MXtoolbox offers a wide array of tools beyond just DMARC, making it a comprehensive solution for general email health and domain diagnostics. We found its DMARC report analysis to be robust, providing insights into email authentication results and potential spoofing attempts.
Beyond DMARC, its core strength lies in its extensive toolkit for MX record lookups, blacklist (or blocklist) checks, and general DNS monitoring. This makes it a multi-purpose tool for IT professionals managing various aspects of email infrastructure.
Fraudmarc Community Edition is specifically designed for DMARC reporting and monitoring, offering an open-source platform for advanced users. We observed that it provides detailed DMARC data, allowing for granular analysis of email streams and authentication failures.
Its focus is purely on DMARC, which means it doesn't include other email diagnostic tools like blacklist monitoring or general DNS lookups. Users looking for a broader email health platform would need to combine it with other services.
How easy is each product to use
User experience
The user experience with MXtoolbox is generally straightforward for its individual diagnostic tools. We found it easy to perform quick lookups and health checks on various email and DNS records. The dashboards for paid DMARC features are well-organized.
However, navigating between the many different tools and reports can sometimes feel a bit disjointed, requiring multiple clicks to reach specific DMARC-related insights. Some users might find the interface a little dated, though its functionality remains strong.
Fraudmarc Community Edition is a self-managed, open-source solution, meaning it requires a significant level of technical expertise for setup and ongoing maintenance. We confirmed that installation involves more manual steps and familiarity with server environments.
The user interface, being open-source, might be less polished than commercial offerings. It's designed for users who are comfortable working with raw data and potentially building their own front-end or integrations, rather than a plug-and-play solution.
Which product has the best support
Support
For MXtoolbox, paid plans typically include access to their support team, often via phone and email. Our experience suggests that for general technical queries, support is available. They also have a knowledge base and community resources.
However, we've noted from user feedback that experiences with cancellations or refunds for paid plans can sometimes be challenging, requiring persistent effort. This suggests a potential area for improvement in their customer service processes.
Fraudmarc Community Edition, being an open-source project, offers support primarily through its community forum. We found that direct vendor support is not part of this free offering. Users rely on peer assistance and self-troubleshooting.
This model is ideal for those who prefer community-driven solutions and are self-sufficient. For users accustomed to dedicated technical support channels, the community-only approach might present a steep learning curve or delays in critical issue resolution.
Who should use each product
Suitability
MXtoolbox is well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and IT professionals who need a broad range of email and DNS diagnostic tools in addition to DMARC reporting. Its paid plans offer robust features for deliverability and reputation management.
For managed service providers (MSPs), MXtoolbox can be a valuable tool for monitoring client domains, though the domain limits on some plans might require careful management for a large number of clients. Enterprise-level organizations might find its higher tiers suitable for more extensive email volumes and advanced features.
Fraudmarc Community Edition is best for highly technical users, developers, or organizations with strong in-house IT teams who prioritize open-source solutions and self-hosting. It's ideal for those who want full control over their DMARC data and infrastructure.
SMBs without dedicated technical staff would likely find Fraudmarc Community Edition too complex to implement and maintain effectively. MSPs with the technical prowess could leverage it, but it requires significant effort to integrate and manage. Enterprise clients might consider it if they wish to build custom DMARC solutions on an open-source core, but a managed DMARC service would generally be more practical for broad deployment.
How does MXtoolbox compare with Fraudmarc Community Edition?
DMARC report analysis
Ability to parse and visualize DMARC aggregate and forensic reports.
Source detection
Identifies legitimate and illegitimate sending sources.
Forward detection
Detects emails that have been forwarded, which can impact DMARC alignment.
Basic detection
Requires manual configuration
Spoof detection
Identifies email spoofing attempts against your domain.
Notifications and alerts
Automated alerts for DMARC policy changes, authentication failures, or blacklisting.
Requires custom setup
Reporting
Provides dashboards and exportable reports on DMARC compliance and email deliverability.
Raw data oriented
API
Programmatic access to DMARC data and features.
Open source; adaptable
Multi-tenancy
Ability to manage multiple domains or clients from a single account.
Limited domains per plan
Possible with custom implementation
SPF flattening
Simplifies SPF records to avoid DNS lookup limits.
Available in top tier
Offered as separate product
Hosted DMARC
Managed DMARC records and policy deployment.
Self-hostable only
BIMI
Support for Brand Indicators for Message Identification.
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Monitoring and reporting for email encryption standards.
Blocklists and reputation
Monitoring against IP and domain blacklists (blocklists) and reputation checks.
AI copilot
AI-powered assistance for DMARC analysis and policy recommendations.
DNS monitoring
Continuous monitoring of DNS records for changes or issues.
Self hostable
Option to host the DMARC solution on your own infrastructure.
Free trial/free tier
Availability of a free version or trial period.
Basic free tools
Completely free, open source
Drawbacks and what to watch out for
MXtoolbox offers a wide range of useful tools, but we've noted recurrent feedback regarding issues with their billing and cancellation processes for paid subscriptions, with some users reporting difficulties in obtaining refunds despite their advertised 'risk-free' trials. Fraudmarc Community Edition, while powerful for DMARC, demands a high level of technical proficiency for setup and maintenance, and it lacks direct customer support, relying solely on community forums.
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 tiered pricing for its comprehensive suite of tools, starting with a free option and scaling up with features and email volume, whereas Fraudmarc Community Edition is entirely free but requires self-management.
Small
Up to 10k emails / month
Free tier (1 domain)
Free
Medium
Up to 100k emails / month
Delivery Center: $129/month
Free
Large
Up to 1 million emails / month
Delivery Center: $129/month (up to 500k volume)
Free
Enterprise
Over 1 million emails / month
Delivery Center Plus: $399/month (up to 5M volume)
Free
Suped hard sell incoming!
Still not satisfied with MXtoolbox or Fraudmarc Community Edition?