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Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Reviews

Vendor: Microsoft
4.2 out of 5
Badge Ranked 1
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What is Microsoft Defender for Office 365?

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is a comprehensive security solution designed to protect organizations against advanced threats in their email, collaboration, and productivity environments. It combines the power of Microsoft's threat intelligence, machine learning, and behavioral analytics to provide real-time protection against phishing, malware, ransomware, and other malicious attacks.

Get the Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft Defender for Office 365, Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and more!
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is the #1 ranked solution in top Email Archiving solutions, #1 ranked solution in top Email Security solutions, #1 ranked solution in top Secure Email Gateway (SEG) solutions, #2 ranked solution in top Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) solutions, and #10 ranked solution in top Microsoft Security Suite solutions. PeerSpot users give Microsoft Defender for Office 365 an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is most commonly compared to Microsoft Intune: Microsoft Defender for Office 365 vs Microsoft Intune. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 47% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 16% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Defender for Office 365
August 2025
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Helped 866,088 peers since 2012

Featured Microsoft Defender for Office 365 reviews

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Microsoft Defender for Office 365 mindshare

Product category:
Email Security
As of August 2025, the mindshare of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 in the Email Security category stands at 12.1%, down from 16.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Email Security Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Microsoft Defender for Office 36512.1%
Proofpoint Email Protection8.5%
Abnormal Security7.4%
Other72.0%
Email Security

PeerResearch reports based on Microsoft Defender for Office 365 reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryEmail SecurityAug 28, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersAug 28, 2025Download
ComparisonMicrosoft Defender for Office 365 vs Proofpoint Email ProtectionAug 28, 2025Download
ComparisonMicrosoft Defender for Office 365 vs Abnormal SecurityAug 28, 2025Download
ComparisonMicrosoft Defender for Office 365 vs Check Point Harmony Email & CollaborationAug 28, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Microsoft Intune4.1N/A94%298 interviewsAdd to research
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint4.1N/A94%198 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 offers valuable features such as anti-phishing, anti-malware, Safe Links, data loss prevention, and seamless integration with other Microsoft products. It excels in zero-day threat protection, risk level notifications, and the ability to analyze threats, enabling efficient incident response. Users appreciate its stability, scalability, ease of use, and comprehensive endpoint visibility across platforms, helping organizations secure communications, prioritize threats, and prevent data loss using centralized management and automation capabilities.
  • "My experience deploying Microsoft Defender for Office 365 was seamless."
  • "My experience with customer support and technical support for Microsoft Defender for Office 365 has been excellent."
  • "It has significantly decreased my time to detection and response."

Room for Improvement

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 needs better virus blocking and compatibility across systems. Licensing issues and reporting complexity create operational challenges. There are concerns about spam detection, integration, and false positives. Users find the dashboard confusing and want improved alert systems. Enhancing threat intelligence and providing more detailed documentation are priorities. Phishing detection and malware reporting require enhancement. The cost structure and constant name changes are frustrating for users. Technical support and implementation processes need refinement.
  • "I think that Microsoft Defender for Office 365 could be improved if it could use VirusTotal to compare the programs or anything that I download."
  • "Specifically, within Microsoft Defender for Office 365, I want it to improve the DLP capabilities."
  • "In the areas of improvement for Microsoft Defender for Office 365, the console is the biggest challenge for me."

ROI

Many users reported seeing a positive ROI from Microsoft Defender for Office 365, citing strong email and information protection, efficient data security, and cost savings. Despite a few challenges in quantifying ROI, several users highlighted the tool's ability to prevent threats like phishing emails and ransomware, reducing security breaches and related costs. By integrating essential Microsoft products, companies save significantly and increase productivity while maintaining high security standards.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers find Microsoft Defender for Office 365's pricing complex due to its integration with Office 365. Many report that it offers reasonable value when bundled with other Microsoft services, though some consider it expensive, noting prices vary depending on the user base. It may require an E3 or E5 subscription or add-ons, which can be costly. While large enterprises appreciate its functionality, smaller companies may find costs challenging. Pricing is often negotiable.
  • "While Microsoft Defender for Office 365 necessitates pricier E3 or E5 subscriptions, the extensive functionality offered by these licenses across various Microsoft products justifies the investment."
  • "I know that the product is incredibly expensive."
  • "The product is very expensive."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Microsoft Defender for Office 365 for email security, protecting against phishing, malware, and spam. They utilize it to secure Office 365 applications, monitor threats, identify breaches, and ensure endpoint security. It integrates with Azure and Microsoft Sentinel, enhancing threat detection and response. Defender for Office 365 also aids in detecting and managing malicious URLs and ensures safe links within emails, contributing to comprehensive cybersecurity measures across various environments.

Service and Support

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 customer service and support is considered prompt, knowledgeable, and effective by many users. Some mention quick responses, especially with premium support, while others experience delays or issues with low-level support requiring escalation. Documentation is seen as helpful, though occasionally outdated or overwhelming. Users appreciate the availability of various support levels but note inconsistency in response times. For many, the support meets expectations, with high satisfaction ratings and effective problem resolution.

