Proofpoint vs Barracuda
Both protect Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, deploy by API or in the mail path, and quote on request. Proofpoint's tiers climb from core email security to supplier account protection, threat-guided training and hosted DMARC. Barracuda's plans add Microsoft 365 backup on Premium, then archiving and awareness training on Premium Plus. Choose between deeper threat defence and a wider bundle.
Niels AbrahamsenAnalyst, Security & Infrastructure
Elena Marchetti
Sebastiaan SmitsVendors can pay for visibility on this site; it never changes what we say about a product. How that works.
Choose Proofpoint ifyou already own backup and archiving, run an enterprise mailbox count, and want the upper tiers to add supplier account protection, threat-guided training and hosted DMARC, DKIM and SPF.
Choose Barracuda ifyou would sooner buy encryption, Microsoft 365 backup, archiving and awareness training from one vendor than assemble them, and the Premium or Premium Plus plan matches what you lack.
Proofpoint and Barracuda side by side
| Proofpoint | Barracuda | |
|---|---|---|
| Our email security software rank | #1 of 12 | #4 of 12 |
| Established in | United States | United States |
| Pricing | Quoted per organization by user licences and contract term; not published | Quoted on request; no published pricing |
| List price, 30 September 2026 | Quote only | Quote only |
| Free tier | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Self-hostable | — | — |
Both are reviewed in full in our email security software ranking: Proofpoint and Barracuda.
Where they differ
Proofpoint 0 · Barracuda 1 · open 3- 01
One line item or several products
Barracuda's Advanced plan covers threat protection, account takeover protection, encryption, continuity and data loss prevention. Premium adds unlimited Microsoft 365 backup, and Premium Plus adds cloud archiving and security awareness training. Proofpoint's four tiers build on email security with supplier account protection, training and domain fraud prevention, and are not described as including backup. For backup and archiving on one contract, Barracuda fits.
Edge: Barracuda
- 02
Catching a compromised internal mailbox
Both cover it. Proofpoint's Core Email Protection detects, investigates and responds to account takeovers, and a higher tier adds protection against compromised supplier accounts. Barracuda includes account takeover protection from its Advanced plan upwards. Neither treats it as an optional extra, so the difference lies in Proofpoint's supplier coverage, which only matters if invoice fraud through partners is your concern.
Depends on the buyer
- 03
How it connects to your mail
Proofpoint deploys through an API integration or as a secure email gateway, and protects both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Barracuda offers API, inline or MX-record deployment, and its API-first route connects to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace with no MX changes. A security team with a firm architectural preference can get it from either vendor.
Depends on the buyer
- 04
Domain fraud and training
Proofpoint's third tier adds automated threat-guided training and turns real threats into simulations, and Prime adds hosted DMARC, DKIM and SPF with detection of lookalike domains. Barracuda puts security awareness training and attack simulation in Premium Plus, its top plan. Both therefore reserve training for upper tiers; Proofpoint states more about domain authentication in its packaging.
Depends on the buyer
When neither fits
Plain-text payment fraud with no link or attachment is the hard case, and a team that already has a filter may need a second layer instead of a replacement. Abnormal Security is API-only and built to sit beside an existing filter. Where an independent, privately held gateway is required, NoSpamProxy qualifies.
Proofpoint or Barracuda: questions
4 answersWhich is cheaper, Proofpoint or Barracuda?
Neither lists a price. Proofpoint says pricing depends on the number of user licences and the contract term. Barracuda sells three plans, Advanced, Premium and Premium Plus, through a quote.
Barracuda's upper plans include backup, archiving and training, so compare the two only after matching the scope.
Do Proofpoint and Barracuda both work with Google Workspace?
Yes. Proofpoint states that Core Email Protection protects both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, deployed by API or as a gateway.
Barracuda states that its API-first deployment connects to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace with no MX record changes. Barracuda's backup, on the Premium plan, is for Microsoft 365 data.
Who owns Proofpoint and Barracuda?
Both are US companies based in California: Proofpoint in Sunnyvale and Barracuda Networks in Campbell. Barracuda has been owned by KKR since 2022. Proofpoint in turn owns Hornetsecurity, so those two entries in this category answer to the same US parent.
Which Barracuda plan includes backup and training?
Advanced has neither. Premium adds unlimited Microsoft 365 backup covering Entra ID, Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams, with point-in-time recovery. Premium Plus adds cloud archiving, security awareness training and attack simulation. All three plans include live support around the clock.
Sources
Checked 30 September 2026- Proofpoint Core Email Protection page: API and gateway deployment, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, account takeover detection.
- Proofpoint how-to-buy page: Proofpoint tiers, supplier account protection, training, hosted DMARC, pricing basis.
- Barracuda Email Protection plans page: Advanced, Premium and Premium Plus contents, deployment options, support.
- Barracuda Email Protection product page: API-first deployment to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace without MX changes.