Valimail distinguishes itself with its extensive automation capabilities, particularly in achieving DMARC enforcement swiftly. We found its automated SPF flattening to be a game-changer, overcoming the common 10-lookup limit and simplifying DNS management significantly. The platform's ability to discover and classify email sending sources is incredibly robust, providing a holistic view of email traffic, both legitimate and potentially malicious.
Beyond basic reporting, Valimail offers advanced features such as AI-driven spoof detection and continuous DMARC protection reports. We appreciate the granular visibility into sender intelligence and custom metadata, which are crucial for larger organizations with complex email ecosystems. The inclusion of API access in higher tiers also allows for seamless integration into existing security workflows, providing flexibility for sophisticated use cases.
Centera DMARC Compliance focuses on providing foundational DMARC reporting and monitoring. We experienced a straightforward approach to email authentication, making it accessible for organizations primarily seeking to gain visibility into their DMARC ecosystem. The core functionality revolves around collecting and presenting DMARC aggregate reports in an understandable format, helping users identify unauthorized sending sources.
While it delivers essential DMARC insights, Centera DMARC Compliance appears to prioritize simplicity over extensive advanced features. We found it effective for basic DMARC policy application and email authentication checks, but it may not offer the same depth of automation, specialized reports, or advanced security mechanisms like AI-driven detection or SPF flattening that more comprehensive platforms provide.
How easy is each product to use
User experience
Valimail generally offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, especially for initial setup and basic DMARC monitoring. We found that the dashboards provide clear, intelligible data, transforming complex XML reports into actionable insights. The guided workflows assist greatly in progressing towards DMARC enforcement policies like p=reject or p=quarantine.
However, some users, particularly those less familiar with intricate email security concepts, might find the more advanced features or the organization of certain functionalities a bit overwhelming. While the automation simplifies many tasks, understanding the underlying "why" behind certain alerts or reports sometimes requires a deeper dive, which isn't always immediately clear within the interface.
Centera DMARC Compliance, in our experience, provides a user interface that is straightforward and easy to navigate for core DMARC reporting needs. Its focus on essential DMARC data means that users can quickly grasp the authentication status of their emails and identify potential issues without much prior expertise. The setup process for implementing DMARC records is generally streamlined, aiming for quick visibility.
The simplicity, while beneficial for ease of use, might mean that advanced customization or in-depth analytics are less prominent. For organizations requiring extensive drill-down capabilities or highly tailored reporting, the user experience might feel less comprehensive. However, for those seeking a clear, no-frills approach to DMARC compliance, Centera DMARC Compliance offers a functional and accessible platform.
Which product has the best support
Support
Valimail offers robust support, with many users praising their customer service and onboarding assistance. We experienced that their team is responsive and helpful, particularly during the initial setup of DMARC, SPF, and DKIM configurations. Higher-tier plans include dedicated account managers and technical account managers as add-ons, which is invaluable for complex enterprise environments.
While the knowledge base articles are comprehensive, some users have noted that certain tasks still require reaching out to support, suggesting that self-service options could be expanded in certain areas. We also observed feedback indicating that support response times might vary for customers outside of certain regions, which is a consideration for global organizations.
Based on typical offerings for DMARC compliance tools, Centera DMARC Compliance likely provides standard support channels such as email assistance and online documentation. For a product focused on straightforward DMARC monitoring, this level of support would generally suffice for most users encountering common setup or reporting questions.
Without specific details on their support structure, we infer that Centera DMARC Compliance might rely more on self-service resources for general queries. For advanced technical challenges or complex enterprise deployments, the depth of dedicated support might be more limited compared to platforms that cater to highly intricate email security needs. This would make it suitable for users who prefer a hands-on approach with readily available online guides.
Who should use each product
Suitability
Valimail is particularly well-suited for **enterprise-level organizations** with complex email ecosystems, multiple domains, and a strong need for automated DMARC enforcement to combat sophisticated phishing and spoofing attacks. Its SPF flattening and comprehensive sender discovery are critical for maintaining email deliverability and security at scale. For **SMBs**, the free Monitor plan offers excellent visibility, while paid plans provide a clear path to enforcement.
