Managing email authentication is no longer optional for SaaS companies. With phishing and spoofing attacks on the rise, achieving DMARC alignment and compliance has become a core security requirement—not just a nice-to-have.
At the heart of DMARC compliance lies SPF (Sender Policy Framework). Yet, managing SPF records across multiple SaaS vendors can quickly spiral into complexity. From Salesforce and HubSpot to AWS SES and Google Workspace, every new sender you add introduces new include: mechanisms, pushing you closer to the dreaded 10-DNS-lookup limit.
That’s where SPF automation solutions come in. Two of the leading approaches are:
- AutoSPF – an automated SPF flattening service designed for SaaS teams that need reliability and scalability.
- DynamicSPF by Dmarcduty – a hosted SPF record solution built for enterprises requiring flexibility and continuous updates.
If you’re wondering which one is right for your SaaS business, this detailed comparison will walk you through every angle: features, pricing, integrations, user experience, and best-fit scenarios.
Why SaaS Companies Struggle with SPF
Before diving into the comparison, let’s set the stage. SPF is a DNS TXT record that tells receiving mail servers which IP addresses are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain. Sounds simple, right? Not quite.
As SaaS companies grow, they rely on dozens of third-party platforms for marketing, customer support, billing, and notifications. Each of these requires SPF alignment. Here’s what usually happens:
- Your DNS SPF record grows to include multiple include: statements.
- Each include: often points to another record with its own set of include: chains.
- Pretty soon, you hit 10 lookups—the DNS-imposed maximum.
Once you exceed that limit, your SPF record breaks silently, causing DMARC alignment to fail. That means legitimate emails start bouncing or landing in spam, eroding trust in your SaaS brand.
AutoSPF vs DynamicSPF: Key Features Overview
| Solution | Approach to SPF Management | Best For |
| AutoSPF | Automated flattening into a DNS-compliant record | SaaS companies scaling across multiple platforms |
| DynamicSPF | Vendor-hosted dynamic SPF resolution | Enterprises with complex infrastructures |
Both tools solve the SPF lookup problem but take very different approaches. Let’s break it down feature by feature.
AutoSPF: Hands-Off SPF Flattening for SaaS Growth
AutoSPF is purpose-built for SaaS teams that don’t want to manually edit DNS every time they add a new sender. It continuously monitors and flattens SPF records into a single DNS-safe version.
Key Features
- Automated SPF Flattening
AutoSPF resolves all nested include: mechanisms into a flat record containing direct IPs and CIDRs. This ensures you’ll never exceed the 10-lookup limit. - Compliance Tracking
It scans your SPF health regularly, alerting you if new senders push you out of DMARC alignment. - Minimal Overhead
Once configured, AutoSPF updates automatically, eliminating the need for DNS admin teams to make constant edits. - SaaS-Centric Integrations
Designed for environments using multiple third-party tools—think HubSpot for marketing, Zendesk for support, and AWS SES for bulk mail. - Security Benefits
By eliminating unnecessary DNS lookups, AutoSPF reduces the surface area for DNS-related attacks and misconfigurations.
💡 Best for SaaS companies scaling quickly, where ease of use and guaranteed compliance outweigh fine-grained manual control.
DynamicSPF by Dmarcduty: Real-Time Hosted SPF Management
DynamicSPF takes a different approach. Instead of flattening your SPF into a static record, it hosts a dynamic SPF record under Dmarcduty’s DNS.
Key Features
- Hosted SPF Record
Your DNS simply points to a single Dmarcduty-managed include. All vendor IPs and policies are maintained externally by them. - Real-Time Updates
If a SaaS vendor (like Microsoft or Google) changes their IP ranges, DynamicSPF automatically reflects those changes—no action needed from your side. - Granular Controls
Admins can include or exclude specific vendors without editing their own DNS zone files. - Powerful for Complex Setups
Enterprises with multiple brands, domains, and mail gateways benefit from a single point of SPF truth. - Delegation Trade-Off
The biggest difference? You’re outsourcing part of your DNS control to Dmarcduty. This is a strength for some organizations but a concern for those preferring tighter control.
