We picked 10 emails across every major validation category — valid, invalid, disposable, role-based, catch-all, typo, gibberish, fake mailbox, and spam trap — then ran both services side-by-side.
Same emails. Same 60-second window. Honest results.
Last updated March 19, 2026
Same accuracy. Unique detection. 86% less.
| # | Test Type | MailSentry | ZeroBounce | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ceo@apple.com | Valid corporate | Risky (role-based)Score 50 | Do Not Mail (role_based) | TIE |
| 2 | thaothuc***@gmail.com | Valid Gmail | ValidScore 90 | Valid | TIE |
| 3 | test@guerrillamail.com | Disposable | Caution (disposable)Score 60 | Do Not Mail (disposable) | TIE |
| 4 | info@google.com | Role-based | Risky (role-based)Score 50 | Do Not Mail (role_based) | TIE |
| 5 | john@gmial.com | Typo | Invalid (typo → gmail.com)Score 15 | Invalid (possible_typo) | TIE |
| 6 | hello@zapier.com | Catch-all | Risky (role-based)Score 50 | Do Not Mail (catch_all) | TIE |
| 7 | not-an-email | Bad syntax | InvalidScore 0 | Invalid | TIE |
| 8 | randomxyz123abc@microsoft.com | Fake mailbox | Risky (suspicious)Score 35 | Invalid (mailbox_not_found) | ZB WINS |
| 9 | asdfjkl@yahoo.com | Gibberish | Invalid (gibberish)Score 0 | Invalid (mailbox_not_found) | MS WINS |
| 10 | test@mailinator.com | Spam trap | Caution (disposable)Score 60 | Do Not Mail (suppression) | TIE |
ZeroBounce has stronger SMTP verification for providers like Microsoft and Google that block standard SMTP checks. In test #8, ZeroBounce correctly identified the fake mailbox as "invalid" while MailSentry returned "risky" (score 35).
MailSentry takes a cautious approach: when SMTP verification is inconclusive, we flag the email as risky rather than declaring it valid. This means you may occasionally need to manually review borderline cases — but you'll never lose a real customer's email to a false positive.
MailSentry flagged asdfjkl@yahoo.com as gibberish — a check ZeroBounce doesn't offer. ZB only detected "mailbox not found" via SMTP. If SMTP is inconclusive, ZB has no fallback. We do.
ZeroBounce returns binary results: valid, invalid, or do_not_mail. MailSentry returns a nuanced 0-100 risk score so you can set your own threshold. A 50 (risky) is different from a 15 (invalid).
Same accuracy, fraction of the price. ZeroBounce charges $64 for 10,000 validations. MailSentry charges $9/month for the same volume. That's $660/year saved.
| MailSentry | ZeroBounce | |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 checks | Free | $16 |
| 10,000 checks | $9/mo | $64 |
| 50,000 checks | $29/mo | $260 |
| 200,000 checks | $79/mo | $975 |
| Gibberish detection | Included | Not available |
| Risk scoring | 0-100 scale | Binary only |
| Bulk validation | Included | Included |
| Email finder | Included | Included |
MailSentry prices are monthly subscription plans. ZeroBounce prices are published pay-as-you-go rates. Both as of March 2026.
1,000 free checks every month. No credit card required.
Try MailSentry FreeTest conducted March 19, 2026. Both APIs called on the same 10 emails within a 60-second window. ZeroBounce Verify+ was enabled for maximum accuracy. Full methodology.