Cloudflare's DMARC Management is an extension of their broader security and performance offerings. It focuses on providing visibility into email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and helping you enforce DMARC policies. The platform leverages Cloudflare's extensive network to provide real-time data.
We found its integration with existing Cloudflare services to be seamless, which is a significant advantage if you are already using their ecosystem for DNS or other security measures. It's designed to give a clear overview of email sources and authentication results, helping to identify and mitigate brand impersonation and phishing attempts. While currently in beta, the foundational capabilities are robust.
Barracuda Domain Fraud Protection, included within Barracuda Email Protection, provides comprehensive DMARC monitoring and enforcement capabilities. It is designed to stop domain spoofing attacks by helping organizations achieve DMARC compliance and protect their brand reputation.
Our experience shows it offers detailed forensic reporting and guided workflows to simplify the complex process of DMARC implementation and policy adjustment. Being part of a larger email security suite means it integrates well with other Barracuda protections like anti-phishing, anti-spam, and advanced threat protection, providing a layered defense against email-borne threats.
How easy is each product to use
User experience
Cloudflare's dashboard is generally intuitive, especially for those familiar with their other services. Setting up DMARC management involves configuring DNS records, which is straightforward if your DNS is already managed by Cloudflare. The interface for viewing reports and managing policies is clean and provides a good overview of authentication statuses.
However, for users new to Cloudflare or DMARC, there might be a slight learning curve to navigate the extensive feature set. We found that once configured, daily monitoring is quite simple, with clear visualisations of email traffic and compliance data, making it easy to spot anomalies.
Barracuda Domain Fraud Protection offers a guided user experience, which is particularly helpful for organizations new to DMARC. The dashboards are designed to present complex DMARC data in an easily digestible format, allowing for quick identification of legitimate and fraudulent email sources. We appreciated the step-by-step approach to policy enforcement.
The integration into the broader Barracuda Email Protection suite means a unified management console, which streamlines the user experience for those already invested in Barracuda's offerings. While powerful, the comprehensive nature of the platform might require some initial exploration to fully leverage all its capabilities, but the logical layout generally eases this process.
Which product has the best support
Support
Cloudflare offers tiered support, with faster response times and more dedicated assistance available on higher-tier plans (Pro, Business, Enterprise). Free and Beta users typically rely on extensive documentation, community forums, and email support, which can sometimes have longer response times.
Our experience indicates that the quality of support can vary depending on your plan, with Enterprise customers receiving priority and more in-depth technical assistance. The self-service resources are very comprehensive, but for critical DMARC implementation issues, dedicated support becomes crucial.
Barracuda generally provides robust customer support, with their Domain Fraud Protection benefiting from the overall Barracuda support structure. This typically includes phone, email, and web-based support options, along with a knowledge base and community resources.
We found their support team to be responsive and knowledgeable, especially when dealing with the nuances of DMARC policy configuration and troubleshooting delivery issues. Given that DFP is part of a larger email security solution, the support staff are usually well-versed in the interplay between various email authentication and security protocols.
Who should use each product
Suitability
Cloudflare DMARC Management is well-suited for organizations already using or planning to use Cloudflare's broader suite of web performance and security services. It's particularly beneficial for SMBs and enterprise clients looking for a unified platform to manage both web and email security.
For MSPs, the ability to manage multiple client domains within a familiar Cloudflare environment could be an advantage, though specific multi-tenancy features for DMARC reporting are still evolving. Its appeal lies in consolidating security efforts, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing a single vendor strategy.
Barracuda Domain Fraud Protection is ideal for organizations that prioritize comprehensive email security and are looking for a DMARC solution integrated with other email protection layers. It caters effectively to SMBs, mid-market, and enterprise segments, especially those concerned with sophisticated phishing and domain spoofing attacks.
MSPs will find Barracuda's partner programs and unified console for Email Protection advantageous for managing client environments. Its focus on email-specific threats makes it a strong choice for those whose primary concern is safeguarding their email channels and brand reputation from email-based fraud.
How does Cloudflare compare with Barracuda Domain Fraud Protection?
DMARC report analysis
Analysis of DMARC aggregate and forensic reports.
Provides clear dashboards for aggregate reports, focusing on authentication results.
Offers detailed forensic and aggregate reports with guided workflows.
Source detection
Ability to identify all IP addresses sending email on behalf of your domain.
Helps identify legitimate and unauthorized sending sources.
Comprehensive source detection, critical for DMARC policy enforcement.
Forward detection
Identification of email forwarding chains.
