Cloudflare's DMARC Management is a newer addition to their extensive suite of web performance and security tools. As such, it feels like an integrated component rather than a standalone DMARC solution. We've found its core DMARC reporting and monitoring capabilities to be functional, leveraging Cloudflare's vast infrastructure.
However, compared to dedicated DMARC platforms, it doesn't always offer the same depth of specialized features. It's more about incorporating DMARC into a broader security posture, which is beneficial if you're already deeply invested in the Cloudflare ecosystem for other services.
DMARCly, on the other hand, is a purpose-built DMARC reporting and management platform. This specialization means it often provides a more comprehensive set of DMARC-specific features out of the box. We appreciate its granular control and detailed insights into email authentication.
Features like Safe SPF for flattening, explicit support for BIMI, and robust forensic reporting highlight its focus. If your primary goal is to achieve DMARC enforcement and advanced email authentication, DMARCly's feature set is designed precisely for that.
How easy is each product to use
User experience
Cloudflare's dashboard is generally known for its intuitive design and is a powerful hub for managing numerous services. Implementing DMARC management often feels like adding another tile to an already familiar console. For users accustomed to Cloudflare, the DMARC interface integrates seamlessly into their existing workflow, which is a big plus.
However, for those new to Cloudflare or looking for a standalone DMARC solution, the sheer breadth of Cloudflare's offerings can be overwhelming. The DMARC features, while functional, might require navigating through various general security settings to find precisely what you need, rather than having a dedicated, streamlined DMARC-only view.
DMARCly offers a user experience that is laser-focused on email authentication. Its dashboard is designed specifically for DMARC reporting, making it straightforward to navigate for users whose primary concern is email deliverability and security. We found that getting started and understanding the reports was quick and efficient.
The specialized nature means less clutter and more direct access to DMARC-related data and configuration options. For someone who wants to dive deep into DMARC without distractions from other web security features, DMARCly provides a clear and purposeful interface.
Which product has the best support
Support
Cloudflare's support can be a mixed bag, particularly for users not on their highest-tier enterprise plans. While they offer extensive documentation and a vibrant community forum, direct technical support for specific DMARC issues might require patience. We've seen feedback indicating that non-critical issues can sometimes take a while to be resolved, or responses may lack depth.
Their DMARC management is currently in beta, which might mean support experiences are still evolving. For critical DMARC enforcement scenarios, relying solely on standard support channels could be a concern unless you have a premium Cloudflare plan or in-house expertise.
DMARCly, being a more specialized provider, offers structured support channels that scale with their plans, including email and live chat options. For a dedicated DMARC service, this is crucial. We've generally found specialized providers to be more responsive and knowledgeable about the nuances of email authentication.
While they don't have the vast community presence of a company like Cloudflare, their focused expertise in DMARC often translates into more direct and relevant assistance when you encounter specific deliverability challenges. The inclusion of live chat support on Growth and higher plans is a definite advantage for quicker resolutions.
Who should use each product
Suitability
Cloudflare's DMARC Management is best suited for organizations already leveraging Cloudflare's broader suite of services. Enterprises that want to consolidate their security vendors and integrate DMARC into an existing Cloudflare-centric infrastructure will find it a natural fit. For SMBs, it's suitable if they already use Cloudflare and want a unified platform.
For MSPs, Cloudflare offers extensive multi-domain management capabilities across its platform, but the DMARC-specific multi-tenancy might require custom workflows to fully optimize. It's ideal for those prioritizing an integrated security approach where DMARC is one component among many.
DMARCly is ideal for businesses that require a dedicated, in-depth DMARC solution and are willing to invest in a specialized tool. It's particularly well-suited for SMBs and mid-market companies where email deliverability and brand protection are paramount, and a focused DMARC tool makes sense.
MSPs would also find DMARCly's domain grouping and multi-user features beneficial for managing multiple client domains efficiently. For enterprise clients, its comprehensive feature set, including API access and SSO, supports complex deployments and integration into larger security operations, providing granular control and detailed reporting.
Comprehensive aggregate report analysis with detailed visualizations.
Source detection
Identify legitimate and illegitimate email sending sources.
Helps identify sending sources within the Cloudflare ecosystem.
Strong identification of email sending sources across all channels.
Forward detection
Ability to track email forwarding that might break DMARC.
Offers some insights into forwarding scenarios.
Dedicated features to detect and analyze email forwarding.
Spoof detection
Identifies email spoofing attempts.
Part of Cloudflare's broader email security capabilities.
Robust spoof detection with forensic reporting (if enabled).
Notifications and alerts
Real-time alerts for DMARC policy violations or changes.
Configurable alerts for DMARC events.
Customizable alerts for DMARC and domain reputation changes.
Reporting
Availability and depth of DMARC reports.
Standard aggregate reporting; forensic reports might be limited.
Detailed aggregate and forensic reports, including GeoMaps.
API
Programmatic access to DMARC data and configurations.
Part of Cloudflare's extensive API for their entire platform.
API access available on Enterprise plans for integration.
Multi-tenancy
Ability to manage multiple client domains or organizations.
Managed via Cloudflare's account and user management.
Supports multiple users and domain groups, ideal for MSPs.
SPF flattening
Feature to simplify SPF records and avoid lookup limits.
Not a direct DMARC management feature.
Includes a 'Safe SPF' feature to flatten SPF records.
Hosted DMARC
Provider hosts DMARC records and manages policy.
Offers DMARC reporting, but not a separate hosted policy service.
Directly supports hosted DMARC management.
BIMI
Brand Indicators for Message Identification support.
Cloudflare provides DNS services, but not a BIMI service.
Explicit support for BIMI implementation and monitoring.
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Support for Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security.
DNS support for records, but not a dedicated management service.
Integrates MTA-STS/TLS-RPT for enhanced email encryption.
Blocklists and reputation
Monitoring domain and IP reputation on blocklists (blacklists).
Broader security, but not DMARC-specific blocklist monitoring.
Monitors domain blocklists (blacklists) on Business plans and higher.
AI copilot
AI-driven assistance for DMARC setup and analysis.
No explicit AI copilot for DMARC at this time.
No explicit AI copilot feature.
DNS monitoring
Monitoring DNS records and health.
Extensive DNS services and monitoring as a core offering.
Offers DNS timeline for record changes relevant to DMARC.
Self hostable
Option to host the DMARC reporting solution on your own servers.
Cloud-based service, not self-hostable.
Cloud-based service, not self-hostable.
Free trial/free tier
Availability of a free option or trial period.
Free beta program for DMARC management.
14-day free trial on all plans.
Cloudflare, while a powerhouse in web security, faces some recurring concerns regarding its customer support responsiveness and the complexity that can arise from its vast feature set. Users sometimes report a steep learning curve or difficulty getting timely assistance for specific issues, which can be particularly frustrating when dealing with something as critical as email deliverability. For DMARCly, the main drawback we've identified is a lack of widespread public reviews, making it harder for new users to gauge community sentiment or common issues, although its specialized nature tends to mean a more focused support experience.
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)
0 / 5(0)
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 me 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 been 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.)
No G2 reviews
G2 is the most popular review platform for DMARC products, so this is a strong signal that this product is not popular.
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.)
Cloudflare's DMARC Management is currently in a free beta, requiring contact for enterprise pricing, while DMARCly offers clear, tiered pricing starting at $17.99 per month, scaling with email volume and features.
4.5 / 5(561)
