Google Vault vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365 comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Google and Microsoft are both solutions in the Email Archiving category. Google is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.5, while Microsoft is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.6. Google holds a 11.7% mindshare in EA, compared to Microsoft’s 8.4% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Google users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.

Google Vault

Read 13 Google Vault reviews

3,568 Views
1,820 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Microsoft Defender for Offi...

Read 61 Microsoft Defender for Office 365 reviews

18,625 Views
1,863 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Google Vault

Microsoft Defender for Offi...

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

Executive SummaryUpdated on Jun 29, 2025

Google Vault and Microsoft Defender for Office 365 are solutions in the realm of corporate security and compliance. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 often holds an edge due to its advanced threat protection capabilities, which are highly valued by many enterprises.

Features: Google Vault provides robust data retention, effective e-discovery, and compliance support, aiding in efficient data storage and retrieval. On the other hand, Microsoft Defender for Office 365 offers comprehensive threat intelligence, automated threat response, and enhanced email security, addressing a broader range of threat management needs.

Room for Improvement: Google Vault could strengthen its threat detection features and broaden its automated security options. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 could improve its cost efficiency, offer more straightforward integration options, and enhance user interfaces for easier navigation and management.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Google Vault integrates effortlessly within Google Workspace, simplifying deployment. Microsoft Defender for Office 365, integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, also offers a seamless setup but exceeds in customer support options, providing more comprehensive assistance for security issues.

Pricing and ROI: Google Vault offers a cost-effective pricing structure, appealing to budget-conscious organizations with excellent ROI focused on essential features. Microsoft Defender for Office 365, while more expensive, is justified by its extensive security measures and functionalities, offering substantial value over time despite higher initial costs.

To learn more, read our detailed Google Vault vs. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Report (Updated: November 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Google Vault vs. Microsoft Defender for Office 365

November 2026

Download the complete report

Helped 921,523 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Google Vault

Ranking in Email Archiving

5th

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

eDiscovery (3rd)

Microsoft Defender for Offi...

Ranking in Email Archiving

2nd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Email Security (2nd), Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) (3rd), Microsoft Security Suite (8th), Secure Email Gateway (SEG) (2nd)

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2026, in the Email Archiving category, the mindshare of Google Vault is 11.7%, up from 3.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is 8.4%, down from 30.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Email Archiving Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Microsoft Defender for Office 365	8.4%
Google Vault	11.7%
Other	79.9%

Email Archiving

Featured Reviews

Rahul Gill

GWS/M365 Consultant at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees

Has supported data retention and export tasks while leaving room for greater automation and feature expansion

If we can have more APIs open for Google Vault, that would be great, and instead of doing it manually, it would be better to do it programmatically. I think there is an API available with Google Vault, though I'm not certain about it. I have never used Vault programmatically, but if APIs exist, then it's beneficial, and if there aren't any, we should have the capability for programmers to create some sort of scripting so they can fetch the data. I assess the export feature in Google Vault in terms of ease and efficiency as quite efficient because most of the data we want to see is available in MBOX and PST formats. If possible, I would want to see Google Vault support additional formats such as iCal, iCad, or CardDAV, which are for iPhone users.

Read full review

Emeka Ndulu

Cloud Solutions Architect at a tech services company with 201-500 employees

Improves threat visibility and response while reducing manual tasks and training users against phishing

I appreciate the attack simulation feature whereby I get to train users and educate them on how to identify phishing emails and spam emails, as well as the anti-spam protection. It gives me visibility into my threat environment and threat landscape to ensure that I am one step ahead of any likelihood of threats within my environment. I get to detect it and respond, so the threat intelligence is very effective. Microsoft security solutions save my time. It saves money because once I protect my environment, I don't lose money. It has decreased my detection time and my time to respond.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"It is a very stable solution...It is a very scalable solution."

"The audit part of the tool is the most useful for me."

"I think the most valuable features are Gmail and Drive, and the solution is also very helpful with Google Chat messages because sometimes you might be missing some information and you can search for it in Google Vault, a very helpful feature for our customers."

"My impression is that the initial setup process is not that difficult."

"The most valuable feature of Google Vault is its reliability."

"In my opinion, the search functionality is the best feature."

"Overall, I would rate Google Vault a ten out of ten."

"Google Vault retains all deleted data from the previous four years, acting as backup security so this vital information can be made available to anyone who needs it."

More Google Vault pros

"It has significantly decreased my time to detection and response."

"The most valuable feature is protection against malicious links, fishing, and impersonation. You can train people to be aware of these threats, but they're not always careful. When they're using their phones between meetings, they click on a link, and it's game over."

