [Get Free Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Email+Security+Software&product%5Fname=Microsoft%2BDefender%2Bfor%2BOffice%2B365&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F8497a1cc70f42de1ab3d4ed57d54ff83-e4298cce32465bf761086a681e48ec2f%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1725662405) [Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Email+Security+Software&product%5Fname=Microsoft%2BDefender%2Bfor%2BOffice%2B365&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F8497a1cc70f42de1ab3d4ed57d54ff83-e4298cce32465bf761086a681e48ec2f%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1725662405) [Request Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Email+Security+Software&product%5Fname=Microsoft%2BDefender%2Bfor%2BOffice%2B365&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F8497a1cc70f42de1ab3d4ed57d54ff83-e4298cce32465bf761086a681e48ec2f%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1725662405&price=3) [Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Email+Security+Software&product%5Fname=Microsoft%2BDefender%2Bfor%2BOffice%2B365&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F8497a1cc70f42de1ab3d4ed57d54ff83-e4298cce32465bf761086a681e48ec2f%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1725662405&price=3) [Get Free Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Email+Security+Software&product%5Fname=FortiMail&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F72215f7896ee90dfda83e7803a3c08db-625b105f58265af49b677597b2c7b0f3%2Fresources%2Foriginal%2Flogo.svg%3F1725662486) [Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Email+Security+Software&product%5Fname=FortiMail&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F72215f7896ee90dfda83e7803a3c08db-625b105f58265af49b677597b2c7b0f3%2Fresources%2Foriginal%2Flogo.svg%3F1725662486) [Request Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Email+Security+Software&product%5Fname=FortiMail&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F72215f7896ee90dfda83e7803a3c08db-625b105f58265af49b677597b2c7b0f3%2Fresources%2Foriginal%2Flogo.svg%3F1725662486&price=1) [Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Email+Security+Software&product%5Fname=FortiMail&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F72215f7896ee90dfda83e7803a3c08db-625b105f58265af49b677597b2c7b0f3%2Fresources%2Foriginal%2Flogo.svg%3F1725662486&price=1) ### Products Insights Overall Rating Comparison [ Analyst Rating 78 Detailed Analysis ](#analyst-rating-section) [ User Sentiment ![Excellent User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/excellent.svg) (720 Reviews) ](#user-sentiment-section) [ Analyst Rating 82 Detailed Analysis ](#analyst-rating-section) [ User Sentiment ![Excellent User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/excellent.svg) (297 Reviews) ](#user-sentiment-section) Price Starts From $150 Annually [ Free Trial is available →](https://pmo.selecthub.com/free-trial/?product%5Fname=Microsoft Defender for Office 365&category=Email Security Software&product%5Flogo=https://d3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net/products/8497a1cc70f42de1ab3d4ed57d54ff83-e4298cce32465bf761086a681e48ec2f/resources/normal/logo.png?1725662405) $2.30 Monthly Free Trial is unavailable → Pros What we like about Microsoft Defender for Office 365 and FortiMail: * Tight integration with Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive keeps security inside the Microsoft 365 stack. * Blocks phishing, malware, spam, and business email compromise with layered detection. * Single dashboard gives you centralized visibility and control across protected services. * Automated investigation and response handles alerts and remediation without manual digging. * Plugs into Fortinet Security Fabric and FortiGate for a unified defense across the stack. * Covers antivirus, anti-malware, anti-phishing, and anti-spam in one email security layer. * Cloud, hardware, and virtual appliance options let you pick the deployment that fits. * Users consistently call out strong spam filtering that keeps inboxes clean. Cons What we dislike about Microsoft Defender for Office 365 and FortiMail: * Setting up default strategies and policies gets intricate without solid technical know-how. * Some users report occasional system slowdowns while the software runs. * Malware detection has been noted as less effective than some third-party security tools. * The interface feels clunky to some users and adds a learning curve. * Initial setup gets daunting given the wide range of features and configuration parameters. * Like other email tools, it can occasionally flag legitimate messages as spam. * Blocking emails by sender, subject, or body text is harder than in many competing products. * Smaller IT teams may struggle with the deep email-flow knowledge the rollout needs. ### Our Review **Bottom line:** If you live inside Microsoft 365, Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is the natural pick. If you're already running Fortinet gear, FortiMail is the better fit because it slots into the same security fabric you already manage. Defender works best when email, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive are your daily tools. You get one dashboard, automated investigation and response, and threat intelligence