Google Vault vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365 comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Google and Microsoft are both solutions in the Email Archiving category. Google is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.5, while Microsoft is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.6. Google holds a 11.7% mindshare in EA, compared to Microsoft’s 8.4% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Google users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.

Google Vault

Read 13 Google Vault reviews

3,568 Views
1,820 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Microsoft Defender for Offi...

Read 61 Microsoft Defender for Office 365 reviews

18,625 Views
1,863 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Google Vault

Microsoft Defender for Offi...

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jun 29, 2025

Google Vault and Microsoft Defender for Office 365 are solutions in the realm of corporate security and compliance. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 often holds an edge due to its advanced threat protection capabilities, which are highly valued by many enterprises.

Features: Google Vault provides robust data retention, effective e-discovery, and compliance support, aiding in efficient data storage and retrieval. On the other hand, Microsoft Defender for Office 365 offers comprehensive threat intelligence, automated threat response, and enhanced email security, addressing a broader range of threat management needs.

Room for Improvement: Google Vault could strengthen its threat detection features and broaden its automated security options. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 could improve its cost efficiency, offer more straightforward integration options, and enhance user interfaces for easier navigation and management.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Google Vault integrates effortlessly within Google Workspace, simplifying deployment. Microsoft Defender for Office 365, integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, also offers a seamless setup but exceeds in customer support options, providing more comprehensive assistance for security issues.

Pricing and ROI: Google Vault offers a cost-effective pricing structure, appealing to budget-conscious organizations with excellent ROI focused on essential features. Microsoft Defender for Office 365, while more expensive, is justified by its extensive security measures and functionalities, offering substantial value over time despite higher initial costs.

To learn more, read our detailed Google Vault vs. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Report (Updated: November 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Google Vault vs. Microsoft Defender for Office 365

November 2026

Download the complete report

Helped 920,769 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Google Vault

Ranking in Email Archiving

5th

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

eDiscovery (3rd)

Microsoft Defender for Offi...

Ranking in Email Archiving

2nd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Email Security (2nd), Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) (3rd), Microsoft Security Suite (8th), Secure Email Gateway (SEG) (2nd)

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2026, in the Email Archiving category, the mindshare of Google Vault is 11.7%, up from 3.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is 8.4%, down from 30.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Email Archiving Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Microsoft Defender for Office 365	8.4%
Google Vault	11.7%
Other	79.9%

Email Archiving

Featured Reviews

Rahul Gill

GWS/M365 Consultant at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees

Has supported data retention and export tasks while leaving room for greater automation and feature expansion

If we can have more APIs open for Google Vault, that would be great, and instead of doing it manually, it would be better to do it programmatically. I think there is an API available with Google Vault, though I'm not certain about it. I have never used Vault programmatically, but if APIs exist, then it's beneficial, and if there aren't any, we should have the capability for programmers to create some sort of scripting so they can fetch the data. I assess the export feature in Google Vault in terms of ease and efficiency as quite efficient because most of the data we want to see is available in MBOX and PST formats. If possible, I would want to see Google Vault support additional formats such as iCal, iCad, or CardDAV, which are for iPhone users.

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Emeka Ndulu

Cloud Solutions Architect at a tech services company with 201-500 employees

Improves threat visibility and response while reducing manual tasks and training users against phishing

I appreciate the attack simulation feature whereby I get to train users and educate them on how to identify phishing emails and spam emails, as well as the anti-spam protection. It gives me visibility into my threat environment and threat landscape to ensure that I am one step ahead of any likelihood of threats within my environment. I get to detect it and respond, so the threat intelligence is very effective. Microsoft security solutions save my time. It saves money because once I protect my environment, I don't lose money. It has decreased my detection time and my time to respond.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"In my opinion, the search functionality is the best feature."

"One of the noteworthy aspects is that nothing ever gets deleted, which is convenient."

"I think the most valuable features are Gmail and Drive, and the solution is also very helpful with Google Chat messages because sometimes you might be missing some information and you can search for it in Google Vault, a very helpful feature for our customers."

"You can retrieve any type of data; for example, if a user accidentally deletes data, as an admin with access to Google Vault, you can easily restore the deleted data."

"What I appreciate about Google Vault is that one of the best features is the ability to use retention policies; it covers mail, chat groups, calendars, sites, Drive, and Google Voice, and the data will remain in Google Vault even if it gets deleted by the user accidentally or intentionally."

"My impression is that the initial setup process is not that difficult."

"Google Vault acts as a great method for retrieving files from Google Drive and Gmail."