"The technical support is good and quick to resolve issues."

"Microsoft Defender has a feature to protect each and every attachment. Even if it's an encrypted attachment, it will check for any potential threats."

"The deployment capability is a great feature."

"The ability to respond to threats if very important."

"Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is a cloud-based email filtering service that helps protect our organization against unknown malware and viruses by providing robust zero-day protection and includes features to safeguard our organization from harmful links in real-time."

"I appreciate the attack simulation feature whereby I get to train users and educate them on how to identify phishing emails and spam emails, as well as the anti-spam protection."

More Microsoft Defender for Office 365 pros

Cons

"Customer service has been a bit lacking."

"Although it does a good job of searching through data and exporting it, I feel that Google Vault should have more export options available to the user. As a reseller, our customers demand a lot from their Google products, and exporting is one area where there's a lot of improvement needed."

"Many of our customers are facing problems related to backup and data splitting, and when they ask Google technical support about the reason for the data splitting, they haven't received a proper answer."

"My personal opinion is that Google Vault could improve if they could have a similar version to Microsoft 365 where you can have an eDiscovery manager account. With this, you can separate a regular person from an organization and just transfer the specific files."

"Searching could be improved. There's a lot of limitations when searching with Google Vault."

"It would be nice if Google would let us download the data in different formats."

"Google Vault needs to improve its data export timing because sometimes, it takes a very long time to export the data."

"eDiscovery could be improved with additional information and an easier way to retain it."

More Google Vault cons

"Microsoft Defender for Office 365 could improve by giving customers information on techniques to prevent threats."

"I think that Microsoft Defender for Office 365 could be improved if it could use VirusTotal to compare the programs or anything that I download."

"Microsoft should provide more documentation for users so they can self-educate. I would like to see more documentation for advanced security features."

"Specifically, within Microsoft Defender for Office 365, I want it to improve the DLP capabilities."

"We are always looking for others tools to increase automation on tasks. There can be better integration with other solutions, such as PowerPoint and email."

"Microsoft wants its well-paying customers to finish testing some of its half-baked products, find bugs, and report bugs back to Microsoft's team, which is a little frustrating for those who have to manage it and roll it up to thousands of people across the organization."

"This product's effectiveness could be improved, in terms of detecting unwanted spam or even malware between the emails, compared to other products."

"Configuration at the mid-level could be improved for the support team."

More Microsoft Defender for Office 365 cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is expensive."

"Last year, the price was randomly increased and our customers were really facing a challenge around this. Google launched new pricing under different plans, where formerly there were only three plans, and now there are four, each with their own separate usage allowances. I think it's good, though. The basic plan is now the Business Starter plan, and many customers find this plan very convenient and minimal in price. Overall, the pricing for all the plans is good."

"Google Vault is a cheaply priced product. Monthly payments are to be made towards the licensing costs attached to the solution. There are no extra costs apart from the licensing costs attached to the solution."

"Google Vault comes as part of a package deal for us."

"The pricing is fairly cheap."

"If you have Google Enterprise, then Google Vault is free to use."

"The product is expensive."

"Microsoft Defender for Office 365 comes with Microsoft Windows. It is free with the operating system."

"Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is an add-on to the Office license. Many customers are purchasing this solution."

"The pricing has become expensive."

"I know that the product is incredibly expensive."

"The license is expensive because the cost is based on the number of users."

"For licensing, it's usually a yearly package for customers who are subscribed to Office 365, but they can also pay on a monthly basis."

"The pricing is normal. Considering its popularity, it's not overpriced."

More Microsoft Defender for Office 365 pricing and cost advice

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Email Archiving solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

921,523 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

12%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	3

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	24
Midsize Enterprise	11
Large Enterprise	32

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Google Vault?

There is no setup cost; it's only the pricing which one needs to pay upon subscribing to Google Vault services.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Google Vault?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Google Vault?

A few use cases for Google Vault involve using it for custodian purposes where we have to store their mails, calendars, and mostly the mails, which we have done as a custodian process in order to s...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Defender for Office 365?

My experience with pricing, setup, and licensing is that it's actually quite reasonable even on the licensing side as a standalone product. It's very competitive compared to what competitor...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Microsoft Defender for Office 365?

I think Microsoft Defender for Office 365 can be improved by creating more educational pieces about not just looking for malware. We are seeing a lot more malware-less emails that Defender for Offi...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Microsoft Defender for Office 365?

My main use cases for Microsoft Defender for Office 365 include email hygiene.

