MXtoolbox offers a comprehensive suite of email and DNS tools beyond just DMARC. When we dive in, we find features for blacklist (or blocklist) monitoring, DNS lookups, SMTP diagnostics, and general email health checks. It's a broad toolkit designed to cover many aspects of email deliverability and domain reputation.
Their DMARC reporting is part of this larger ecosystem, providing insights into DMARC compliance, but it's not the sole focus. It integrates DMARC data with other diagnostic information, allowing us to correlate issues across different email protocols and infrastructure elements.
DMARC-SRG is a highly specialized, open-source PHP parser, viewer, and summary report generator specifically for DMARC reports. Its entire purpose is to process the raw DMARC XML data that we receive and present it in a digestible format. It's a focused tool for a very specific task.
Because it's self-hosted, we gain a lot of control over the data and its processing. However, it requires us to set up and maintain the server infrastructure ourselves. Its features are strictly limited to DMARC report aggregation and visualization, without the broader email diagnostics found in other platforms.
DMARC-SRG
How easy is each product to use
User experience
DMARC-SRG
Using MXtoolbox is generally straightforward, especially its free tools. The web interface is functional, though it has remained largely consistent over the years, giving it a somewhat dated feel compared to more modern SaaS platforms. We find it easy to navigate between different diagnostic tools.
However, with the paid 'Delivery Center' plans, the experience can become a bit more complex. Integrating it into our workflow requires some initial setup, and the dashboards, while informative, can sometimes feel a bit cluttered due to the sheer volume of information presented.
The user experience for DMARC-SRG is unique because it's a self-hosted solution. The initial setup requires technical expertise, as we need to configure a web server, PHP, and a database. This is not a 'sign up and go' service.
Once deployed, the interface is clean and serves its purpose of displaying DMARC reports. It's designed for users who are comfortable with server management and prefer direct control over their data and infrastructure. While it lacks the polish of commercial offerings, its simplicity post-setup is a strength for its target audience.
DMARC-SRG
Which product has the best support
Support
DMARC-SRG
MXtoolbox provides customer support, typically through email and a knowledge base, with phone support for paid plans. Based on our experience, the support team is generally responsive for technical inquiries related to their tools and DMARC implementation. They offer clear guides for setup and troubleshooting common issues.
However, some users have reported issues with billing and cancellation processes, indicating a potential area for improvement in their customer service operations, particularly concerning refund policies for trials.
As an open-source project, DMARC-SRG relies primarily on community support. We find assistance through its GitHub repository, where issues can be reported and discussed. Documentation is available for installation and usage, but there's no dedicated support team for direct assistance.
This means that troubleshooting and advanced configurations fall on us, the users, or the community. For those with PHP and server administration skills, this isn't an issue, but it's a significant consideration for organizations without in-house technical expertise.
DMARC-SRG
Who should use each product
Suitability
DMARC-SRG
MXtoolbox is best suited for organizations that need a broad range of email and DNS diagnostic tools in one platform. Small to medium businesses (SMBs) and mid-market companies that want an all-in-one solution for email deliverability, DMARC, SPF, DKIM, and blacklist monitoring will find it valuable. It's also suitable for IT professionals who manage multiple domains.
For Managed Service Providers (MSPs), MXtoolbox offers a useful toolkit for managing client email health, though its multi-tenancy features might not be as advanced as platforms designed specifically for MSPs. Enterprises might use it as part of a broader security strategy, but may find it less scalable for very large, complex environments. We often recommend it as a solid foundation for general email hygiene.
DMARC-SRG is ideal for technical users and organizations that prefer to host their own solutions and have the necessary infrastructure and expertise. This includes small to medium businesses (SMBs) with strong IT departments, or individual developers and system administrators who want granular control over their DMARC data without recurring subscription fees.
It is less suitable for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and enterprises unless they have specific requirements for self-hosting and can dedicate development resources to customize and maintain it. Organizations new to DMARC or lacking technical resources would likely find the self-hosting requirement too demanding. We consider it a niche but powerful tool for those who know what they're doing.
DMARC-SRG
How does MXtoolbox compare with DMARC-SRG?
DMARC-SRG
DMARC report analysis
Processes DMARC aggregate and forensic reports.
Source detection
Identifies legitimate and unauthorized email sending sources.
Forward detection
Recognizes email forwarding loops and issues.
Spoof detection
Helps identify and prevent email spoofing attempts.
Notifications and alerts
Provides alerts for DMARC policy changes or issues.
For various email health aspects, including DMARC.
Requires custom setup for alerts.
Reporting
Generates various types of DMARC compliance reports.
Integrated into their Delivery Center.
Core functionality for DMARC aggregate reports.
API
Offers an API for programmatic access to data.
Available for integration.
Not a standard feature, would require custom development.
Multi-tenancy
Supports managing multiple domains or client accounts.
Supported through multiple domain management.
Primarily designed for single instance.
SPF flattening
Helps manage SPF record lookups to stay within limits.
Available in higher-tier plans.
Not a DMARC-SRG feature.
Hosted DMARC
Assists with DMARC record hosting and management.
Offers DMARC deployment assistance.
Requires manual DNS record setup.
BIMI
Supports Brand Indicators for Message Identification.
Not a core feature.
Focuses solely on DMARC parsing.
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Supports secure email transport protocols.
Not a core feature.
Focuses solely on DMARC parsing.
Blocklists and reputation
Monitors IP and domain reputation on various blocklists.
A primary feature of MXtoolbox.
Not a DMARC-SRG feature.
AI copilot
Provides AI-powered assistance for DMARC management.
Not a current feature.
Not a current feature.
DNS monitoring
Monitors DNS records for changes and issues.
Part of their broader toolset.
Not a DMARC-SRG feature.
Self hostable
Ability to host the software on your own infrastructure.
SaaS only.
Core of the DMARC-SRG offering.
Free trial/free tier
Offers a free version or a trial period.
Has a free tier with basic tools.
Free to download and self-host.
Drawbacks and what to watch out for
MXtoolbox, while offering robust tools, has faced criticism regarding its billing practices and trial policies, which some users found misleading. The user interface, though functional, could also benefit from modernization. DMARC-SRG's main drawback is its requirement for self-hosting, demanding significant technical expertise for setup and maintenance, making it less accessible for non-technical users. It also lacks the comprehensive email ecosystem features found in commercial alternatives.
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-SRG
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/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.)
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 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 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 tiered pricing with a generous free plan, while DMARC-SRG is an open-source solution that involves no software licensing fees but requires self-hosting costs.
DMARC-SRG
Small
Up to 10k emails / month
Free tier available. $0/month for 1 domain and weekly blocklist monitoring.
Free to use (self-hosted). Infrastructure costs apply.
Medium
Up to 100k emails / month
$129/month for Delivery Center (up to 5 domains, 500k volume).
Free to use (self-hosted). Infrastructure costs apply.
Large
Up to 1 million emails / month
$129/month for Delivery Center (up to 5 domains, 500k volume). Next tier is 5M volume.
Free to use (self-hosted). Infrastructure costs apply.
Enterprise
Over 1 million emails / month
$399/month for Delivery Center Plus (up to 5 domains, 5M volume).
Free to use (self-hosted). Infrastructure costs apply.
4.1 / 5(29)
