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Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense vs MetaDefender Email Security Solutions comparison

Why PeerSpot?
Cisco and OPSWAT are both solutions in the Email Security category. Cisco is ranked #23 with an average rating of 7.3, while OPSWAT is ranked #32. Cisco holds a 1.1% mindshare in Email Security, compared to OPSWAT’s 1.0% mindshare. Additionally, 93% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of OPSWAT users who would recommend it.
Cisco Secure Email Threat D...
Read 16 Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense reviews
  • 2,730 Views
  • 2,730 Comparison Views
93% willing to recommend
MetaDefender Email Security...
Read 3 MetaDefender Email Security Solutions reviews
  • 2,150 Views
  • 1,763 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 3, 2024

MetaDefender Email Security Solutions and Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense compete in email security. Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense is considered superior due to its comprehensive features, making it more suitable for highly-threatened environments despite its higher price point.

Features: MetaDefender is known for advanced threat protection, malware removal, and seamless integration capabilities. Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense offers robust anti-phishing features, detailed reporting, and extensive threat intelligence, providing a greater feature set for complex environments.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: MetaDefender ensures straightforward deployment and responsive customer service for quick resolution. Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense, while more complex to deploy, offers comprehensive assistance with extensive documentation, accommodating larger setups.

Pricing and ROI: MetaDefender Email Security Solutions delivers a lower setup cost and a positive return on investment due to its affordable pricing model. Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense demands a higher initial investment but offers greater value through its advanced features, providing substantial ROI for enterprises needing extensive protection.

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To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense vs. MetaDefender Email Security Solutions Report (Updated: September 2026).
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense vs. MetaDefender Email Security Solutions
September 2026
Download the complete report
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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

Cisco Secure Email Threat D...
Ranking in Email Security
23rd
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.7
Number of Reviews
16
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
MetaDefender Email Security...
Ranking in Email Security
32nd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
3
Ranking in other categories
Secure Email Gateway (SEG) (13th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2026, in the Email Security category, the mindshare of Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense is 1.1%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of MetaDefender Email Security Solutions is 1.0%, up from 0.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Email Security Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense1.1%
MetaDefender Email Security Solutions1.0%
Other97.9%
Email Security
 

Featured Reviews

GC
Glenn-Camilien
Senior Cybersecurity Engineer at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees
Provides robust email security features but requires improved modernization and complexity management
Modernization is an area that could be improved for Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense, as some features have lagged behind newer competitors, potentially offering more advanced analysis capabilities. The initial setup is not straightforward and requires expertise and time to master configurations such as spoofing and DLP. More control over backend functionalities and simplifying rule management could enhance user experience. The product's complexity at times results in redundant rule sets that are difficult to untangle, highlighting the need for streamlined management systems and a more user-centric approach to system configuration. Furthermore, the pricing might deter new users who could opt for alternative, more cost-effective solutions.
Read full review
RM
RamonMedina
Senior Information Systems Engineer at Liberty Pumps, Inc.
Helpful support, and useful dashboards
They offer a feature called SmartLink neutralization. I have tried it before. It seemed to work most of the time; however, I had a few users for whom it just wouldn't work. Whenever they click on a link, it stays on the MetaDefender page, saying that it's scanning it and never moves forward. I haven't tried it in a while since then. Since I can't turn it off on a per-user basis, I had to turn it off globally. I have certain exceptions for not doing the sanitization, and how to set those up is not intuitive. It would be useful if there were a better way of doing that. Using digital certificates is hard. It would be better if it used Windows Servers' built-in certificate management.
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

"The solution is stable."
"Regarding stability, Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense is very stable."
"It has an efficient email filtering feature."
"I highly recommend it as one of the best choices."
"It's very easy to deploy and configure."
"Cisco Cloud Mailbox is used for copying emails, anti-spamming, and securing the company's email, and we really enjoy the anti-spamming capabilities as well as the rejecting of bulk emails, which we can customize by adjusting the variables, and it is very user-friendly."
"Cisco has a threat mechanism called cloud-based Talos, where all the threats are inbuilt."
"On ease of use, it rates very high."
More Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense pros
"The sanitization is very good."
"The most valuable feature of MetaDefender Email Security is the CDR. Customers purchase this solution specifically for data communication, as the other features can be obtained through other technologies that most customers already possess. Therefore, data communication serves as the foundation for the platform."
"The most valuable feature is called summary reconstruction which is used to deliver encrypted files to users."
 