See all answers

Comparisons

Veritas Enterprise Vault vs Google Vault

Compared 20% of the time

Veritas Enterprise Vault.cloud vs Google Vault

Compared 18% of the time

Veritas eDiscovery Platform vs Google Vault

Compared 17% of the time

Microsoft Purview eDiscovery vs Google Vault

Compared 9% of the time

Proofpoint Intelligent Compliance Platform vs Google Vault

Compared 4% of the time

More Google Vault Competitors

Proofpoint Email Protection vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Compared 5% of the time

Check Point Email Security (formerly Harmony Email & Collaboration) vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Compared 3% of the time

Mimecast Advanced Email Security vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Compared 3% of the time

Cisco Secure Email vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Compared 3% of the time

Barracuda Email Protection vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Compared 3% of the time

More Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Google Vault

October 2026

Download Google Vault product report

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender for Office 365

October 2026

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 report

Download Microsoft Defender for Office 365 product report

Also Known As

No data available

MS Defender for Office 365

Overview

Google Vault integrates with Gmail and Drive, offering data retention and fast email searching. Known for reliability and user-friendliness, it manages data export and aids in legal processes, storing emails indefinitely.

Google Vault supports organizations in retaining email, chat, and calendar data efficiently. With its search capabilities and security compliance, it ensures stored data is useful without relying on users. While areas for improvement include enhanced eDiscovery and more export options, it remains a tool for managing email storage and preserving information. Companies utilize Vault for data integrity, making it vital for businesses in legal proceedings and audits.

What Are the Key Features of Google Vault?

Gmail and Drive Integration: Seamlessly works with Google's core services.
Data Retention: Ensures indefinite storage of crucial data across communications.
Fast Email Searching: Allows swift retrieval without user dependency.
Legal Process Support: Assists in storing unaltered data for legal needs.

What Benefits Should Users Look for in Reviews?

Reliability: Trustworthy data protection and retention strategies.
User-Friendliness: Ease of navigation even for non-technical users.
Security Compliance: Adheres to standards for data protection and legal requirements.

Organizations across industries find Google Vault essential for handling data retention within Gmail, Drive, and Chat for protection and compliance. They emphasize its role in legal processes and troubleshooting, ensuring data integrity in legal audits and forensic investigations.

Google

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 offers real-time email security, enhancing threat detection through integration within the Microsoft ecosystem. Its user-friendly interface and central management streamline operations, providing robust protection against phishing, ransomware, and malware.

Defender for Office 365 is focused on efficiently securing email communication by safeguarding against phishing, malware, and spam threats. With its strong integration with other Microsoft services, it is tailored to improve endpoint security and identity protection. Its centralized management tools simplify threat prioritization, while the automated threat response capabilities ensure swift actions against potential risks. Organizations leverage its capabilities to efficiently manage their cybersecurity efforts, particularly in remote work environments, while maintaining a secure system across Office 365 applications and Azure-hosted services.

What are the key features?

Real-time Email Protection: Continuously monitors and protects email communications.
Safe Attachments and Links: Scans attachments and links for potential threats.
Anti-Phishing Measures: Provides tools to detect and block phishing attempts.
Integration with Microsoft Services: Seamlessly connects with other Microsoft applications for enhanced security.
Automated Threat Responses: Activates immediate responses to detected threats.

What benefits should users expect from reviews?

Time Savings: Automates processes to reduce manual threat management efforts.
Improved Cybersecurity: Strengthens organizational defenses against various cyber threats.
Efficient Remote Work: Enhances protection for remote teams and virtual collaborations.
Comprehensive Coverage: Extends protection across Office 365 and Azure services.

Implementations of Defender for Office 365 vary across industries, optimizing email security for sectors such as finance, healthcare, and education. In finance, it aids in protecting sensitive financial data from phishing and fraud. Healthcare benefits from secure communications, ensuring patient data privacy. Educational institutions use it to maintain secure virtual learning environments against cyber threats.

Microsoft

Sample Customers

Broadcom, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Globeflight, Maven Wave, McClatchy, NII Holdings, Safetec, Sheboygan County

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is trusted by companies such as Ithaca College.

Buyer's Guide

Google Vault vs. Microsoft Defender for Office 365

November 2026

Free Report: Google Vault vs. Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Find out what your peers are saying about Google Vault vs. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 and other solutions. Updated: November 2026.

DOWNLOAD NOW

921,523 professionals have used our research since 2012.

See our Google Vault vs. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 report.

See our list of best Email Archiving vendors.

We monitor all Email Archiving reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.