"Google Vault is a solution we can use for the data export of end-users."

More Google Vault pros

"Safe attachments, safe links, policies, and the ability to protect from zero-day threats are the most valuable features."

"The solution is very easy to use. All you have to do is to assign the license to the end-user and it's done. The customer will only have the feature activated, and the solution will monitor the emails to determine if they are a threat or not."

"Microsoft Defender has a feature to protect each and every attachment. Even if it's an encrypted attachment, it will check for any potential threats."

"The stability of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is fantastic."

"My experience deploying Microsoft Defender for Office 365 was seamless."

"Defender enables us to secure all 365-related activity from a single place. It gives us visibility into everything happening in Outlook, protecting us against phishing and other email-based threats. Defender helps us detect any suspicious behaviors."

"The ability to respond to threats if very important."

"It gives me visibility into my threat environment and threat landscape to ensure that I am one step ahead of any likelihood of threats within my environment."

More Microsoft Defender for Office 365 pros

Cons

"The knowledge base is not as in-depth as it should be."

"Searching could be improved. There's a lot of limitations when searching with Google Vault."

"Google Vault lacks speed."

"For us, customer service has been a bit lacking, probably with a rating of a five out of ten."

"Compared to Microsoft, they have more features in terms of compliance and retention policies."

"One thing I've noticed is that it splits the data files into multiple parts, like the PFT files. For example, when there is a large data size of any account, the backup process splits it into many files. This can be confusing and not very efficient when trying to manage the backups."

"So, when doing a search, perhaps in some instances when you use terms, the information is not very precise in the sense that I'm not getting what I'm looking for. And in some instances, the information, not all the time, but in some instances, it might not be accurate. For example, when doing a search, if you use too many terms, it might not return any results."

"Many of our customers are facing problems related to backup and data splitting, and when they ask Google technical support about the reason for the data splitting, they haven't received a proper answer."

More Google Vault cons

"I assess the stability and reliability of the solution as seven out of ten."

"Microsoft should provide more documentation for users so they can self-educate. I would like to see more documentation for advanced security features."

"Microsoft Defender for Office 365 must improve the overall management style, including the GUI. It also needs to change the filters so that it is easy to whitelist and blacklist data."

"Configuring the default strategies and policies in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps generates a lot of noise and false positives."

"We are waiting for better software to block viruses."

"The pre-sales cost calculations could be more transparent."

"About eight months ago, we started to measure the quantity of phishing and spam that we have been receiving, and it has been increasing a lot. That means that protection for our email is not as good as we were expecting."

"There is a different console for different things; I just want one consolidated console."

More Microsoft Defender for Office 365 cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"If you have Google Enterprise, then Google Vault is free to use."

"Google Vault comes as part of a package deal for us."

"The solution is expensive."

"The pricing is fairly cheap."

"Last year, the price was randomly increased and our customers were really facing a challenge around this. Google launched new pricing under different plans, where formerly there were only three plans, and now there are four, each with their own separate usage allowances. I think it's good, though. The basic plan is now the Business Starter plan, and many customers find this plan very convenient and minimal in price. Overall, the pricing for all the plans is good."

"Google Vault is a cheaply priced product. Monthly payments are to be made towards the licensing costs attached to the solution. There are no extra costs apart from the licensing costs attached to the solution."

"Defender for 365 comes in various plans and licenses, along with other Microsoft security solutions. Purchasing this kind of package or security bundle gives good value for money, and that's what I recommend."

"Compared to other brands, Microsoft Defender for Office 365's pricing is competitive."

"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."

"From the pricing point of view, like any other product in the market, there is scope for negotiation."

"I know that the product is incredibly expensive."

"It's a user-base subscription."

"For licensing, it's usually a yearly package for customers who are subscribed to Office 365, but they can also pay on a monthly basis."

"The pricing is normal. Considering its popularity, it's not overpriced."

More Microsoft Defender for Office 365 pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

12%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	3

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	24
Midsize Enterprise	11
Large Enterprise	32

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Google Vault?

There is no setup cost; it's only the pricing which one needs to pay upon subscribing to Google Vault services.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Google Vault?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Google Vault?

A few use cases for Google Vault involve using it for custodian purposes where we have to store their mails, calendars, and mostly the mails, which we have done as a custodian process in order to s...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Defender for Office 365?

My experience with pricing, setup, and licensing is that it's actually quite reasonable even on the licensing side as a standalone product. It's very competitive compared to what competitors are ch...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Microsoft Defender for Office 365?

