Summary
Multiple services offer alternatives to SenderScore for evaluating sender reputation. Some, like Talos Intelligence, IBM X-Force Exchange, and Kickbox, provide direct reputation scores on a 0-100 scale (or similar). Others, including ReturnPath, SparkPost, Validity, Mailgun, Google Postmaster Tools, and Microsoft SNDS, offer metrics and data that can be used to infer reputation. Insights from community sources, like Reddit and emailmarketing.org, highlight the existence of internal ESP scores and the importance of blacklist checking (MultiRBL.valli.org). GlockApps focuses on inbox placement testing. Spamhaus provides blocklist lookups, while Cisco Secure Email uses reputation filters. Mailtester.com might return misleading 'BS scores'. Overall, a combination of direct scores, inferred metrics, and proactive monitoring provides the best view.
Key findings
- Direct Scores Available: Talos Intelligence, IBM X-Force Exchange, and Kickbox provide explicit sender reputation scores, often on a 0-100 scale.
- Indirect Metrics: ReturnPath, SparkPost, Validity, Mailgun, Google Postmaster Tools, and Microsoft SNDS offer metrics and data (e.g., complaint rates, deliverability) that can be used to infer sender reputation.
- Community Insights: Reddit and emailmarketing.org community members highlight the importance of internal ESP scores and blacklist checking.
- Testing Tools: GlockApps offers inbox placement testing to assess reputation.
- Blocklist Lookups: Spamhaus and MultiRBL.valli.org provide blocklist lookups.
Key considerations
- Score Interpretation: Different services use varying methodologies; direct score comparisons may be misleading.
- Data Integration: Combining data from multiple services gives a more comprehensive view.
- Actionable Metrics: Focus on actionable metrics (e.g., complaint rates, blocklist status) for improvement.
- Proactive Monitoring: Regularly monitor sender reputation for early issue detection.
- Questionable Sources: Mailtester.com might provide 'BS scores' and should be treated with caution.
What email marketers say
12 marketer opinions
Several services offer alternatives to SenderScore for assessing sender reputation. Some, like Talos Intelligence, IBM X-Force Exchange, and Kickbox, provide explicit reputation scores. Others, like ReturnPath, SparkPost, Validity, Mailgun, and some ESPs, offer tools and metrics that can be used to infer reputation. Additionally, community insights from Reddit and emailmarketing.org forum highlight the use of internal ESP scores and blacklist checking services like MultiRBL.valli.org. GlockApps focuses on inbox placement testing, and services such as Mailtester.com can provide BS scores.
Key opinions
- Reputation Scoring Services: Talos Intelligence, IBM X-Force Exchange, and Kickbox provide specific sender reputation scores, often on a 0-100 scale.
- Deliverability Metrics: ReturnPath, SparkPost, Validity, and Mailgun offer tools and metrics that indirectly indicate sender reputation through deliverability insights.
- ESP Internal Scores: Some Email Service Providers (ESPs) have their own internal reputation scores to aid users in monitoring sending health.
- Inbox Placement Testing: GlockApps helps users test email placement in various inboxes to gauge sender reputation indirectly.
- Blacklist Checking: Services like MultiRBL.valli.org allow senders to check if their sending IPs are on any blocklists.
Key considerations
- BS Scores: Mailtester.com can return odd scores which could be misleading.
- Score Interpretation: Different services use varying methodologies for calculating reputation, so scores may not be directly comparable.
- Data Integration: Combining insights from multiple services may provide a more comprehensive understanding of sender reputation.
- Actionable Insights: Focus on actionable insights and improvements to address any reputation issues identified.
- Proactive Monitoring: Regularly monitor sender reputation and deliverability to identify and address issues promptly.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit forum shares that some email service providers (ESPs) offer their own internal reputation scores to help users monitor their sending health.
18 Dec 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view
Email marketer from Talos Intelligence shares that they provide reputation scoring as part of their threat intelligence services, which can be used to assess sender reputation.
6 Nov 2023 - Talos Intelligence
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
The responses suggest a few alternatives for assessing sender reputation. Kickbox provides a 0-100 (or 0.000-1.000) score that's considered trustworthy. Grademyemail.co is mentioned but noted to measure something different than SenderScore. Word to the Wise emphasizes monitoring feedback loops and blocklist status for reputation insights, even though not directly providing a 0-100 score.
Key opinions
- Kickbox Score: Kickbox offers a 0-100 (or 0.000-1.000) score for sender reputation.
- Indirect Monitoring: Word to the Wise highlights the importance of monitoring feedback loops and blocklist status for reputation insights.
- Grademyemail.co Difference: Grademyemail.co measures something different than SenderScore; it's not a direct substitute.
Key considerations
- Focus on Actionable Data: Consider focusing on data which you can use to take action with - like feedback loops and blocklist statuses.
- Trustworthiness: Kickbox has good trustworthiness, so using this is a good starting point.
- Multiple data points: The best way is to use multiple data points from all services to get a good picture of your reputation
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise (Laura Atkins) discusses reputation monitoring services that can provide insights into sender reputation, although not specifically a 0-100 score. Suggests that actively monitoring feedback loops and blocklist status are crucial.
21 Nov 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks suggests Grademyemail.co, but notes that it doesn't measure the same thing as SenderScore.
13 May 2025 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Google Postmaster Tools offers data to derive a reputation score, Microsoft SNDS provides data on IP addresses and complaint rates to gauge sender reputation, Spamhaus offers blocklists and reputation lookups, and Cisco Secure Email uses reputation filters. While only google allows you to derive a score, all provide data to understand deliverability with their systems.
Key findings
- Google Postmaster Tools: Provides data and diagnostics for monitoring sender reputation with Gmail users and deriving a score.
- Microsoft SNDS: Offers data on sending IP addresses and complaint rates to gauge sender reputation with Microsoft services.
- Spamhaus: Provides blocklists and reputation lookups, indicating if a sender is listed as a source of spam.
- Cisco Secure Email: Uses reputation filters to assign a score to incoming emails based on the sender's reputation.
Key considerations
- No Direct Scores: Most of these tools do not offer a direct 0-100 score like SenderScore.
- Platform Specific: The insights provided are specific to each platform (Gmail, Microsoft, etc.).
- Actionable Data: Focus on actionable data such as complaint rates and blocklist status to improve sender reputation.
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft explains that the Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) provides data about your sending IP addresses, including complaint rates, which can be used to gauge your sender reputation with Microsoft services.
2 Mar 2025 - Microsoft
Technical article
Documentation from Spamhaus explains that they provide blocklists and reputation lookups which, while not a score, indicates if a sender is listed as a source of spam.
23 Aug 2022 - Spamhaus
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