Fraudmarc focuses almost exclusively on DMARC reporting and enforcement. Its feature set is deep in this specific area, offering detailed analytics of DMARC aggregate and forensic reports. We find its interface provides granular visibility into email authentication results, making it suitable for organizations with complex email ecosystems.
This platform excels at identifying legitimate sending sources, detecting potential spoofing attempts, and guiding users through the DMARC policy enforcement process. It provides the tools necessary for an in-depth understanding of DMARC data, allowing for precise configuration adjustments and policy changes.
MXtoolbox offers DMARC reporting as part of a much broader suite of email and DNS management tools. While its DMARC features cover the essentials of aggregate report analysis and domain impersonation protection, it's not as specialized as a dedicated DMARC platform. We typically use it for a wider array of diagnostics.
Beyond DMARC, MXtoolbox provides robust blacklist (or blocklist) monitoring, DNS lookups, SMTP diagnostics, and general email health checks. Its strength lies in being a versatile toolkit for email administrators, rather than a hyper-focused DMARC solution.
How easy is each product to use
User experience
Fraudmarc's user interface is designed for DMARC specialists. While clean, it can be quite dense with technical data and charts. Navigating through the various reports and understanding the implications of each data point often requires a solid understanding of DMARC concepts. We found that beginners might face a steep learning curve.
The setup process, once the DMARC record is correctly configured, involves importing aggregate reports for analysis. The depth of information available is impressive, but it’s geared towards users who know exactly what they are looking for in DMARC data.
MXtoolbox has a more utilitarian, albeit somewhat dated, interface. Its DMARC section is integrated with its other tools, which can be convenient for users already familiar with the platform. For basic DMARC monitoring, it's relatively straightforward, offering a dashboard view of DMARC compliance and threat detection.
However, the navigation between different tools can sometimes feel disjointed, requiring multiple clicks to access specific reports or diagnostic checks. While simple for quick lookups, managing complex DMARC policies across multiple domains might feel less streamlined compared to dedicated DMARC platforms.
Which product has the best support
Support
Fraudmarc's support is generally responsive and knowledgeable, particularly when it comes to intricate DMARC challenges. Given its specialized nature, the support team is well-versed in complex authentication issues and policy enforcement. We found their guidance invaluable for deep dives into DMARC data.
Documentation is comprehensive, often detailing technical aspects of DMARC in a way that assists experienced users. However, for those new to DMARC, the technical depth of the support might still require some foundational knowledge on the user's part.
MXtoolbox offers support that covers its wide range of services. We've experienced that their team can handle general email deliverability and DNS-related queries effectively. However, for highly specialized DMARC optimization, the support might be less granular than what a dedicated DMARC platform offers.
User reviews indicate mixed experiences with billing and cancellations, suggesting that while technical support might be adequate for diagnostics, administrative issues can sometimes be challenging to resolve. The free tools have good community support, but premium features might require direct engagement with their team.
Who should use each product
Suitability
Fraudmarc is best suited for organizations that require a deep, focused analysis of their DMARC compliance and security posture. This includes: • Mid-sized to large enterprises with complex email infrastructures, • MSPs (managed service providers) and email consultants who specialize in DMARC implementation and management, • Businesses with a high risk of email spoofing or brand impersonation.
Its comprehensive reporting capabilities make it ideal for security teams and technical administrators who need granular data to achieve full DMARC enforcement and maintain strong email authentication.
MXtoolbox caters to a broader audience who need a general-purpose email and DNS diagnostic tool. It is particularly suitable for: • SMBs (small and medium-sized businesses) looking for a cost-effective way to monitor basic email health and DMARC, • General IT professionals who manage various aspects of network and email infrastructure, • Organizations that frequently need to perform blacklist (or blocklist) checks and DNS lookups alongside DMARC monitoring.
Its ease of use for quick checks makes it accessible for non-specialized users, but its DMARC features may not satisfy the needs of large enterprises requiring advanced analysis.
How does Fraudmarc compare with MXtoolbox?
DMARC report analysis
In-depth analysis of DMARC aggregate and forensic reports.
Source detection
Identifies legitimate and unauthorized sending sources.
Forward detection
Detects and accounts for email forwarding scenarios in DMARC reports.
Less focus on advanced forwarding nuances
Spoof detection
Alerts on potential email spoofing and brand impersonation attempts.
Notifications and alerts
Real-time alerts for DMARC policy changes, threats, or compliance issues.
Reporting
Provides various types of DMARC compliance and security reports.
API
Offers an API for programmatic access to DMARC data and management.
Primarily UI-driven for DMARC features
Multi-tenancy
Supports managing multiple client domains under a single account, ideal for MSPs.
Limited multi-domain management without specific MSP features
SPF flattening
Helps manage SPF records to avoid the 10-lookup limit.
Available in higher-tier plans
Hosted DMARC
Ability to host DMARC records directly within the platform.
Focuses on monitoring, not hosting DNS records
BIMI
Support for Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI).
Not a primary feature
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Monitoring and reporting for MTA-STS and TLS-RPT.
Less emphasis on these advanced standards
Blocklists and reputation
Monitoring of IP and domain reputation across various blocklists.