pulled from Microsoft's global network. FortiMail leans on tight integration with FortiGate and the rest of the Fortinet stack, which matters most if your firewall and endpoint tools already come from the same vendor. On pricing, Microsoft Defender for Office 365 starts at $150 per year, while FortiMail starts at $2.30 per month. The billing units are different, so it's not a clean head-to-head, but FortiMail gives you a lower entry point if you want to start small. Deployment flexibility is where FortiMail pulls ahead. You can run it as a cloud service, a hardware appliance, or a virtual appliance, which helps if you have on-prem requirements. Defender is tied to the Microsoft 365 cloud, so it's simpler if that's already where you live and limiting if it isn't. Both tools ask for patience during setup. Defender's policies can feel intricate, and FortiMail's initial config expects a real grasp of email flow. Pick Defender if you want one unified Microsoft experience and don't mind the interface quirks. Pick FortiMail if you need granular deployment choices and Fortinet integration, and you can spare the IT depth to tune it well. ### Analyst Rating Summary Overall Scores Based on the research and analysis by SelectHub's team of research analysts, Microsoft Defender for Office 365 has an analyst rating of 78\. By comparison FortiMail has an analyst rating of 82\. 78 82 Features Comparison **Email Encryption and Data Loss Prevention (DLP)** Protects sensitive data by preventing unauthorized access and exfiltration, ensuring confidentiality and compliance. 88 100 **Email Filtering and Protection** Blocks spam, phishing, and malware, safeguarding users and networks from malicious email-borne threats. 92 100 **Platform Capabilities** Provides the infrastructure and tools for effective email threat detection, prevention, and management. 95 95 [Show More](#) [Show More](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=Email Security Software) Strengths The best features of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 and FortiMail as judged by user reviews and analyst validation. Integrations Reporting Threat Intelligence and Response User Authentication and Management Platform Capabilities Email Encryption and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Email Filtering and Protection Reporting Threat Intelligence and Response User Authentication and Management ### Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements [Customize This Data](#) [Customize This Data](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=Email Security Software) How Microsoft Defender for Office 365 and FortiMail compare against the top 6 functional requirements as defined by SelectHub project data. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 FortiMail \+ Add Product [\+ Add Product](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=Email Security Software) Email Encryption and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Email Filtering AndProtection Platform Capabilities Reporting Threat IntelligenceAnd Response User AuthenticationAnd Management 88 92 95 100 100 100 100 100 95 100 100 100 0 25 50 75 100 Implementation Level of Effort Estimation **Tier 1:** Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment. [Read more](#) **Tier 2:** Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs. **Tier 3:** Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost. **Email Encryption And Data Loss Prevention (DLP)** Protects sensitive data by preventing unauthorized access and exfiltration, ensuring confidentiality and compliance. 88% 0% 12% 100% 0% 0% **Email Filtering And Protection** Blocks spam, phishing, and malware, safeguarding users and networks from malicious email-borne threats. 92% 0% 8% 100% 0% 0% **Platform Capabilities** Provides the infrastructure and tools for effective email threat detection, prevention, and management. 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% **Reporting** Provides insights into email security trends and threats, enabling informed decision-making and improved security posture. 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% **Threat Intelligence And Response** Proactively identifies and mitigates emerging email threats, minimizing their impact on organizations. 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% **User Authentication And Management** Controls access to email systems, preventing unauthorized use and protecting sensitive information. 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% **Customize This Data For Your Unique Needs** and compare feature capabilities head-to-head [CUSTOMIZE NOW](#) [CUSTOMIZE NOW](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=Email Security Software) ### Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements [Customize This Data](#) [Customize This Data](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=Email Security Software) Implementation Level of Effort Estimation **Tier 1:** Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment. [Read more](#) **Tier 2:** Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs. **Tier 3:** Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost. **Integrations** Connects email security software with other security tools, enhancing threat visibility and automating response workflows for comprehensive protection. 