The 12 Best DKIM Checkers for Email Security

Email is crucial for business communication, but it also carries risks like spoofing, phishing, and spamming. That‘s why tools like DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) are so valuable. DKIM acts like a digital signature to authenticate emails, confirming they have not been tampered with.

But how do you know if your DKIM setup is working properly? A DKIM checker allows you to validate and monitor your email security, identify issues before they cause deliverability problems, and demonstrate compliance.

This guide will explain:

• What is DKIM and why use a DKIM checker
• The top 12 DKIM checking tools
• Key features and comparison of leading DKIM checkers
• Tips for selecting the right DKIM authentication tool
• Best practices for getting the most from your DKIM checker

Let‘s start with a quick overview of how DKIM works and why it matters.

What is DKIM and Why Check It?

DKIM verifies the authenticity of email by cryptographically signing messages with a private key stored on the sending server. The corresponding public key gets published in the domain‘s DNS records.

When messages arrive, the receiving server uses the public key to confirm the signature is valid and the email has not been spoofed or altered.

But errors can prevent DKIM authentication from working properly. Common issues include:

• Incorrectly formatted DKIM DNS records
• Expired cryptographic keys
• Misaligned DKIM signatures
• Invalid or revoked public keys

A DKIM checker detects these problems so you can fix them before they damage deliverability or spam filter reputation. Checking also demonstrates compliance for security standards like DMARC.

12 Top DKIM Checking Tools

There are many DKIM validator tools available, both free and paid. Below are 12 leading options, with a comparison of key capabilities:

Tool	Free Version	Checks Signatures	Checks DNS Records	Alignment Checks	Spam Tests
EasyDMARC	Limited	✅	✅	✅
Mimecast		✅	✅	✅	✅
MXToolbox	✅	✅	✅	✅
DMARCian	Limited	✅	✅	✅	✅
Dmarcly	✅	✅	✅
PowerDMARC	14-day trial	✅	✅	✅	✅
Mail-Tester	✅	✅	✅		✅
DNSChecker	✅	✅	✅
DKIMCore	✅	✅
Protodave	Limited	✅	✅
Courier	Limited	✅	✅	✅
SkySnag	Limited	✅	✅		✅

Below we’ll take an in-depth look at four of the best featured DKIM checkers for improving email authentication and security.

EasyDMARC – Best Overall DKIM Checker

EasyDMARC is an integrated email security platform, with an excellent DKIM checker included among its many authentication tools.

Key Features

• Checks DKIM signatures and DNS records
• Tests email alignment
• Real-time analytics
• Settings for fine-tuned control
• Results history shows changes over time

EasyDMARC provides at-a-glance stats on the validity of your DKIM records, keys, and signature alignment. Granular configuration options even let you validate DKIM by specific sending domains or IPs.

Handy tools like an alignment map visually flag issues with missing or mismatched signatures. This helps identify configuration problems leading to authentication failures.

For ongoing monitoring, you can schedule reports to track DKIM status over time. This reveals trends and lets you catch problems right when they crop up.

With its combination of ease-of-use, detailed diagnostics, and historical tracking, EasyDMARC offers the best overall package for comprehensive DKIM and email authentication testing.

Pros

• User-friendly dashboard
• Alignment mapping visualizations
• Scheduled reports for long-term monitoring
• Integrates well with full DMARC setup

Cons

• Must pay for some advanced features
• Interface less polished than some tools

Best For

EasyDMARC suits any organization, from small business to enterprise, looking for an integrated platform to implement and monitor DMARC and DKIM. The flexible options make it great for mail admins managing many domains.

It’s an Editors’ Choice for email authentication at PCMag and gets outstanding reviews across the web.

Mimecast – Top for Email Security Teams

Mimecast delivers a robust, enterprise-grade email management system with specialized security capabilities like targeted threat protection.

Key Features

• Detailed authentication insights
• Saved message tracing
• Spam and malware scanning
• Simulation tools for testing
• Role-based access control

In addition to comprehensive DKIM checking, Mimecast offers advanced features like:

Message tracing – drill down to transaction data for troubleshooting
Threat analytics – real-time monitoring for targeted attacks
Simulation tools – test authentication and delivery without impacting users

Granular permissions allow customized access so each team member sees relevant data.

Pros

• In-depth email and threat analysis
• Enterprise-scale management
• Advanced simulation options
• Strong customer support

Cons

• Expensive
• Potentially overly complex for basic needs

Best For

With its extensive features and customized controls, Mimecast hits the sweet spot for enterprise IT and security teams. The focus on mitigating targeted email threats also makes it ideal for organizations handling sensitive communications.

