When it comes to managing SPF records at scale, many SaaS companies and digital-first businesses struggle with the same issue: the SPF 10-DNS-lookup limit. Without the right solution, this restriction leads to SPF record failures, deliverability issues, and broken compliance with DMARC and DKIM.
That’s where tools like AutoSPF and UniversalSPF by Fraudmarc come in. Both promise unlimited SPF support—but which one is the best fit for your SaaS platform, digital agency, or enterprise environment?
In this extended comparison, we break down AutoSPF vs UniversalSPF across features, pricing, user experience, integrations, and long-term scalability. By the end, you’ll know exactly which solution aligns best with your infrastructure and email security needs.
Why Unlimited SPF Matters for SaaS
Before diving into the comparison, let’s clarify why SPF flattening and unlimited SPF management are such critical issues for SaaS companies.
- The Problem: SPF records are capped at 10 DNS lookups. SaaS companies typically use multiple third-party services (SendGrid, Salesforce, HubSpot, Mailgun, Zendesk, AWS SES, etc.) that each require SPF entries. Add more services, and you’ll quickly hit the limit.
- The Risk: Once the limit is exceeded, SPF breaks. Email recipients mark legitimate mail as unauthenticated, increasing spam folder placement and risking outright delivery failures.
- The Solution: Unlimited SPF tools dynamically flatten SPF records, consolidate multiple entries, and keep your domains compliant—no matter how many providers you add.
This makes unlimited SPF solutions indispensable for multi-service SaaS platforms, global enterprises, and agencies managing multiple domains.
AutoSPF vs UniversalSPF: Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | AutoSPF | UniversalSPF (Fraudmarc) |
| Unlimited SPF Support | Yes (automated, fully managed) | Yes (flattening-based) |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly | Technical setup required |
| Primary Audience | SaaS companies, product teams, IT | Agencies, consultants, DNS experts |
| Compliance Focus | Strong DMARC/DKIM/SPF alignment | Flexible, customizable |
| Integrations | Deep SaaS/ESP integrations | Broad DNS/ESP compatibility |
| Pricing Model | Transparent SaaS-style plans | Tiered, agency-focused plans |
| Scalability | Built for SaaS growth | Built for multi-client management |
AutoSPF: Built for SaaS Growth
AutoSPF positions itself as the default choice for SaaS companies that want reliability without complexity.
Key Strengths
- Unlimited SPF Management
Automatically handles unlimited SPF includes, IPs, and senders—without hitting the DNS limit. - Automation & Monitoring
Real-time monitoring ensures records never break. If something changes in your sending infrastructure, AutoSPF updates automatically. - Compliance-First Design
Enforces alignment with DMARC, DKIM, and SPF standards, reducing risk of spoofing and misaligned policies. - Simple Dashboard
Designed for SaaS teams that don’t want to tinker with DNS records. Anyone can set up AutoSPF, no deep technical expertise required. - Scalability
Whether you’re a startup SaaS with 2 senders or a unicorn with 20+ services, AutoSPF grows with you.
UniversalSPF (Fraudmarc): A Flexible Agency Tool
UniversalSPF by Fraudmarc is built with agencies and consultants in mind. While it does solve the SPF lookup limit, it takes a more hands-on and customizable approach.
Key Strengths
- Unlimited Lookups with Flattening
Uses flattening to bypass the SPF lookup cap. Requires more ongoing technical management. - Customization Options
Ideal for consultants managing SPF on behalf of multiple client domains. - Reporting & Analytics
Offers visibility into SPF usage, failures, and suspicious activity. - Multi-Domain Management
Strong fit for agencies that need to monitor and maintain SPF records across dozens of client accounts.
Pricing Breakdown
AutoSPF Pricing
- Free Plan – Covers essential SPF management for smaller SaaS teams.
- Pro Plan – Adds advanced automation and monitoring for growing SaaS platforms.
- Enterprise Plan – Includes SLA-backed uptime, advanced compliance, and priority support.
👉 SaaS-friendly pricing means you only pay for what you use, scaling as your infrastructure grows.
UniversalSPF Pricing
- Tiered Plans – Based on number of domains managed.
- Agency Focused – Pricing tailored toward resellers, MSPs, and agencies managing multiple client accounts.
👉 Good for consultants, but SaaS companies may find AutoSPF’s model simpler and more predictable.
User Experience
AutoSPF UX: Automation Overload in a Good Way
- Set and Forget – AutoSPF handles everything behind the scenes.
- Minimal Learning Curve – Non-technical teams can onboard easily.
- SaaS-Centric Dashboard – Optimized for scaling SaaS workflows.
UniversalSPF UX: Powerful, But More Technical
- Customizable – Great for consultants who need deep DNS visibility.
- Higher Learning Curve – Best for teams with DNS expertise.
- Multi-Client Focus – Designed for agencies, not SaaS companies.
Integration Ecosystem
- AutoSPF: Natively integrates with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, SendGrid, Mailgun, AWS SES, Salesforce, HubSpot, and more—perfect for SaaS stacks.
- UniversalSPF: Works broadly with DNS providers and ESPs but may require manual configuration during setup.
Alternatives to AutoSPF & UniversalSPF
If neither AutoSPF nor UniversalSPF feels like the right fit, consider these alternatives:
- DMARCian – Compliance-driven analytics and domain monitoring.
- Valimail – Enterprise-scale email authentication and visibility.
- EasyDMARC – Affordable SPF + DMARC management for SMBs.
- PowerSPF (Netcore) – SPF flattening for bulk email senders.
Use Cases: When to Choose Each
- AutoSPF is best if…
- You’re a SaaS company managing multiple email services.
- You want automated SPF compliance without technical maintenance.
- You’re scaling fast and can’t afford SPF-related delivery failures.
- UniversalSPF is best if…
- You’re an agency managing SPF for multiple clients.
- You want deep customization and visibility.
- You have technical staff who can manage DNS-level complexity.
FAQs
Q: Why do SaaS companies need unlimited SPF?
A: Because SaaS businesses use multiple third-party email services, the 10-DNS-lookup limit is almost always exceeded, breaking authentication. Unlimited SPF prevents this.
Q: Can I manage SPF manually without AutoSPF or UniversalSPF?
A: Technically yes, but manual SPF flattening is error-prone, time-consuming, and likely to break as providers change their records. Automation is far safer.
Q: Does AutoSPF also help with DMARC?
A: Yes—AutoSPF ensures SPF is always valid, which is a critical component of passing DMARC alignment.
Q: Is UniversalSPF better for enterprises?
A: It depends. Enterprises with in-house DNS expertise may like the customization, but SaaS enterprises typically benefit more from AutoSPF’s automation.
Final Verdict: AutoSPF vs UniversalSPF
At the end of the day, both AutoSPF and UniversalSPF solve the SPF lookup limitation, but they serve different audiences:
- AutoSPF – Best for SaaS companies needing a fully automated, compliance-driven solution that scales effortlessly.
- UniversalSPF (Fraudmarc) – Best for agencies and consultants managing multiple client domains with custom needs.
For SaaS businesses where deliverability, compliance, and automation at scale are mission-critical, AutoSPF is the clear winner.