I think Microsoft Defender for Office 365 can be improved by creating more educational pieces about not just looking for malware. We are seeing a lot more malware-less emails that Defender for Offi...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Microsoft Defender for Office 365?

My main use cases for Microsoft Defender for Office 365 include email hygiene.

See all answers

Comparisons

Veritas Enterprise Vault vs Google Vault

Compared 20% of the time

Veritas Enterprise Vault.cloud vs Google Vault

Compared 18% of the time

Veritas eDiscovery Platform vs Google Vault

Compared 17% of the time

Microsoft Purview eDiscovery vs Google Vault

Compared 9% of the time

Proofpoint Intelligent Compliance Platform vs Google Vault

Compared 4% of the time

More Google Vault Competitors

Proofpoint Email Protection vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Compared 5% of the time

Check Point Email Security (formerly Harmony Email & Collaboration) vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Compared 3% of the time

Mimecast Advanced Email Security vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Compared 3% of the time

Cisco Secure Email vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Compared 3% of the time

Barracuda Email Protection vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Compared 3% of the time

More Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Google Vault

October 2026

Download Google Vault product report

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender for Office 365

October 2026

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 report

Download Microsoft Defender for Office 365 product report

Also Known As

No data available

MS Defender for Office 365

Overview

Google Vault integrates with Gmail and Drive, offering data retention and fast email searching. Known for reliability and user-friendliness, it manages data export and aids in legal processes, storing emails indefinitely.

Google Vault supports organizations in retaining email, chat, and calendar data efficiently. With its search capabilities and security compliance, it ensures stored data is useful without relying on users. While areas for improvement include enhanced eDiscovery and more export options, it remains a tool for managing email storage and preserving information. Companies utilize Vault for data integrity, making it vital for businesses in legal proceedings and audits.

What Are the Key Features of Google Vault?

Gmail and Drive Integration: Seamlessly works with Google's core services.
Data Retention: Ensures indefinite storage of crucial data across communications.
Fast Email Searching: Allows swift retrieval without user dependency.
Legal Process Support: Assists in storing unaltered data for legal needs.

What Benefits Should Users Look for in Reviews?

Reliability: Trustworthy data protection and retention strategies.
User-Friendliness: Ease of navigation even for non-technical users.
Security Compliance: Adheres to standards for data protection and legal requirements.

Organizations across industries find Google Vault essential for handling data retention within Gmail, Drive, and Chat for protection and compliance. They emphasize its role in legal processes and troubleshooting, ensuring data integrity in legal audits and forensic investigations.

Google

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 offers real-time email security, enhancing threat detection through integration within the Microsoft ecosystem. Its user-friendly interface and central management streamline operations, providing robust protection against phishing, ransomware, and malware.

Defender for Office 365 is focused on efficiently securing email communication by safeguarding against phishing, malware, and spam threats. With its strong integration with other Microsoft services, it is tailored to improve endpoint security and identity protection. Its centralized management tools simplify threat prioritization, while the automated threat response capabilities ensure swift actions against potential risks. Organizations leverage its capabilities to efficiently manage their cybersecurity efforts, particularly in remote work environments, while maintaining a secure system across Office 365 applications and Azure-hosted services.

What are the key features?

Real-time Email Protection: Continuously monitors and protects email communications.
Safe Attachments and Links: Scans attachments and links for potential threats.
Anti-Phishing Measures: Provides tools to detect and block phishing attempts.
Integration with Microsoft Services: Seamlessly connects with other Microsoft applications for enhanced security.
Automated Threat Responses: Activates immediate responses to detected threats.

What benefits should users expect from reviews?

Time Savings: Automates processes to reduce manual threat management efforts.
Improved Cybersecurity: Strengthens organizational defenses against various cyber threats.
Efficient Remote Work: Enhances protection for remote teams and virtual collaborations.
Comprehensive Coverage: Extends protection across Office 365 and Azure services.

Implementations of Defender for Office 365 vary across industries, optimizing email security for sectors such as finance, healthcare, and education. In finance, it aids in protecting sensitive financial data from phishing and fraud. Healthcare benefits from secure communications, ensuring patient data privacy. Educational institutions use it to maintain secure virtual learning environments against cyber threats.

Microsoft

Sample Customers

Broadcom, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Globeflight, Maven Wave, McClatchy, NII Holdings, Safetec, Sheboygan County

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

Buyer's Guide

Google Vault vs. Microsoft Defender for Office 365

November 2026

Free Report: Google Vault vs. Microsoft Defender for Office 365

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