Cloudflare's DMARC Management is an extension of their comprehensive suite of internet security and performance tools. It integrates DMARC reporting and enforcement alongside their extensive WAF, CDN, and DNS services. This means that while DMARC is a key component, it lives within a much larger ecosystem, offering a holistic approach to domain and application security.
We found that Cloudflare's DMARC capabilities are robust, providing detailed aggregate reports (RUA) and potentially forensic reports (RUF) depending on the configuration. The strength here lies in the unified dashboard, allowing us to manage DMARC policies right alongside other crucial security settings. It's a powerful tool if you're already leveraging Cloudflare for your broader infrastructure needs.
SimpleDMARC focuses specifically on DMARC reporting and monitoring, providing a dedicated platform for email authentication. Their feature set is tailored to this niche, offering comprehensive aggregate and forensic report analysis, source identification, and threat detection. It's designed to be a straightforward solution for DMARC enforcement without the added complexity of broader security features.
From our experience, SimpleDMARC delivers on its promise of simplifying DMARC. We could easily set up and monitor our domains, gaining insights into email traffic and authentication trends. The platform includes features like simulation attacks and look-alike domain alerts, which are specifically useful for proactive email security. If DMARC is your primary concern, this focused approach is certainly appealing.
How easy is each product to use
User experience
Cloudflare's dashboard is renowned for its comprehensive nature, housing a vast array of services. For DMARC, this means we accessed the DMARC Management section within the larger Cloudflare interface. If you are already familiar with Cloudflare's ecosystem, navigating to DMARC settings is intuitive, and consistent with their overall design language.
However, for new users or those primarily interested in DMARC without prior Cloudflare exposure, the sheer breadth of options can be a bit overwhelming. While DMARC setup itself is streamlined, the context of the broader platform might introduce a steeper learning curve. The detailed analytics and visualization are excellent, but finding specific DMARC-related data within the extensive logging can take some practice.
SimpleDMARC, true to its name, offers a user interface that is generally straightforward and focused. When we first used it, the dashboard was clean, presenting key DMARC metrics and reports prominently. This dedicated focus means there's less clutter, making it easier for users whose main goal is DMARC monitoring and enforcement.
The setup process is guided, which simplifies initial configuration, and the visual reports are clear, allowing for quick identification of issues. While some advanced features might require a deeper dive, the core functionality is readily accessible. For those who want a DMARC solution without the added complexity of a multi-faceted platform, SimpleDMARC's user experience is quite appealing.
Which product has the best support
Support
Cloudflare offers a multi-tiered support system that varies significantly based on your plan. Free and Pro users primarily rely on extensive documentation, community forums, and a ticketing system, which can sometimes lead to slower response times for non-critical issues. We've experienced that for complex DMARC configurations or troubleshooting, a higher-tier plan often provides access to more direct and responsive technical assistance.
For enterprise clients, Cloudflare provides dedicated account managers and faster, more personalized support. The quality of support often depends on the complexity of the issue and your subscription level. While their documentation is comprehensive, getting immediate, expert-level help for specific DMARC challenges on a lower-tier plan can sometimes feel like finding a needle in a haystack.
SimpleDMARC, being a more specialized service, tends to offer a more focused support experience. While we haven't extensively tested their various support channels, the expectation for a product in this niche is direct access to DMARC experts. Their documentation is geared specifically towards DMARC, making it easier to find relevant information without sifting through unrelated product features.
Given its pricing model and targeted user base, we would anticipate a more hands-on approach for paid subscribers, including direct email or chat support. However, without a transparent tiered support structure, it's difficult to gauge the typical response times or the depth of assistance available for more intricate DMARC challenges. The reviews indicate that their support can be effective for getting phishing emails stopped quickly.
Who should use each product
Suitability
Cloudflare's DMARC Management is best suited for organizations that already use Cloudflare's broader suite of services, or those seeking an all-in-one platform for web security, performance, and email authentication. For enterprise clients, the integrated approach simplifies vendor management and provides a unified security posture across web properties and email domains.
SMBs might find the extensive feature set more than they initially need, but if they envision scaling their web presence and requiring advanced security, Cloudflare offers room to grow. MSPs could leverage Cloudflare for clients who need comprehensive security, but they would need to navigate the broader platform. It’s ideal for those prioritizing a cohesive, robust security infrastructure over a standalone DMARC solution.
SimpleDMARC is an excellent choice for businesses, particularly SMBs, that require a dedicated and straightforward DMARC monitoring and enforcement solution without the complexity of a larger security ecosystem. It caters to organizations whose primary concern is email authentication and protecting against phishing and spoofing attacks.
MSPs could find SimpleDMARC useful for clients who have specific DMARC needs and prefer a focused tool. Enterprise clients might use it for specific departments or smaller domains if they don't require an integrated solution. It's designed for users who appreciate clarity and simplicity in their DMARC management, especially if they are new to email authentication protocols.
How does Cloudflare compare with SimpleDMARC?
DMARC report analysis
Aggregate (RUA) and Forensic (RUF) report processing and visualization.
Comprehensive RUA reporting, RUF depends on specific plan/beta features.
Detailed RUA and RUF report analysis for focused DMARC management.
Source detection
Ability to identify legitimate and malicious email sending sources.
Integrates with broader email security and threat intelligence.
Clear identification of email sources within the DMARC context.
Forward detection
Identifies email forwarding scenarios that can impact DMARC alignment.
Part of general DMARC analysis.
Included in DMARC report processing.
