# Proofpoint Core Email Protection vs SmarterTools SmarterMail: side-by-side comparison (2026) [Proofpoint Core Email Protection](https://cybersectools.com/tools/proofpoint-threat-protection) is a commercial [email security platforms](https://cybersectools.com/categories/email-security-platforms) solution by [Proofpoint](https://cybersectools.com/companies/proofpoint). [SmarterTools SmarterMail](https://cybersectools.com/tools/smartertools-smartermail) is a commercial [email security platforms](https://cybersectools.com/categories/email-security-platforms) solution by [SmarterTools](https://cybersectools.com/companies/smartertools). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Our take What our shortlists say about the one we picked. ### [Proofpoint Core Email Protection](https://cybersectools.com/tools/proofpoint-threat-protection) Best for: Large companies wanting deep email filtering It earns a place because it goes past filtering into DLP, encryption, archiving and fraud defense from one vendor, which suits a large company that wants to run email security as one program. Archiving and supervision for SEC and FINRA rules matter if you work in financial services. Weigh which parts you really need, because the whole platform is a bigger commitment than a filter. From [Best Email Security Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-email-security-platforms), Fall 2026. Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about). Need the answer fast? [Best Email Security Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-email-security-platforms) picks Proofpoint Core Email Protection, Microsoft Defender for Office 365, Mimecast Advanced Email Security and 4 more. ## Side-by-side comparison | | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | SmarterTools SmarterMail | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | Email Security Platforms | Email Security Platforms | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Cloud | On-Premises | | Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | Proofpoint | SmarterTools | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Proofpoint Core Email Protection | SmarterTools SmarterMail | |---|---|---| | DMARC | Yes | Yes | | Spam Prevention | – | Yes | | Linux | – | Yes | | Windows | – | Yes | | DKIM | – | Yes | | SPF | – | Yes | ### Core features **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **SmarterTools SmarterMail** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** 9 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **SmarterTools SmarterMail** 6 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [Proofpoint Core Email Protection](https://cybersectools.com/tools/proofpoint-threat-protection) fits if you want a cloud product. - [SmarterTools SmarterMail](https://cybersectools.com/tools/smartertools-smartermail) fits if you need to run it on your own servers and you are a startup. ## Proofpoint Core Email Protection vs SmarterTools SmarterMail FAQ Common questions when comparing Proofpoint Core Email Protection vs SmarterTools SmarterMail for email security platforms. ### What is the difference between Proofpoint Core Email Protection and SmarterTools SmarterMail? **Proofpoint Core Email Protection**: Email security platform with AI-based threat detection and DLP capabilities. Built by Proofpoint. **SmarterTools SmarterMail**: Email server with antispam, antivirus, and security features for Linux/Windows. Built by SmarterTools. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes Proofpoint Core Email Protection and SmarterTools SmarterMail? **Proofpoint Core Email Protection** is made by Proofpoint. **SmarterTools SmarterMail** is made by SmarterTools. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is Proofpoint Core Email Protection a good alternative to SmarterTools SmarterMail? Often, yes. Proofpoint Core Email Protection and SmarterTools SmarterMail are both Email Security Platforms products, and both cover DMARC. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [Proofpoint Core Email Protection vs MX Layer Outbound Email Filtering](https://cybersectools.com/compare/mx-layer-outbound-email-filtering-vs-proofpoint-threat-protection) - [Proofpoint Core Email Protection vs Infonaligy Proofpoint Email Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/infonaligy-proofpoint-email-security-vs-proofpoint-threat-protection) - [Proofpoint Core Email Protection vs PowerDMARC Hosted DMARC](https://cybersectools.com/compare/powerdmarc-hosted-dmarc-vs-proofpoint-threat-protection) - [SmarterTools SmarterMail vs MX Layer Outbound Email Filtering](https://cybersectools.com/compare/mx-layer-outbound-email-filtering-vs-smartertools-smartermail) - [SmarterTools SmarterMail vs Infonaligy Proofpoint Email Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/infonaligy-proofpoint-email-security-vs-smartertools-smartermail) - [SmarterTools SmarterMail vs PowerDMARC Hosted DMARC](https://cybersectools.com/compare/powerdmarc-hosted-dmarc-vs-smartertools-smartermail) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Proofpoint Core Email Protection alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/proofpoint-threat-protection) - [See all SmarterTools SmarterMail alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/smartertools-smartermail) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/proofpoint-threat-protection-vs-smartertools-smartermail For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/proofpoint-threat-protection.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Proofpoint Core Email Protection and SmarterTools SmarterMail: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md