Struggling with “too many DNS lookups” SPF errors? If you’re comparing PowerSPF by PowerDMARC, DynamicSPF by Dmarcduty, and AutoSPF, you’re not alone. SMBs across the globe face challenges when their SPF records grow too large, breaking authentication and hurting deliverability.
In this guide, we’ll break down each SPF flattening solution in detail—covering features, pricing, integrations, and ease of use—to help you choose the best one for your business. Whether you’re a small startup, a growing SMB, or managing IT for a distributed team, this comparison will show you the right path forward.
Why SPF Flattening Is Essential for SMBs
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a cornerstone of email authentication, working alongside DKIM and DMARC to prevent spoofing, phishing, and domain impersonation. But SPF has a strict rule:
SPF records can’t exceed 10 DNS lookups.
This is fine for businesses using just one email provider. But SMBs typically use multiple services—Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, CRMs, marketing platforms, and more. Each adds DNS lookups to your SPF record. Before long, you hit the hard limit.
What happens when you exceed the limit?
- Emails may start failing DMARC checks.
- Deliverability drops—important customer emails end up in spam.
- Your domain becomes more vulnerable to spoofing attacks.
That’s why SPF flattening exists. Flattening reduces or eliminates DNS lookups by replacing mechanisms like include: with direct IP addresses. This keeps your SPF record valid and ensures compliance.
For SMBs, choosing the right SPF flattening tool is crucial. Let’s dive into the top three contenders.
PowerSPF vs DynamicSPF vs AutoSPF: Quick Feature Snapshot
| Tool | Target Audience | Highlight Feature | SMB Suitability |
| PowerSPF | Enterprise IT & security | Auto-flattened records | Moderate |
| DynamicSPF | Technical admins & MSPs | Dynamic record adjustments | Moderate |
| AutoSPF | SMBs & startups | Unlimited SPF flattening + AI sync | Excellent |
PowerSPF: Reliable but Enterprise-Oriented
PowerSPF, built by PowerDMARC, is an SPF flattening solution integrated into their broader email security platform.
Strengths
- Automatically flattens SPF records, ensuring compliance with the 10-lookup rule.
- Integrates with the rest of PowerDMARC’s suite—DMARC monitoring, reporting, and enforcement.
- Enterprise-grade reliability and security.
Limitations for SMBs
- Pricing: Often bundled into large enterprise packages.
- Complexity: Best suited for IT/security teams with the resources to manage full-scale DMARC.
Verdict: PowerSPF is excellent for large organizations, but SMBs may find it too heavy-duty and expensive for their needs.
DynamicSPF: Flexible but Technical
DynamicSPF by Dmarcduty provides automated SPF management by dynamically adjusting your DNS record to keep it within limits.
Strengths
- Dynamically optimizes SPF records in real-time.
- Good for teams comfortable working with DNS.
- Reduces manual work in adjusting records.
Limitations for SMBs
- Technical onboarding: Requires IT/admin-level DNS management knowledge.
- Less SMB-friendly: Not designed with ease-of-use in mind for non-technical business owners.
Verdict: Solid for MSPs and IT admins, but may overwhelm smaller SMBs without technical staff.
AutoSPF: Unlimited SPF Flattening Made Simple
AutoSPF was built specifically for SMBs who want to solve SPF problems without technical headaches.
Strengths
- Unlimited SPF Flattening: Removes the 10-DNS lookup limit entirely.
- AI-Powered Updates: Automatically syncs SPF records with providers’ changing IP ranges.
- User-Friendly Dashboard: Designed for business owners, not just sysadmins.
- Affordable Pricing: Plans built to fit SMB budgets.
Limitations
- No significant drawbacks for SMBs—the platform is tailored to their needs.
Verdict: AutoSPF combines simplicity, affordability, and unlimited flattening, making it the most SMB-friendly solution on the market.
Pricing Comparison
| Tool | Free Plan | SMB Pricing | Enterprise Pricing |
| PowerSPF | ❌ | Premium tiers only | Custom pricing |
| DynamicSPF | ❌ | Mid-range | Custom pricing |
| AutoSPF | ✅ | Affordable monthly plans | Scales seamlessly |
👉 Key Insight: For SMBs, AutoSPF delivers the best balance of cost and capability.
Ease of Use & User Experience
- PowerSPF: Streamlined but enterprise-first—best inside PowerDMARC’s ecosystem.
- DynamicSPF: Requires DNS expertise; powerful but not plug-and-play.
- AutoSPF: Simple, intuitive, and designed for SMB teams without technical staff.
Integrations & Compatibility
- PowerSPF: Works best alongside PowerDMARC’s platform.
- DynamicSPF: DNS-level focus, flexible but technical.
- AutoSPF: Easily integrates with popular SMB email services like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho, CRMs, and marketing platforms.
Alternatives to SPF Flattening
If SPF flattening alone isn’t enough, SMBs can also look into:
- Hosted DMARC platforms – for ongoing monitoring and reporting.
- DKIM key management – to add cryptographic protection.
- BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) – to boost brand trust with logo display in inboxes.
- Secure email gateways – for advanced threat protection.
Still, for solving the DNS lookup bottleneck, SPF flattening remains the fastest and most direct solution.
Final Verdict: Which SPF Solution Wins for SMBs?
- PowerSPF → Best for large enterprises with existing PowerDMARC deployments.
- DynamicSPF → Good for technical admins who want dynamic records.
- AutoSPF → The best all-around solution for SMBs—affordable, unlimited, and effortless.
👉 If you’re a small-to-medium business looking for unlimited SPF management without the technical overhead, AutoSPF is the clear winner.
FAQ: SPF Flattening for SMBs
Q1: What is SPF flattening, and why do SMBs need it?
SPF flattening simplifies SPF records by replacing multiple include: statements with direct IP addresses. SMBs need it because using multiple email providers often breaks the 10-DNS lookup limit, leading to SPF failures and poor deliverability.
Q2: What happens if I exceed the 10-DNS lookup SPF limit?
Exceeding the limit causes SPF records to fail validation. This often results in failed DMARC checks, meaning your legitimate emails may get rejected or land in spam.
Q3: Can’t I just manually flatten my SPF record?
Yes, but manual flattening is error-prone and not sustainable. Email service providers frequently update IP ranges. Without automation, your SPF record quickly becomes outdated, leading to failures.
Q4: Why is AutoSPF better for SMBs than PowerSPF or DynamicSPF?
AutoSPF eliminates the DNS lookup limit entirely with unlimited flattening, updates automatically using AI, and is designed for ease of use at SMB-friendly pricing. PowerSPF and DynamicSPF are more enterprise/technical-oriented.
Q5: Does AutoSPF work with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace?
Yes. AutoSPF integrates seamlessly with major email providers, including Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Zoho Mail, CRMs, and marketing platforms like HubSpot or Mailchimp.
Q6: How much does AutoSPF cost?
AutoSPF offers affordable monthly plans tailored to SMB budgets, unlike enterprise-first platforms that often require higher-tier subscriptions or custom pricing.
Q7: Will SPF flattening improve my email deliverability?
Yes. By preventing SPF record failures, flattening ensures that your DMARC checks pass, which directly improves email deliverability and protects your brand from spoofing.
Q8: Is SPF flattening enough to secure email?
Flattening ensures SPF compliance, but SMBs should also enable DKIM and DMARC for stronger protection. AutoSPF is a key piece of a layered email authentication strategy.