From recovering lost passwords to making new accounts, WordPress uses email for many tasks. However, the Content Management System’s (CMS) included email feature isn’t the most reliable. Therefore, we recommend using an SMTP service to send emails through your WordPress site.
In this post, we’ll explain what an SMTP service is and why you might need one. Then, we’ll provide you with 15 of the best SMTP email services, detailing their key features and pricing information. Let’s jump in!
What is an SMTP Server?
A Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) server uses proper authentication for sending emails over the internet. It ensures that your emails are successfully delivered. Moreover, it makes sure that messages don’t end up in the Spam folder in your users’ inboxes.
There are free and paid SMTP service providers. However, the free options limit how many emails you can send daily.
Some free email service providers, such as Google, don’t let transactional emails be sent through WordPress websites. These are messages delivered to individuals. Therefore, it’s a good idea to use a premium SMTP service.
Do I Need an SMTP Service?
If you run a business website, one-on-one commutation with your customers is essential. Furthermore, you’ll need transactional email functionality to configure specific triggers. These triggers can automatically send emails to users based on their activities. Therefore, you’ll need an SMTP service.
Some hosts, such as SiteGround, include SMTP servers for their customers. However, this isn’t always the case. For instance, Cloudways and Pressable do not. If you can’t access an SMTP service through your hosting provider, you’ll need to outsource to a third-party company instead.
15 Best SMTP Email Services
Now we understand more about SMTP email services and why you might need one. So, let’s get into some of the top options. Below are 15 of the best SMTP email services!
Regardless, the ideal choice for you will depend on your experience level, budget, and specific features you need. We compiled this list (in no particular order), taking all these factors into account.
1. Sendinblue
Sendinblue is one of the most popular SMTP email service providers. It’s incredibly beginner-friendly and seamlessly integrates with WordPress. Additionally, it comes with multiple marketing automation tools and features. Overall, it can help you maximize the effectiveness of your campaigns.
The SMTP service can handle transactional emails, SMS marketing, live chat, etc. Furthermore, it’s highly extensible and supports APIs. Overall, it’s an excellent platform if you’re looking for a complete marketing suite.
Key Features for Sendinblue:
- Transactional and standard emails
- Email data import/export
- SMS marketing
- Email API
- Live chat
- Marketing automation
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Sendinblue is for you if…
- You’re new to SMTP email services and thus need a simple option
- You own a small to medium-sized business
- Marketing automation tools are necessary
Sendinblue Pricing: You can get started for free (up to 300 emails per day). However, premium plans start at $25 per month. | Learn More About Sendinblue
2. Mailgun
Mailgun is another well-known SMTP service for WordPress sites. Since it’s geared toward developers and businesses, it’s more sophisticated and complex than other options such as Sendinblue.
However, it’s also a robust service ideal for e-commerce and membership websites. You can scale the SMTP service for all marketing and transactional emails. Additionally, you can use its powerful APIs.
Key Features for Mailgun:
- Powerful APIs for sending, receiving, and tracking emails
- Geared toward developers
- 99.99% Service Level Agreement (SLA) uptime
- Email analytics
Mailgun is for you if…
- You’re a developer
- You run a complex website with specific requirements, such as an online store
- A pay-as-you-go service is ideal
Mailgun Pricing: Free for up to 5,000 emails per day. Premium plans start at $35 per month. | Learn More About Mailgun
3. SendGrid
SendGrid is a cloud-based SMTP service that is easy to set up and use. You can utilize it to send mass emails without worrying about managing an SMTP server. In addition, it is highly scalable and comes with impressive delivery optimization tools.
Key Features for SendGrid:
- Transactional and marketing emails
- Email analytics
- Delivery optimization
- Email templates
- Two-Factor Authentication (2fA)
- Domain name authentication
- A/B testing and segmentation
- SMS support
SendGrid is for you if…
- Email delivery is your main concern
- You need a user-friendly platform
- You’re running an enterprise business
SendGrid Pricing: Free for up to 100 emails per day. Otherwise, premium plans start at $14.95 per month. | Learn More About SendGrid
4. Amazon SES
Amazon Simple Email Service (SES) is a cloud-based SMTP service. It’s backed by the powerful Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure.
Made for developers and marketers, this cost-efficient service offers high deliverability and advanced features. Overall, it’s ideal for developers sending marketing, transactional, and notification email campaigns.
