Having used Valimail extensively, we found its core strength lies in its automation of DMARC enforcement. It offers precise sender intelligence, allowing us to identify and classify email sources with high accuracy. The platform provides a suite of dashboards, from account to comprehensive views, giving us visibility into our entire email ecosystem.
Beyond basic DMARC monitoring, Valimail includes features like unlimited SPF flattening through its proprietary macros, automated DKIM, and robust subdomain management. The Amplify add-on helps with BIMI implementation, ensuring brand logos appear in inboxes. While the free 'Monitor' tier provides foundational reporting, the 'Enforce' and 'Align' products unlock more sophisticated capabilities like API access and advanced reporting.
Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense, as we've experienced, positions itself as a broader, more integrated email security solution. Its DMARC deployment streamlining includes dedicated consultants, guided workflows, and robust authentication support. The platform excels in organization reputation protection, actively identifying and tracking lookalike domains and offering a virtual takedown service for malicious impersonations.
A significant advantage of Proofpoint is its comprehensive hosted authentication services, encompassing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. This simplifies record management, overcomes DNS lookup limits, and ensures high reliability across geographically distributed data centers. Its deep integration with the Proofpoint secure email gateway allows for advanced inbound DMARC enforcement and override policies, adding layers of security.
How easy is each product to use
User experience
Valimail offers a remarkably intuitive interface. From setup to daily monitoring, we found the dashboards to be clear and easy to navigate, even for complex DMARC data. The platform's ability to transform raw XML reports into digestible sender lists and authentication statuses is a major time-saver, reducing the guesswork involved in DMARC enforcement.
However, some users might find the feature organization a bit counter-intuitive initially, and advanced troubleshooting features are not always readily accessible without reaching out to support. Despite this, the guided workflows and automated DMARC processes significantly reduce the manual effort, making it feel almost maintenance-free once configured.
Our experience with Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense indicates a robust, enterprise-grade user interface, though perhaps not as 'out-of-the-box' simple as some smaller solutions. The platform is powerful, but its extensive capabilities sometimes come with a steeper learning curve, particularly during initial configuration. Some reviewers note that the UI could be more intuitive.
The benefit here is that Proofpoint is designed for deep integration within a broader security ecosystem. While daily use for simple tasks is straightforward, leveraging its full potential often requires a good understanding of enterprise email security. Its strength lies in its comprehensive control, which for non-technical users, can sometimes feel like overkill, leading to legitimate emails being filtered.
Which product has the best support
Support
Valimail consistently receives high marks for its customer support. We've found their team to be friendly, approachable, and highly responsive. Onboarding assistance is a key highlight, with dedicated engineers guiding users through the initial setup, especially for complex DNS configurations.
While basic knowledgebase articles are available to all, paid tiers offer enhanced support options like dedicated account managers and optional Valicare services for more hands-on assistance. However, some users outside major time zones have noted potential delays in response times for specific requests, a common challenge for global services.
Proofpoint's support structure, based on our experience and user feedback, is geared towards enterprise clients. They offer dedicated consultants and professional teams to drive DMARC deployment and ongoing management. This hands-on approach is invaluable for large organizations navigating complex email environments.
However, some reviews mention difficulties in scheduling time with their busy support teams, requiring multiple follow-ups for replies. While the quality of support is often praised once engaged, the initial accessibility can be a point of friction for some users, suggesting a more proactive engagement model might be beneficial.
Who should use each product
Suitability
Valimail is an excellent choice for organizations of all sizes, from SMBs to large enterprises, seeking to achieve DMARC enforcement with minimal manual effort. Its free 'Monitor' tier makes it accessible for small businesses just starting their DMARC journey, offering visibility without immediate cost.
For MSPs, Valimail's multi-tenancy capabilities through 'Portfolios' in enterprise plans provide a structured way to manage multiple client domains. Enterprises benefit from its automated enforcement, unlimited SPF, and dedicated support, making it ideal for those prioritizing streamlined email authentication and phishing prevention.
Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense is primarily tailored for enterprise-level organizations with complex email environments and a need for a comprehensive security suite. Its strengths lie in deep integration with other security products, extensive domain discovery, and a highly assisted DMARC deployment process.
While smaller businesses might find it 'overkill' (as some reviews suggest), its robust features for protecting reputation, managing supplier risk, and offering virtual takedown services are critical for large companies facing sophisticated threats. MSPs could leverage its comprehensive management capabilities for large enterprise clients, though it might be less suitable for SMBs due to its complexity and likely higher cost.
How does Valimail compare with Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense?
DMARC report analysis
Aggregating and interpreting DMARC data for insights.
Clear, intuitive dashboards for complex XML data.
Comprehensive visibility, volume analysis of messages.
Source detection
Identifying all legitimate and illegitimate email sending sources.
Identifies 100% of services by name and provides control.
360-degree visibility across the email ecosystem.
Forward detection
Ability to track email forwarding that might affect DMARC alignment.
Standard DMARC analysis includes forward visibility.
Detecting and preventing email impersonation and phishing.
Stops phishing and impersonation attacks effectively.
Prevents domain/lookalike domain spoofing with takedown services.
Notifications and alerts
Automated alerts for DMARC failures or suspicious activity.
Includes Smart alerts and configurable alerts for various events.
Sends necessary alerts for identified threats.
Reporting
Customizable reports on DMARC status, compliance, and threats.
Offers comprehensive, subdomain, and executive reports.
Provides continuous volume reporting for phishing/secure messages.
