MXtoolbox has evolved significantly beyond its initial suite of free diagnostic tools. Their Delivery Center offers a more comprehensive approach to email deliverability, including DMARC deployment assistance, SPF and DKIM configuration monitoring, and domain impersonation protection. It integrates DMARC analytics within a broader deliverability dashboard.
Beyond DMARC, MXtoolbox provides robust blacklist (or blocklist) monitoring, inbox placement analysis, and recipient complaint reporting. While their DMARC reporting is part of a larger ecosystem, it provides critical insights into authentication failures and potential spoofing attempts, helping us maintain sender reputation.
The DMARC report viewer is a focused, open-source solution built specifically for parsing and visualizing DMARC aggregate reports. Its core strength lies in presenting raw DMARC XML data in an understandable format, allowing us to see authentication results for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC policies.
Being open-source, it offers transparency and flexibility for those who prefer to manage their own infrastructure. However, its feature set is limited to DMARC reporting itself, lacking the broader email deliverability features, proactive alerts, or advanced security mechanisms found in commercial platforms. It's a fundamental tool for DMARC data visualization.
DMARC report viewer
How easy is each product to use
User experience
DMARC report viewer
MXtoolbox's user interface is functional and has improved over time, though some users note it can feel a bit dated and require multiple clicks to navigate to specific reports. The initial setup for DMARC monitoring and other services is guided, but effectively utilizing all features often requires a solid understanding of email protocols.
Its strength lies in consolidating various diagnostic tools. However, for those primarily focused on DMARC, the comprehensive dashboard might present more information than immediately necessary, requiring some learning to isolate DMARC-specific insights.
As a self-hosted open-source solution, the DMARC report viewer requires a degree of technical proficiency for setup and ongoing maintenance. There isn't a polished, out-of-the-box user experience in the same way commercial tools offer, deployment involves server configuration and managing dependencies.
Once configured, the interface for viewing reports is straightforward and purpose-built. It excels at presenting DMARC data clearly without extraneous features, which can be a double-edged sword: highly efficient for DMARC specialists, but potentially daunting for those without server administration skills.
DMARC report viewer
Which product has the best support
Support
DMARC report viewer
MXtoolbox offers various support channels, including email and phone support for paid subscribers. We've found their documentation to be helpful for many common issues, and they have a long-standing reputation in the email community. Some users have reported mixed experiences with cancellations and refunds for trials, which is something to be mindful of.
Their support primarily focuses on assisting with the proper use of their tools and interpreting diagnostic results. For complex deliverability issues, their team can provide valuable guidance, though the depth of support may vary by the subscription tier.
Being an open-source project, direct, dedicated support from the developers isn't typically available in the same way as commercial products. Support primarily comes from the community via GitHub issues, forums, and potentially direct contributions to the project.
This means that while the community can be incredibly helpful, troubleshooting and resolution times are not guaranteed, and rely on collective expertise. Organizations adopting this tool should have internal technical resources capable of self-supporting or leveraging community resources effectively.
DMARC report viewer
Who should use each product
Suitability
DMARC report viewer
MXtoolbox is well-suited for a broad range of users, from SMBs to enterprise, particularly those needing a comprehensive email deliverability suite beyond just DMARC. MSPs can leverage its multi-domain monitoring capabilities, although its pricing structure might become steep for managing a very large number of client domains.
It's ideal for organizations that want an integrated platform for diagnosing email health, monitoring blacklists (or blocklists), and improving inbox placement, alongside DMARC enforcement. Its established toolset makes it a go-to for general email troubleshooting.
The DMARC report viewer is best for technically adept individuals or organizations, including some SMBs with strong IT teams, that prioritize data ownership, customization, and cost control. It's particularly attractive to those who are comfortable with self-hosting and open-source solutions.
It's less suitable for MSPs or enterprise clients looking for a fully managed service or a broad suite of email security features. While it provides the raw DMARC insights, it doesn't offer the operational efficiencies or the breadth of features required by larger, less hands-on environments.
DMARC report viewer
How does MXtoolbox compare with DMARC report viewer?