Key Features for Amazon SES:
- Simple, straightforward service
- Inexpensive
- Pay-as-you-go pricing with no monthly subscription
- Flexible IP deployment
Amazon SES is for you if…
- Your website is hosted on AWS
- You’re working with a tight budget and need a cost-efficient option
- You don’t need features for tracking and monitoring message events
Amazon SES Pricing: The free service lets you send up to 62,000 emails per month. After that, you’ll be charged $0.10 per 1,000 emails. | Learn More About Amazon SES
5. SMTP.com
SMTP.com is a reliable SMTP service provider. It has a powerful API for sending transactional emails.
Furthermore, SMTP.com seamlessly integrates with WordPress and provides consistent deliverability for high email volumes. Additionally, it includes reports and domain reputation management tools.
Key Features for SMTP.com:
- Authentication emails
- Transactional emails
- Automated site notification emails
- Status updates and order confirmations
- Detailed reporting
SMTP.com is for you if…
- You run a WooCommerce store
- Tracking high volume emails is important
SMTP.com Pricing: The 30-day free trial lets you send 50,000 emails. Paid plans start at $25 per month. | Learn More About SMTP.com
6. Postmark
Are you looking for a user-friendly SMTP service? If so, Postmark is worth considering. This service provider offers fast email delivery and effortless WordPress integration. Additionally, it includes simple pricing structures and reliable support.
Key Features for Postmark:
- Email analytics
- Account security
- Email templates
- Webhooks for triggering message events
Postmark is for you if…
- You want a straightforward solution without too many bells and whistles
- You’re a small business or marketer
Postmark Pricing: Plans start at $10 per month, including 10,000 emails. | Learn More About Postmark
7. Mailjet
Mailjet is a cloud-based SMTP service. It offers high deliverability for transactional and marketing emails.
Additionally, Mailjet is highly scalable and includes an intuitive, easy-to-use drag-and-drop email editor. Overall, it’s useful for both marketers and developers.
Key Features for Mailjet:
- Drag-and-drop email editor
- Email statistics
- Marketing and transactional email templates
- SMTP relay
Mailjet is for you if…
- You’re looking for an easy-to-use email builder
- There are multiple team members on your account with different permission levels
Mailjet Pricing: The free tier includes 6,000 emails per month. Paid plans start at $15 per month. | Learn More About Mailjet
8. Netcore (Formerly Pepipost)
Netcore (formerly Pepipost) is another cloud-based SMTP service provider. It offers speedy deliveries across the globe with servers located around the world. As a result, the service is ideal for reducing network latency.
Additionally, Netcore provides various account management and reporting tools. They grant you valuable insights into your email campaigns.
Key Features for Netcore:
- Real-time reporting
- Email API
- Subaccount management
- Email marketing
Netcore is for you if…
- You need lightning-fast email delivery
- Reporting tools are essential
Netcore Pricing: In the first 30 days of signing up, you can send 30,000 emails for free. Premium plans start at $17.50 per month.| Learn More About Netcore
9. Pabbly
Pabbly is an inexpensive SMTP service that lets you send bulk emails with one click. You can integrate built-in or more than 50 external SMTPs for free. Furthermore, it comes with tools for managing bounce and spam complaints, capturing leads, and automating marketing emails.
Key Features for Pabbly:
- SMTP routing
- Marketing automation
- Lead capture
- Option to add multiple SMTPs
- Email tracking
Pabbly is for you if…
- You want an all-in-one email marketing and automation solution
- You’re not tech-savvy
- A high level of support is important
Pabbly Pricing: The free plan lets you send unlimited emails to 100 subscribers. Paid plans start at$25 per month. | Learn More About Pabbly
10. Elastic Email
Elastic Email is a free SMTP service. The powerful infrastructure lets you send transactional emails. Therefore, it’s suitable for everyone from marketers to developers and designers.
Furthermore, Elastic Email helps handle all your email automation tasks from one place. It features a full suite of integrations and plugins. Additionally, Elastic Email includes marketing tools for building and managing your campaigns.
Key Features for Elastic Email:
- Email automation and marketing
- Developer tools
- Email verification
- SMTP relay
- Quick setup
- Secure API keys
- A/B testing
- Integration library
Elastic Email is for you if…
- You want a complete solution for email marketing
- You’re a developer or designer
- Finding an inexpensive option is a priority
Elastic Email Pricing: You can choose the Email API or Email Marketing plan. Email API charges $0.10 per 1,000 emails, and Email Marketing plans start at $15 per month. | Learn More About Elastic Email
11. SparkPost
SparkPost is a free, cloud-based SMTP relay service provider. It’s used by some famous companies, including Zillow and Pinterest. It’s ideal for sending high volumes of emails, and it values security. Therefore, it’s beneficial for enterprise and e-commerce businesses.