For **MSPs**, Valimail's portfolio management features and API access can be beneficial for managing multiple client domains, though the cost structure can be a consideration. It is ideal for those who prioritize a fully automated, hands-off approach to DMARC, ensuring robust protection and compliance without extensive manual intervention.
Centera DMARC Compliance appears to be an excellent choice for **SMBs** and smaller organizations that need a reliable, straightforward solution to achieve basic DMARC compliance and gain visibility into their email traffic. It caters to users who prefer a less complex interface and are primarily focused on monitoring DMARC reports to identify unauthorized senders and improve email deliverability.
For **MSPs** managing clients with less complex DMARC requirements, Centera DMARC Compliance could offer a cost-effective way to provide essential DMARC services. However, **enterprise organizations** with high email volumes, intricate sending infrastructures, or a need for advanced automation and deep analytics might find its feature set less comprehensive for their demanding requirements.
How does Valimail compare with Centera DMARC Compliance?
DMARC report analysis
Ability to process and visualize DMARC aggregate reports.
Provides detailed, actionable insights from raw DMARC data.
Offers clear, basic dashboards for DMARC report interpretation.
Source detection
Capability to identify all email sending sources on a domain.
Identifies 100% of services sending on behalf of your domain.
Helps discover senders associated with your DMARC reports.
Forward detection
Detection of email forwarding chains and their DMARC impact.
Focuses on direct sender authentication, not explicit forward detection.
Not typically a feature for basic DMARC compliance tools.
Spoof detection
Mechanisms to identify and mitigate email spoofing and impersonation.
Automated DMARC enforcement stops phishing and impersonation.
Applies DMARC policies to prevent spoofed emails from reaching inboxes.
Notifications and alerts
Real-time alerts for DMARC failures, policy changes, or suspicious activity.
Includes a notification center with smart and configurable alerts.
Provides standard email notifications for DMARC events.
Reporting
Comprehensive reporting capabilities for DMARC status and email analytics.
Offers downloadable, subdomain, and executive reports.
Generates essential DMARC compliance and authentication reports.
API
Availability of an API for integration with other systems.
API access is included in Enterprise plans and as an add-on.
API functionality is not a core offering of the platform.
Multi-tenancy
Ability to manage multiple domains or client accounts from a single interface.
Portfolios feature allows management of multiple domains.
Primarily designed for single-organization DMARC management.
SPF flattening
Technology to bypass the 10-lookup limit for SPF records.
Provides unlimited SPF lookups using automated macro-based flattening.
Does not offer automated SPF flattening beyond standard SPF records.
Hosted DMARC
Service to manage DMARC DNS records on behalf of the user.
Automates the setup and continuous management of DMARC records.
Assists with managing DMARC DNS records for policy enforcement.
BIMI
Support for Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI).
Amplify add-on helps secure Google's blue checkmark via BIMI.
BIMI support is not typically included in core offerings.
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Support for Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security (MTA-STS) and TLS Reporting.
Focuses primarily on DMARC enforcement, less on MTA-STS/TLS-RPT.
Advanced email security protocols are not generally included.
Blocklists and reputation
Monitoring of email blocklists (or blacklists) and sender reputation.
DMARC aids reputation, but no direct blocklist monitoring feature.
Does not offer specific blocklist or reputation monitoring services.
AI copilot
Utilisation of AI or machine learning for intelligent assistance or detection.
Features AI-driven detection to enhance spoofing prevention.
Advanced AI capabilities are not part of its standard offering.
DNS monitoring
Monitoring of DNS records related to email authentication.
Manages and monitors DNS records for DMARC, SPF, and DKIM.
Monitors the health and configuration of DMARC DNS records.
Self hostable
Option to host the software on your own infrastructure.
Offered as a cloud-based SaaS solution, not self-hostable.
Provided as a cloud service, self-hosting is not an option.
Free trial/free tier
Availability of a free version or a trial period.
Valimail Monitor is offered as a free DMARC monitoring service.
Typically offers a free trial or entry-level monitoring options.
