MXtoolbox offers a comprehensive suite of tools extending beyond just DMARC. We found its diagnostic capabilities for DNS, MX records, and blocklist monitoring to be particularly robust. While DMARC reporting is present, it feels like one component within a larger toolbox designed for general email and network health.
The platform provides clear insights into DMARC authentication results, allowing us to see SPF and DKIM alignment. Its strength lies in identifying various email configuration issues quickly. For those needing a broader view of their email ecosystem, this integrated approach is beneficial, though specific DMARC advanced features might require deeper digging.
DMARC Director, as its name suggests, is laser-focused on DMARC. We experienced its core strength in aggregating and analyzing DMARC data to help achieve enforcement. The emphasis is on simplifying the journey from DMARC monitoring to a reject policy, providing granular views of email sources and their compliance.
While it excels at DMARC-specific features like identifying legitimate and fraudulent sending sources, we noticed it doesn't offer the same breadth of general email diagnostics or blocklist checks found in MXtoolbox. It's a specialist tool, which means it does its primary job very well, but you might need other tools for broader email health assessments.
How easy is each product to use
User experience
From our perspective, MXtoolbox provides a functional, if somewhat traditional, interface. The navigation can feel a bit fragmented, as individual tools are often accessed separately. While the free tools are straightforward, the paid DMARC and Delivery Center features integrate into a dashboard that requires some familiarity to navigate efficiently.
We found that its strength lies in its ability to quickly perform specific lookups. However, for a cohesive, long-term DMARC management workflow, the user experience could be more streamlined. It’s effective for reactive troubleshooting but might feel less intuitive for proactive policy management.
DMARC Director focuses on simplicity and clarity in its DMARC reporting interface. We found its dashboards to be intuitive, presenting DMARC data in an easily digestible format. The goal appears to be to guide users through the DMARC enforcement process with minimal friction, making complex data understandable.
The user experience is tailored specifically for DMARC. This narrow focus means there are fewer distractions, and the journey from data analysis to policy adjustments is quite direct. For users primarily concerned with DMARC compliance, its specialized interface is a distinct advantage, though it offers less in terms of broader email health checks.
Which product has the best support
Support
Our experience with MXtoolbox support, based on aggregated user feedback and our own interactions, suggests a mixed bag. While general inquiries are often handled, some users have reported challenges with billing and cancellations, particularly with the 'risk-free' trial claims. Support for technical DMARC issues is available, but it might not be as hands-on as some users prefer.
The platform also provides extensive documentation and a knowledge base, which can be helpful for self-service troubleshooting. For routine technical questions or guidance on their free tools, support seems responsive, but navigating complex paid plan issues can sometimes be a test of patience.
DMARC Director, being a more specialized service, appears to offer more personalized support, especially for DMARC deployment and ongoing management. We found their contact information readily available for sales and inquiries, suggesting a direct approach to customer assistance.
Given its enterprise-focused offerings, we anticipate a higher level of dedicated support for onboarding and complex DMARC configurations. While detailed public reviews on their support aren't readily available, the nature of a DMARC-centric product usually necessitates expert guidance during implementation and troubleshooting.
Who should use each product
Suitability
MXtoolbox is well-suited for a broad audience, from IT professionals in SMBs to larger enterprises. Its extensive range of free tools makes it an excellent resource for quick diagnostics and monitoring of general email health, including blacklists (or blocklists). For a business needing a holistic view of their email and domain infrastructure, it's a solid choice.
MSPs (managed service providers) might find its extensive diagnostic suite useful for client management, though its multi-tenancy capabilities aren't explicitly highlighted in the same way a dedicated MSP platform would be. Enterprises looking for a general-purpose email diagnostic and DMARC reporting tool will also find value, especially with its domain impersonation protection.
DMARC Director primarily targets organizations with a clear focus on DMARC implementation and enforcement, from mid-market to enterprise clients. It's ideal for businesses prioritizing strong email authentication to combat phishing and spoofing, and those looking for a guided path to DMARC enforcement.