Cons

"Cisco's multiple product lines and verticals made this just one of their many verticals, and we could see a shift in focus."
"The behavioral analysis capability of Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense is not particularly helpful for identifying new, evolving threats within my company, as it keeps flagging legitimate emails as malicious."
"There is still room for improvement in terms of integrations with other Cisco tools and non-Cisco tools. There is also some room for improvement needed in terms of the reporting."
"The product's complexity at times results in redundant rule sets that are difficult to untangle, highlighting the need for streamlined management systems and a more user-centric approach to system configuration."
"The learning curve shows that in the beginning, there are numerous false positives. For one month, we had to reclassify the false positives manually until the system learned."
"The solution is a bit expensive. It could be cheaper."
"From a technical point of view, Cisco is far behind in terms of cybersecurity, and it has to improve very much."
"Customers will benefit greatly from monthly billing because the majority of customers today use the cloud, be it Office 365, or Google Cloud."
More Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense cons
"Although the number of AV engines is good, it could be better."
"They offer a feature called SmartLink neutralization. I have tried it before. It seemed to work most of the time; however, I had a few users for whom it just wouldn't work. Whenever they click on a link, it stays on the MetaDefender page, saying that it's scanning it and never moves forward."
"The DLP should be upgraded and has room for improvement."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is expensive compared to other vendors."
"Cisco Secure Email Cloud Mailbox does not have any competition with Sophos, Trend Micro, or other vendors of the world. However, there is a pricing premium for the solution. One has to look at it from that angle that while they are buying Cisco, there will be a premium, and Cisco justifies that premium value. That's why they're charging a high price."
"The solution’s pricing is manageable."
"The feedback from vendors and customer is that it is expensive."
"According to our customers, the price of MetaDefender is high and it continues to increase by almost 15 percent each year."
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915,341 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Marketing Services Firm
11%
Outsourcing Company
9%
Comms Service Provider
8%
Healthcare Company
8%
Construction Company
14%
Outsourcing Company
12%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Pharma/Biotech Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business4
Midsize Enterprise6
Large Enterprise7
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Secure Email Threat Defense?
Comparatively with other products, the pricing of Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense is normal. As a technical guide, I am not very aware of the pricing details.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Secure Email Threat Defense?
We have deployed Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense in two customer environments. It is still in development as a new product. Some customer requirements, such as sending logs to a Syslog server, ar...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Secure Email Threat Defense?
We are working with Cloud Mail Gateway and on-premise mail gateways. We have worked with Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense.
See all answers
Ask a question
Earn 20 points
 

Comparisons

Cisco Secure Email vs Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense Logo
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Compared 18% of the time
Check Point Anti-Spam and Email Security Software Blade vs Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense Logo
Check Point Anti-Spam and Email Security Software Blade vs Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense
Compared 17% of the time
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 vs Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense Logo
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 vs Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense
Compared 15% of the time
Kiteworks vs Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense Logo
Kiteworks vs Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense
Compared 11% of the time
Comodo Secure Email Gateway vs Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense Logo
Comodo Secure Email Gateway vs Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense
Compared 8% of the time
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Proofpoint Email Protection vs MetaDefender Email Security Solutions Logo
Proofpoint Email Protection vs MetaDefender Email Security Solutions
Compared 14% of the time
Votiro Cloud vs MetaDefender Email Security Solutions Logo
Votiro Cloud vs MetaDefender Email Security Solutions
Compared 12% of the time
Trellix Collaboration Security vs MetaDefender Email Security Solutions Logo
Trellix Collaboration Security vs MetaDefender Email Security Solutions
Compared 11% of the time
Cisco Secure Email vs MetaDefender Email Security Solutions Logo
Cisco Secure Email vs MetaDefender Email Security Solutions
Compared 10% of the time
GateScanner by Sasa Software vs MetaDefender Email Security Solutions Logo
GateScanner by Sasa Software vs MetaDefender Email Security Solutions
Compared 9% of the time
More MetaDefender Email Security Solutions Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense
October 2026
Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense reportDownload Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense product report
Buyer's Guide
MetaDefender Email Security Solutions
September 2026
MetaDefender Email Security Solutions reportDownload MetaDefender Email Security Solutions product report
 

