When managing a WordPress site, effective email communication is important for engaging your audience and improving relationships. However, many site owners struggle with low email delivery rates, leading to frustration when messages end up in spam folders or go undelivered altogether.
Imagine the disappointment of sending out newsletters, updates, or important notifications only to find that they never arrive. This not only affects your engagement rates but can also damage your reputation and trust with your audience.
This is where SMTP service providers can help you. WordPress SMTP plugins can significantly improve your email delivery rates and reliability, ensuring that your messages arrive in inboxes rather than spam folders.
With a variety of options available, from free to premium services, you can select an SMTP solution that aligns with your specific needs and budget.
Let’s find out the best SMTP service providers in this blog.
What is SMTP?
SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It is a standard protocol used for sending emails across the internet. When you send an email, SMTP directs it from your email client to the receiving server.
This process involves several steps:
- Connection: Your client connects to an SMTP server.
- Transfer: The email is sent to the recipient’s server.
- Delivery: The recipient’s server stores the email until it is retrieved.
Using SMTP helps ensure that your emails are sent quickly and accurately to their destinations.
Why Use SMTP with WordPress?
Using SMTP with WordPress can significantly improve your email delivery rates. WordPress may use its host server to send emails, which may not always be reliable. Here’s why using SMTP is beneficial:
- Improved Delivery: SMTP servers are designed for email sending, reducing the chances of your emails going to spam.
- Tracking: Many SMTP services offer tracking features so you can monitor your email success rates.
- Authentication: SMTP providers often require email authentication, adding a layer of security to prevent unauthorized use.
Setting up an SMTP plugin in WordPress enables you to manage your emails more effectively and ensures they reach your audience successfully.
Having trouble with WordPress emails? Check out our ultimate guide on fixing WordPress not sending emails.
Top 5 WordPress SMTP Plugins for Reliable Email Delivery
| Sl. No | Plugin Name | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WP Mail SMTP | Free + $99/year |
| 2 | Easy WP SMTP | Free + $99/year |
| 3 | Gmail SMTP | Free |
| 4 | FluentSMTP | Free |
| 5 | Post SMTP | Free + $59.99/year |
1. WP Mail SMTP
WP Mail SMTP is a reliable SMTP service for WordPress users. This plugin ensures your emails reach recipients. It has over 3 million active installations, making it a top choice for improving email deliverability.
Key features of WP Mail SMTP
- Offers a premium installation service where experts handle the entire setup process, ensuring a hassle-free configuration for optimal email deliverability.
- Tracks email logs for easy delivery monitoring.
- Allows users to control which WordPress email notifications are sent, reducing unnecessary messages.
- To ensure uninterrupted email delivery, WP Mail SMTP lets users configure a backup SMTP provider that automatically takes over if the primary connection fails.
Pricing of WP Mail SMTP
WP Mail SMTP offers a free version with basic features. The premium version starts at $99 per year. This gives you access to advanced features and priority support. You can choose the plan that fits your needs.
2. Easy WP SMTP
Easy WP SMTP is a popular plugin that helps you send emails from your WordPress site using a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). This can improve the delivery and reliability of your emails.
Key features of Easy WP SMTP
- Ensures emails from your WordPress site are delivered successfully by routing them through reputable SMTP servers or mailers.
- Easily connects with SMTP providers like SendLayer, Brevo, SMTP.com, and Amazon SES.
- Allows seamless integration with personal or business Gmail accounts with a single click.
- Supports email logging feature that helps track emails sent from a site.
Pricing of Easy WP SMTP
Easy WP SMTP provides a free plugin. You can download it from the WordPress plugin repository without any cost. The paid version starts at $99/year.
Suggested Read: How to Make Custom Password Reset Email in WordPress Login Form?
3. Gmail SMTP
Gmail SMTP is a popular choice for sending WordPress emails. It uses your Gmail account to send emails, which can help improve deliverability. The setup of the plugin is simple and effective for many users.
Key features of Gmail SMTP
- Uses OAuth 2.0 to securely authorize access to the Gmail API, eliminating the need to store Gmail usernames or passwords within WordPress.
