Mimecast Advanced Email Security vs. Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Score 8.6 out of 10
N/A
The Mimecast Secure Email Gateway is a messaging security option with anti-spam / anti-malware, data loss prevention, large file send, and other features, from UK company Mimecast.N/A
Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Score 9.1 out of 10
N/A
Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP) helps organizations efficiently detect, mitigate and respond to known and unknown advanced threats that target people and VIPs through email. TAP provides unparalleled effectiveness in stopping targeted attacks that use polymorphic malware, weaponized documents and credential-stealing phishing techniques to obtain sensitive information. TAP seamlessly integrates with the Proofpoint secure email gateway (Proofpoint Email Protection) to deliver best…N/A
Pricing
Mimecast Advanced Email SecurityProofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Mimecast Advanced Email SecurityProofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Mimecast Advanced Email SecurityProofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Considered Both Products
Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Mimecast offers the same or better features with great pricing. It is definitely a value for money product, that constantly provide improved and new features. Also the learning academy allows for self-paced training of administrators.
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Mimecast Advanced Email Security is FAR superior. Sophos practically gave us the email for free and we still didn't want it. Sophos also does not do both Gateway and API properly. Mimecast Advanced Email Security's AI-Powered net is next level.
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Because we already were customers.
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Barracuda Email Security Gateway, SonicWall Email Security Appliances, Cisco Meraki MX and Cisco Routers
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
In my opinion, Mimecast Advanced Email Security outpaces Microsoft in terms of usability and reduction of spam and phishing emails. Mimecast Advanced Email Security was cheaper than Proofpoint, but I suspect Proofpoint is doing better on staying current with trends than …
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Less customizable than Mimecast Advanced Email Security. Less policy options
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Since implementing Mimecast Advanced Email Security there hasn't been a need for us to investigate other solutions. We do however use KnowBe4's PhishER as an end-user tool for reporting emails that get through.
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
The product is more straightforward with minimal knowledge; everything has a clear, concise layout and makes sense. There are help tips on all the definitions and policies, and the support team quickly responds if required.
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Abnormal isn't a gateway, but instead performs similar security features via M365 apis. It is very "identity" focused which helps with more modern scams.

M365 has some email security tools, but they are not as customizable or reportable. Mimecast tools far exceed them.
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Proofpoint ATP offered strong threat detection and forensics, but it was more complex to manage and significantly more expensive. Microsoft 365 Defender had solid native integration with M365, but its filtering and impersonation protection weren’t as strong out of the box, …
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
I have never really used Mimecast or Sophos, which was an on-prem mail filtering tool - Now use 365 Defender services alongside Mimecast.
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Mimecast Advanced Email Security had a reputation in the industry we went with, and the price was very competitive at the time.
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
The reason we went with Mimecast over other products was for the partnership. We heard from our businesses who utilize Mimecast of their great partnerships and relationships they build with their customers. We meet with our representative quarterly to discuss any trends in the …
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
We find that Mimecast is superior to other email filters with admin console page and support line help.
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Fortinet is a premise pased system modified for SaaS use. we were not impressed with the UI either.

Abnormal was great and likely hasd smarter filtering. We did not like the price.
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Mimecast stacks up really well against these products. The price of Mimecast made it hard to say no to.
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
It stacks up very well against it as it offers much more functionality and better detection.
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
It has a better interface and is easy to use and understand. It also has better customer service, which is easy to reach. It is also more commercialized, which makes finding products, solutions, and add-ons better and easier to navigate and purchase.
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
At the time, Mimecast was the leading industry standard, and we needed a better solution, so it was only natural. After checking out our options, I chose the tool that worked for me the best. Mimecast gave me a platform that did everything i was already working on via one …
Chose Mimecast Advanced Email Security
Proofpoint Email Protection and Abnormal Security
Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
While both Abnormal Security and Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection are email-based security applications, they each have their specific strengths. Abnormal is a great "first line of defense" with its machine learning capabilities and proactively blocking malicious or spam …
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Proofpoint has more insight on threats on threat dashboard.