Also Known As

Cisco Secure Email Cloud Mailbox, Cisco CMD, Cisco Cloud Mailbox Defense
OPSWAT MetaDefender Email Security, MetaDefender Email Gateway Security, MetaDefender Email Security
 

Overview

Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense offers robust email security with features like east-west traffic visibility and seamless SaaS deployment. It enhances cloud email protection by integrating Threat Grid sandboxing and AMP for malware defense, supported by Cisco Talos threat intelligence.

Enhancing email security for Microsoft 365 and cloud emails, Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense acts as an email gateway, blocking phishing, malware, and business email compromise. Users benefit from a centralized management console, efficient graymail administration, and strong filtering capabilities. Despite its strengths, it requires improvements in integration, spam detection accuracy, and enhances phishing protection.

What are the most important features of Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense?
  • East-West Traffic Visibility: Offers insight into email tenant interactions.
  • SaaS Application Deployment: Simplifies deployment processes.
  • Threat Grid Sandboxing: Provides advanced malware protection.
  • AMP Integration: Enhances malware defense capabilities.
  • Anti-Spam and Antivirus: Powered by Cisco Talos threat intelligence.
  • Cloud Mailbox Features: Includes robust email filtering and management.
What benefits or ROI should be evaluated in reviews?
  • Enhanced Security: Provides protection against advanced threats.
  • Operational Efficiency: Reduces reliance on help desk services.
  • User-Friendly Management: Streamlines email administration tasks.
  • Improved Email Filtering: Ensures effective threat blocking.

Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense is highly applicable in industries requiring stringent data protection, such as finance and healthcare. It serves cloud-based environments by closely monitoring email activity to prevent unauthorized access and breaches. Tailored deployment options cater to both on-premise and cloud architectures, allowing flexible integration in existing workflows.

Cisco

MetaDefender Email Security Solutions offers advanced protection against emails' potential threats, ensuring business safety through preventive measures.

MetaDefender Email Security Solutions provides comprehensive protection by employing multiple anti-malware engines, content disarm and reconstruction, and other innovative technologies. It ensures emails are sanitized before reaching your inbox, protecting from potential threats. Its versatile application serves different industries with tailored security approaches.

What are the key features of MetaDefender Email Security Solutions?
  • Multi-AV Scanning: Utilizes multiple antivirus engines to increase detection rates.
  • Content Disarm and Reconstruction: Removes potential threats by reconstructing files into safe versions.
  • Data Sanitization: Ensures data safety by removing threat risks from files.
  • Deep Content Inspection: Thorough analysis of files and attachments for hidden threats.
What benefits and ROI should users look for in the reviews?
  • Enhanced Security: Effective in preventing threats and ensuring email safety.
  • Reduced Downtime: Minimizes email-related disruptions, enhancing productivity.
  • Compliance Support: Helps in maintaining regulatory compliance with thorough data checks.
  • Cost Efficiency: Protects against costly data breaches.

MetaDefender Email Security Solutions are implemented across healthcare, finance, and manufacturing sectors, providing industry-specific security measures. In healthcare, it ensures compliance with data protection regulations; in finance, it secures sensitive communications; and in manufacturing, it guards intellectual property.

OPSWAT
 

Sample Customers

Luiss University, Lone Star College, T-Systems, Magyar Telekom
Information Not Available
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense vs. MetaDefender Email Security Solutions
September 2026
Free Report: Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense vs. MetaDefender Email Security Solutions
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense vs. MetaDefender Email Security Solutions and other solutions. Updated: September 2026.
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We monitor all Email Security 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.