What are the best inbox placement tools?

10 Marketer opinions 4 Expert opinions 5 Technical articles 6 Resources

Summary

The best inbox placement tools are diverse, ranging from dedicated platforms like GlockApps, Validity/250ok/Return Path, Everest, MailMonitor, Kickbox, InboxReady (Email on Acid), and Inbox Monster, to analytical tools like Mail-Tester. Seedlist testing is a common method for measuring deliverability, and sender reputation monitoring is crucial. Rendering emails correctly across different clients (Litmus) and adhering to email sending best practices (Microsoft, Google) are essential for improving inbox placement.

Key findings

GlockApps: GlockApps is frequently cited for its comprehensive testing and reporting features.
Validity (250ok/Return Path) & Everest: Validity's tools and Everest are recommended for inbox placement monitoring and sender reputation management.
Seedlist Testing: Seedlist testing is a widely used method for measuring deliverability, with various tools available.
Sender Reputation: Maintaining a good sender reputation is essential for achieving optimal inbox placement.
Email Rendering: Proper email rendering and previewing across different clients and devices can improve deliverability.
Best Practices: Following email sending best practices, as outlined by Microsoft and Google, is key to inbox placement.

Key considerations

Tool Features: Evaluate tool features and choose those that align with specific needs for testing, monitoring, and reporting.
Testing Approach: Consider whether seedlist testing or other testing methods are most appropriate for your email program.
Reputation Management: Prioritize sender reputation monitoring and management as a continuous process.
Client Compatibility: Ensure emails render correctly across various email clients and devices to avoid spam filters.
Holistic Approach: Adopt a holistic approach that includes dedicated tools, best practices, and reputation monitoring for best results.

What email marketers say
10Marketer opinions

Several inbox placement tools are recommended, with GlockApps frequently mentioned for its comprehensive testing and reporting. Other tools include Inbox Monster, InboxReady (Email on Acid), MailMonitor, Mail-Tester, Validity (formerly 250ok and Return Path), and Everest. Litmus highlights the importance of email previewing for optimal rendering, and reputation monitoring tools like Sender Score are also suggested.

Key opinions

GlockApps: GlockApps is repeatedly cited as a leading inbox placement tool, offering comprehensive deliverability testing and reporting across various ISPs.
Variety of Tools: A diverse range of tools exists, each with unique features and strengths, catering to different needs and preferences.
Importance of Rendering: Proper email rendering across different clients and devices is critical for avoiding spam flags and ensuring inbox placement.
Reputation Monitoring: Maintaining a good sender reputation through tools like Sender Score is crucial for improving inbox placement.

Key considerations

Specific Needs: The best tool depends on specific needs, such as the level of detail required in reporting or the focus on specific ISPs.
Testing Approach: Consider whether seed list testing or other approaches are more suitable for your deliverability monitoring strategy.
Email Preview: Prioritize email previewing and rendering checks as a fundamental aspect of inbox placement optimization.
Reputation Management: Implement sender reputation monitoring and management as a continuous effort to safeguard inbox placement.

Marketer view

Email marketer from Word to the Wise suggests using Return Path's Sender Score (now Validity) for reputation monitoring, which can indirectly affect inbox placement, as well as tools like Everest.

September 2021 - Word to the Wise

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Vendor Selection suggests using 250ok (now Validity) for inbox placement monitoring, emphasizing its comprehensive data and insights into email performance.

October 2022 - Email Vendor Selection

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests InboxReady, which includes the Email On Acid platform, as an inbox placement tool.

November 2023 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailToolTester recommends MailMonitor for inbox placement testing, emphasizing its seed list-based approach and detailed reporting on spam filter hits.

July 2021 - EmailToolTester

Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit recommends GlockApps for its comprehensive inbox placement testing and detailed reporting, citing its usefulness in identifying deliverability issues.

July 2022 - Reddit

Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow recommends Mail-Tester for quickly assessing the technical aspects of an email that might affect deliverability and inbox placement.

September 2023 - StackOverflow

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks adds Inbox Monster as a promising, newer inbox placement tool.

