MXtoolbox provides a broad suite of network tools, integrating DMARC monitoring and analysis within a larger diagnostic platform. It helps us validate SPF/DKIM configurations, monitor domain reputation, and check against various blocklists (or blacklists).
Its DMARC capabilities are geared towards identifying basic configuration issues and providing alerts for common deliverability problems. While comprehensive for general email diagnostics, the DMARC-specific features are part of a wider ecosystem of tools, which can be useful for those needing an all-in-one checker.
DMARC Expert specializes in DMARC deployment, ongoing maintenance, and advanced cybersecurity services, particularly focusing on takedown capabilities for fraudulent domains. Its DMARC offering is tightly integrated with expert support and behavior-based anomaly detection driven by AI.
This platform is built for comprehensive protection against spoofing and impersonation, including features like hosted SPF and Hosted BIMI. It positions itself as a specialized solution for organizations seeking robust DMARC enforcement and active threat neutralization.
How easy is each product to use
User experience
The free tools offered by MXtoolbox are quite intuitive and widely adopted for quick checks. The paid platform, however, can sometimes feel a bit segmented, with navigation requiring several clicks to reach specific reports or diagnostic pages.
Users have noted that the user interface, while functional, hasn't seen significant modern updates. It delivers the data effectively, but for those accustomed to highly streamlined interfaces, it might feel a touch dated. Still, for specific diagnostic tasks, it remains a reliable workhorse.
DMARC Expert's user experience is heavily influenced by its professional services and expert involvement, particularly for enterprise clients. The SaaS DMARC reports analyzer provides insights, but the overall approach leans towards a guided, hands-on implementation and ongoing management.
Rather than a purely self-service interface, we find the platform integrates direct consulting sessions, implying that clients will benefit from a more personalized and supported journey through DMARC deployment and enforcement. This makes it more about the service alongside the software.
Which product has the best support
Support
While MXtoolbox offers various support avenues, some user reviews highlight challenges, particularly concerning billing and refund processes. We've seen instances where users reported difficulties getting timely responses or direct contact regarding financial disputes.
Cancellation procedures have also been described as less straightforward, sometimes requiring phone calls rather than convenient online options. This suggests that while technical support might be available, administrative support could be an area for improvement.
DMARC Expert places a strong emphasis on personalized and expert-driven support. Its premium and enterprise tiers explicitly include Webex sessions and access to dedicated consultants, reflecting a high-touch support model.
This approach is particularly beneficial for organizations with complex DMARC deployments or those requiring incident response assistance. The direct engagement with DMARC experts is a significant differentiator, providing tailored guidance throughout the process.
Who should use each product
Suitability
MXtoolbox is highly suitable for small to medium businesses (SMBs) due to its accessible free tools and more affordable entry-level paid plans. It allows SMBs to monitor essential email health, DMARC alignment, and general DNS configurations without needing deep expertise.
For managed service providers (MSPs), it offers useful diagnostic capabilities across multiple client domains, but dedicated multi-tenant features beyond basic monitoring are not its primary focus. For enterprise, while it provides advanced tools, large-scale DMARC enforcement might require more internal resources compared to specialized DMARC platforms.
DMARC Expert is less suited for typical SMBs due to its higher price points and focus on comprehensive, often expert-led services. Its pricing and service model are clearly geared towards organizations with substantial budgets and complex security requirements.
It is exceptionally well-suited for enterprise clients and managed service providers (MSPs). The dedicated DMARC Enterprise and MSSP tiers, complete with multi-user dashboards and continuous expert support, make it a strong contender for large organizations and MSPs managing DMARC for a portfolio of clients.
How does MXtoolbox compare with DMARC Expert?
DMARC report analysis
Ability to process and visualize DMARC aggregate reports.
Source detection
Identify legitimate and illegitimate email sending sources.
Forward detection
Identify emails forwarded by legitimate mail servers.
Not explicitly mentioned as a core DMARC feature.
Not explicitly mentioned as a core DMARC feature.
Spoof detection
Detect and alert on email spoofing attempts.
Notifications and alerts
Receive automated alerts for DMARC issues or domain reputation changes.
Reporting
Comprehensive reports on DMARC compliance and email deliverability.
API
Programmatic access to DMARC data and monitoring services.
Integrates with SIEM tools.
API access is not explicitly mentioned.
Multi-tenancy
Manage multiple domains or clients from a single dashboard.
While monitoring multiple domains is possible, dedicated multi-tenancy features are not highlighted.
Offered in the MSSP tier.
SPF flattening
Consolidate multiple SPF records into one to bypass lookup limits.
Included in Delivery Center Plus.
Offered as Hosted SPF.
Hosted DMARC
Service to host and manage DMARC records.
Offers DMARC monitoring and analysis, not hosted records.
Provides analysis and expert deployment, not hosted records as a separate service.
BIMI
Support for Brand Indicators for Message Identification.
Not explicitly mentioned.
Offers Hosted BIMI.
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Support for Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security and TLS Reporting.
Not explicitly mentioned.
Not explicitly mentioned.
Blocklists and reputation
Monitor domains and IPs against email blacklists.
AI copilot
AI-powered assistance for DMARC analysis and recommendations.
Not explicitly mentioned.
Includes behavior-based anomaly detection (AI-alerts).
DNS monitoring
Monitor DNS records for changes and health.
Self hostable
Option to host the DMARC monitoring solution on your own infrastructure.
Cloud-based SaaS solution.
Cloud-based SaaS solution.
Free trial/free tier
Availability of a free trial or a permanently free service tier.
Offers a free tier with basic monitoring.
No explicit free trial or free tier for DMARC reporting, only credit-based services.
Drawbacks and what to watch out for
When considering the drawbacks, MXtoolbox users have sometimes reported issues with their billing practices and the process of cancelling paid subscriptions, with some trials not being as 'risk-free' as advertised. The user interface, while functional, might also feel less modern compared to newer platforms. For DMARC Expert, the primary drawback is its higher cost, which places it out of reach for many small and medium businesses. Its strong reliance on expert consultation might also be overkill for organizations preferring a more self-service approach, and the absence of public reviews makes it harder to gauge general user sentiment.
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.
4.1 / 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.)
Pricing
MXtoolbox offers a free tier and tiered paid subscriptions, providing options for various budgets, whereas DMARC Expert's pricing begins at a higher annual cost, focusing on specialized, expert-led services for more significant investments.
Small
Up to 10k emails / month
Free tier: 1 domain, weekly blacklist monitoring
DMARC Premium: From €105/month, billed annually
Medium
Up to 100k emails / month
Delivery Center: $129/month for 500k volume
DMARC Premium: From €105/month, billed annually
Large
Up to 1 million emails / month
Delivery Center Plus: $399/month for 5M volume
DMARC Enterprise: Starts at €5,500/year
Enterprise
Over 1 million emails / month
Delivery Center Plus: $399/month for 5M volume
DMARC Enterprise: Starts at €5,500/year
Suped hard sell incoming!
Still not satisfied with MXtoolbox or DMARC Expert?