Compare
FreeEmailChecker vs MXToolbox
FreeEmailChecker vs MXToolbox: how this WordPress plugin's free MX, blacklist and SPF/DKIM/DMARC tools compare to MXToolbox's diagnostics and paid Delivery Center.
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Overlapping tools, different scope
MXToolbox is a widely used set of free DNS/email diagnostic lookups (MX, blacklist, SPF/DKIM/DMARC, SMTP, header analysis) plus a paid Delivery Center for ongoing enterprise deliverability monitoring. FreeEmailChecker covers the same DNS/blacklist diagnostics as standalone free WordPress tools, plus something MXToolbox does not do at all: verifying whether a specific email address is real and deliverable, with a 0-100 trust score.
Feature comparison
| Feature | FreeEmailChecker | MXToolbox |
|---|---|---|
| MX record lookup | Yes, free standalone tool | Yes, free standalone tool |
| Blacklist / DNSBL checking | Yes, free, checks major public DNSBLs on demand | Yes, free tier checks the top ~30 blocklists on demand |
| SPF / DKIM / DMARC lookup | Yes, with a plain-language policy explanation and a Gmail/Yahoo bulk-sender readiness badge | Yes, raw record lookup |
| Ongoing monitoring on the free tier | Daily automated checks once a domain is verified (Deliverability Monitor) | One monitor, weekly blacklist re-checks |
| Individual email address verification | Yes – MX, SMTP, disposable/catch-all detection, 0-100 trust score | Not offered – domain-level diagnostics only |
| Inbox placement analysis / recipient complaint reporting | Not currently offered | Included in the paid Delivery Center (plans start around $129/month) |
| Embeds directly on a WordPress page/form | Yes, native shortcodes | No – separate hosted dashboard |
When MXToolbox is the better fit
An enterprise managing several domains that needs deep inbox-placement analysis, recipient complaint feedback loops, and dedicated deliverability operations tooling will find that depth in MXToolbox's paid Delivery Center, which goes further than this plugin's current monitoring.
When FreeEmailChecker is the better fit
For a WordPress site owner who wants MX/blacklist/SPF-DKIM-DMARC checks and individual email address verification in one place – embedded directly on their own site rather than in a separate external dashboard – with daily rather than weekly automated re-checks on the free tier, this plugin covers more ground natively.
Pricing and feature details for MXToolbox reflect its publicly listed plans as of 2026 and can change – always confirm current pricing directly on MXToolbox's own site before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does FreeEmailChecker replace MXToolbox's blacklist checker?
For a one-off check, yes – both look a domain or IP up against major public DNSBLs like Spamhaus and SpamCop. MXToolbox's free tier additionally offers one ongoing monitor with automated weekly re-checks; FreeEmailChecker's comparable feature is the Domain Deliverability Monitor, which checks daily rather than weekly once a domain is verified.
Does MXToolbox verify individual email addresses?
No – MXToolbox is a domain/DNS diagnostics tool (MX, blacklist, SPF/DKIM/DMARC lookup, SMTP and header analysis). It does not check whether a specific mailbox exists or is deliverable the way FreeEmailChecker's email verifier does.
What does MXToolbox offer that this plugin does not?
MXToolbox's paid Delivery Center adds inbox-placement analysis across major providers, recipient complaint reporting, and multi-domain enterprise monitoring – a deeper deliverability-operations suite than this plugin's Deliverability Monitor currently covers.