It has good details about correlation of threat with your environment.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Proofpoint TRAP has already proven that their product is reliable and also the innovation that they provided for the business. TAP is very reliable when it comes to alerting and blocking malicious URLs/Attachment/. This product plus the Email Protection are both very effective …
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
This is the first product of its kind that I've used personally. The last 3 companies that I worked for also used Proofpoint, which includes Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection, so I don't have a way to really compare it. I have seen that it is a leader in the industry.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
We ran both side by side and Proofpoint caught many additional spam/phishing emails.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
TAP has much more robust feature sets that what we saw in Mimecast. They have also been acquiring companies adjacent to their business that bolsters their products.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
I have used Cisco IronPort in the past and there is no comparison to the protection that Proofpoint TAP provides. With systems that are not on-prem and other corporate-owned devices, like cell phones and iPad's, corporate-owned anti-x controls are not always able to maintain …
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
We selected Proofpoint TAP as part of the email security solution we were planning to deploy. We did not do an active bake off between specific features, like Proofpoint TAP, when we were evaluating different vendors.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
We don't use any other products, but this one is the best by far, and the support is amazing as well! We have enjoyed the interaction and the support and the implementation walkthrough as well. If you're not with Proofpoint, you need to consider it! What a great product!
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
We did not look at any other products for this specific requirement.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Proofpoint does a great job of identifying threats used in email and because it is integrated with other Proofpoint services subscribed to, it provides a holistic picture of email security for my organization.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Proofpoint costs more than Mimecast, but their uptime in comparison has been much better over the past year.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
We used EOP (Exchange Online Protection) earlier and we had a POC on Proofpoint which we have been excited to use and the results are positive.

Before Proofpoint, we had many issues with impostors. We were having hard time to get EOP (Microsoft) to proactively blok any of the …
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Again, not wanting to disclose competition - But this product stacks up well against other vendors we looked at.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Proofpoint and Mimecast do almost the same thing. But Proofpoint has a larger database of threats at any given time, and that is their strength.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
I have not used another solution, however, I have done my research and Proofpoint is definitely ahead.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
We did not evaluate any other vendors in this space as Proofpoint was the leader when we looked at them.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
None. We haven't evaluated any other solutions like TAP. It was a natural course for us to layer on top of Proofpoint Email Protection.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Proofpoint exceeds both in overall effectiveness. I found Barracuda to be easier to manage at times, but Proofpoint was more "customizable" to fit my needs.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
They actually don't really have a product like TAP.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
I was not involved in the original evaluation or purchase decision for the Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection. Despite that fact, I feel confident that we have made the correct decision with our purchase of Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection.
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Feature-wise identical. Mimecast was very affordable compared to Proofpoint. We were able to get annual costs with Proofpoint down to a more acceptable level. Also, the migration costs for us (due to deep customization) was more effort for little return (after PP price was …
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
It is terrible, especially for the cost. If I am going to pay for a Lamborghini I expect performance. If my cheap GEO Metro can go just as fast while also saving me lots of money, why drive the Lambo?
Chose Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
We've seen cases which were passed in Microsoft's solution but later caught with TAP.
Features
Mimecast Advanced Email SecurityProofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Secure Email Gateway
Comparison of Secure Email Gateway features of Product A and Product B
Mimecast Advanced Email Security
8.0
Ratings
4% below category average
Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
-
Ratings
Anti-malware8.50 Ratings00 Ratings
Customizability8.50 Ratings00 Ratings
Data Loss Protection6.50 Ratings00 Ratings
Threat Detection8.40 Ratings00 Ratings
Sandboxing8.00 Ratings00 Ratings
End-to-End Encryption8.50 Ratings00 Ratings
Management Tools7.70 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Mimecast Advanced Email SecurityProofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Small Businesses
Zoho Mail
Zoho Mail
Score 9.3 out of 10
Sophos Email
Sophos Email
Score 7.5 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Avanan
Avanan
Score 9.4 out of 10
Avanan
Avanan
Score 9.4 out of 10
Enterprises
Avanan
Avanan
Score 9.4 out of 10
Avanan
Avanan
Score 9.4 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Mimecast Advanced Email SecurityProofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Likelihood to Recommend
8.5
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.7
(0 ratings)
5.3
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.2
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Availability
8.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
8.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
6.0
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(0 ratings)
9.9
(0 ratings)
Configurability
9.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
8.8
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
9.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
8.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
8.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Mimecast Advanced Email SecurityProofpoint Targeted Attack Protection (TAP)
Likelihood to Recommend
Mimecast's advanced email security remains the number one security tool available for any organization. You will be ahead of the game before anything gets in and users start clicking. Users are often the ones who can disclose sensitive data and compromise the organization and its brand.
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I think it is well suited for any organization. It truly gives good insight on the email campaigns that are hitting your company, as well as the people that are being targeted the most and also VIP users such as executives or even other people in IT, cyber, or administrators.
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Pros
  • Simplicity: Once set up, Mimecast Advanced Email Security is easy to use, intuitive, and simple. This reduces onboarding time with new employees.
  • Robust Audit Trail: Being able to see what happened with specific emails, why things happened, and who was responsible for them helps to reduce troubleshooting time as well as improving overall email observability.
