SPF Record Check vs MXToolbox: Full Comparison

MXToolbox is one of the most well-known email diagnostic tools on the internet. They offer SPF checking along with dozens of other DNS and email tools. So how does SPF Record Check compare?

Quick Comparison

What MXToolbox Offers

MXToolbox is a comprehensive email and DNS diagnostic platform. Their SPF lookup tool is part of a larger suite that includes:

• Blacklist checking
• DNS lookups (MX, A, TXT, etc.)
• Email header analysis
• SMTP diagnostics
• Domain health reports

If you need an all-in-one diagnostic suite and don't mind navigating between tools, MXToolbox is a solid choice.

What SPF Record Check Offers

SPF Record Check focuses specifically on SPF validation. When you check a domain, you get:

• Full SPF record display
• Syntax validation
• DNS lookup count (with the 10-lookup limit in mind)
• Clear pass/fail indicators
• Actionable recommendations

When to Use Each Tool

Use SPF Record Check when:

• You specifically need to validate SPF records
• You want a clean, focused interface
• You're checking multiple domains quickly
• You prefer straightforward results without navigating multiple tools
• You want unlimited free lookups

Use MXToolbox when:

• You need multiple diagnostic tools in one place
• You're troubleshooting complex email delivery issues
• You want blacklist checking alongside SPF
• You need SMTP and header analysis

Interface Comparison

MXToolbox provides detailed output with links to related tools. The interface is information-dense, which is helpful for deep diagnostics but can be overwhelming for simple SPF checks.

SPF Record Check presents results in a cleaner format focused on what matters for SPF: Is the record valid? How many lookups does it use? Are there any issues?

Both approaches have merit—it depends on whether you want depth or focus.

Lookup Limits

MXToolbox offers free lookups but may limit usage for heavy users. Check their current pricing page for specifics.

SPF Record Check offers unlimited free lookups. Check as many domains as you need.

Monitoring Capabilities

Neither tool's free tier includes ongoing monitoring. For continuous SPF monitoring with alerts:

• MXToolbox offers paid monitoring plans
• SPF Record Check integrates with the Email Deliverability Suite for daily monitoring of SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and MX records

The Verdict

Both tools check SPF records correctly. The choice comes down to your workflow:

Choose MXToolbox if you regularly need multiple diagnostic tools and prefer having everything in one ecosystem.

Choose SPF Record Check if you want a focused SPF checker with a clean interface and unlimited free lookups.

For many users, the answer is "both"—use SPF Record Check for quick SPF validation and MXToolbox when you need deeper email diagnostics.

Monitor Your SPF Records

Checking once is good. Monitoring continuously is better. The Email Deliverability Suite watches your SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and MX records daily and alerts you when something breaks.