AdminKit vs MxToolbox
MxToolbox checks a domain or IP against 100+ DNS-based blacklists and has run free email/DNS tools since 2004 (mxtoolbox.com/blacklists.aspx, read 2026-10-23); AdminKit's angle is a newer, single-report UX across IP, DNS and mail-authentication checks today, not greater DNSBL coverage, which this page states plainly rather than implying parity that doesn't exist yet.
What each tool actually checks today
MxToolbox is a long-running set of free email and DNS diagnostic tools: MX lookup, SPF record check, DMARC record check, DKIM record check, and a blacklist (DNSBL) check that, per MxToolbox’s own blacklists page, read 2026-10-23, tests a domain or IP against “100+” DNS-based blacklists. The site’s footer copyright notice (”© Copyright 2004-2026, MXToolBox, Inc.”) puts the company’s track record at over two decades.
AdminKit’s SPF check, DMARC check and DKIM check tools are free today, run with no account, and read the record, follow nested mechanisms (for SPF), and explain the result in plain language in a single combined page alongside AdminKit’s other IP and DNS tools. AdminKit’s blacklist check is not live yet — it ships with the AdminKit Check API — so on DNSBL breadth specifically, MxToolbox is today’s more complete option, not AdminKit.
The honest angle
AdminKit is not claiming equal or greater DNSBL coverage, and does not claim to be more comprehensive than a tool with two decades of blacklist-source accumulation behind it. The difference AdminKit is actually offering today is a newer, single-report UX: one page that already covers SPF, DMARC, DKIM, DNS and IP checks together, without the blacklist breadth MxToolbox has built up since 2004.
If you’re looking at MxToolbox specifically for its SPF, DKIM and DMARC tools rather than its blacklist monitoring, see MXToolbox alternatives for checking SPF, DKIM and DMARC for a ranked list, or DNSChecker vs MxToolbox for a head-to-head against the other tool most often compared to MxToolbox. For the full field of free DNS and email-deliverability checkers, including blacklist coverage, see the best free DNS and email deliverability checkers roundup.
Trademarks belong to their respective owners; AdminKit is not affiliated.
| Feature | AdminKit | MxToolbox |
|---|---|---|
| Free SPF record checker, no account required | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free DMARC record checker, no account required | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free DKIM record checker, no account required | ✓ | ✓ |
| DNS-based blacklist (DNSBL) check | Coming with the API | 100+ lists (own page) |
| Combined IP + DNS + mail-auth report in one page | ✓ | — |
| Years operating (own stated copyright range) | Launched 2026 | Since 2004 |
AdminKit vs MxToolbox
DNS-based blacklist (DNSBL) check
Combined IP + DNS + mail-auth report in one page
Years operating (own stated copyright range)
Frequently asked questions
Does AdminKit check against as many blacklists as MxToolbox?
No. MxToolbox's own blacklist page states it checks against "100+" DNS-based blacklists, built up since the company's 2004 founding. AdminKit's blacklist (DNSBL) check is not live yet — it is coming with the AdminKit Check API — and is not expected to match that breadth of list coverage at launch.
Is MxToolbox's SPF/DMARC/DKIM checker free?
Based on MxToolbox's own SPF, DMARC and DKIM tool pages, each tool is usable with no pricing shown and no stated sign-up requirement for a single lookup. AdminKit's SPF, DMARC and DKIM checks are also free with no account required.
Why would I use AdminKit instead of MxToolbox?
If you specifically need broad DNSBL coverage or MxToolbox's other monitoring products, MxToolbox is the more established choice. AdminKit's free checks are newer and narrower today, aimed at a single clean report across IP, DNS and mail-authentication checks in one place; AdminKit does not claim to replace MxToolbox's blacklist breadth.
Does this page use MxToolbox's logo or brand assets?
No. This page refers to MxToolbox by name only (nominative use) to describe and compare publicly available tools. AdminKit is not affiliated with or endorsed by MxToolbox, Inc.
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