  • Clean Interface: Mimecast Advanced Email Security is a Swiss-Army-Knife of email security. There are many different configurations and complex rules that can be implemented. To make this manageable Mimecast Advanced Email Security has implemented a simple and clean UI. Being able to favorite commonly used features makes a huge difference in usability.
  • Simple SSO Integration: This seems like a no-brainer, but its odd to see how many SaaS products either don't support SSO, or make it so complicated and convoluted that setup and maintenance becomes a fully time job.
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  • TAP allows administrators and authorized users to effectively analyze threats and identify all targets.
  • The tracking (did a user open an email, did they click a link and how many times) and analytics are a great asset to have for any IT admin.
  • The ability to flag specific users as VIPs or important folks you want to keep an extra measure of attention on.
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Cons
  • I would like to see some additional improvement around the attachment protection, specifically what may be getting caught and what types of files are attempting to be delivered via email by impersonators.
  • The Targeted Threat Protection is a great product, and I wish there was a dashboard for this service where we could easily see the types of emails and/or links that have been caught as part of the protection module that could be shared with executives.
  • Finally, I feel that the phishing protection is great and honestly don't believe there should be much improvement needed there.
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  • Their admin web GUI is cumbersome and unclear in many ways. The learning curve is steep so you have to stay up on things yourself whenever a new feature or service is added.
  • They sometimes add a feature to their toolbox without informing their customers. This is true even when the feature added does not cost extra.
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Likelihood to Renew
I gave a 9/10 rating because with the 1 limited resources needs a bit of experience to work on the dashboard, and then Strong protection policies, reliable email continuity and proactive threat intelligence.
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Not my decision, but I have made it very clear this product does not perform. I have emails from our users on how bad it is after switching to it.
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Usability
As an admin it's fine, the console has some slightly annoying quirks (having to to go all the way back to the top when making changes rather than being able to just go up one level for example) and the object orientated nature of it takes some getting your head around how it thinks. But generally speaking it's decent enough once you've used it for a couple of hours
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The interface is simple to use but still contains the information needed to conduct thorough investigations. If you own licenses for other Proofpoint tools, Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection is easily accessible from those applications. The ability to sandbox URLs within the TAP interface is a great feature as well. The overall performance of the GUI is seamless, especially if enabled with your organization's SSO.
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Reliability and Availability
Overall, it's very good, but I do remember a few times in the past year we have seen some availability issues.
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No answers on this topic
Performance
Pages need to consistently load quickly. Sometimes good, sometimes not.
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No answers on this topic
Support Rating
When calling them you get best in the world customer services but as previously mentioned their online community and capabilities are a bit lacking. They want you to log into their portal to see updates on issues (vs. using a public facing service) and I rarely find the answers to my issues in electronic format. Their online presence is only helpful with the simplest of issues.
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Generally have had good response and resolution time with knowledgeable technicians, and if needed the ticket is moved to someone with more expertise to better address the issue. Have used the ticketing portal, phone, as well as the beta chat feature (permanent please!)
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In-Person Training
We did not have in-person training. All was done through meetings and on phone.
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No answers on this topic
Online Training
Training was good from Mimecast as well as the Mimecast knowledgebase.
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No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Easy to set up and configure, but did have Mimecast assistance.
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Proofpoint managed the installation and made it very simple. We had a dedicated installation engineer who checked in on use periodically after go-live to ensure that there were no issue.
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Alternatives Considered
Mimecast Advanced Email Security is FAR superior. Sophos practically gave us the email for free and we still didn't want it. Sophos also does not do both Gateway and API properly. Mimecast Advanced Email Security's AI-Powered net is next level.
Read full review
While both Abnormal Security and Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection are email-based security applications, they each have their specific strengths. Abnormal is a great "first line of defense" with its machine learning capabilities and proactively blocking malicious or spam emails. Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection is for when applications like Abnormal Security fail and let malicious phishing emails through.
Read full review
Scalability
The solution continues to grow and add features.
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No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
  • We've had to beef up training and other email security tools because we get too many spam and phishing emails still with Mimecast Advanced Email Security in place. This is costing us at least an extra 15% annually in staff time and tooling than it should.
  • We have been pleased with data loss prevention with Mimecast Advanced Email Security, it does identify PII and auto-encrypts emails with PII effectively.
  • It does have the ability to integrate with other security tools via API, which is beneficial.
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  • The cost associated with a successful threat (such as a spoofed wire transfer) far exceeds the cost of the Proofpoint TAP system.
  • It is hard to quantify the actual amount saved by threats that TAP has prevented, but I feel that it is an excellent value (and piece of mind).
  • The TAP saves us money and increases productivity by reducing the amount of malicious and SPAM emails.
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