The vertical distribution of atmospheric ozone is monitored by three Envisat ozone profilers, Global Ozone Monitoring by Occultation of Stars (GOMOS), Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS), and SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY). We present here the outcome of a large-scale ground-based validation of the latest versions of the Envisat ozone profile data. The latter are confronted qualitatively and quantitatively to ground-based observations collected from ozonesonde, lidar, and microwave radiometer stations performing network operation as part of WMO's Global Atmosphere Watch programme. Envisat ozone profile data are investigated from pole to pole and from the ground up to the lower mesosphere. The study concludes to a reasonable quality and consistency of Envisat profiles when adequate data selection and vertical ranges are envisaged. Seasonal variations, altitude registration issues and error budgets are further investigated.