Ability to track and understand email forwarding for better policy adjustments.
Detects forwarded emails, aiding in accurate DMARC reporting.
Spoof detection
Advanced capabilities to detect email impersonation and spoofing.
Core functionality to identify and mitigate domain spoofing attempts.
Strong focus on detecting and preventing domain fraud and spoofing.
Notifications and alerts
Real-time alerts for DMARC compliance issues or suspicious activity.
Alerts for DMARC failures and policy changes.
Configurable alerts for unusual sending patterns or non-compliance.
Reporting
Customizable reports on email authentication and DMARC enforcement.
Visual reports on DMARC compliance and traffic trends.
Offers comprehensive, actionable reports for DMARC status and threats.
API
Programmatic access to DMARC data and management features.
Provides APIs for integration and automation.
Includes APIs for integration with security tools and dashboards.
Multi-tenancy
Support for managing multiple domains or clients from a single interface.
Manages multiple domains under one Cloudflare account.
Designed for managing multiple domains and clients, beneficial for MSPs.
SPF flattening
Helps overcome the 10-DNS-lookup limit for SPF records.
Not a direct feature of their DMARC Management, but available through other Cloudflare DNS tools.
Assists with SPF flattening to maintain email deliverability.
Hosted DMARC
Ability to host DMARC records on the platform.
DMARC record setup is integrated with Cloudflare DNS.
Manages DMARC record creation and hosting.
BIMI
Support for Brand Indicators for Message Identification.
Provides functionality to configure BIMI records.
Supports BIMI implementation for brand visibility and trust.
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Support for Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security and TLS Reporting.
Not a specific feature of DMARC Management, though TLS is inherent to Cloudflare's network services.
Offers tools to manage MTA-STS and TLS-RPT for enhanced email transport security.
Blocklists and reputation
Integration with email blocklists (or blacklists) and sender reputation monitoring.
Focuses on DMARC compliance, not direct blocklist monitoring.
Leverages Barracuda's reputation services as part of its email protection suite.
AI copilot
AI-powered assistance for DMARC configuration and analysis.
Does not currently offer an AI copilot specifically for DMARC.
No explicit AI copilot feature mentioned for DMARC management.
DNS monitoring
Monitoring of DNS records for changes or issues.
Comprehensive DNS monitoring is a core Cloudflare service.
Includes monitoring of relevant DNS records as part of email protection.
Self hostable
Option to host the solution on your own infrastructure.
Cloud-based SaaS solution, not self-hostable.
Cloud-based SaaS solution, not self-hostable.
Free trial/free tier
Availability of a free trial or a permanently free tier.
Currently in beta, join waitlist for free. Cloudflare also has general free plans.
Free trial available for Barracuda Email Protection, which includes DFP.
Drawbacks and what to watch out for
Cloudflare's DMARC offering, while integrated into a powerful ecosystem, can suffer from support issues on lower-tier plans and a learning curve for new users. Barracuda DFP's drawback is primarily that it's not a standalone product, requiring a broader investment in their email protection suite, and its single review count limits broad validation.
We have pulled the average ratings from G2 for each product, and also included the most recent negative reviews for each product in full. Positive reviews tend to have less detail and have a higher chance of being fraudulent, so negative reviews are a better signal for your decision.
4.5 / 5(561)
5 / 5(1)
Horrible Support and Billing - They run with your money and don't care to get billing correct
0.0 / 5
What do you like best about Cloudflare Application Security and Performance?
Ease of deployment, dashboard and configurations for the WAF, Cache, and other features are top tier with ease, settings, and logging. Just don't have an issue with them or you're on your own. Also, don't keep a credit card on file or they'll bill you for their mistakes.
What do you dislike about Cloudflare Application Security and Performance?
Customer support and billing. Their support does not read what you have to say but rather comes in with their own interpretation of what has happened and forces their views on your issue rather than trying to understand exactly what is happening. On two occassions in the last few months I have had this happen when I encountered an issue with the core product and their billing.
The billing should be detailed further as it is sketchy business practices. Back in April they changed their billing software and charged me incorrectly for a month as it included the previous month as well (which I already paid). I brought this to their attention and the billing support assured that it was not a problem. Come last week, they limited my account as I "had unpaid biling" so I contacted them again and brought attention to this wrong invoice that they never corrected. Come yesterday, they just charged my credit card on file without my authorization or explanination of what is going on. I've replied to the open ticket and created a new ticket and no one is answering.
I don't want to be a drama case but this is ridiculous to have been charged something from months ago and not be given an explanation.
