Best Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) Alternatives in 2026
The top Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) alternatives are Mimecast Email Security, Sophos Email and Darktrace / EMAIL: 15 cloud email security our editors would look at instead of Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1), in our ranking order.
Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1): Deep email threat detection and remediation for Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Exchange. Where it falls short: pricing requires contacting sales.
Switching from Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1)? For most cloud email security buyers the best Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) alternative is Mimecast Email Security, built for organizations needing broad integrations. On a budget, Microsoft Defender for Business starts at $3/user/mo. Sublime Security has a free plan, which Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) does not.
Why People Look for a Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) Alternative
- Pricing requires contacting sales
- No free Email Security plan
- Advanced remediation depends on supported integrations
- No free plan — 1 of the alternatives below has it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallMimecast Email Security9.3
Organizations needing broad integrations
Visit Mimecast Email Security - Lowest priceMicrosoft Defender for Business7.9
Paid plans from $3/user/mo
Visit Microsoft Defender for Business - Best free optionSublime Security7.9
Has a free plan (Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) has none)
Visit Sublime Security
All 15 Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forOrganizations needing broad integrations
- Better than Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1):
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.9
Broad email protection with gateway, API, continuity, and 300 integrations.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Mimecast -
Best forFull-featured cloud email defense
- Better than Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1):
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.9
A broad cloud defense stack for organizations securing Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace mail.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Sophos -
Best forTeams seeking behavioral AI and cross-domain protection
- Better than Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1):
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.9
Broad email and collaboration protection with behavioral detection and automated response.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Darktrace -
Best forEmail and collaboration threat protection
- Better than Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1):
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.9
Layered email and collaboration protection with quote-based plans and a 14-day trial.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Check Point -
Best forTeams seeking managed advanced email threat response
Layered cloud email defense with managed 24/7 incident response.
8.8/10★★★★☆Contact Fortinet -
Best forEstablished cloud gateway protection
Established cloud gateway with layered protection for major business mail platforms.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Symantec -
Best forMicrosoft 365-focused email security
A Microsoft 365-focused gateway combining filtering, remediation and centralized oversight.
- Post-delivery remediation
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit OpenText -
Best forCloud gateway filtering for mid-market teams
A cloud gateway for filtering business email, with strong quarantine and malware analysis controls.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Forcepoint -
Best forMicrosoft 365 security plus backup and training
A broad Microsoft 365 security suite that adds backup, continuity and training.
Pricing on request · 14-day trial Our Hornetsecurity 365 Total Protection verdict → Visit Hornetsecurity8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Hornetsecurity -
Best forGateway and mailbox remediation across platforms
A gateway and mailbox-remediation suite for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
- Data loss prevention
- Post-delivery remediation
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit VIPRE -
Best forFlexible cloud or self-hosted protection
Flexible cloud or self-hosted email protection with broad filtering and quarantine controls.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Mailinblack -
Best forOrganizations needing gateway filtering across mail systems
CloudFilter combines inbound and outbound filtering with quarantine, DMARC, and DLP controls.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Mailprotector -
Best forCompliance-focused email archiving
A compliance-focused archive for retention, legal holds, eDiscovery, and email search.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Barracuda -
Best forSmall-business endpoint security buyers
Affordable, cross-platform endpoint protection with ransomware disruption and EDR.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forBudget-conscious teams wanting advanced automation
- Better than Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1):
- Free plan
A feature-rich, automation-focused email security platform with a free starting tier.
7.9/10★★★★☆Try Sublime Security
Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1)?
Mimecast Email Security: #1 in our Cloud Email Security ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. Broad email protection with gateway, API, continuity, and 300 integrations.
Is there a free alternative to Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1)?
Yes. Sublime Security has a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) alternatives?
Pricing requires contacting sales; No free Email Security plan; Advanced remediation depends on supported integrations.
How do I switch from Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1)?
Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) server. Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key. Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers. Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1).
How to Switch from Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1)
- Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) server.
- Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key.
- Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers.
- Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1).
Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) | No | 8.9 | |
| 1 | Mimecast Email Security | No | 9.3 | |
| 2 | Sophos Email | No | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Darktrace / EMAIL | No | 9.1 | |
| 4 | Check Point Email Security | No | 9.0 | |
| 5 | Perception Point Advanced Email Security | 8.8 | ||
| 6 | Symantec Email Security.cloud | 8.7 | ||
| 7 | OpenText Core Email Threat Protection | 8.6 | ||
| 8 | Forcepoint Email Security Cloud | 8.4 | ||
| 9 | Hornetsecurity 365 Total Protection | No | 8.3 | |
| 10 | VIPRE Email Security | 8.1 | ||
| 11 | Mailinblack Protect | 8.0 | ||
| 12 | Mailprotector | 7.9 | ||
| 13 | Barracuda Message Archiver | No | 7.9 | |
| 14 | Microsoft Defender for Business | No | $3/user/mo | 7.9 |
| 15 | Sublime Security | Yes | 7.9 |
Head-to-Head
- Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) vs Mimecast Email Security
- Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) vs Sophos Email
- Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) vs Darktrace / EMAIL
- Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) vs Check Point Email Security
- Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) vs Perception Point Advanced Email Security
- Cloudflare Email Security (formerly Area 1) vs Symantec Email Security.cloud
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update