MxToolbox
MxToolbox provides a comprehensive suite of diagnostic tools and monitoring services to help you maintain healthy email delivery and resolve complex DNS or server configuration issues quickly.
Shortwave
Shortwave is an intelligent email client that uses AI to help you organize your inbox, summarize long threads, and draft professional responses to reach inbox zero faster.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | MxToolbox | Shortwave |
|---|---|---|
| Website | mxtoolbox.com | shortwave.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2004 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Austin, USA | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
MxToolbox
MxToolbox is your go-to platform for diagnosing and monitoring email delivery and infrastructure health. You can perform instant lookups for MX records, DNS configurations, and blacklist status to identify why your emails might be landing in spam folders. It simplifies the technical complexity of email protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC by providing clear, actionable reports that show you exactly what needs fixing.
You can also set up automated monitoring to get alerted the moment your domain appears on a blacklist or if your mail server goes offline. This proactive approach helps you protect your brand reputation and ensures your critical communications always reach their destination. Whether you are an IT professional managing multiple domains or a small business owner troubleshooting a single mail server, the platform provides the visibility you need to keep your email systems running smoothly.
Shortwave
Shortwave is an AI-powered email client designed to transform your messy inbox into a structured workspace. It replaces the traditional list of emails with a focused view that automatically bundles related messages, such as newsletters and promotions, so you can handle them in bulk. You can snooze tasks for later, pin important conversations to the top, and use a built-in calendar to manage your schedule without leaving the app.
The platform integrates advanced AI to help you write better emails and find information instantly. You can ask the AI assistant to summarize long threads, draft replies in your unique voice, or search through your entire history using natural language. It works directly with your existing Gmail account, ensuring your data stays synced across all your devices while providing a much faster, more organized experience.
Overview
MxToolbox Features
- Blacklist Monitoring Check your IP or domain against over 100 blacklists and receive instant alerts if you are ever listed.
- DNS Lookups Perform comprehensive lookups for MX, A, and TXT records to verify your server is configured correctly.
- DMARC Reporting Analyze your DMARC data to see who is sending email on your behalf and block unauthorized spoofing attempts.
- Mail Server Diagnostics Test your mail server's SMTP connection to identify performance bottlenecks or security vulnerabilities in your setup.
- SPF & DKIM Validation Verify your email authentication records are valid so major providers like Google and Outlook trust your messages.
- Domain Health Reports Run a single check to see a complete overview of your domain's technical health and security status.
Shortwave Features
- AI Email Assistant. Draft professional replies, summarize long conversations, and search your inbox using natural language to find exactly what you need.
- Smart Bundling. Automatically group related emails like newsletters and travel updates so you can archive or skip them with a single click.
- Integrated Calendar. View your schedule and join meetings directly from your inbox to manage your time without switching between different apps.
- Voice-to-Email. Dictate your thoughts and let the AI transform your spoken words into perfectly formatted, professional email drafts instantly.
- Thread Summaries. Get instant bulleted summaries of long email chains so you can catch up on complex discussions in seconds.
- Custom Delivery Schedules. Control when specific types of emails hit your inbox to minimize distractions and protect your deep work time.
Pricing Comparison
MxToolbox Pricing
- Unlimited manual lookups
- 1 Blacklist monitor
- Weekly health reports
- Basic DNS diagnostics
- Community support access
- Everything in Free, plus:
- DMARC aggregate reporting
- Fraud and spoofing alerts
- Advanced blacklist monitoring
- Configuration change alerts
- Email delivery trend analysis
Shortwave Pricing
- 90-day search history
- Limited AI credits
- Standard email features
- Smart bundling
- Mobile and desktop apps
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited search history
- Increased AI credits
- Custom delivery schedules
- Priority support
- Advanced AI drafting
Pros & Cons
MxToolbox
Pros
- Fast and reliable DNS lookup results
- Comprehensive coverage of global email blacklists
- Easy to understand DMARC report visualizations
- Generous free tier for basic troubleshooting
- Proactive alerts prevent long-term delivery issues
Cons
- Interface feels dated compared to modern tools
- Steep pricing jump for professional tiers
- Learning curve for interpreting technical DNS data
Shortwave
Pros
- Intuitive bundling makes clearing your inbox much faster
- AI summaries accurately capture key points from long threads
- Clean interface reduces visual clutter and mental fatigue
- Seamless synchronization with your existing Gmail account
- Powerful search finds specific details using natural language
Cons
- Currently only supports Gmail and Google Workspace accounts
- Free version has a limited 90-day search history
- Learning curve for users used to traditional layouts