What are the best self-hosted and free DMARC analyzing platforms?

Summary

The best self-hosted and free DMARC analyzing platforms include parsedmarc, a self-hosted solution; Valimail, offering a free DMARC monitor; Mailhardener, as an alternative to Valimail; and Openterface, for detailed reporting. Paid solutions like Dmarcian and Agari offer comprehensive features. Setting up a dedicated email address with custom scripts is another option. Always validate DMARC records and understand report interpretation to avoid deliverability issues. Tools like MXToolbox and online DMARC validators are helpful for initial setup. For self-hosting, `dmarc-parser` and a database can provide a cost-effective analysis system.

Key findings

  • Parsedmarc: A self-hosted option with support for multiple data sources, a web interface, and Elasticsearch integration.
  • Valimail: Offers a free DMARC monitor with domain discovery and a setup wizard, focusing on email authentication visibility.
  • Mailhardener: An alternative to Valimail with both free and paid plans for DMARC reporting and analysis.
  • Openterface: Provides detailed reporting and visualization as a free DMARC analyzer.
  • Paid Solutions: Dmarcian and Agari offer comprehensive DMARC solutions, including forensic analysis, primarily for enterprise clients with paid services.
  • Custom Setup: Setting up a dedicated email address with custom scripts (using tools like `dmarc-parser`) allows cost-effective DMARC analysis.
  • Report URI: Offers free DMARC aggregate report processing with a paid plan for advanced features.
  • DMARC Record Validation: Tools like MXToolbox and online DMARC validators are helpful for ensuring the DMARC record is correctly configured.

Key considerations

  • Self-Hosting vs. SaaS: Choose between self-hosted (e.g., parsedmarc) for control or SaaS (e.g., Valimail) for convenience based on technical expertise and resource availability.
  • Free vs. Paid Features: Evaluate whether free tiers meet your needs or if paid plans offer essential features for comprehensive analysis.
  • Data Privacy: Review privacy policies to understand how your data will be handled by DMARC analysis services, particularly for third-party solutions.
  • Technical Expertise: Self-hosting requires technical expertise for setup and maintenance, while SaaS solutions offer managed services.
  • Implementation Complexity: Consider the complexity of setting up and configuring a DMARC analysis platform, particularly for self-hosted options.
  • DMARC Policy: Start with a 'p=none' DMARC policy to monitor traffic before implementing stricter policies to avoid deliverability issues.
  • Report Interpretation: Understanding and correctly interpreting DMARC reports is essential to identify legitimate sending sources and prevent false positives.
  • DMARC Record Validation: Always validate your DMARC record to ensure it is correctly configured before deploying a DMARC analysis platform.
  • Reporting: Ensure the platform is capable of handling and visualizing a good volume of reports.

What email marketers say
10Marketer opinions

The best self-hosted and free DMARC analyzing platforms include parsedmarc, Valimail Analyzer, Mailhardener, and Openterface. Parsedmarc is a self-hosted solution with detailed reporting. Valimail offers a free DMARC monitoring option. Other platforms to consider are Dmarcian and Agari, although these are mostly paid solutions. Some suggest setting up a dedicated email address and using scripts for processing DMARC reports, while validating the DMARC record before implementing a platform is also suggested.

Key opinions

  • Parsedmarc: parsedmarc is a well-regarded self-hosted DMARC analyzing platform.
  • Valimail: Valimail provides a free DMARC monitoring service.
  • Mailhardener: Mailhardener is an alternative to Valimail for DMARC monitoring.
  • Openterface: Openterface provides detailed reporting and visualization as a free DMARC analyzer.
  • Paid Solutions: Dmarcian and Agari offer comprehensive DMARC analysis but are primarily paid services.
  • Manual Setup: Setting up a dedicated email address and using scripts is a possible approach for DMARC report processing.
  • Record Validation: It's important to validate the DMARC record before implementing any DMARC analysis platform.

Key considerations

  • Self-Hosting vs. SaaS: Consider whether a self-hosted solution like parsedmarc or a SaaS solution like Valimail better fits your technical capabilities and resource constraints.
  • Free vs. Paid Features: Evaluate the features offered in free tiers versus paid plans to determine if the free options meet your needs.
  • Data Privacy: Review the privacy policies of any DMARC analysis service to understand how your data will be handled.
  • Implementation Complexity: Be aware that implementing a DMARC analysis platform, especially self-hosted options, can involve technical complexity.
  • DMARC Policy: Begin with a 'p=none' DMARC policy to monitor traffic before enforcing stricter policies.
  • Record Validation: Always validate your DMARC record to ensure it is correctly configured.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora suggests looking at services like Dmarcian and Agari for comprehensive DMARC analysis, but acknowledges these are typically paid solutions.

June 2022 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailSecurityAdvice.com recommends checking out several free DMARC record validators available online to ensure your DMARC record is properly configured before implementing a DMARC analyzing platform.

December 2021 - EmailSecurityAdvice.com
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that they use parsedmarc and it works well for them, and provides links to the tool and a setup guide.

September 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from ServerFault suggests setting up a dedicated email address to receive DMARC reports and then using a script or service to process them. They recommend starting with a 'p=none' policy to monitor traffic before enforcing stricter policies.

November 2023 - ServerFault
Marketer view

Email marketer from GitHub recommends using Openterface as a free DMARC analyzer, noting it provides detailed reporting and visualization.