For MSPs managing DMARC for multiple clients, DMARC Director's approach to scalability, indicated by its quantity-based quote requests, suggests a strong fit. While SMBs can certainly benefit, its specialized nature and enterprise-leaning pricing model might make it a more substantial investment compared to entry-level DMARC solutions. It's designed for those who want to master DMARC, specifically.
How does MXtoolbox compare with DMARC Director?
DMARC report analysis
Ability to parse and present DMARC aggregate reports.
Source detection
Identify legitimate and unauthorized email sending sources.
Forward detection
Insight into how email forwarding impacts DMARC results.
Spoof detection
Capabilities to identify and mitigate email impersonation attempts.
Domain impersonation protection is a key feature.
Core DMARC function helps detect spoofing.
Notifications and alerts
Real-time alerts for DMARC non-compliance or issues.
Likely includes alerts for DMARC policy changes or threats.
Reporting
Comprehensive dashboards and customizable reports.
Provides DMARC analytics and email performance reports.
Focuses on DMARC reporting for enforcement.
API
Programmatic access for data integration.
Supports SIEM integration via API.
No explicit API mentioned publicly.
Multi-tenancy
Manage multiple client domains from a single interface.
Pricing is per domain count; not explicitly multi-tenant.
Quote system suggests scalability for MSPs and enterprises.
SPF flattening
Optimize SPF records to overcome the 10-lookup limit.
Available in the Delivery Center Plus tier.
No mention of SPF flattening features.
Hosted DMARC
Assistance with DMARC record configuration and hosting.
Offers DMARC deployment assistance.
Helps manage DMARC records for enforcement.
BIMI
Support for Brand Indicators for Message Identification.
BIMI support is not explicitly listed.
BIMI support is not explicitly listed.
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Policy management for secure email transport.
No explicit support for MTA-STS/TLS-RPT.
No explicit support for MTA-STS/TLS-RPT.
Blocklists and reputation
Monitoring of IP and domain reputation on blacklists.
Key feature with weekly and adaptive blacklist monitoring.
Not a primary stated feature beyond DMARC insights.
AI copilot
AI-powered assistance for DMARC analysis and recommendations.
Does not feature an AI copilot.
Does not feature an AI copilot.
DNS monitoring
Continuous monitoring of DNS records for changes.
Includes DNS configuration monitoring and lookups.
Not a primary stated feature.
Self hostable
Option to host the DMARC solution on private infrastructure.
Cloud-based solution, not self-hostable.
Cloud-based solution, not self-hostable.
Free trial/free tier
Availability of a free version or trial period.
Offers a free tier with blacklist monitoring.
Provides a 30-day free trial.
Drawbacks and what to watch out for
MXtoolbox has faced criticism regarding its billing practices and the true 'risk-free' nature of its trials, with users reporting difficulties in obtaining refunds. Its user interface is also noted for being somewhat dated and requiring multiple clicks for reports. DMARC Director, on the other hand, lacks public reviews, making it harder to assess common user pain points beyond its narrower feature focus.
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(29)
0 / 5(0)
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.)
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.
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
MXtoolbox offers transparent, tiered pricing with a free option, while DMARC Director requires direct contact for pricing details, suggesting a more customized or enterprise-focused approach.
Small
Up to 10k emails / month
$0 / month (1 domain, weekly blacklist)
Contact for pricing
Medium
Up to 100k emails / month
$129 / month (5 domains, up to 500k emails)
Contact for pricing
Large
Up to 1 million emails / month
$399 / month (5 domains, up to 5M emails)
Contact for pricing
Enterprise
Over 1 million emails / month
$399 / month (5 domains, up to 5M emails)
Contact for pricing
Suped hard sell incoming!
Still not satisfied with MXtoolbox or DMARC Director?
4 / 5(29)