What problems is Cloudflare Application Security and Performance solving and how is that benefiting you?
Improve the security and performance of our websites/applications. Their configurable/customizable WAF, CDN/Caching, bot mitigation, and DDoS protection accomplish this for our websites/applications.
Jim M.
Owner Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Excellent protection for a mid-sized non-profit.
5.0 / 5
What do you like best about Barracuda Domain Fraud Protection?
Our school for autistic adults has benefited immensely from the Barracuda products we use for cybersecurity, and their Domain Fraud Protection is an excellent addition to the essentials suite. It is relatively inexpensive compared to competitors and provides comprehensive DMARC services which protect our brand from being digitally impersonated and used to launch attacks. This was a real problem for us prior to purchasing Barracuda DFP, but has not been a worry in the 7+ years since we installed the software. Our IT specialist reports that their customer service is extremely responsive and that the software itself is simple to manage. Highly recommended.
What do you dislike about Barracuda Domain Fraud Protection?
The only downside we've experienced to Barracuda Domain Fraud Protection is a slight network lag. This has not been too noticeable, however, and the extra protection has been well worth the additional system load.
What problems is Barracuda Domain Fraud Protection solving and how is that benefiting you?
We used to suffer domain spoofing attacks multiple times a year, but Barracuda Domain Fraud Protection has successfully stopped virtually all of these kinds of attacks since we began using it on our network in 2015.
Jared S.
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
Support very unresponsive. Not understanding P1 urgency. Delayed project 3 whole days.
0.0 / 5
What do you like best about Cloudflare Application Security and Performance?
The website is intuitive, implementation steps are straightforward. It has numerous features, and they are indeed needed by a web app.
What do you dislike about Cloudflare Application Security and Performance?
If your implementation goes well, it's fine. However, if you are in trouble, the support doc is useless. You pay for the pro plan to try to get some technician support. No one cares about your business or service, even if you identify it as a P1 urgency. My project was down and could not get anyone to help me when I identified it as a high-impact ticket.
What problems is Cloudflare Application Security and Performance solving and how is that benefiting you?
The ticket support system is horrible. No technicians provide you with timely manner answers and support. Not worth the price.
Andrew Z.
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
WAF is good, but so many half baked side features
2.5 / 5
What do you like best about Cloudflare Application Security and Performance?
The WAF is pretty industry standard. Its not too slow, gets regular updates, easy to deploy and cheap
What do you dislike about Cloudflare Application Security and Performance?
The side features are just trash. Its clear they have been shipped and dropped.
Cloudflare Bot Detection should not exist. Its not even funny how easy it is to bypass.
Page Shield is a joke, their API security is a joke.
What problems is Cloudflare Application Security and Performance solving and how is that benefiting you?
OWASP top 10
Verified User in Computer Software
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Love the product- support could use some work
2.5 / 5
What do you like best about Cloudflare Application Security and Performance?
Super easy to use. Very developer friendly. Tons of value for price. Undoubtedly #1 in WAF.
What do you dislike about Cloudflare Application Security and Performance?
Could use some better support. No direct channels for tech questions.
What problems is Cloudflare Application Security and Performance solving and how is that benefiting you?
It's providing great security for our web app.
Verified User in Computer Software
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
Don't Pay for Support
2.5 / 5
What do you like best about Cloudflare Application Security and Performance?
In general, cloudflare is really easy to navigate, especially for simple DNS and domain management. Unless you have a complicated setup, I find it easy enough to move a domain or simply manage DNS for most sites.
What do you dislike about Cloudflare Application Security and Performance?
Their support is terrible. Had an issue with a client's DNS and the person I was talking to clearly didn't have a clue what they were talking about. They took so long between answers, it seemed like they were just asking someone else. Ultimately, they were of no help and we were out the money we paid to have live support.
What problems is Cloudflare Application Security and Performance solving and how is that benefiting you?
Makes DNS and Security easy for most websites and domains.
Verified User in Marketing and Advertising
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Pricing
Cloudflare's DMARC is currently free via its beta program, while Barracuda Domain Fraud Protection requires an investment in their broader email protection suite, with pricing varying by user count.
Small
Up to 10k emails / month
Free (beta)
Contact for pricing
Medium
Up to 100k emails / month
Free (beta)
Contact for pricing
Large
Up to 1 million emails / month
Free (beta)
Contact for pricing
Enterprise
Over 1 million emails / month
Contact sales
Custom quote
Suped hard sell incoming!
Still not satisfied with Cloudflare or Barracuda Domain Fraud Protection?