- Integrates with WordPress’s native wp_mail function without overriding it, preserving existing email functionalities and benefits.
- Employs PHPMailer, the same library used by WordPress core, ensuring compatibility and reliability when sending emails.
- It supports TLS/SSL encryption for secure email transmission and safeguards communications.
Pricing of Gmail SMTP
Using Gmail SMTP is free if you stay within Gmail’s sending limits. If you need to send more, consider Google Workspace plans, which start at a monthly fee.
4. FluentSMTP
FluentSMTP is a powerful SMTP plugin for WordPress that ensures reliable email delivery. It seamlessly connects your site with various external SMTP providers, helping you avoid spam filters and improve deliverability rates.
Key features of FluentSMTP
- Connects easily with popular SMTP providers like Amazon SES and SendGrid.
- Offers a user-friendly interface for easy setup and management and allows smooth switching from other SMTP plugins.
- Provides email logging to track sent emails and troubleshoot issues.
- Send test emails and simulate workflows without actual email dispatch.
Pricing of FluentSMTP
FluentSMTP is a free plugin available in the WordPress repository.
5. Post SMTP
Post SMTP Mailer is a reliable WordPress plugin that can enhance your email delivery. It is designed to ensure that your emails reach their intended recipients without issues.
Key features of Post SMTP
- Uses OAuth 2.0 protocol for secure authentication without storing login credentials in WordPress.
- Offers a dedicated mobile application to monitor email logs, connect multiple sites, identify errors, and resend failed emails with a single tap.
- Delivers real-time notifications of email delivery failures directly in the browser.
- Sends daily, weekly, or monthly reports summarizing email sending, viewing, and failure statistics.
Pricing of Post SMTP
Post SMTP Mailer is free to use. The paid version starts at $59.99/year.
Want to safeguard your WordPress site and protect it from any mishappenings? Check out this blog – The Ultimate WordPress Security Guide
How to Troubleshoot SMTP Common Integration Challenges
When integrating SMTP, you may face certain challenges. Here are a few to watch out for:
- Incorrect SMTP Details: Ensure you have the correct server address and port. Even a small typo can prevent emails from being sent.
- Firewall Settings: Some hosting providers have firewalls that block SMTP ports. Check your hosting settings if emails fail to send.
- Authentication Issues: Make sure your username and password are correct. If you enabled two-factor authentication, you might need an app-specific password.
- Email Sending Limits: Be aware of any limits imposed by your SMTP provider. Exceeding these can block email delivery.
By being mindful of these steps and challenges, you can successfully integrate SMTP with your WordPress site.
Want an easy way to enable extra login security? Learn here – How to Add Two factor Authentication in WordPress
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Wrapping Up
Choosing the right SMTP plugin for your WordPress site can make all the difference in ensuring your emails actually reach your audience. Whether you’re running a small blog or managing a high-traffic website, a reliable SMTP solution helps keep your emails out of spam folders and boosts engagement.
Now that you have a solid list of WordPress SMTP plugins, it’s time to fine-tune your WordPress email setup and take deliverability to the next level.
But email security is just as important. That’s where Nexter Extension comes in. With features like Two-Factor Authentication and Login Email Notifications, it helps keep your WordPress site secure while offering plenty of other useful options.
And if you’re looking to enhance your site beyond email security, Nexter has you covered. From the lightning-fast Nexter Theme to 90+ Gutenberg Blocks (Nexter Blocks) and powerful extensions, it’s a smart way to upgrade your site at an affordable price.
FAQs on WordPress SMTP Plugins
What are the benefits of using an SMTP service provider?
Benefits include improved email deliverability, better email tracking and analytics, reduced chances of your emails being marked as spam, and enhanced security features.
How do I choose the best SMTP service provider for my WordPress site?
Look for features such as ease of integration with WordPress, reliability, customer support, pricing, and additional functionalities like email tracking and analytics.
Can I use a free SMTP service for my WordPress site?
Yes, many SMTP service providers offer free tiers with limited features. However, for higher volumes of emails or more advanced features, you might consider paid plans.
What information do I need to configure SMTP in WordPress?
Typically, you will need your SMTP server address, port number, username, password, and security settings (SSL/TLS).
