MXtoolbox provides a comprehensive suite of email and DNS tools, going far beyond DMARC. We found its DMARC features to be robust, offering detailed analytics and configuration monitoring. It's truly a "toolbox" for general email health.
Beyond DMARC, it excels in areas like blacklist (or blocklist) monitoring, SPF and DKIM configuration checks, and overall domain reputation management. If you need a broad diagnostic tool that also handles DMARC, this is a strong contender.
DMARCPal, as its name suggests, is laser-focused on DMARC reporting and management. We found it to be a streamlined solution for those whose primary concern is DMARC implementation, debugging, and compliance.
It offers essential DMARC reporting tools and additional features specifically designed to help resolve SPF, DKIM, and DMARC-related issues. For dedicated DMARC attention without the extra bells and whistles, it gets the job done.
How easy is each product to use
User experience
MXtoolbox has a functional, albeit somewhat dated, user interface. Navigating between its many tools can sometimes feel like a treasure hunt, requiring multiple clicks to reach specific report pages. However, once you know your way around, the wealth of information is impressive.
Setting up DMARC monitoring is straightforward, and the dashboards for email health and blacklist (or blocklist) status are quite useful. While it lacks a sleek, modern aesthetic, its utility often outweighs its design quirks.
DMARCPal offers a cleaner, more intuitive interface, which is a benefit of its focused approach. We found it easy to navigate through DMARC reports and tools, particularly for users who are already familiar with DMARC concepts.
The setup process for DMARC reporting is smooth, and its focused nature means less clutter. While it may not offer the expansive diagnostic options of MXtoolbox, its user experience for DMARC-specific tasks is efficient and user-friendly.
Which product has the best support
Support
MXtoolbox provides support primarily through its website, with options for email and phone contact for paid plans. While the free tools are self-service, accessing direct support often requires an active subscription.
We've noted some customer feedback regarding billing and refund processes, suggesting that communication can sometimes be challenging, particularly when dealing with cancellations. Their online resources are extensive for self-help.
DMARCPal, typical for SaaS platforms, likely offers support through online documentation, email, and potentially in-app chat for paid users. Given its focused nature, we anticipate its support channels are tailored to DMARC-specific queries.
Without direct access to detailed support structures, we assume a standard level of service for paid plans, focusing on guiding users through DMARC setup and troubleshooting. Their free trial also offers an initial period for users to evaluate the product with limited support.
Who should use each product
Suitability
MXtoolbox is best suited for IT administrators, webmasters, and small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) who need a comprehensive set of tools for email and DNS diagnostics, in addition to DMARC. Its broad feature set makes it valuable for proactive monitoring of various email-related issues.
For managed service providers (MSPs) and enterprise clients, MXtoolbox offers strong monitoring capabilities across multiple domains and IPs, helping manage client email health. Its extensive blacklist (or blocklist) monitoring is a key benefit for these segments.
DMARCPal is ideal for tech-savvy individuals, IT teams, and small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) specifically focused on achieving DMARC compliance. It's perfect for those who understand the intricacies of DMARC, SPF, and DKIM and primarily need a tool to monitor and refine their policies.
While suitable for SMBs, its concentrated focus might be less appealing to enterprises or MSPs requiring broader email deliverability features. It serves as an excellent entry point for organizations starting their DMARC journey or those seeking a dedicated, no-frills DMARC solution.
How does MXtoolbox compare with DMARCPal?
DMARC report analysis
Analyzes DMARC aggregate and forensic reports for insights.
Comprehensive DMARC analytics
Access to email provider reports
Source detection
Identifies legitimate and illegitimate email sending sources.
Ability to manage multiple client domains or organizations.
Monitors client IPs and domain reputations
SPF flattening
Helps manage complex SPF records to avoid lookup limits.
Included in Delivery Center Plus
Hosted DMARC
Manages DMARC records on your behalf.
Self-host authentication records
BIMI
Supports Brand Indicators for Message Identification.
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Monitoring and reporting for secure email transport.
Blocklists and reputation
Monitors blocklists (or blacklists) and domain/IP reputation.
Weekly and adaptive sender blocklist monitoring
AI copilot
AI-driven assistance for DMARC configuration and analysis.
DNS monitoring
Monitors DNS records for changes or issues.
DNS lookup and health checks
Email alerts for broken DNS records
Self hostable
Can be installed and run on your own servers.
Free trial/free tier
Offers a free way to test or use the product.
Free tier available
14-day free trial
Drawbacks and what to watch out for
When evaluating MXtoolbox, we've observed some concerns around its billing practices, with multiple users reporting issues with trial cancellations and refunds. This can be a significant drawback, especially for those testing the waters. On the other hand, DMARCPal's primary drawback is its singular focus, which might leave users wanting more comprehensive email deliverability tools beyond DMARC.
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.)
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 a free tier and two paid plans with clear pricing, while DMARCPal's pricing details for its Lite, Standard, and Premium tiers are not publicly available and require contacting them.
4.1 / 5(29)
