Cloudflare's DMARC Management is an extension of their comprehensive web security suite. It integrates DMARC reporting and enforcement alongside their CDN, WAF, and DDoS protection, which means we get a unified view across many security layers. The focus here is on leveraging their vast network to protect email alongside web assets.
While Cloudflare is known for its broad range of features, DMARC is relatively newer to their offering. We found that it provides essential DMARC reporting and analysis, helping us to identify sending sources and progress towards DMARC enforcement. It benefits from Cloudflare's robust infrastructure, offering a scalable solution as part of a larger security ecosystem.
DMARCwise is a dedicated DMARC reporting and monitoring platform. Its feature set is entirely focused on DMARC, providing in-depth analysis of DMARC aggregate and forensic reports. This specialization means we receive granular insights into email authentication, helping us pinpoint issues with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC alignment.
The platform offers specialized tools like SPF flattening and DMARC record hosting, which are critical for domains with complex email sending infrastructures. We appreciate that its entire design revolves around solving DMARC challenges, providing features specifically tailored to optimize email deliverability and combat spoofing and phishing attacks.
How easy is each product to use
User experience
Cloudflare's dashboard is extensive, offering control over a multitude of services from DNS to WAF to DMARC. This can be a double-edged sword for new users. While it provides a centralized hub, navigating to DMARC-specific settings might require some searching if we are not already familiar with the Cloudflare ecosystem.
The DMARC management features themselves are intuitive once located, displaying reports and insights clearly. However, because DMARC is part of a much larger platform, the overall user experience is geared towards a comprehensive security and performance solution rather than a standalone DMARC tool. We found that integrating it if we were already a Cloudflare user was seamless, but otherwise, there is a learning curve to the broader platform.
DMARCwise excels in its focused user experience. The dashboard is clean, intuitive, and designed specifically for DMARC monitoring and management. We found it exceptionally easy to set up our domains, interpret reports, and identify issues quickly. The learning curve is minimal, making it accessible even for users new to DMARC.
The interface presents DMARC data in an easily digestible format, with clear graphs and actionable insights. We particularly like the guided steps for DMARC record setup and enforcement. For users whose primary goal is efficient DMARC implementation and ongoing management, DMARCwise offers a straightforward and highly effective user journey.
Which product has the best support
Support
Cloudflare offers tiered support, with more responsive and direct assistance available on higher-tier paid plans. For users on free plans or those using DMARC Management in beta, support primarily comes through extensive documentation, community forums, and general email support that may have slower response times. We have noticed from user feedback that direct technical support for specific DMARC issues might require persistence.
While Cloudflare's documentation is comprehensive for its core services, specific DMARC guidance within their broader knowledge base can sometimes be less direct. Our experience suggests that while general web security issues are well-covered, dedicated DMARC expertise might be harder to access quickly without an enterprise plan. Several G2 reviews highlight concerns about support responsiveness and billing accuracy.
DMARCwise emphasizes direct email support and guidance as part of all paid plans. Their smaller, specialized team means we often get personalized assistance from individuals deeply familiar with DMARC. This focused approach can be highly beneficial when troubleshooting complex DMARC alignment issues or configuring records.
While DMARCwise may not have the vast community forums of a giant like Cloudflare, its dedicated focus translates into more tailored support for DMARC-related queries. We found their responses to be helpful and technically sound, providing practical advice for optimizing DMARC settings. Their free plan also offers best-effort support, which is a good starting point.
Who should use each product
Suitability
Cloudflare's DMARC solution is best suited for organizations already leveraging Cloudflare's extensive suite of web security and performance services. It is particularly appealing to enterprise-level businesses seeking a unified security platform that includes DMARC functionality.
For Managed Service Providers (MSPs) or SMBs, Cloudflare might be a fit if they are already deeply integrated into the Cloudflare ecosystem and prefer managing all services under one roof. However, those specifically looking for a standalone, highly focused DMARC tool might find it part of a larger, more complex offering than needed.
DMARCwise is an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes, from SMBs to larger enterprises, that prioritize dedicated and comprehensive DMARC management. Its specialized focus makes it ideal for organizations that need to quickly and effectively implement DMARC, improve email deliverability, and protect against email fraud.
Crucially, DMARCwise is also highly suitable for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and agencies, offering a 'Pay-as-you-go' plan with unlimited domains and flexible billing. This makes it a strong contender for those who manage DMARC for multiple clients and require robust multi-tenancy capabilities.
How does Cloudflare compare with DMARCwise?
DMARC report analysis
Ability to parse and visualize DMARC aggregate reports.
Source detection
Identifies legitimate and illegitimate email sending sources.
Forward detection
Helps distinguish legitimate forwards from spoofing attempts.
Spoof detection
Detects and helps mitigate email spoofing and phishing attacks.
Notifications and alerts
Real-time alerts for DMARC policy changes or suspicious activity.
Reporting
Comprehensive reports and summaries of DMARC data.
API
Programmatic access to DMARC data and management features.
Available for broader Cloudflare services.
Multi-tenancy
Ability to manage multiple client domains from a single account.
Not a primary feature for DMARC.
Designed for MSPs and agencies.
SPF flattening
Consolidates multiple SPF lookups into one record.
Not a native DMARC feature.
Included in paid plans.
Hosted DMARC
Provides DNS hosting for DMARC records.
DMARC management, not hosting.
Included in paid plans.
BIMI
Support for Brand Indicators for Message Identification.
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Reporting and implementation for secure email transport.
Includes SMTP TLS reporting.
Blocklists and reputation
Monitors email addresses or domains against blocklists (blacklists).
Part of broader security offerings.
Not a core DMARCwise feature.
AI copilot
AI-powered assistant for DMARC insights and actions.
DNS monitoring
Monitors DNS records for unauthorized changes.
Core Cloudflare service.
Domain checks are available.
Self hostable
Option to host the software on private infrastructure.
Free trial/free tier
Availability of a free version or trial period.
DMARC Beta free waitlist, general free plans.
Free plan and 14-day free trial.
Drawbacks and what to watch out for
Cloudflare's drawbacks often revolve around its vastness, where DMARC can sometimes feel like a smaller cog in a very large machine. Support, particularly for specific DMARC issues on lower tiers, has been a point of concern for some users. DMARCwise, being a newer and more specialized player, has fewer publicly available reviews, which can make it harder to gauge widespread user sentiment. Its pricing model is also based in Euros, which could be a minor inconvenience for USD-based companies.
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 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.)
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.)
Pricing
Cloudflare offers its DMARC Management as a free beta, with full pricing details expected upon general availability, typically integrating with its existing tiered plans. DMARCwise, on the other hand, provides a clear tiered pricing structure ranging from a free plan to enterprise options, with a specific focus on MSPs.
4.5 / 5(561)
