MXtoolbox positions itself as a broader email and network diagnostic tool. While DMARC is a significant component of its 'Delivery Center' offering, it's integrated within a larger suite designed to tackle various email deliverability and reputation issues. This includes extensive blacklist (or blocklist) monitoring, SPF and DKIM configuration checks, and general email health assessments. Their DMARC analysis provides aggregate reports, and they offer domain impersonation protection.
The platform also boasts features like SPF flattening in its higher-tier plans, which can be crucial for complex DNS setups. We've found the diagnostic tools to be robust, offering deep dives into mail flow and configuration, making it a powerful solution for those who need a wide array of email security and deliverability functions beyond just DMARC reporting.
SimpleDMARC focuses specifically on DMARC reporting and enforcement. Its feature set is tightly tailored to this purpose, offering detailed aggregate reports (RUA) and unlimited forensic reports (RUF). We appreciate the emphasis on actionable insights, including simulation attack capabilities and look-alike domain alerts, which directly address DMARC's core goal of preventing email spoofing and phishing.
The platform also provides geographical threat mapping and supports multi-user access through team invitations. While it doesn't offer the comprehensive network diagnostics of MXtoolbox, its dedicated DMARC capabilities are quite thorough. For organizations whose primary concern is DMARC compliance and threat intelligence derived from DMARC reports, SimpleDMARC delivers a focused and effective toolset.
How easy is each product to use
User experience
MXtoolbox's user interface, while functional, can feel a bit traditional. The dashboard presents a wealth of information from various tools, which can be a double-edged sword. For experienced IT professionals or those familiar with email diagnostics, the breadth of data is valuable, allowing quick access to DNS, MX, DMARC, and blacklist (or blocklist) checks from one place.
However, for someone new to DMARC or looking for a streamlined experience, navigating through the many tools and reports might initially feel overwhelming. We've found that getting to specific DMARC reports sometimes requires a few clicks. The free tools are straightforward, but the paid 'Delivery Center' integrates more deeply, requiring some familiarity with email protocols to fully leverage.
SimpleDMARC, as its name suggests, generally offers a more intuitive and focused user experience for DMARC management. Its dashboard is designed to present DMARC-specific insights clearly, making it easier for users to understand authentication rates, threats, and policy enforcement. The visual representation of data, such as threats by map and geography, helps in quickly grasping the scope of any issues.
While one review mentioned the interface could be 'a bit overwhelming or complex' for those unfamiliar with email authentication protocols, we believe its dedication to DMARC makes it simpler for its target audience. The goal is to make DMARC easy to understand and implement, and for the most part, SimpleDMARC achieves this with a cleaner, more purpose-built layout compared to the broader utility of MXtoolbox.
Which product has the best support
Support
MXtoolbox offers support through various channels, and G2 reviews suggest that phone support is available for paid plans. While the free tools often rely on extensive documentation and self-service, the paid 'Delivery Center' plans appear to have more direct support options. However, some negative reviews highlight issues with the cancellation process and obtaining refunds, suggesting that customer service responsiveness in specific scenarios can be a point of concern.
For technical assistance related to their broader suite of tools, the support team generally possesses a deep understanding of email deliverability, DNS, and network issues. The quality of support often depends on the specific query and the user's plan tier.
SimpleDMARC's support model seems geared towards assisting with DMARC implementation and ongoing monitoring. While specific support channels (like phone or chat) are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the nature of DMARC-focused tools often implies email or ticket-based assistance for configuration and report interpretation. The 'team invitations' feature suggests a collaborative environment where multiple users might seek support.
Given its specialized focus, we would expect their support team to be highly knowledgeable in DMARC protocols and best practices. For issues directly related to DMARC reports, policy adjustments, or forensic data, users should find competent assistance. However, for broader email infrastructure problems unrelated to DMARC, users might need to look elsewhere.
Who should use each product
Suitability
MXtoolbox is best suited for IT administrators, network engineers, and small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) who require a comprehensive suite of email and network diagnostic tools. Its broad functionality makes it ideal for those who manage multiple aspects of email deliverability, including DMARC, SPF, DKIM, blacklists, and general DNS health. For MSPs, it can be useful for quick client domain checks.
Enterprises might find the 'Delivery Center Plus' plan adequate for specific domains, but its multi-domain management isn't built for large-scale, multi-client DMARC enforcement like some specialized platforms. It's a great choice for teams needing a 'toolbox' approach to email health, where DMARC is one of several critical areas to monitor.
SimpleDMARC is an excellent fit for small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) and organizations primarily focused on achieving and maintaining DMARC compliance. It caters to those who need clear, actionable DMARC reports without the added complexity of broader network diagnostics. The inclusion of 'team invitations' and a relatively straightforward interface makes it suitable for small teams managing their email security.
For MSPs, the '1 active domain' limit on their standard paid plans might be restrictive for managing numerous clients, suggesting it's better for managing a few key domains or specific clients. Larger enterprises might find its DMARC-specific features valuable, but they would likely need to supplement it with other tools for a complete email security strategy, or engage for custom enterprise pricing for broader domain coverage.
How does MXtoolbox compare with SimpleDMARC?
DMARC report analysis
Analysis of DMARC aggregate (RUA) and forensic (RUF) reports.
Provides DMARC analytics and aggregate reports.
Offers detailed aggregate and unlimited forensic reports.
Source detection
Ability to identify legitimate and unauthorized email sending sources.
Helps verify and manage sending sources as part of DMARC compliance.
Includes look-alike domain alerts and threat mapping for spoof detection.
Forward detection
Identifies email forwarding chains that can impact DMARC authentication.
Integrated into their DMARC reporting for comprehensive analysis.
Recognizes forwarding paths within DMARC reports.