Spoof detection
Identifies attempts to impersonate your domain.
Leverages extensive threat intelligence across the Cloudflare network.
Core functionality for DMARC monitoring.
Notifications and alerts
Configurable alerts for DMARC failures, policy changes, or unusual activity.
Configurable alerts within the broader Cloudflare notification system.
Specific alerts for DMARC-related events.
Reporting
Customizable reports and dashboards.
Extensive reporting across DMARC and other security metrics.
Dedicated DMARC reports and analytics.
API
Programmatic access to DMARC data and configuration.
Robust API for integration with other tools.
Not publicly advertised or a primary feature.
Multi-tenancy
Ability to manage multiple domains or clients from a single account.
Designed for managing multiple domains and client accounts.
Supports team invitations for multi-user access.
SPF flattening
Tools to manage and optimize SPF records to avoid DNS lookup limits.
Part of Cloudflare's extensive DNS management capabilities.
Not a primary, explicitly stated feature.
Hosted DMARC
Ability to host DMARC records via the service.
Seamless integration with Cloudflare's DNS services.
Provides necessary records for DMARC setup.
BIMI
Support for Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI).
Often integrated with broader email security and branding.
Not explicitly mentioned as a feature.
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Support for MTA-STS and TLS Reporting.
Included in their comprehensive email security offerings.
Not a stated feature.
Blocklists and reputation
Monitoring of domain/IP on email blacklists (or blocklists) and reputation services.
Extensive threat intelligence and reputation management.
Monitors email reputation, though external blocklist checks may vary.
AI copilot
AI-powered assistance for DMARC analysis and policy recommendations.
Leverages AI across its security product suite.
Not a stated or primary feature.
DNS monitoring
Monitoring of DNS records relevant to email authentication.
Core of Cloudflare's DNS management.
Monitors DMARC DNS records.
Self hostable
Option to host the software on your own infrastructure.
Cloud-based SaaS offering.
Cloud-based SaaS offering.
Free trial/free tier
Availability of a free trial or a permanently free tier.
DMARC Management currently in free beta/waitlist; general free plans exist.
Mentions an unspecified free plan.
Drawbacks and what to watch out for
When considering Cloudflare, we noticed that while its DMARC features are robust, the learning curve can be steep for new users who aren't already embedded in their ecosystem. Their support for lower-tier plans also tends to be slower, which could be frustrating during critical DMARC enforcement phases. SimpleDMARC, on the other hand, while focused and easy to use, has a pricing model that might be prohibitive for smaller businesses or those with limited budgets, especially considering its feature set is more niche.
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 / 5(4)
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.)
Good for a modern day business with heavy reliance on email.
2.5 / 5
What do you like best about SimpleDMARC?
In complex IT environments, implementing DMARC becomes easy with their discovery tool.
What do you dislike about SimpleDMARC?
99 dollars a month is quite high for many small businesses. They should offer low value plans with limited features.
What problems is SimpleDMARC solving and how is that benefiting you?
Identifying email service providers that are being used by the organization.
Jasmit Singh J.
CEO & Technology Specialist Information Technology and Services 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.)
Simplified Form of Dmarc. Too easy to use and understand!
4.0 / 5
What do you like best about SimpleDMARC?
The ui is really simple and easy to understand. If we look at the dashboard they have given plenty of reports and analytics to look at for knowing if your domain is secured or not!
What do you dislike about SimpleDMARC?
It has DNS history which that could have been done a little better. Other than that all things are relevant and upto the mark.
What problems is SimpleDMARC solving and how is that benefiting you?
It's protecting your domain and emails again phishing attacks and making your domain authority increase with daily checks
Gokul M.
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.)
SimpleDmarc is really simple to manage
4.5 / 5
What do you like best about SimpleDMARC?
excellent reporting tools, easy to setup
What do you dislike about SimpleDMARC?
should include spam checking and IP reputation tools too
What problems is SimpleDMARC solving and how is that benefiting you?
Phishing emails stopped immediately and reported to my email account
Bhavin S.
admin Mid-Market (51-1000 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.)
My Experience with Simple DMARC: The Easy Way to Protect Your Domain
5.0 / 5
What do you like best about SimpleDMARC?
The advantages of using Simple DMARC are numerous. It helps domain owners gain better control over their email domain's reputation, ensures email deliverability, and reduces the likelihood of email phishing attacks. It also provides detailed reporting and analysis of email traffic, enabling domain owners to detect and prevent email-based threats quickly.
What do you dislike about SimpleDMARC?
Some users may find the user interface of SimpleDMARC to be a bit overwhelming or complex, especially for those who are not familiar with email authentication protocols.
What problems is SimpleDMARC solving and how is that benefiting you?
Ensuring email deliverability: SimpleDMARC helps ensure email deliverability by making sure that legitimate emails are not marked as spam or blocked by email filters. This means that more of your emails will reach their intended recipients.
Yogesh P.
Small-Business (50 or fewer 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 offering is currently in beta with free access, contrasting with SimpleDMARC's clear tiered pricing, which starts at $99 per month for a single domain.
Small
Up to 10k emails / month
Free (beta, join waitlist)
$99.00/month (1 active domain)
Medium
Up to 100k emails / month
Free (beta, join waitlist)
$99.00/month (1 active domain)
Large
Up to 1 million emails / month
Contact for pricing
$99.00/month (1 active domain)
Enterprise
Over 1 million emails / month
Contact for pricing
Contact for pricing
Suped hard sell incoming!
Still not satisfied with Cloudflare or SimpleDMARC?