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Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Logo

Cloud-based email security and threat management software

Last updated: March 2025

Table of Contents

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 - 2025 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

What is Microsoft Defender for Office 365?

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is a cloud-based email security software designed to help businesses automatically detect, investigate, and resolve potential email threats on a centralized platform. Supervisors can configure security policies, perform spoof checks, and maintain a record of reported incidents.

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 allows organizations to monitor all incoming and outgoing emails, verify the authenticity of senders or domains, and scan email attachments to prevent malware attacks. Managers can view quarantined messages and monitor the impact of campaigns through actionable analytics. It also lets users filter metadata based on various options and receive automated alerts about unusual URL clicks or other suspicious activities.

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 enables businesses to automatically block spam messages and determine email traffic patterns using artificial intelligence (AI) technology and machine learning capabilities. The software also helps users offer prioritized protection to specific accounts and create custom queries to inspect security events.

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No pricing info

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Microsoft Defender for Office 365's key features

GetApp's analysis of 39 verified user reviews collected between July 2021 and January 2025 identified Microsoft Defender for Office 365' most critical features and how it performs according to users.

Spam Blocker

Reviewers appreciate Microsoft Defender for Office 365's spam blocker feature. They find it effective in automatically filtering and blocking unwanted emails, which helps save time and keep inboxes clean. Users report that it prevents malicious attacks and unwanted messages from reaching their systems. They say it integrates well with Exchange Online Protection and note the convenience of not needing additional software. Reviewers indicate it helps protect their data and communications, ensuring a secure email environment. Of the 26 Microsoft Defender for Office 365 users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Spam Blocker, 96% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“The spam blocker is great and it automatically protects us from spam by Exchange Online Protection and also other harmful mails.”
“It works very good, almost no spam received anymore after we activated Defender for Office 365 P1 ”

Spam Detection

Users report that Microsoft Defender for Office 365's spam detection feature is highly accurate and helpful in identifying and managing spam. They appreciate the real-time protection against viruses and malware in emails. Reviewers indicate the system's ability to filter spam based on sender and receiver criteria, and the option to adjust filtering mechanisms. They find it keeps their inboxes free of unwanted emails and note that it works well to catch spam, although some feel there is room for improvement. Of the 20 Microsoft Defender for Office 365 users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Spam Detection, 90% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“The feature allows me to make changes to the filtering mechanism to either allow previously restricted materials or restrict previously permitted entries”
“Because it help to keep important mail to arrive in your inbox and prevent unknown or suspected virus mail to enter your inbox.”

Phishing Protection

Reviewers highlight the effectiveness of Microsoft Defender for Office 365's phishing protection feature. They find it reliable in detecting phishing websites and dangerous apps, providing warnings to prevent data loss. Users report that it protects against malware threats during email transmission and secures personal information. They appreciate the ease of setting up DKIM, SPF, and DMARC to stop domain spoofing. Some reviewers feel the phishing protection could be improved to let fewer threats through. Of the 19 Microsoft Defender for Office 365 users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Phishing Protection, 89% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“This system is so reliable because it protects users from any malware threats during the email's journey from the sender to the recipient to avoid automatic sending of user information.”
“Phishing protection needs to improve to let less through.”

All Microsoft Defender for Office 365 features

Features rating:

Whitelisting/Blacklisting
Anti Spam
Real-Time Monitoring
Threat Protection
Email Filtering
Email Attachment Protection
Threat Response
Alerts/Escalation
Allow/Block List
Spam Quarantine
Reporting/Analytics
Data Loss Prevention
Email Routing
Policy Management
Greylisting
SURLB/URIBL Filtering
Microsoft Outlook Integration
Access Controls/Permissions

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 awards

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 alternatives

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 logo
4.6
(227)

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ESET Endpoint Security logo
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4.9
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ContentCatcher logo
4.9
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1.50

Per month

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Microsoft Defender for Office 365 integrations (6)

Integrations rated by users

We looked through 227 user reviews, to identify which products are mentioned as Microsoft Defender for Office 365 integrations, and what is the users perception.

Integration rating: 4.0 (1)

OfficeTools logo
OfficeTools

Integration rating: 4.0 (1)

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

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Microsoft Defender for Office 365 support options

Typical customers

Freelancers
Small businesses
Mid size businesses
Large enterprises

Platforms supported

Web
Android
iPhone/iPad

Training options

Live Online
Webinars
Documentation
Videos

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 reviews

Overall rating

4.6

/5

227

Positive reviews

94

%

Rating breakdown
  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Features
  • Customer support
  • Likelihood to recommend8.36/10
Rating distribution

5

4

3

2

1

147

66

8

5

1

Pros
“It's great that for both Windows 8 and Windows 10 you don't need to install an antivirus because your operating system has one built in and cataloged as very good, with Microsoft Defender.”
“Microsoft Defender its a great option for small companies that are seeking for protection of their information but also offers great features that bigger companies could use.”
“One great advantage is its simplicity, its ability for automatic scanning on downloads. It also does not require any installation required as it comes built in with windows.”
Cons
“This software has a few cons because sometimes get viruses that are doesn't detectable it cause some spam and a vulnerable entrance in your files.”
“So far there is nothing about the product itself that I dislike.”
“When it comes to the latest threats and malware, it is not the most updated antivirus software in the market.”

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 FAQs

Q. Who are the typical users of Microsoft Defender for Office 365?

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 has the following typical customers:
Large Enterprises, Non Profit

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Q. What languages does Microsoft Defender for Office 365 support?

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 supports the following languages:
English


Q. Does Microsoft Defender for Office 365 offer an API?

No, Microsoft Defender for Office 365 does not have an API available.

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