Spoof detection
Identifies attempts to impersonate your domain for phishing or spam.
Offers domain impersonation protection and DMARC enforcement.
Features simulation attack capabilities and look-alike domain alerts.
Notifications and alerts
Proactive alerts for DMARC issues, blacklists, or other email problems.
Provides alerts for blacklisting and email configuration issues.
Generates look-alike domain alerts and threat notifications.
Reporting
Comprehensive dashboards and customizable reports for email performance.
Email delivery performance reports, DMARC analytics, and configuration analysis.
Plenty of reports and analytics, historical data, and geographical threat reports.
API
Programmatic access to data and functionalities for integration.
Integrations with SIEM tools mentioned in user reviews.
API access is not explicitly mentioned in their offerings.
Multi-tenancy
Ability to manage multiple domains or client accounts from a single interface.
Paid plans support up to 5 domains for monitoring.
Supports team invitations for multi-user access across domains.
SPF flattening
Helps manage SPF records to stay within the 10-lookup limit.
Included in the Delivery Center Plus plan.
Not mentioned as a feature in their DMARC plans.
Hosted DMARC
Platform hosts and manages your DMARC DNS records.
Primarily a monitoring and reporting tool, not a DMARC record host.
Manages DMARC for 'active domains' as part of the service.
BIMI
Support for Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI).
Not explicitly listed as a feature.
Not explicitly listed as a feature.
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Monitoring and reporting for MTA-STS and TLS-RPT protocols.
Covered under 'Advanced email delivery threat tools' and 'Email configuration analysis'.
Not explicitly mentioned in their DMARC-focused features.
Blocklists and reputation
Monitors IP and domain reputation across various blacklists (or blocklists).
Adaptive sender blacklist (or blocklist) monitoring is a core feature.
One review specifically listed the lack of spam checking and IP reputation tools as a dislike.
AI copilot
AI-powered assistant for insights and actions.
No AI copilot features are advertised.
No AI copilot features are advertised.
DNS monitoring
Monitoring of DNS records beyond DMARC, SPF, and DKIM.
Extensive DNS lookup, health, and monitoring tools are a key offering.
One review mentions 'DNS history' that 'could have been done a little better'.
Self hostable
Option to host the software on your own infrastructure.
It is a cloud-based SaaS platform.
It is a cloud-based SaaS platform.
Free trial/free tier
Availability of a free plan or a trial period.
Offers a comprehensive free tier and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Offers an unspecified free plan as a baseline for paid options.
Drawbacks and what to watch out for
Both MXtoolbox and SimpleDMARC offer valuable services, but they come with their own set of considerations. MXtoolbox, while powerful, has faced criticism regarding its billing and cancellation practices for paid plans, which can cause frustration for users. SimpleDMARC, on the other hand, receives fewer criticisms overall, but its pricing structure for multiple domains might be a limiting factor for some organizations.
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)
4 / 5(4)
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.)
Good for a modern day business with heavy reliance on email.
2.5 / 5
What do you like best about SimpleDMARC?
In complex IT environments, implementing DMARC becomes easy with their discovery tool.
What do you dislike about SimpleDMARC?
99 dollars a month is quite high for many small businesses. They should offer low value plans with limited features.
What problems is SimpleDMARC solving and how is that benefiting you?
Identifying email service providers that are being used by the organization.
Jasmit Singh J.
CEO & Technology Specialist Information Technology and Services Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
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.)
Simplified Form of Dmarc. Too easy to use and understand!
4.0 / 5
What do you like best about SimpleDMARC?
The ui is really simple and easy to understand. If we look at the dashboard they have given plenty of reports and analytics to look at for knowing if your domain is secured or not!
What do you dislike about SimpleDMARC?
It has DNS history which that could have been done a little better. Other than that all things are relevant and upto the mark.
What problems is SimpleDMARC solving and how is that benefiting you?
It's protecting your domain and emails again phishing attacks and making your domain authority increase with daily checks
Gokul M.
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.)
SimpleDmarc is really simple to manage
4.5 / 5
What do you like best about SimpleDMARC?
excellent reporting tools, easy to setup
What do you dislike about SimpleDMARC?
should include spam checking and IP reputation tools too
What problems is SimpleDMARC solving and how is that benefiting you?
Phishing emails stopped immediately and reported to my email account
Bhavin S.
admin Mid-Market (51-1000 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.)
My Experience with Simple DMARC: The Easy Way to Protect Your Domain
5.0 / 5
What do you like best about SimpleDMARC?
The advantages of using Simple DMARC are numerous. It helps domain owners gain better control over their email domain's reputation, ensures email deliverability, and reduces the likelihood of email phishing attacks. It also provides detailed reporting and analysis of email traffic, enabling domain owners to detect and prevent email-based threats quickly.
What do you dislike about SimpleDMARC?
Some users may find the user interface of SimpleDMARC to be a bit overwhelming or complex, especially for those who are not familiar with email authentication protocols.
What problems is SimpleDMARC solving and how is that benefiting you?
Ensuring email deliverability: SimpleDMARC helps ensure email deliverability by making sure that legitimate emails are not marked as spam or blocked by email filters. This means that more of your emails will reach their intended recipients.
Yogesh P.
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 main paid plans with varying email volumes, while SimpleDMARC has a free plan (details not specified) and two paid plans structured monthly or annually, both with a focus on 'active domains' and unlimited emails per year.
Small
Up to 10k emails / month
Free tier (1 domain, weekly blacklist monitoring)
$99/month or $999/year (1 active domain)
Medium
Up to 100k emails / month
Contact for pricing (fits between free and Delivery Center)
Contact for pricing (based on 1 active domain limit)
4.1 / 5(29)
