MXScan vs MXToolbox

MXToolbox is one of the best-known tools for DNS, MX, blacklist, and SMTP diagnostics. It is widely used by IT teams to quickly check records, mail servers, and blacklist status. Its SuperTool includes MX, blacklist, SMTP, SPF, TXT, PTR, CNAME, WHOIS, and related lookups.

MXScan is built for teams that want a simpler email security workflow: scan the domain, understand what is broken, copy the recommended DNS fixes, and monitor important deliverability signals over time.

Feature comparison table

Free tools comparison

MXToolbox free tools

MXToolbox provides a strong set of free lookup tools for checking DNS, MX records, SPF, blacklists, SMTP, TXT, PTR, CNAME, WHOIS, and other diagnostics. Its SuperTool lets users run different tests from one input box, and results link to related tools.

This is useful if you already know what you are checking. For example:

• Check MX records
• Check SPF
• Check TXT records
• Check blacklist status
• Check SMTP response
• Check PTR / reverse DNS

MXScan free tools

MXScan is designed around a full email security scan. Instead of checking one record at a time, the goal is to show the full email-authentication picture in one flow.

MXScan can help check:

• SPF
• DKIM
• DMARC
• DMARC policy
• MX records
• Blacklist status
• Reverse DNS
• MTA-STS
• TLS-RPT
• BIMI
• Google/Yahoo sender-readiness signals

Monitoring comparison

MXToolbox monitoring

MXToolbox offers monitoring for blacklist, email, web, and DNS checks. Its pricing page says free users receive one free monitor with access to the top 30 blacklists, while paid users get multiple monitors, more blacklists, and advanced email delivery tools.

MXToolbox Delivery Center also includes adaptive blacklist monitoring, sender reputation monitoring, SPF/DKIM/DMARC performance insights, and alerts when reputation changes.

MXScan monitoring

MXScan monitoring is focused on practical email security changes that can affect deliverability. Examples:

• SPF record changed
• DMARC record removed
• DMARC policy weakened
• DKIM record missing
• Domain appears on blacklist
• MTA-STS or TLS-RPT issue detected
• BIMI readiness changes
• Mail server or DNS configuration changes

DNS Fix Pack explanation

A common problem with email security tools is that they show what failed, but not exactly what to change. MXScan’s DNS Fix Pack is designed to make the next step clearer.

Instead of only saying:

DMARC missing

MXScan can provide a copy-ready starter record:

v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@example.com

Instead of only saying:

SPF has multiple records

MXScan can explain that SPF must be merged into one TXT record.

Bad setup:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
v=spf1 include:sendgrid.net ~all

Correct structure:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:sendgrid.net ~all

What a DNS Fix Pack can include

• Suggested SPF record
• DMARC starter record
• DMARC policy recommendation
• DKIM setup reminders
• MTA-STS guidance
• TLS-RPT record suggestion
• BIMI readiness notes
• Blacklist next steps
• Plain-English explanation of each issue
• Priority order: what to fix first

MXScan vs MXToolbox: which one should you use?

Use MXToolbox when you need broad diagnostics

MXToolbox is a strong choice when you need many individual network and DNS tools in one place. Good for:

• IT admins
• Network engineers
• Quick MX lookups
• Blacklist checks
• SMTP diagnostics
• DNS troubleshooting
• Manual technical investigation

MXToolbox’s Email Health Check runs many domain, email, and network performance tests and highlights critical problem areas.

Use MXScan when you need guided email security fixes

MXScan is a better fit when the goal is not just to diagnose the problem, but to understand and fix the email security setup. Good for:

• Business owners
• SaaS teams
• Agencies
• Google Workspace admins
• Microsoft 365 admins
• Marketing teams
• Ecommerce stores
• Deliverability consultants
• Teams that need copy-ready DNS recommendations

Best for agencies

Agencies often manage many client domains. The hard part is not just finding DNS issues — it is explaining them clearly to clients and developers.

MXScan is useful for agencies because it can help produce:

• Client-friendly audit results
• Priority fix lists
• Copy-ready DNS records
• Before/after checks
• Monitoring alerts
• Easy explanations for non-technical clients

Best for SaaS companies

SaaS companies depend on email for:

• Signup verification
• Password resets
• Trial onboarding
• Billing emails
• Product notifications
• Security alerts
• Lifecycle campaigns

If these emails go to spam, revenue and user activation suffer. MXScan helps SaaS teams check whether their domain is ready for transactional and product email.

Important checks:

• SPF includes the sending provider
• DKIM is enabled
• DMARC exists
• DMARC alignment works
• Transactional and marketing mail are separated
• Blacklist status is clean
• Domain reputation is protected

Best for Google Workspace admins

Google Workspace admins often have a simple-looking setup, but problems appear when third-party tools start sending from the same domain. Examples:

• Mailchimp sends newsletters
• SendGrid sends product emails
• Stripe sends invoices
• HubSpot sends sales emails
• Zendesk sends support emails
• A website sends SMTP email

Google Workspace SPF and DKIM do not automatically authenticate every third-party tool.

MXScan helps admins check the full domain setup, not only the Google Workspace part.

Best for Microsoft 365 admins

Microsoft 365 domains also need SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configured correctly. Problems often happen when companies add external tools without updating DNS authentication.

MXScan can help check:

• Microsoft 365 SPF
• DKIM status
• DMARC record
• Third-party sender alignment
• Blacklist status
• Reverse DNS
• MTA-STS and TLS-RPT readiness

Free scan CTA

FAQ

Is MXScan an MXToolbox replacement?

MXScan can replace MXToolbox for many email security and deliverability checks, especially SPF, DKIM, DMARC, blacklist, and DNS fix workflows. MXToolbox still has a broader set of general network diagnostic tools.

Is MXToolbox free?

MXToolbox offers free lookup tools and one free monitor with access to the top 30 blacklists. Paid plans include more monitors, more blacklists, and advanced delivery tools.

What makes MXScan different?

MXScan focuses on guided email security checks, copy-ready DNS fixes, and monitoring. It is designed to help users understand what to fix, not only what failed.

Which tool is better for agencies?

Agencies may prefer MXScan when they need client-friendly reports, clear fix priorities, and copy-ready DNS recommendations. MXToolbox is also useful for deeper manual diagnostics.

Which tool is better for quick blacklist checks?

Both can help. MXToolbox is well known for blacklist checks, while MXScan connects blacklist status with broader deliverability and authentication checks.

Which tool is better for Google Workspace domains?

MXScan is useful when Google Workspace is only one part of the sending setup. It helps check whether other tools like Mailchimp, SendGrid, Klaviyo, HubSpot, or CRMs are also authenticated correctly.

Should I use both tools?

Yes, many technical teams can use both. MXToolbox is useful for broad DNS and SMTP diagnostics. MXScan is useful for guided email security audits, DNS fix packs, and monitoring.