Cloudflare's DMARC Management is an integral part of its broader security and performance ecosystem. It leverages the global network to provide visibility into email authentication, helping users achieve DMARC compliance. We found the DMARC reporting to be functional, offering a clear overview of email traffic and authentication results (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
While its DMARC features are robust for monitoring and enforcement, the platform truly shines when combined with other Cloudflare services, offering a unified approach to web and email security. It focuses heavily on domain protection and reducing impersonation, fitting well into an existing Cloudflare infrastructure.
Everest (formerly Return Path/250ok) offers a deep dive into email deliverability, with DMARC reporting as one component of its extensive suite. Their DMARC analysis provides granular data, allowing for detailed investigation into email sources, authentication failures, and potential spoofing attempts. We experienced comprehensive dashboards for all related metrics.
Beyond DMARC, Everest excels in providing a holistic view of email program health, including inbox placement, reputation monitoring, and list validation. It's designed for email marketers and deliverability professionals who require in-depth insights and actionable recommendations across various mailbox providers.
How easy is each product to use
User experience
Cloudflare's DMARC interface is consistent with its overall dashboard design, which is generally clean and intuitive. For existing Cloudflare users, adopting DMARC management feels seamless. The setup process is straightforward, especially for those accustomed to managing DNS records within Cloudflare.
However, for users new to Cloudflare, the sheer breadth of its offerings can be overwhelming. While DMARC setup itself is not overly complex, navigating the wider platform to find specific settings or understanding how DMARC integrates with other services might require a slight learning curve.
Everest presents a user experience tailored for email professionals. The dashboards are rich with data and allow for extensive customization, which is beneficial for in-depth analysis. We found that the platform effectively aggregates complex deliverability data into digestible visualizations.
For new users, or those less familiar with email deliverability intricacies, the abundance of features and metrics can be daunting. While powerful, the navigation can sometimes feel less intuitive than desired, with some users reported difficulty remembering where specific tools are located within the menus.
Which product has the best support
Support
Cloudflare offers tiered support, with free and lower-tier plans generally relying on extensive documentation and community forums. Direct technical support improves with higher-tier paid plans. We observed that their support response times can vary significantly depending on the plan level, with some users reporting slow responses for non-P1 issues.
Our experience suggests that while the documentation is comprehensive, getting personalized assistance for complex DMARC configurations or troubleshooting billing issues can be challenging without a premium support package. There's a clear distinction in service quality based on subscription level.
Everest provides customer success managers for support and advice, which is a significant advantage for specialized email deliverability issues. We found their team to be knowledgeable and helpful, particularly during onboarding and for more technical questions. However, some users reported issues with API support and renewal processes.
The quality of support has historically been a point of feedback, especially during transitions (e.g., from Return Path). While there's an effort to improve, some users still highlight areas where responsiveness or technical depth for specific integrations could be enhanced.
Who should use each product
Suitability
Cloudflare DMARC is best suited for organizations already leveraging Cloudflare's extensive suite of services for web performance and security. SMBs can benefit from its free tier for basic DMARC monitoring, especially if they are already using Cloudflare DNS. For enterprise clients, it offers integrated security that consolidates multiple functions under one roof.
MSPs might find it useful if their clients are already on Cloudflare, but it lacks dedicated multi-tenancy features explicitly designed for managing numerous independent DMARC policies at scale. Its strength lies in being part of a larger, unified security strategy rather than a standalone DMARC solution for diverse client portfolios.
Everest is ideal for organizations where email is a critical communication channel, particularly those with high email volumes or complex deliverability challenges. SMBs focused on maximizing email campaign performance will find its detailed insights invaluable. Enterprise marketing and deliverability teams will appreciate its comprehensive tools for monitoring and optimization.
For MSPs, Everest offers features like child accounts and detailed reporting that can support managing multiple client email programs. Its focus on email-specific metrics, including blocklists (or blacklists) and reputation, makes it a strong choice for those who need deep visibility into their email ecosystem across many domains.
How does Cloudflare compare with Everest?
DMARC report analysis
Aggregates and visualizes DMARC aggregate (RUA) reports.
Comprehensive dashboards and granular data points.
Source detection
Identifies all sending sources for your domain.
Detailed identification of legitimate and unauthorized senders.
Forward detection
Helps distinguish legitimate forwards from spoofed emails.
Robust mechanisms for identifying forwarded mail.
Spoof detection
Identifies emails attempting to impersonate your domain.
Advanced algorithms to flag various spoofing attempts.
Notifications and alerts
Provides real-time alerts for DMARC policy changes or threats.
Reporting
Offers various reports on email authentication and deliverability.
Integrated into the broader Cloudflare analytics suite.
Granular reports on deliverability, reputation, and DMARC.
API
Allows programmatic access to DMARC data and management.
APIs for various email success platform features.
Multi-tenancy
Ability to manage multiple client domains from a single account.
Primarily designed for single-domain or enterprise-level management.
Supports child accounts for managing multiple clients.
SPF flattening
Helps overcome the 10-lookup SPF limit.
Hosted DMARC
Manages DMARC records and policy for your domain.
