ZeroBounce and validateemail.io at a glance
| Feature | ZeroBounce | validateemail.io |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time API for one address | Yes | Yes |
| Bulk list upload | Yes | No. The batch API takes up to 100 addresses per request. |
| Mailbox (SMTP) verification | Yes | No. It's on our roadmap. |
| Catch-all detection | Yes, as a catch-all status | No |
| Spam trap and abuse detection | Yes, as spamtrap and abuse statuses | No |
| Disposable detection | Yes, under do_not_mail | Yes, with a list refreshed daily |
| Free email provider flag | Yes (free_email) | Yes (checks.free_provider) |
| Typo suggestion | Yes (did_you_mean) | Yes (did_you_mean) |
| Result format | status plus sub_status | status, reason, score and the result of every check |
| Try it without an account | Free monthly credits come with an account | The free email checker needs no account |
| Pricing | Credits, either pay as you go or a monthly subscription | Pay as you go at £0.002 per email, or a custom Enterprise plan. Opening soon. |
When ZeroBounce is the better choice
Choose ZeroBounce if you need to know whether a specific mailbox exists, or if you're cleaning a large list before a campaign. Mailbox checks, catch-all detection and spam-trap detection all need a conversation with the recipient's mail server, and validateemail.io doesn't do that yet.
ZeroBounce also lets you upload a file in its web app, so someone who doesn't write code can clean a list. Its account includes tools beyond validation, such as activity data, email scoring and an email finder.
When validateemail.io fits better
validateemail.io is built for the sign-up form: one quick request when the user submits, and an answer you can act on in code.
- Every response includes the result of each check next to the verdict, so you can set your own policy. A B2B form might accept role addresses like
sales@but block disposable ones. - Typo suggestions know which domains each provider really uses.
gmial.combecomesgmail.com, while real regional domains likeyahoo.deandhotmail.itare left alone. - The API runs on Cloudflare's network and caches domain lookups, so checks on popular domains don't wait on DNS.
- You can run the full set of checks in the free email checker before you sign up for anything.
Switching from ZeroBounce
If you're moving sign-up validation from ZeroBounce, map its statuses like this. Most integrations only branch on the status, so the change is usually a few lines.
| ZeroBounce status | validateemail.io result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
valid | valid | |
invalid | invalid | When the domain or its mail server is the problem. A missing mailbox at a real domain comes back valid from us, because we don't check mailboxes. |
catch-all | valid | We don't test whether a domain accepts every recipient. |
do_not_mail (disposable) | risky, reason disposable | |
do_not_mail (role-based) | risky, reason role_based | |
spamtrap, abuse | No equivalent | These usually come back valid from us. |
unknown | unknown | Ours means a DNS lookup failed. Retry later in both cases. |
The API reference lists every status and reason, and the guides for Node.js, Python and PHP show complete integrations.
Frequently asked questions
Is validateemail.io cheaper than ZeroBounce?
Our pay-as-you-go price is £0.002 per email, which is £20 for 10,000 checks, with no subscription. ZeroBounce lists its prices on its own website, so compare the two at the volume you expect. Paid plans open soon, and you can register your interest now.
Does validateemail.io check whether the mailbox exists?
Not yet. We confirm that the domain exists and has working mail servers. Mailbox-level checks are on the roadmap, and the response already has a checks.smtp field that stays null until then.
Can I use both?
Yes. One reasonable split is a fast API like ours on the sign-up form, where speed and typo suggestions matter most, and a mailbox-level service for cleaning your list before a large send.
ZeroBounce is a trademark of its owner. This page isn't affiliated with or endorsed by ZeroBounce. Details come from ZeroBounce's public website and documentation as of October 2026, so check their site for current features and prices. We also compare validateemail.io with NeverBounce and mailboxlayer.