100% 0% 0% 83% 17% 0% **Requirements Summary** Of typical requirements, 92.5% are fully supported out of the box by Microsoft Defender for Office 365 including Integrations, Reporting and Threat Intelligence And Response. FortiMail supports 95% and excels at Email Encryption And Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Email Filtering And Protection and Reporting. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 has an analyst rating of 78 and a user sentiment rating of 'excellent' based on 720 reviews, while FortiMail has an analyst rating of 82 and a user sentiment rating of 'excellent' based on 297 reviews. ### User Sentiment Summary Microsoft Defender for Office 365 has a user sentiment rating of 90 based on 720 reviews. FortiMail has a user sentiment rating of 97 based on 297 reviews. ![Excellent User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/excellent.svg) 720 reviews ![Excellent User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/excellent.svg) 297 reviews Synopsis Evaluating all review platforms, our market analysts have compiled the following user sentiment data. 90% of users recommend this product Microsoft Defender for Office 365 has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 720 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites. 97% of users recommend this product FortiMail has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 97% when considering 297 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites. User Review Scores **G2.com, Inc** **4.5** (295) **4.3** (21) **Software Advice, Inc** **4.6** (231) n/a **Gartner, Inc** **4.4** (194) **4.9** (276) ### Awards SelectHub awards earned by these products based on a comprehensive analysis by our research analysts. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite. ![User Favorite Award]() SelectHub research analysts have evaluated FortiMail and concluded it deserves the award for the Best Overall Email Security Software available today and earns best-in-class honors for Email Encryption and Data Loss Prevention (DLP). FortiMail stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite. ![Analysts' Pick Award]() ![User Favorite Award]() Show more ![Email Encryption and Data Loss Prevention \(DLP\) Award]() ### Product Assistance Training Resources Documentation In Person Live Online Videos Webinars Documentation In Person Live Online Videos Webinars Support Email Phone Chat FAQ Forum Knowledge Base 24/7 Live Support Email Phone Chat FAQ Forum Knowledge Base 24/7 Live Support ### Product Basics Company Size i Small Medium Large Small Medium Large Platforms Supported Windows Mac Linux Android Chromebook Windows Mac Linux Android Chromebook Deployment Supported Cloud On-Premise Mobile Cloud On-Premise Mobile Comparison of Top Alternatives [ Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Alternatives](https://www.selecthub.com/email-security-software/microsoft-defender-for-office-365/alternatives/) [ FortiMail Alternatives](https://www.selecthub.com/email-security-software/fortimail/alternatives/) ### Screenshots ![Screenshots]() ![Screenshots]() ### Key Features * **Safe attachments** – Detonates email attachments in a virtual sandbox to catch malicious content before it lands in the inbox. * **Safe links** – Scans URLs in emails and documents at click time and blocks ones that turn out to be malicious. * **Anti-phishing policies** – Uses machine learning and impersonation detection to spot and block targeted phishing attempts. * **Automated investigation** – Walks through alerts, recommends actions, and runs remediation steps to cut response time for security teams. * **Attack simulation training** – Lets admins run realistic phishing simulations to train staff on spotting and reporting suspicious messages. * **Sandbox threat detection** – Combines sandboxing with AI-driven analysis to identify and stop sophisticated email-based attacks. * **URL and phishing checks** – Catches phishing attempts using machine learning and real-time threat intelligence pulled from Fortinet's network. * **Anti-spam filtering** – Blends reputation-based and content-based filters in a multi-layer approach to keep spam out of inboxes. * **Security fabric integration** – Connects with FortiGate and other Fortinet products so email security sits inside one coordinated defense. * **Flexible deployment** – Runs as a cloud service, hardware appliance, or virtual appliance so you can match your infrastructure setup. ### Top Alternatives in Email Security Software [ Abnormal Security ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/abnormal-security/) [ Avanan ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/avanan/) [ Barracuda Email Protection ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/barracuda-email-protection/) [ Cisco Secure Email ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/cisco-secure-email/) [ Coro Email Protection ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/coro-email-protection/) [ Egress Intelligent Email Security ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/egress-intelligent-email-security/) [ FortiMail ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/fortimail/) [ Graphus ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/graphus/) [ Harmony Email & Collaboration ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/harmony-email-and-collaboration/) [ Mimecast Advanced Email Security ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/mimecast-advanced-email-security/) [ Proofpoint Essentials ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/proofpoint-essentials/) [ Retarus Email Continuity ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/retarus-email-continuity/) [ RMail ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/rmail/) [ Sophos Email ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/sophos-email/) [ Trustifi ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/email-security-software/trustifi/) ### Head-to-Head Comparison ![Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Software Tool]() ![Abnormal Security Software Tool]() [Microsoft Defender for Office 365 VS Abnormal Security](https://www.selecthub.com/email-security-software/abnormal-security-vs-microsoft-defender-for-office-365/) ![Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Software Tool]() ![Avanan Software Tool]() [Microsoft Defender for Office 365 VS Avanan](https://www.selecthub.com/email-security-software/avanan-vs-microsoft-defender-for-office-365/) ![Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Software Tool]() ![Barracuda Email Protection Software Tool]() [Microsoft Defender for Office 365 VS Barracuda Email Protection](https://www.selecthub.com/email-security-software/microsoft-defender-for-office-365-vs-barracuda-email-protection/) ![Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Software Tool]() ![Cisco Secure Email Software Tool]() [Microsoft Defender for Office 365 VS Cisco Secure Email](https://www.selecthub.com/email-security-software/microsoft-defender-for-office-365-vs-cisco-secure-email/) ![Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Software Tool]() ![FortiMail Software Tool]() [Microsoft Defender for Office 365 VS FortiMail](https://www.selecthub.com/email-security-software/microsoft-defender-for-office-365-vs-fortimail/) ![Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Software Tool]() ![Graphus Software Tool]() [Microsoft Defender for Office 365 VS Graphus](https://www.selecthub.com/email-security-software/microsoft-defender-for-office-365-vs-graphus/) ![Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Software Tool]() ![Ironscales Software Tool]() [Microsoft Defender for Office 365 VS Ironscales](https://www.selecthub.com/email-security-software/ironscales-vs-microsoft-defender-for-office-365/) ![Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Software Tool]() ![Proofpoint Essentials Software Tool]() [Microsoft Defender for Office 365 VS Proofpoint Essentials](https://www.selecthub.com/email-security-software/proofpoint-essentials-vs-microsoft-defender-for-office-365/) ![Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Software Tool]() ![RMail Software Tool]() [Microsoft Defender for Office 365 VS RMail](https://www.selecthub.com/email-security-software/rmail-vs-microsoft-defender-for-office-365/) ![Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Software Tool]() ![Trustifi Software Tool]() [Microsoft Defender for Office 365 VS Trustifi](https://www.selecthub.com/email-security-software/microsoft-defender-for-office-365-vs-trustifi/) ![Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Software Tool]() ![Vade Software Tool]() [Microsoft Defender for Office 365 VS Vade](https://www.selecthub.com/email-security-software/vade-vs-microsoft-defender-for-office-365/) ![Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Software Tool]() ![Valimail Software Tool]() [Microsoft Defender for Office 365 VS Valimail](https://www.selecthub.com/email-security-software/valimail-vs-microsoft-defender-for-office-365/) **About SelectHub (and our data)** We’re the employee-owned Austin-based startup democratizing software data so you can make your decisions in an influence-free zone. Our market data is crowdsourced from our user-base of 100,000+ companies. WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more... ![SelectHub Products Reporting and Analytics]() [ Build Your Requirements](https://pmo.selecthub.com/software-requirements/?category=Email%20Security%20Software&campaign%5Fname=Email%20Security%20Requirements) ![SelectHub Products Cost and Pricing Guide]() [ Get Your Free Comparison Report](https://pmo.selecthub.com/request-custom-scorecard/?category=Email%20Security%20Software) **Tier 1:** Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment. Fully or moderately supported out-of-the-box with industry-leading capabilities and is immediately available after installation without needing any add-ons, integrations, or custom development. **Tier 2:** Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs. Not directly available in the software, but can be accomplished using other built-in features, workarounds, or add-ons/products from the vendor with or without any additional cost. **Tier 3:** Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost. Requires additional integrations, plugins, marketplace applications from a third-party vendor, or custom development using the APIs, libraries, extensions, and development framework supported by the software, with or without any additional cost. 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