The best MxToolbox alternatives for email health
Free DNS, SPF, DKIM, DMARC and blacklist tools compared with paid monitoring.
The best MxToolbox alternative for a quick email health check is a set of free tools that explain the result in plain words. 3xRevenue's Email Studio checks DNS, SPF, DKIM and DMARC, blacklists and email headers, and generates the records you are missing, free and without an account. For ongoing monitoring of a busy sending domain, a paid service is still worth it.
The best MxToolbox alternatives at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 3xRevenue Email Studio | Plain-English checks and record generators | Free |
| Google Admin Toolbox | Reading headers and checking MX records | Free |
| Google Postmaster Tools | Gmail reputation for bulk senders | Free |
| dmarcian or Valimail | DMARC reports and enforcement | Free tiers, paid plans |
| MxToolbox paid plans | Monitoring many domains and alerts | $129 or $399 a month |
Source: MxToolbox Delivery Center.
What each free check does
- DNS checker: reads A, MX, TXT, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records and says what is missing.
- SPF, DKIM and DMARC generator: writes the records to add at your domain host.
- Blacklist check: tests your domain and mail server against spam blocklists.
- Header reader: shows an email's route, delays and whether authentication passed.
- Spam score checker: flags words and links that push mail to spam.
Why people look for an MxToolbox alternative
- The results are technical. Many owners do not know what a failed check means or how to fix it.
- Monitoring is paid. Beyond the free tier, plans start at $129 a month.
- They only need setup help. A one-time fix does not need a monthly plan.
When paid monitoring is worth it
- You send large volumes of email, such as newsletters or cold outreach.
- You manage many domains for clients.
- A day of email going to spam would cost you real money.
A 15-minute email health routine
- Run the DNS checker on your domain.
- Fix SPF: one record only, listing every service that sends for you.
- Turn on DKIM in each sending service.
- Add DMARC at p=none, read reports for a few weeks, then move to quarantine.
- Run the blacklist check and fix the cause of any listing.
- In Google Postmaster Tools, watch your domain's reputation if you send to many Gmail users.
FAQ
Is there a free alternative to MxToolbox?
Yes. 3xRevenue's Email Studio, Google Admin Toolbox and Google Postmaster Tools cover the common checks for free.
What does MxToolbox cost?
The free tier covers one domain with weekly blacklist monitoring. Delivery Center is $129 a month and Delivery Center Plus is $399 a month.
Why are my emails going to spam?
Missing or wrong SPF, DKIM or DMARC records, a blocklisted server, or spammy content. Check the records first, then the blocklists, then the content.
Do I need DMARC?
Gmail and Yahoo require SPF, DKIM and DMARC for bulk senders since 2024. Every business domain should have at least a DMARC record at p=none.
Not sure which one fits your business?
We build automations on all of these every week. Tell us what you want to automate and we will tell you which tool, what it costs, and whether it is worth doing.
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