CheckMXCheckMX vs ZeroBounce
ZeroBounce is an established email validation service with AI scoring, an email finder and inbox placement tools. CheckMX is a cold email outreach workspace that comes with email checks. Here is how they compare, including where ZeroBounce is the better fit.
ZeroBounce prices checked Oct 27, 2026 on its official pricing page. Vendors change prices, so confirm there. We describe only what that page states.
The short version
ZeroBounce sells credits two ways: pay as you go from $39 for 2,000 validations (that is the minimum purchase), or a ZeroBounce ONE subscription from $99 a month, where unused credits roll over. One credit covers one address, whether you validate it or run AI scoring. It does not charge for unknown results or duplicates.
CheckMX is an outreach workspace, and every plan, including the free Sandbox, comes with email checks. A few free demo checks per day are also available without signing up. It is not a dedicated validation vendor for very large lists.
Pricing compared
| Item | ZeroBounce (checked Oct 27, 2026) | CheckMX |
|---|---|---|
| Pay as you go | From $39 for 2,000 validations (minimum purchase), about $0.0195 per address | Not offered: email checks are included free |
| Subscription | ZeroBounce ONE from $99 a month; unused credits roll over | Not offered |
| Free option | Not stated on the pricing page we checked | Email checks included free with every plan, including the free Sandbox. |
| Credit use | 1 credit per address, for validation or AI scoring; Email Finder uses 20 credits per successful query | No credits for email checks |
| Unknown results | No charge | Email checks are included free. |
| Duplicates | No charge | Duplicates inside one bulk request are removed. The same address checked again by the same account within 7 days is returned from memory. |
Source: ZeroBounce pricing, checked Oct 27, 2026. CheckMX email checks are included free with every plan; see the homepage for plans.
Features compared
| Feature | ZeroBounce | CheckMX |
|---|---|---|
| Core job | Email validation and scoring | Email verification: syntax, mail records, SMTP and catch-all checks, with a reason for each verdict |
| AI scoring | Yes | No |
| Email finder | Yes | No |
| Inbox placement tools | Yes | No |
| Bulk lists | Not stated on the pricing page we checked | CSV upload, up to 2 MB and 10,000 unique addresses per job. |
| API and automation | Not stated on the pricing page we checked | API keys (Bearer auth), CLI, hosted MCP tool and webhooks for bulk-job events. |
| Catch-all handling | Not stated on the pricing page we checked | Catch-all domains are labelled risky, because acceptance cannot confirm an individual inbox. |
| Uploaded data | Deleted after 30 days | See the privacy policy for current retention |
| Support | 24/7 support | Email at hello@checkmx.dev |
| Outreach tools | Not stated on the pricing page we checked | Free tools (email verifier, MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, blacklist and catch-all checks) plus a workspace for campaigns, a unified inbox and mailbox warm-up. |
“Not stated on the pricing page we checked” means we did not confirm it either way. It is not a claim that the feature is missing.
When to pick ZeroBounce instead
- You need an email finder or inbox placement testing from the same vendor as your validation.
- You want AI email scoring on top of a verification result.
- You want 24/7 support, or a long-established dedicated validation vendor.
- You prefer a subscription where unused credits roll over month to month.
- You have a very large list to clean as a standalone job.
When CheckMX is a good fit
- You want to try email checks without paying: they come with every plan, and the free tools need no account.
- You want clear reasons next to each verdict, and catch-all domains kept as risky.
- You want to call verification from an assistant over MCP, from the CLI or from a webhook-driven workflow.
- You want verification and campaign, inbox and warm-up screens in one workspace.
No verifier, including CheckMX, can guarantee delivery. A server may accept an address during a check and still bounce or filter a real message, and catch-all domains cannot be confirmed by acceptance alone. Read what catch-all emails mean and try the free email verifier on a few addresses to judge the verdicts yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Does CheckMX charge for email checks?
No. Email checks are included free with every CheckMX plan, including the free Sandbox. ZeroBounce pay as you go starts at $39 for 2,000 validations (checked Oct 27, 2026).
Do both charge for unknown results?
ZeroBounce lists no charge for unknown results and duplicates. CheckMX includes email checks free.
Does CheckMX have an email finder or AI scoring?
No. CheckMX verifies addresses you already have. If you need to find addresses or want AI scoring, ZeroBounce lists both.
Can I use both?
Yes. Some teams verify with one service and compare a sample on another before a large send. Test a small sample on each and compare how every verdict is explained.
More comparisons
- CheckMX vs NeverBounce
- CheckMX vs Hunter
- ZeroBounce alternatives
- NeverBounce alternatives
- Hunter alternatives
Test CheckMX on your own addresses
Email checks come with every plan, including the free Sandbox.
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