DMARC report viewer
DMARC report analysis
Ability to parse and visualize DMARC aggregate reports.
Full DMARC dashboard integrated into deliverability suite.
Dedicated tool for DMARC report parsing and visualization.
Source detection
Identify sending sources for email traffic.
Identifies email sources through DMARC reports and other diagnostics.
Leverages DMARC aggregate data to detect sending sources.
Forward detection
Ability to identify email forwarding.
Analyzes DMARC report data to help identify forwarding patterns.
Reflects forwarding status based on DMARC report data.
Spoof detection
Identify unauthorized use of a domain for sending emails.
Offers domain impersonation protection and DMARC-based spoof detection.
Core DMARC function helps identify direct domain spoofing.
Notifications and alerts
Automated alerts for DMARC issues or changes.
Provides alerts for deliverability issues, blacklists, and DMARC failures.
Requires custom integration or scripting for notifications.
Reporting
Generation of comprehensive reports.
Comprehensive reports on DMARC compliance and email deliverability.
Provides detailed visual reports specifically for DMARC data.
API
Application Programming Interface for integration.
Offers an API for integrating with other systems.
Not designed with a public API, raw data access for self-hosting.
Multi-tenancy
Manage multiple domains or clients from a single account.
Supports management of multiple domains within a single account.
Typically deployed per instance, requiring separate setups for distinct domain sets.
SPF flattening
Optimize SPF records to avoid lookup limits.
Included in higher-tier plans to help manage SPF lookups.
Does not offer SPF flattening as a feature.
Hosted DMARC
Provides DMARC record hosting and management.
Assists with DMARC deployment and record management.
Users are responsible for hosting their own DMARC records.
BIMI
Brand Indicators for Message Identification support.
Does not explicitly support BIMI at this time.
Does not offer BIMI implementation or monitoring.
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Support for Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security or TLS Reporting.
Not a primary feature.
Does not provide MTA-STS or TLS-RPT functionality.
Blocklists and reputation
Monitoring and management of IP/domain reputation on blacklists.
Core functionality includes extensive blacklist monitoring and reputation checks.
Focused solely on DMARC, no blacklist monitoring.
AI copilot
AI-powered assistance or insights.
Does not currently feature an AI copilot.
Not an AI-powered tool.
DNS monitoring
Continuous monitoring of DNS records.
Offers comprehensive DNS monitoring and diagnostic tools.
Does not provide DNS monitoring.
Self hostable
Can be installed and run on user's own servers.
A cloud-based SaaS platform, not self-hostable.
Open-source and designed for self-hosting on user's infrastructure.
Free trial/free tier
Availability of a free version or trial period.
Offers a free tier and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee for paid plans.
The software itself is entirely free and open-source.
Drawbacks and what to watch out for
MXtoolbox, while powerful, has faced criticism regarding its trial cancellation policy and pricing transparency, which we've observed in user reviews. Its interface, though functional, can feel a bit cluttered for specific DMARC tasks. The DMARC report viewer, on the other hand, requires significant technical expertise for setup and maintenance, and its feature set is strictly limited to DMARC data visualization, lacking broader email security and deliverability functions.
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)
DMARC report viewer
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
The pricing models for these two solutions are fundamentally different, with MXtoolbox offering tiered subscriptions for a managed service, and DMARC report viewer being a free, open-source project that requires self-hosting costs.
DMARC report viewer
Small
Up to 10k emails / month
Free tier ($0, 1 domain, weekly blocklist)
Free software + self-hosting costs
Medium
Up to 100k emails / month
Delivery Center ($129/month, 5 domains, 500k volume)
Free software + self-hosting costs
Large
Up to 1 million emails / month
Delivery Center Plus ($399/month, 5 domains, 5M volume)
Free software + self-hosting costs
Enterprise
Over 1 million emails / month
Delivery Center Plus ($399/month, 5 domains, 5M volume)
Free software + self-hosting costs
Suped hard sell incoming!
Still not satisfied with MXtoolbox or DMARC report viewer?
4.1 / 5(29)
