MXToolbox is a comprehensive suite of free and paid tools for diagnosing email and DNS issues.
4.1 / 5(29)
Product functionality
Feature set
We've found MXToolbox offers a broad range of tools, many of which are freely available and widely used in the industry for quick diagnostics. Their paid Delivery Center plans extend this with more in-depth DMARC monitoring and email deliverability analysis. This includes features for DMARC deployment assistance, verifying email sources, and monitoring SPF and DKIM configurations.
Beyond DMARC, the platform provides capabilities for inbox placement analysis, recipient complaint reporting, and adaptive sender blocklist (or blacklist) monitoring. We appreciate the inclusion of inbound and outbound mailflow monitoring, which gives a more holistic view of email health. The Delivery Center Plus tier also adds advanced email delivery threat tools and SPF flattening.
How easy is this product to use
User experience
From our experience, MXToolbox's free tools are incredibly straightforward, often requiring just a domain or IP input to get instant results. This ease of use is a major draw for quick checks and troubleshooting. However, when we delve into the paid Delivery Center, the interface can feel a bit dated and less intuitive compared to modern SaaS platforms.
Navigating through reports and detailed analytics can sometimes involve clicking through multiple links, which could streamline. While the dashboards are useful, we've observed that the overall user interface hasn't significantly evolved, which might impact the experience for users accustomed to more contemporary designs. For the non-technical user, the sheer volume of acronyms and technical terms can also present a steep learning curve.
How good is the support
Support
Our review of MXToolbox's support indicates a mixed bag, particularly regarding their refund policies. While they offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, some users have reported difficulties in obtaining refunds, especially if cancellation occurs shortly after signup. This suggests a process that isn't as seamless or transparent as one might hope for.
For active subscribers, support is available through email and potentially phone. However, the option to create a support ticket might be limited to active subscribers, which could be frustrating for those trying to resolve billing or cancellation issues. The presence of walkthroughs, guides, and tooltips within the platform is helpful for self-service, but direct support interactions may require more persistence.
Who should use this product
Suitability
MXToolbox is particularly well-suited for IT administrators, web hosts, and network security engineers who need quick, reliable diagnostics for DNS, email, and network health. Its free tools are indispensable for ad-hoc checks, making it a favorite for individuals or small teams needing immediate insights without a recurring cost.
For SMBs (small and medium-sized businesses), the paid Delivery Center offers a robust solution for proactive DMARC monitoring and deliverability management, especially with its blocklist monitoring and impersonation protection. Enterprise-level organizations and MSPs (Managed Service Providers) might find the 5-domain limit in the paid plans somewhat restrictive, though the Delivery Center Plus tier increases email volume. The API access (mentioned in reviews) makes it potentially viable for integration into larger systems, but it may require custom development to scale for extensive multi-client environments.
MXToolbox feature set
DMARC report analysis
Analyze DMARC aggregate and forensic reports.
Source detection
Identify all sending sources for your domain.
Forward detection
Detect legitimate email forwarding that might break DMARC.
Spoof detection
Identify and block malicious email spoofing attempts.
Notifications and alerts
Receive instant alerts for DMARC issues or blocklistings.
Reporting
Access detailed DMARC and email deliverability reports.
API
Integrate DMARC data with other tools and systems.
Multi-tenancy
Manage multiple client domains from a single account.
Limited to 5 domains on paid plans
SPF flattening
Automate SPF record optimization to avoid lookup limits.
Hosted DMARC
Have your DMARC records managed by the provider.
Blocklists and reputation
Monitor IP and domain reputation against major blocklists.
AI copilot
Leverage AI for insights and recommendations.
DNS monitoring
Monitor DNS records for changes or issues.
Self hostable
Option to host the DMARC solution on your own infrastructure.
The primary drawbacks of MXToolbox stem from its outdated user experience and reported issues with its refund policy. While the free tools are highly valued, the paid plans can feel overpriced for the features offered, especially when considering the perceived lack of agility in customer service for cancellations.
We have pulled the average ratings from G2 for MXToolbox, and also included the most recent negative reviews for MXToolbox 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.
4.1 / 5(29)
MXToolbox
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.)
MXToolbox
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/mhgzm197In 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.)
MXToolbox
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.)
MXToolbox
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 easierWhat 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
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.)
MXToolbox
Trendy Toolbox
3.5 / 5
What do you like best about MXToolbox?The ability to monitor IPs, SPF/DKIM keys, DMARC, MX Records, domain reps, and blacklists all in the same placeWhat do you dislike about MXToolbox?Having to click through multiple links to get to the report pageWhat problems is MXToolbox solving and how is that benefiting you?Monitoring clients IP and domain reputations, verifying MX, DKIM, DMARC, and SPF keys are installed and performing correctly
Verified User in Internet
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Pricing
MXToolbox offers a free tier but its paid plans are significantly higher in price compared to Suped across all comparable email volumes.
4.1 / 5(29)