Additionally, SparkPost provides plenty of documentation. This provides you with support and tutorials for troubleshooting issues. Therefore, it’s also an excellent platform for learning more about SMTP email services.
Key Features for SparkPost:
- Real-time metrics
- Developer-friendly environment
- Inbox tracker
- Recipient validation
- Email security and privacy
- API and integrations
SparkPost is for you if…
- You’re an enterprise business owner
- You work in a heavily regulated industry that needs strict compliance
- There’s a specific need for high data security features
SparkPost Pricing: The free service for developers includes 15,000 emails per month. Paid plans start at $30 per month. | Learn More About SparkPost
12. Mandrill
Mandrill is an SMTP add-on. It’s made for Mailchimp users sending transactional emails.
The email API lets you create and send targeted e-commerce messages and emails. They’re perfect for one-on-one communication with customers. In addition, Mandrill comes with white-labeling options to incorporate your branding.
Key Features for Mandrill:
- White-labeling
- Delivery infrastructure optimization
- Split testing
- Comparative reports
- Audience management
Mandrill is for you if…
- You already use Mailchimp for email marketing
- You’re an e-commerce business owner
- Testing environments are important
Mandrill Pricing: New users can send up to 500 free emails. Otherwise, paid plans start at $11 per month. | Learn More About Mandrill
13. SendPulse
SendPulse is a robust multi-channel marketing platform. Additionally, it includes a free SMTP service. Overall, you can use it for email, SMS, and transactional emails.
Furthermore, SendPulse has extensive features and tools to help with A/B testing and segmentation. The intuitive interface is easy to navigate and use whether you’re a marketer or developer.
Key Features for SendPulse:
- Drag-and-drop email editor
- Subscriber ratings
- Segmentation
- A/B testing
- Subscription forms
SendPulse is for you if…
- You’re looking for a user-friendly service
- You want testing and segmentation tools
- Campaign analytics and reporting are needed
SendPulse Pricing: The free plan lets you send up to 15,000 emails to 500 subscribers. Otherwise, paid plans start at $6.40 per month. | Learn More About SendPulse
14. Mailify
Mailify is an advanced, feature-rich SMTP service ideal for enterprises. It comes with a wide range of tools to help strengthen data security. Moreover, Mailify also helps with SMS and email automation and staying on top of your campaign performance.
Key Features for Mailify:
- Email and SMS marketing and automation
- Transactional emails
- Email API for app integration
- Cutting-edge software
Mailify is for you if…
- Privacy is a priority
- You’re an enterprise business
- You need reliable support
Mailify Pricing: Mailify offers a 30-day free trial. You’ll need to request information for specific rates. | Learn More About Mailify
15. Google Workspace
Formerly known as G Suite, Google Workspace is a business productivity suite. It lets you use a professional business email address and Google’s SMTP servers for sending emails through your WordPress site.
However, Google Workspace limits you to sending 2,000 emails a day. Still, it can be an ideal solution for small businesses, freelancers, and bloggers.
Key Features for Google Workspace:
- Instant access to Google Drive, Photos, Forms, etc
- Device and user management
- Data security
- Seamless WordPress integration
Google Workspace is for you if…
- You’re a small business owner who doesn’t send a large number of emails daily
- Google is your preferred platform for emails and productivity apps
- You want a familiar interface that is easy to navigate
Google Workspace Pricing: The 14-day free trial lets you send 500 emails per day. Plans start at $6 per month. | Learn More About Google Workspace
Final Thoughts on SMTP Services
To ensure your WordPress emails deliver successfully, it’s essential to use an SMTP service. However, with so many options, deciding which one to use can be challenging. Therefore, to find the ideal solution for your business, you’ll want to consider deliverability, features, and pricing.
As discussed in this post, there is a wide range of SMTP services. If you’re looking for a user-friendly and affordable option, we recommend Sendinblue. However, if you’re a developer looking for a more advanced set of features, you might consider using Mailgun instead.
Do you have any questions about choosing an SMTP service? Let us know in the comments section below!
Featured image via ST.art / shutterstock.com
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