BIMI
Support for Brand Indicators for Message Identification.
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Support for Mail Transfer Agent-Strict Transport Security and TLS Reporting.
Blocklists and reputation
Monitors domain/IP reputation and blocklist (or blacklist) status.
Focuses on broader web security, not specialized email blocklists.
Comprehensive reputation monitoring and blocklist checks.
AI copilot
Uses AI to assist with DMARC insights and policy recommendations.
No specific AI copilot feature for DMARC mentioned.
No specific AI copilot feature for DMARC mentioned.
DNS monitoring
Monitors DNS health and record changes for your domain.
Core part of Cloudflare's DNS services.
Focuses on email-related DNS records, not general DNS health.
Self hostable
Option to host the DMARC reporting solution on your own infrastructure.
Free trial/free tier
Availability of a free trial or a permanently free tier.
DMARC Management available in free beta, general free plans exist.
Elements monthly pricing starts at $20 for very low volumes.
Drawbacks and what to watch out for
Cloudflare's DMARC Management, while integrated, can suffer from the same support challenges as its broader platform, with lower-tier users often relying on self-service or community help. Its DMARC features are less specialized compared to dedicated email deliverability platforms.
Everest, on the other hand, while offering deep insights, can be costly and has a steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with email deliverability nuances. Some users have reported issues with setup complexities and inconsistent support for technical integrations.
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)
4.2 / 5(189)
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.)
Shady sales practice shoot down ok software - don't use these guys
0.5 / 5
What do you like best about Everest?
The software is decent and the validation program works for Microsoft (Hotmail etc) based email, but not for Gmail
What do you dislike about Everest?
Terrible sales practice. Call you within 45 days of renewal, when you ask to change you are told you can't as there is a hidden lock-in in the T+Cs, you need to give 60 days' notice.
Legal but shady, we renewed and then immediately gave notice for next year. They used to be good not so now.
Recommendations to others considering Everest:
Find another supplier, these guys are sharks
What problems is Everest solving and how is that benefiting you?
Helped delivery to MS-based email
Verified User in Marketing and Advertising
Small-Business (50 or fewer 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.)
Good for Beginners in Deliverability...Could be Better for Pros
2.0 / 5
What do you like best about Everest?
Setting up Dashboards to monitor all deliverability metrics
What do you dislike about Everest?
Support is okay, but it could be lot better
Navigational aids are not comparable to other industry-rated tools.
Recommendations to others considering Everest:
New to the deliverability landscape, this tool is perfect for you, but if you are an industry pro and understand the ins and outs of deliverability I would look elsewhere.
What problems is Everest solving and how is that benefiting you?
Improving inbox placement
Lowering spam complaints
Bryan P.
Email, SMS Marketing Director 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.)
Review after using more than 2 months
2.5 / 5
What do you like best about Everest?
Able to help in domain and IP blacklisted daily checking.
Quick display the domain reputation status.
After using Inbox placement service and domains/IP pools, feel their interface is nice and clear.
What do you dislike about Everest?
Does not provide the IP or domain score with ISP like Hotmail and Yahoo.
Inbox percentage in accurate due to need send to all seed's ISP just able to get the score.
Inbox percentage for Hotmail does not accurate.
Does not provide whitelisting service for IPs. It is just a simple domain blacklisting status system.
What problems is Everest solving and how is that benefiting you?
None of the problem have been solving through this Everest. It just a inbox placement display system only.
Easily noticed on domain blacklisted only. Other than this are nothing.
Verified User in Marketing and Advertising
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.)
It's been really difficult to switch over to Everest from Return Path due to seedlist testing issues
2.5 / 5
What do you like best about Everest?
I like the accessibility to create dashboards and share across the org.
What do you dislike about Everest?
The only downside was that it was extremely difficult to switch over to everest from return path due to seedlisting issues mainly from our ESP, Braze
What problems is Everest solving and how is that benefiting you?
Mainly using everest for deliverability measurement. havent had the chance to use it for more since we've been spending a lot of time switching platforms.
Verified User in Food & Beverages
Enterprise (> 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.)
So far not so good
3.0 / 5
What do you like best about Everest?
We've been working on setting up since mid-August, but due to issues on the platform side, have been unable to fully set up. That said, our account manager has been responsive and diligently working on getting the issues resolved, so I would say that the user support is the best part.
What do you dislike about Everest?
We're on our third month trying to get set up due to platform issues, which I think is not great considering the price. Return Path set up went much smoother, and we were able to get started right away without a hitch.
Recommendations to others considering Everest:
Prepare for a longer-than-estimated setup process.
What problems is Everest solving and how is that benefiting you?
Monitoring email deliverability is of utmost importance to our business. Being able to see when things take a turn for the worse and being able to react quickly helps us keep our email reputation positive and keeps our emails in user's inboxes!
Verified User in Health, Wellness and Fitness
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Pricing
Cloudflare offers a free beta for DMARC, aligning with its freemium model, while Everest provides granular monthly tiers for smaller volumes, quickly escalating to custom enterprise pricing.
4.5 / 5(561)