It earns strong ratings from Gartner, Forbes, and other cybersecurity experts.

MXToolbox – Best Free DKIM Checker

MXToolbox packs excellent capabilities into its free DKIM checker, with an option to upgrade for more detailed insights.

Key Features

• Verify DKIM records and keys
• Check signature alignment
• See spam test rating
• Simple setup and results

The free DKIM tool validates your DNS records, assesses public keys, and runs a spam assay to preview effectiveness against filters.

Paid plans add extras like multi-domain support, API access, custom branding, and priority support. But the core features helpful for optimizing DKIM work great even at the free level.

Pros

• Straightforward, easy to use
• Good functionality included for free users
• Covers the DKIM basics well

Cons

• Limited configuration options
• Can’t schedule automated reports
• Light on advanced analytics

Best For

MXToolbox is a top pick for solopreneurs, SMBs, and other small email senders wanting an ad-supported free tool that handles DKIM basics. Upgrading unlocks convenience features useful for managing authentication across multiple domains.

Its simplified interface also makes it one of the most beginner-friendly options.

PowerDMARC – Best for DMARC Compliance

PowerDMARC positions itself as an all-in-one platform for achieving DMARC compliance, with DKIM checking as part of its comprehensive email authentication toolbox.

Key Features

• Step-by-step DMARC assistant
• Customizable email reports
• DKIM and alignment diagnostics
• Real-time analytics dashboard
• SMTP connection testing

Unlike DMARC-specific alternatives, PowerDMARC incorporates the full suite of email transmission diagnostics – including DKIM, SPF, and SMTP handshakes – needed to identify potential issues impacting authentication and delivery.

It scaffolds the setup process to walk you through establishing DMARC in alignment with standards for your industry. Useful tools like templated report emails allow communicating status to stakeholders like executives, customers, and ISPs.

For already DMARC-enabled organizations, PowerDMARC provides ongoing monitoring and troubleshooting. Its real-time visualizations and analytics make tracking authentication metrics simple for mail admins.

Pros

• DMARC step-by-step setup wizard
• Email report automation
• Support compliance standards
• All-in-one email diagnostics

Cons

• Navigation somewhat complex
• Cost jumps for multi-domain plans

Best For

The DMARC-focused experience gives PowerDMARC extra appeal for larger enterprises aiming to formally establish DMARC TXT DNS policies across managed domains. With assistance configuring policies to match finance, healthcare, government or other compliance needs, it best suits security-conscious IT teams.

Choosing the Right DKIM Checker

With an abundance of capable DKIM checking tools now available, choosing the right solution depends mainly on your use case, technical needs, and budget.

Here are key factors to help select a DKIM authentication platform:

Cost – If funds are tight, stick to free or low-cost checker options, as opposed to full-fledged email security suites
Ease of use – Prioritize an intuitive interface requiring minimal technical skill
Domain support – Consider number of domains needing DKIM checks, for single vs multi-domain access
Monitoring features – Scheduled reports and historical tracking add value for ongoing authentication monitoring
Advanced capabilities – Added spam checks, deep diagnostics offer upside for sophisticated users

Most importantly – take advantage of free trials for a hands-on sense of the setup process and dashboard experience before committing.

Getting the Most From Your DKIM Checker

Once you’ve selected a DKIM verification utility aligned with your needs, use these tips to maximize effectiveness:

• Check new DKIM DNS records BEFORE publishing to confirm validation
• Review initial results carefully – don’t ignore warning flags!
• Schedule regular reports for easy monitoring rather than one-off checks
• Share reports internally to engage other teams like admins, marketing
• Check third-party sending domains like ISPs and mailing services too
• Revalidate after making significant infrastructure changes
• Use alignment tools to map DKIM gaps to sending points
• Confirm that keys are sufficiently long and recent

Conclusion

As an email sender, keeping your DKIM infrastructure fine-tuned is essential not only for security, but for deliverability and preventing blacklisting too.

The right DKIM checker makes validating DomainKey signatures, catching issues early, and demonstrating DMARC compliance straightforward. Services like EasyDMARC, Mimecast, MXToolbox, and PowerDMARC combine ease of use with the analytics you need to improve email authentication.

Implementing a monitoring regime takes your DKIM setup to the next level for security. By choosing the best DKIM checker for your needs and using it religiously to audit DomainKeys, you can ensure your email keeps flowing smoothly to its destinations.