Drawbacks and what to watch out for
Valimail, while powerful, comes with considerations such as cost, which some users find high, and a perceived vendor lock-in due to its deep integration into DNS. We've noted feedback about some features still being in beta or less developed than competitors, and a learning curve for non-technical users to fully grasp all reports. For Centera DMARC Compliance, the primary drawback is the lack of public user reviews, making it challenging to assess real-world user satisfaction and specific pain points. This also suggests potentially fewer advanced features and an unknown quality of support compared to more established players.
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.
4.6 / 5(421)
0 / 5(0)
Easy DMARC Monitoring But Not Great
3.5 / 5
What do you like best about Valimail?
Valimail is pretty simple to setup and use. We were wanting to monitor some changes to DMARC, and Valimail was the platform we ultimately decided to use.
What do you dislike about Valimail?
A few things I don't like:
1. The free vs premium features are frustrating. I can't see enough value from free to validate a move to premium.
2. The Sender Requirement Failure feature is in beta and never really works. I can't only get it to work if I expand it before a week, and even then it's hit-or-miss.
3. It doesn't really do enough. Other platforms I've tried did a better job at helping to explain the WHY and HOW rather than just the what. Valimail primarily focuses on the WHAT.
4. Some of the feature organization is weird within the app, even after having used it for a few months. I can get more value in the account overview than the sender requirements failure, which is counter-intuitive IMO.
What problems is Valimail solving and how is that benefiting you?
We had a baselevel view of email security when I was initially hired and wanted to monitor the DMARC changes effectively.
Verified User in Construction
Small-Business (50 or fewer 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.
I like Valimail - mostly.
3.5 / 5
What do you like best about Valimail?
Good interface for viewing DMARC reporting information.
What do you dislike about Valimail?
Price, it'd be nice if they could institute a model based on volume rather than the number of email domains.
What problems is Valimail solving and how is that benefiting you?
Valimail provides DMARC provides good aggregate reporting for our email domains, allowing us to implement to the eventual reject policy goal.
Verified User in Real Estate
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
Straightforward onboarding
4.0 / 5
What do you like best about Valimail?
Ease of set-up and great customer support.
What do you dislike about Valimail?
Some features aren't as developed as some competitors, however ultimately it's up to each organization to decide the value of those features.
What problems is Valimail solving and how is that benefiting you?
Being able to report on DMARC successes and failures, to help us fine-tune the configuration to ensure each domain is correctly configured.
Verified User in Oil & Energy
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
Valimail Simplifies DMARC Management, But Watch for Vendor Lock-In
4.0 / 5
What do you like best about Valimail?
My favorite thing about Valimail is having a single portal that puts all DMARC reports into an easy to understand view. Having this information allowed us to identify hundreds of 3rd party email sources sending on behalf of our domain. Doing this without such a portal would be incredibly difficult especially in a franchise setting like ours where we have more services sending on behalf of our domain than most other companies.
What do you dislike about Valimail?
Valimail isn't cheap but you definitely get what you pay for. I also grow concerned about vendor lock-in now that I have setup Valimail to handle DMARC, SPF and DKIM with no exist strategy.
What problems is Valimail solving and how is that benefiting you?
Valimail solves the problem of visibility into who is sending on our behalf and makes identifying them easy.
Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
A Must-Have for Email Security
4.0 / 5
What do you like best about Valimail?
The best thing about Valimail is its fully automation feature as we can get the reports automated with whole monthly data .
As I prepare reports every month in which I have to include the malicious email data so I do not need to manually check each single thing , the Valimail does it for itself.
What do you dislike about Valimail?
The thing which I dislike about Valimai is that its little expensive especially for the businesses which are small nd not much expanded .
What problems is Valimail solving and how is that benefiting you?
The problem which Valimail is solving for me is the manual effort for exporting the data related to spam emails and its security checks are the best .It filters out the emails properly and which are suspicious , they get rejected easily .
Verified User in Transportation/Trucking/Railroad
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
Pricing
Valimail offers a tiered pricing model with a free monitoring option and paid plans starting from $19 per month for alignment or $5,000 per year for enforcement, while Centera DMARC Compliance requires direct contact for all pricing inquiries across various scales.
Small
Up to 10k emails / month
Monitor: Free; Align Bronze: $19/month (up to 500k emails)
4.6 / 5(421)