💡 Best for enterprises with complex infrastructures where flexibility and real-time vendor updates are critical.
Pricing Plans: AutoSPF vs DynamicSPF
AutoSPF: Transparent and SaaS-Friendly
- Free Plan: Covers one domain with basic flattening—ideal for startups.
- Growth Plan: Affordable subscription for growing SaaS teams with multiple domains.
- Enterprise Plan: Adds API access, compliance dashboards, and priority support for regulated industries.
AutoSPF’s pricing is designed to be predictable and cost-effective for SaaS scaling quickly.
DynamicSPF: Flexible, Enterprise-Oriented
- Basic Plan: Entry-level but limited in automation.
- Professional Plan: Adds compliance reporting and monitoring.
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing, SLA-backed uptime, and priority support.
DynamicSPF’s model leans toward enterprise contracts with customized features and pricing tiers.
User Experience Comparison
- AutoSPF:
“Set it and forget it.” Minimal configuration, intuitive dashboards, automated health monitoring. Perfect for SaaS security teams that need simplicity. - DynamicSPF:
More powerful but requires IT/security teams comfortable with DNS delegation and vendor reliance. Offers granular policy control at the cost of complexity.
Integration and Compatibility
Both AutoSPF and DynamicSPF integrate well with DMARC enforcement and monitoring platforms, but their styles differ.
- AutoSPF: Integrates with Postmark, Proofpoint, Valimail, and most DMARC dashboards. Plays nicely with SaaS stacks that already rely on multiple external services.
- DynamicSPF: Offers hosted SPF integration that simplifies vendor changes but centralizes control with Dmarcduty. Ideal for IT shops that want “one SPF record to rule them all.”
Alternative SPF Management Solutions
If AutoSPF or DynamicSPF aren’t quite the right fit, here are other tools worth considering:
- PowerSPF (PowerDMARC): Combines flattening and hosted records for a hybrid model.
- SPF-Record.com: A lightweight option for small businesses needing basic compliance.
- Valimail Enforce: Enterprise-grade DMARC + SPF automation with advanced monitoring.
- Mimecast DMARC Analyzer: Tailored for compliance-driven industries like finance and healthcare.
Final Verdict: AutoSPF vs DynamicSPF – Which One Fits Your SaaS?
Both AutoSPF and DynamicSPF solve the SPF complexity problem—but they’re designed for different audiences.
- Choose AutoSPF if you’re a SaaS company scaling quickly across multiple platforms. Its automation, simplicity, and predictable pricing make it perfect for teams that want compliance without DNS headaches.
- Choose DynamicSPF if you’re an enterprise IT/security team managing a large, complex environment. Its hosted, real-time updates are powerful, though they require comfort with DNS delegation.
👉 The bottom line: AutoSPF delivers compliance without complexity, while DynamicSPF offers flexibility for power users and enterprises.
FAQs: AutoSPF vs DynamicSPF for SaaS
1. What happens if my SPF record exceeds 10 DNS lookups?
Your SPF record fails automatically. This breaks DMARC alignment, leading to bounced emails or spam folder delivery.
2. How does AutoSPF prevent lookup failures?
By flattening all include: mechanisms into a single DNS-safe record with no more than 10 lookups.
3. Does DynamicSPF mean I give up DNS control?
Partially, yes. Your DNS points to a Dmarcduty-managed include. They handle updates, which is convenient but less hands-on.
4. Which solution is better for SaaS startups?
AutoSPF is usually better—its free and growth tiers scale predictably, and it requires almost no maintenance.
5. Which solution is better for large enterprises?
DynamicSPF fits enterprises with dedicated IT/security teams that need real-time updates and granular control.
6. Can I use AutoSPF and DynamicSPF together?
Technically, yes—but it’s usually redundant. Most organizations pick one approach that aligns with their compliance strategy.