May 2023 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus highlights the importance of previewing emails across different email clients and devices to ensure optimal rendering and avoid being flagged as spam which impacts inbox placement.

June 2024 - Litmus

Marketer view

Email marketer from G2 lists GlockApps as a leading inbox placement tool, highlighting its deliverability testing and reporting features across various ISPs.

March 2021 - G2

Marketer view

Email marketer from Sendinblue suggests using GlockApps for comprehensive deliverability monitoring, including inbox placement rates and spam filter analysis.

June 2022 - Sendinblue

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

The answers highlight Kickbox as a favored inbox placement tool, noting its active development. Seedlist testing, employing tools like 250ok/Validity or GlockApps, is identified as a method for assessing deliverability and inbox placement. Furthermore, the use of Return Path's Sender Score (now Validity) and Everest for reputation monitoring is suggested as a way to indirectly improve inbox placement.

Key opinions

Kickbox: Kickbox is favored and actively being developed.
Seedlist Testing: Seedlist testing with tools like 250ok/Validity or GlockApps helps measure deliverability.
Reputation Monitoring: Tools like Sender Score (Validity) and Everest contribute to better inbox placement through reputation monitoring.

Key considerations

Tool Selection: Consider the tool's development status and active user base when choosing a solution.
Testing Methodology: Decide whether seedlist testing aligns with your needs for assessing inbox placement.
Holistic Approach: Adopt a holistic approach that includes both direct testing and reputation monitoring to improve inbox placement.

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks responds that Kickbox is live and has active users, with ongoing development.

June 2021 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that his favorite inbox placement tool is Kickbox.

May 2022 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that seedlist testing (using tools like 250ok/Validity or GlockApps) is one method to measure deliverability, including inbox placement.

April 2024 - Spam Resource

Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise suggests using Return Path's Sender Score (now Validity) for reputation monitoring, which can indirectly affect inbox placement, as well as tools like Everest.

December 2024 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Several resources detail tools and practices for improving inbox placement. Everest monitors inbox placement by showing where emails land. GlockApps uses seed testing to identify issues. Mail-Tester analyzes emails for factors like spam filters and authentication. Microsoft emphasizes sender reputation through authentication and avoiding spam. Google highlights best practices for bulk sending including authentication, list management and complaint handling to improve gmail inbox placement.

Key findings

Everest Monitoring: Everest provides visibility into email placement across different mailbox providers.
GlockApps Seed Testing: GlockApps employs seed testing to pinpoint inbox placement issues.
Mail-Tester Analysis: Mail-Tester analyzes emails for deliverability factors such as spam filters and authentication.
Sender Reputation: Maintaining a good sender reputation is key to inbox placement.
Bulk Sending Best Practices: Following bulk sending best practices improves inbox placement for Gmail.

Key considerations

Comprehensive Approach: Use a combination of monitoring, testing, and analysis tools for a comprehensive approach.
Authentication Implementation: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to authenticate emails.
List Management: Practice proper list management to avoid spam complaints.
Proactive Monitoring: Proactively monitor email deliverability and inbox placement to identify and address issues quickly.

Technical article

Documentation from GlockApps details how their platform uses seed testing to identify inbox placement issues, spam filter triggers, and authentication problems affecting deliverability.

October 2022 - GlockApps

Technical article

Documentation from Google explains that following best practices for bulk email sending, including proper authentication, list management, and spam complaint handling, can improve inbox placement in Gmail.

March 2024 - Google

Technical article

Documentation from Mail-Tester describes its process of analyzing emails for various deliverability factors, including spam filter checks, authentication status, and broken links, to improve inbox placement.

July 2021 - Mail-Tester

Technical article

Documentation from Validity explains how Everest helps monitor inbox placement by providing insights into where emails land (inbox, spam, or missing) across different mailbox providers.

February 2023 - Validity

Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft details the importance of maintaining a good sender reputation by authenticating email (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and avoiding sending unsolicited email, improving chances of inbox placement in Outlook.

October 2021 - Microsoft