Primarily DMARC focused
AI copilot
AI-powered assistance for DMARC configuration and analysis.
DNS monitoring
Comprehensive monitoring of DNS records.
More focused on DMARC data analysis
Self hostable
Option to self-host the solution.
Free trial/free tier
Availability of a free trial or a permanently free tier.
Offers a free tier with basic monitoring
Drawbacks and what to watch out for
Fraudmarc's main drawback is its specialized focus, which can be a barrier for those seeking a more generalized email deliverability suite. Its pricing is not transparent, requiring direct contact for quotes, which can delay decision-making. For MXtoolbox, we've noted several concerning user reviews related to its business practices, particularly around cancellation and refund policies for paid plans. While its free tools are popular, the paid experience has been criticized for deceptive trial offers and difficult cancellations.
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.
0 / 5(0)
4.1 / 5(29)
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.
Business Practices are scammy
0.0 / 5
What do you like best about MXToolbox?
It helped us solve the small issue we had with our emails going to customers spam folder.
What do you dislike about MXToolbox?
I initially signed up online for a month-to-month contract, but then a salesperson got a hold of me and sent me a quote. The quote he sent me was for a year contract which I did not want, so I signed up for the month to month. Once the problem was fixed I tried to cancel and I couldn't do it online. I emailed them and they told me I had to call them. After lots of back and fourth they told me I signed a year contract and I couldn't cancel. I would have never signed up for a year. It was a very scammy business practice. Eventually they stopped responding so I had to stop the payments from my credit card.
Recommendations to others considering MXToolbox:
I don't recommend them because of their shady business practices.
What problems is MXToolbox solving and how is that benefiting you?
fixing a problem with emails going to spam
Sam B.
IT Director Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
Think twice before doing their paid plans. Deceptive "risk-free" 30 day trial
0.0 / 5
What do you like best about MXToolbox?
I suspect many of the people responding favorably on this forum are using their free tools. Their free tools are very useful -- but think twice before upgrading to their paid plans.
What do you dislike about MXToolbox?
Like many other software vendors - they make an offer of a risk-free one-month trial. However, they don't actually refund you your money if you cancel before 30 days. Here is my example: I signed up for their delivery center option on November 10, 2018 and was promptly billed $99. I used the service for 2 days, realized the paid features were overkill for my own and customers' needs, so called to cancel November 12 (two days after signup.) They acknowledged my cancellation by email but never credited back my account for the $99.
On December 17th I called their toll-free line. Matt on the phone said ("getting a refund would require managers approval and it's not a certain thing.") No sign of any refund as-yet, no confirmation from the company following the call of what to expect on refund.
On December 15 I emailed. Their response to my email was "Sorry, we can't process that sort of thing by email. Either call or create a support ticket." Unfortunately, the support ticket option is available only for active subscribers -- so you are left with calling their phone system and having no record of exchange. Attached is an image from their website taken December 2018 in which they describe their "risk-free" offer. https://postimg.cc/mhgzm197
In summary -- Be aware that their free trial is not like how most other software vendors manage their trial promotions. They are opportunistic about billing you and (in my experience) don't honor the refund they promise as part of their risk-free trial.
Recommendations to others considering MXToolbox:
Use their free tools (they are good.) Their paid tools are overpriced, and they have a misleading "risk-free" plan that will end up costing you $99.
What problems is MXToolbox solving and how is that benefiting you?
Their free tools will help you diagnose MX configuration issues.
jon b.
Jon Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Beware their "30 day free trial" of the Delivery Center!
0.5 / 5
What do you like best about MXToolbox?
The free tools are good, and one wouldn't mind paying something for them, but one does object to being defrauded - see below.
What do you dislike about MXToolbox?
Tried to cancel free trial only a couple of days in, but $99 had been taken from my card and they have not responded to repeated requests to end it and refund the money. It looks like attempted fraud.
What problems is MXToolbox solving and how is that benefiting you?
Simple things like reverse DNS lookup helped us to check our email setup.
Alexander S.
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Makes email management easy
3.5 / 5
What do you like best about MXToolbox?
-Affordable pricing
-Setting up is very easy
-Useful dashboards
-Makes email reputation checks easier
What do you dislike about MXToolbox?
-This tool covers everything required for email management, there is nothing to dislike about.
What problems is MXToolbox solving and how is that benefiting you?
I have used this tool for domain reputation checking for phising mail analysis also I am using this for some of my projects to check mail deliverability and reputation of the domain to make sure the domain is not being blacklisted due to sending loads of emails.
Nitin R.
Software dev Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
MXToolBox is great for blacklist testing
3.5 / 5
What do you like best about MXToolbox?
MXToolBox is suitable for Blacklists, DMARC, Diagnostics, Email Health, and DNS Lookup checks.
What do you dislike about MXToolbox?
For a free tool, I'd say MXToolBox is pretty top-notch.
What problems is MXToolbox solving and how is that benefiting you?
I used MXToolBox for DNS look-ups and blacklist checks.
Verified User in Marketing and Advertising
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
Pricing
Fraudmarc's pricing is not publicly disclosed, necessitating a custom quote, whereas MXtoolbox offers transparent tiered plans including a free option for basic monitoring, scaling up with features and email volume.
0 / 5(0)
