Mimecast and Proofpoint are powerful. But they require DNS changes, IT projects, and annual contracts. PhishGuard deploys in 10 minutes, works inside Outlook and Gmail, and catches what they miss.
Enterprise email security tools were built for enterprise IT teams. Most SMBs don't have those resources — or that budget.
Both products sit in front of your mail server as a gateway — meaning DNS changes, MX record updates, and days of configuration before you're protected. For a 50-person company, that's a significant IT project just to get started.
Both require 1–3 year annual commitments. Mimecast customers report 25%+ renewal price increases. Early termination means paying the full remaining contract value. You're locked in from day one.
KnowBe4 teaches your employees what phishing looks like. But employees forget training, get tired, and get targeted when they're distracted. Training alone doesn't stop the click — real-time detection does.
An honest look at what each product does — and doesn't — do.
| Feature | PhishGuard Our Pick | Mimecast | Proofpoint | KnowBe4 Defend | KnowBe4 Training |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deployment time | ✓ 10 minutes | ⚠ Days–weeks | ⚠ Days–weeks | ⚠ Days–weeks | ⚠ Days–weeks |
| DNS / MX record changes | ✓ None required | ✗ Required | ✗ Required | ✓ None required | ✓ None required |
| Works inside Outlook & Gmail | ✓ Yes — inbox-native | ✗ Gateway only | ✗ Gateway only | ✓ Yes — inbox banners | ✗ No |
| Real-time per-email scanning | ✓ Every email | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ No — simulations only |
| BEC / invoice fraud detection | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Encrypted phishing kit detection PATENT PENDING | ✓ Yes — only PhishGuard | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Visible warning to end user | ✓ Instant banner in inbox | ⚠ Email tags only | ⚠ Email tags only | ✓ Color-coded banners | ✗ No |
| No minimum user count | ✓ Start with 1 user | ⚠ 25+ users | ⚠ 25+ users | ⚠ Enterprise only | ✗ 25 user minimum |
| Monthly billing, cancel anytime | ✓ Yes | ✗ Annual only | ✗ Annual only | ✗ Annual, 3-year term | ✗ Annual only |
| Transparent public pricing | ✓ From $3.99/month | ✗ Contact sales | ⚠ Partial | ✗ Contact sales | ⚠ Partial |
| 30-day free trial | ✓ No card required | ⚠ On request | ⚠ On request | ✗ No free trial | ✗ No free trial |
| Works alongside existing gateway | ✓ Yes — adds a layer | ✓ Replaces gateway | ✓ Replaces gateway | ✓ Adds a layer | ✓ Standalone |
| Starting price | From $3.99/month | $5–$15/user/month + IT implementation |
$3–$6/user/month + DNS setup required |
$4.00–$5.30/user/month 25 seat min · 3-year term · no trial |
~$2.35/user/month Training only, not detection |
Mimecast and Proofpoint intercept email before it arrives. PhishGuard scans it when your employee opens it — catching threats that slipped through any gateway, including Microsoft's own built-in filters.
Upload a manifest URL in Microsoft 365 Admin Center, or add a deployment ID in Google Workspace. No DNS changes. No MX record updates. No IT project.
Every email your team opens is silently analysed in real time. Sender authentication, link reputation, domain age, brand impersonation, attachment names, and phishing language patterns — all checked automatically.
When a threat is detected, a clear risk banner appears inside Outlook or Gmail — before the user clicks anything. No alert fatigue, no training sessions. Just a warning, exactly when needed.
Start your trial today. Subscribe only when you're ready. Cancel anytime.
30 days free · No credit card
30 days free · No credit card
30 days free · No credit card
Deploy across your entire team in 10 minutes. No credit card. No IT project. No annual contract.
Questions? Email hello@phishguardd.com — we reply within one business day.