August 2023 - GitHub
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange suggests using Mailhardener as an alternative to Valimail for DMARC monitoring and analysis.

May 2023 - StackExchange
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares Valimail's privacy policy regarding DMARC reports and data usage, explaining that while reports may contain some header information or content from affected emails, it's only used to provide service to the domain operator. They also mention that aggregated, non-personal information may be shared with third parties for analysis and other purposes.

February 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit suggests using Valimail Analyzer for checking DMARC records and analyzing reports.

April 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks mentions Valimail as a free option for DMARC monitoring, and provides a link to their DMARC monitor page and a press release about making DMARC visibility free.

November 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailDeliverabilityForum.net suggests using online tools like MXToolbox or DMARC Analyzer to quickly check and validate DMARC records, and these tools can help identify common errors in your DMARC setup before deploying a full analysis platform.

July 2021 - EmailDeliverabilityForum.net

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

For DMARC analysis, it's suggested to consider self-hosting with tools like `dmarc-parser` for a cost-effective solution. Understanding DMARC reports and identifying legitimate sources are vital to prevent false positives and maintain deliverability.

Key opinions

  • Self-Hosting: Setting up your own DMARC analysis system using free tools like `dmarc-parser` and a database can be a cost-effective solution.
  • Report Interpretation: Careful review of DMARC reports is necessary to identify legitimate sending sources.
  • False Positives: Preventing false positives in DMARC analysis is crucial for maintaining deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Technical Expertise: Self-hosting DMARC analysis requires technical expertise to set up and maintain the system.
  • Data Analysis: Effective DMARC analysis requires a thorough understanding of the data and the ability to identify legitimate sending sources.
  • Impact on Deliverability: Incorrectly configured DMARC policies or misinterpretation of reports can negatively impact email deliverability.
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that while there are many commercial DMARC reporting services, setting up your own system using free tools like `dmarc-parser` and a database can provide cost-effective DMARC analysis.

May 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise provides guidance on understanding DMARC reports, stating that while DMARC reports contain valuable information, it's important to review the data carefully to identify legitimate sending sources and prevent false positives that can impact deliverability.

October 2022 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
8Technical articles

Several platforms offer DMARC analysis capabilities. parsedmarc is a self-hosted option that supports various data sources and provides a web interface. Valimail's free DMARC Monitor offers visibility into email authentication. Mailhardener provides DMARC reporting and analysis with both free and paid options. Dmarcian and Agari offer more comprehensive solutions, but these are mostly paid. Report URI provides free DMARC aggregate report processing. Google and Microsoft offer documentation on interpreting DMARC reports and setting up DMARC for their respective services.

Key findings

  • parsedmarc: Self-hosted solution with support for multiple data sources and Elasticsearch integration.
  • Valimail DMARC Monitor: Free service providing visibility into email authentication status.
  • Mailhardener: Offers DMARC reporting and analysis with both free and paid plans.
  • Dmarcian and Agari: Comprehensive DMARC solutions, typically for enterprise clients with paid services.
  • Report URI: Offers free DMARC aggregate report processing.
  • Google and Microsoft Documentation: Resources for understanding DMARC reports and configuring DMARC for their services.

Key considerations

  • Self-Hosting: Self-hosted solutions like parsedmarc require technical expertise for setup and maintenance.
  • Free vs. Paid: Assess whether the features available in free tiers are sufficient for your needs.
  • Comprehensive vs. Basic: Determine if you need comprehensive DMARC deployment, monitoring, and analysis or just basic reporting.
  • Integration: Consider how well the chosen solution integrates with your existing email infrastructure and services.
  • Report Interpretation: Understanding DMARC reports is crucial for improving email authentication and deliverability.
  • Specific Platform Guides: Utilize platform-specific guides (e.g., Google, Microsoft) to correctly configure DMARC.
Technical article

Documentation from GitHub explains that parsedmarc supports multiple data sources including aggregate reports (DMARC, SPF, DKIM), authentication failure reports (DMARC), and more. It also provides a web interface and can store data in Elasticsearch.

January 2023 - GitHub
Technical article

Documentation from Agari (now part of Proofpoint) details their email security solutions, including DMARC monitoring and enforcement. They focus on preventing email-borne threats but generally cater to enterprise clients with paid services.

April 2022 - Agari
Technical article

Documentation from Mailhardener highlights that they provide DMARC reporting and analysis, along with other email security tools. They offer both free and paid plans with varying levels of features and support.

February 2025 - Mailhardener
Technical article

Documentation from Google explains how to interpret DMARC reports and use the information to improve email authentication and deliverability. They provide detailed information on the structure of DMARC reports and how to identify authentication failures.

June 2023 - Google
Technical article

Documentation from Dmarcian states that their platform offers tools for DMARC deployment, monitoring, and analysis, including detailed reports and forensic analysis. While not entirely free, they have a free trial or limited free features.

September 2024 - Dmarcian
Technical article

Documentation from Report URI explains that their service offers free DMARC aggregate report processing. They offer a paid plan with advanced features but the basic DMARC reporting is free.

March 2023 - Report URI
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft details the steps required to set up DMARC for Office 365, including creating and publishing the DMARC record in DNS and configuring Exchange Online Protection to respect DMARC policies for inbound email.

April 2024 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from Valimail explains that their free DMARC Monitor provides visibility into email authentication status, helping identify and address deliverability issues. It includes domain discovery and a DMARC setup wizard.

January 2024 - Valimail