Why a result was free

BounceOwl charges 1 credit only for a real answer from a live check. Plenty of results don't meet that bar, and those cost nothing. This page explains each free case and where to see why a result was free.

The four free cases

1. Unknown results

When the mail server gives no clear answer, for example because of a timeout, a block or greylisting, the verdict is Unknown. Unknown results are always free, because you didn't get an answer.

2. Invalid syntax or no mail server

If the address isn't a valid email address, or its domain has no mail server, BounceOwl can tell without asking any mailbox. The verdict is Bounce and the check is free.

Other Bounce results, where a live check found the mailbox rejected, disabled or full, are real answers and use 1 credit.

3. Checked by anyone on BounceOwl in the last 7 days

If anyone on BounceOwl checked the same address in the last 7 days, you get that result for free. It keeps its original check date, so you always know how fresh it is. Nobody sees who checked it, and nobody sees that you asked.

Results are reused for at most 7 days. After that, the address is checked live again and charged as normal.

4. A domain already known to be catch-all

Once a domain is known to accept every address, the next address there is marked Catch-all for free for 7 days. No live check is needed, because the answer would be the same.

Where to see why

• On the result card: the footer says No credit used, or names the reason, such as Free: already checked on BounceOwl in the last 7 days or Free: this domain is already known as catch-all.
• In History: the Credits column shows the credits used, or Free with a short reason: no clear answer, invalid address, checked this week, or known catch-all domain.
• In Billing: the Credit history table lists every change to your balance.

Free cases in lists

The same rules apply to every address in an uploaded list. A list reserves credits when it starts, and when it finishes, the credits for unknown results, invalid addresses and addresses already checked on BounceOwl this week come back to your balance. In History these rows can show Free (settled with list). See List credits and refunds.

Catch-all checks

The optional catch-all check costs 5 credits for a clear valid or invalid answer. Unclear answers, and checks with no answer within 30 minutes, are refunded. A clear answer from the last 7 days is reused for free. See Catch-all check.

Full pricing is on the pricing page.