API
Programmatic access for integration with other systems.
Available as add-on for Starter/Premium, included in Enterprise.
Implied for enterprise integrations, though not explicitly detailed.
Multi-tenancy
Support for managing multiple domains or client accounts.
Enterprise plans offer 'Portfolios' and 'Dynamic portfolios' for management.
Designed for complex environments, suitable for managing multiple domains.
SPF flattening
Overcoming the 10-lookup limit for SPF records.
Unlimited SPF through proprietary macros.
Hosted SPF helps overcome DNS lookup limits.
Hosted DMARC
Managed DMARC records and policy enforcement.
Automated DMARC management and enforcement.
Simplifies administrative tasks for complex DMARC records.
BIMI
Support for Brand Indicators for Message Identification.
Amplify add-on helps secure Google's blue checkmark.
Assists with brand reputation, implying BIMI support.
MTA-STS/TLS-RPT
Support for Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security and TLS Reporting.
Some advanced features like MTA-STS management are noted as missing.
As a comprehensive suite, it supports secure email transport mechanisms.
Blocklists and reputation
Monitoring and managing domain reputation on various blocklists (blacklists).
Indirectly through spoof detection and deliverability improvements.
Offers comprehensive domain discovery and virtual takedown service.
AI copilot
Utilizing artificial intelligence for threat detection and automation.
Uses machine learning to detect and block impersonation attacks.
Utilizes AI-driven detection features for threats.
DNS monitoring
Continuous monitoring of DNS records for authentication integrity.
Essential for Valimail's automated DMARC and SPF management.
Integral to hosted authentication services and domain discovery.
Self hostable
Option to host the software on your own servers.
Cloud-based solution.
Cloud-based solution, part of Proofpoint's security platform.
Free trial/free tier
Availability of a free version or trial period.
Offers a free 'Monitor' product for DMARC visibility.
Requires contacting sales for pricing and evaluation.
Drawbacks and what to watch out for
Both Valimail and Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense are robust, but each has its nuances. Valimail users sometimes find the free-to-premium feature gap frustrating and wish for more detailed reporting. Proofpoint, on the other hand, can be perceived as 'overkill' by some, occasionally flagging legitimate emails and having a less interactive dashboard. Their support responsiveness can also be a pain point.
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)
4.3 / 5(12)
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.)
Overkill
2.0 / 5
What do you like best about Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense?
Great filters for junk and spam. Easy widgets in email notifications to release legit email that is not spam
What do you dislike about Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense?
Too much filtering. At times, overkill. Filters out legitimate emails.
What problems is Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense solving and how is that benefiting you?
Protect network from illicit email spoofing. Employees that are non tech savvy that click on fishing emails.
Verified User in Food & Beverages
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
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.)
Not sure if it's worth the hassle
2.5 / 5
What do you like best about Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense?
I do like that it auto scans my emails and sorts out the scam/fraudulent ones.
What do you dislike about Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense?
I greatly dislike having to wait for the flagged emails, that are actually not fraudulent, but something that I am looking for. It does not send me the alert until the next day, and then once its been released and approved, it ends up taking another 10 minutes or so (Max) to get to me.
What problems is Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense solving and how is that benefiting you?
I am getting significantly fewer fraudulent/scam emails
Verified User in Construction
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Email Protection by Proofpoint Fraud Defence
4.0 / 5
What do you like best about Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense?
This product provides email protection for both Inbound and outbound emails from all the domains which help in securing the mailboxes. This adds the advantage of the analytics features alike continuously shows the volume of mails as phishing /secures messages.
What do you dislike about Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense?
Like other proofpoint products this also has implementing and configuring problems as they are not easy to configure in the organization environment.
Recommendations to others considering Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense:
This product offers you great security over emails and customers can leverage the support and different product portfolio they offer.
What problems is Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense solving and how is that benefiting you?
We are securing our emails from phising mails /messages for all the domains and for both inbound outbound messages.
Anjali V.
Cyber Security Analyst Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
Reliable tool for spam emails!
4.0 / 5
What do you like best about Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense?
It's a great reliable tool and keep your inbox more secure and spam free. As a security measure this is great tool which prevents from any fraudulent emails and send alerts as necessary. I am currently using at my company and find all the spam emails being avoided. We usually receives too many on our generic email alias and this help in securing.
What do you dislike about Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense?
It's a great tool, though I find the use of it a very little. Only being capable of avoiding spam emails. Also the dashboard is not much interactive
Recommendations to others considering Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense:
It was always better to have precaution than being penalized by unwanted threat. It's always good to be more secure and spam free and take preventive steps towards running your business securely.
What problems is Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense solving and how is that benefiting you?
We consider our emails to be safe and spam free. And probably easy to set up
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
Pricing
Valimail offers a free tier for DMARC monitoring and clear pricing for its 'Align' product, while Proofpoint requires direct contact for all pricing, aligning with its enterprise focus.
Small
Up to 10k emails / month
Free (Monitor), or $19/month (Align)
Contact for pricing
Medium
Up to 100k emails / month
$19/month (Align), or contact for Enforce
Contact for pricing
Large
Up to 1 million emails / month
$19/month (Align), or contact for Enforce
Contact for pricing
Enterprise
Over 1 million emails / month
Contact for pricing (Enforce/Amplify)
Contact for pricing
Suped hard sell incoming!
Still not satisfied with Valimail or Proofpoint Email Fraud Defense?
4.6 / 5(421)