Deployment

Microsoft Defender for Office 365's initial setup appears straightforward and mostly seamless, especially for small to medium businesses. It involves adding licenses, configuring rules, and occasional manual installations. Cloud-based deployment simplifies the process, with minimal ongoing maintenance required. Enterprise-level setups may face challenges, particularly with integrations and mergers. Documentation and Microsoft support aid in the process. Organizations find deployment manageable with one to two IT personnel handling the setup.

Scalability

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 demonstrates strong scalability, effectively supporting a range of users from small to vast numbers without performance issues. It integrates seamlessly within larger environments such as Microsoft 365, adapting to various geographical setups. Cloud-based flexibility allows for easy expansion, aligning with organizational needs and maintaining efficiency. Acknowledging bandwidth considerations and adopting strategies for hybrid environments enhances scalability, ensuring consistent functionality across diverse settings and large-scale deployments.

Stability

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 exhibits high stability, with most users rating it between eight and ten out of ten. It maintains consistent performance with minimal disruptions, although rare outages may occur in O365 or Azure AD. Users appreciate the smooth experience with cloud-based services, ensuring no downtime responsibility. Occasional minor issues can often be resolved easily, while the service guarantees 99.9% availability with minimal false positives.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business20
Midsize Enterprise7
Large Enterprise24
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business2409
Midsize Enterprise1439
Large Enterprise3391
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Comms Service Provider
6%
Government
6%
Healthcare Company
5%
Retailer
4%
Construction Company
4%
University
4%
Educational Organization
4%
Insurance Company
3%
Real Estate/Law Firm
3%
Legal Firm
3%
Energy/Utilities Company
3%
Non Profit
3%
Outsourcing Company
2%
Media Company
2%
Hospitality Company
2%
Wholesaler/Distributor
2%
Performing Arts
2%
Transportation Company
1%
Consumer Goods Company
1%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
1%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%
Logistics Company
1%
Marketing Services Firm
1%

Compare Microsoft Defender for Office 365 with alternative products

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Learn more about Microsoft Defender for Office 365

With Microsoft Defender for Office 365, organizations can safeguard their email communication by detecting and blocking malicious links, attachments, and unsafe email content. It employs advanced anti-phishing capabilities to identify and prevent sophisticated phishing attacks that attempt to steal sensitive information or compromise user credentials.

This solution also offers robust protection against malware and ransomware. It leverages machine learning algorithms to analyze email attachments and URLs in real-time, identifying and blocking malicious content before it reaches users' inboxes. Additionally, it provides advanced threat-hunting capabilities, allowing security teams to proactively investigate and respond to potential threats.

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 goes beyond email protection and extends its security features to other collaboration tools like SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams. It scans files and documents stored in these platforms, ensuring that they are free from malware and other malicious content. It also provides visibility into user activities, helping organizations detect and mitigate insider threats.

Furthermore, this solution offers rich reporting and analytics capabilities, providing organizations with insights into their security posture and threat landscape. It enables security administrators to monitor and manage security incidents, track trends, and take proactive measures to enhance their overall security posture.

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 was previously known as MS Defender for Office 365.

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 customers

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is trusted by companies such as Ithaca College.

Related questions

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Product Categories

Product Categories
Email Security
Email Archiving
Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)
Microsoft Security Suite
Secure Email Gateway (SEG)

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Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Senior Director, Security Architecture & Engineering at a leisure / travel company with 10,001+ employees4.5I use Microsoft Defender for Office 365 primarily for email, device, and identity security. Its improved anti-phishing features have reduced incidents and costs. However, navigating the multiple consoles is challenging. Prior solutions like McAfee were costlier and less user-friendly.
Designation Chief Consultant at Avtow4.0I use Microsoft Defender for Office 365 primarily for endpoint security. It offers robust threat response, threat visibility, and cost efficiency as part of the Microsoft 365 bundle. However, I believe the DLP capabilities could be improved.
Chief Architect at a tech vendor with 1,001-5,000 employees4.5We find the DLP feature of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 valuable for protecting sensitive data, but we encounter false positives that confuse users. While security is crucial for us as a public company, quantifying ROI remains challenging. We rely on Microsoft Azure.
Technology support manager at Alfred State College4.5No summary available
Especialista en ciberseguridad at FUNDACION UNIVERSITARIA SAN PABLO CEU4.5I've used Microsoft Defender for Office 365 on-premises for about two years; it's simple, reliable, and integrates well with other Microsoft tools, though I would like better malware checks like VirusTotal for added security.
Engineer at a healthcare company with 10,001+ employees4.5We use Microsoft Defender for Office 365 to secure our Outlook 365 inboxes, particularly valuing its spam filter for blocking unwanted emails. While its protections show a positive ROI, we suggest expanding global support. We deploy it via Microsoft Azure.
Head of Department of Network Communications at Eko electricity3.5We use Microsoft Defender for Office 365 for enhanced email protection via URL and attachment scanning. While these features are beneficial, we believe it should be more proactive. Previously, we considered Sophos Email but preferred Microsoft's seamless integration with Azure.
IT Director at a energy/utilities company with 11-50 employees4.0I'm the IT director for a small municipality, using Microsoft Defender for Office 365 to protect our email systems. Its anti-malware and anti-phishing features are valuable, but it lacks proactive threat intelligence compared to other vendors like Check Point.