Cybersecurity · head to head
Microsoft Defender vs Mimecast
Microsoft Defender
Cybersecurity
Always-on protection for you and your family's data and devices
- From
- $12/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Microsoft Defender defender Suite requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing; Mimecast no pricing is published for any product or plan, and every route ends at a quote or demo request
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender and Mimecast actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender | Mimecast |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $12/month | $4/month |
| Platforms | Web | Email, Cloud, Collaboration |
| Founded | Unknown | 2003 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Cybersecurity).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Microsoft Defender
Nothing recorded that Mimecast does not also cover.
Only in Mimecast
- Advanced threat detection
- Secure sharing
- Email encryption
- Message tracking
- Email archiving
- Legal hold
- eDiscovery
- Backup and recovery
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Microsoft Defender
- Endpoint security and threat protectionnot Mimecast
- Identity and access securitynot Mimecast
- Email threat protectionnot Mimecast
- SaaS application security monitoringnot Mimecast
Mimecast
- Email security filtering against phishing and targeted attacksnot Microsoft Defender
- Email archiving, continuity and compliance for organisationsnot Microsoft Defender
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Microsoft Defender
- Defender Suite requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing
- Some Defender products use pay-as-you-go pricing with variable costs
- Prices vary based on Microsoft agreements, requiring sales contact for custom quotes
Mimecast
- No pricing is published for any product or plan, and every route ends at a quote or demo request
- The platform is split into separately sold products for email security, awareness training, data protection and governance
- Collaboration threat protection, DMARC analysis, incident response and email archiving are all further add ons on top of those
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender
$12/month- Microsoft Defender Suite$12/month
- Endpoint protection
- Identity threat detection
- Email security
- Microsoft 365 E5 with Defender$60/month
- Includes Defender Suite
- Microsoft Teams included
- Comprehensive security and compliance
- Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management Add-on$2/month
- Vulnerability scanning and management
- One-month free trial available
- Annual commitment required
Mimecast
$4/month- Defender$4/month
- Per user
- Threat protection
- Impersonation prevention
- Archive$3/month
- Email archiving
- Legal hold
- Search & recall
- Unified$6/month
- All Defender features
- All Archive features
- Backup
Which should you pick?
Choose Microsoft Defender if
Nothing in the data separates Microsoft Defender from Mimecast on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Choose Mimecast if
- You need advanced threat detection.
- You work on Email, Cloud, Collaboration.
- You also want secure sharing.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender or Mimecast better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender starts at $12/month and Mimecast at $4/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender or Mimecast?
- Microsoft Defender starts at $12/month and Mimecast at $4/month.
- Does Microsoft Defender or Mimecast run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender runs on Web. Mimecast runs on Email, Cloud, Collaboration.
- What is Microsoft Defender best used for?
- Microsoft Defender is most often used for endpoint security and threat protection, identity and access security, email threat protection, saas application security monitoring. Of those, endpoint security and threat protection and identity and access security are not what Mimecast is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender do that Mimecast cannot?
- Mimecast covers Advanced threat detection, Secure sharing, Email encryption, Message tracking.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Microsoft Defender: How much does Microsoft Defender Suite cost?
Microsoft Defender Suite costs $12/user/month (paid yearly), but requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing. It includes endpoint protection, identity threat detection, email security, and SaaS application monitoring.
SourceMimecast: How much does Mimecast cost?
Mimecast does not publish pricing on its website. Customers must request a custom quote by contacting the sales team at +1 617 393 7000 or using the Get a Quote button.
SourceMicrosoft Defender: What add-ons are available for Microsoft Defender?
Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management Add-on costs $2/user/month with annual commitment and includes a one-month free trial. Additional pay-as-you-go products include External Attack Surface Management, Cloud Security Posture Management, and Sentinel.
SourceMimecast: Is there a free trial of Mimecast?
Mimecast's trial and pricing options are not specified on the public website. Contact sales at +1 617 393 7000 or through their support portal at mimecastsupport.zendesk.com for trial availability.
SourceMicrosoft Defender: Is Defender included in Microsoft 365 E5?
Yes, Microsoft Defender Suite is included in Microsoft 365 E5 at $60/user/month (paid yearly with Teams). Prices may vary based on Microsoft agreements, requiring contact with Sales for customized quotes.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender
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