E -mail delivery problems? Try my top 8 free SMTP plugin picks

I have built WordPress sites for over a decade and the e -mail delivery has always been one of my biggest headaches.

Over the years, my customers have often called me frustrated.

The problems are always the same:

Their contact forms did not work, and e -mails for the password were never reset. And above all, the notifications went directly to Spam folders.

On my back my head I knew that WordPress had to be at the center of these e -mail delivery problems. And this is because the integrated WordPress email system is unreliable.

First and foremost, it is designed in such a way that you use your web server to send e -mails. The only problem? Most top hosting providers block this or mark e -mails as spam.

So I started testing SMTP plugins because we love to find solutions here.

I installed several transactional WordPress -SMTP plugins on test points to determine which was the best. These really helped my users and customers. But I went one step further and tested free SMTP plugins to find out that best worked without investing a cent.

So I set up dozens of free SMTP plugins and e -mail explosions and used various e -mail hosting to see how well they worked. Don’t worry, I will describe my exact test process below.

Then I followed the delivery rates and monitored the spam scores. After months of testing, I found the best free SMTP options that work for WordPress users.

I will show you the 8 best free SMTP plugins so that you can learn which meets your requirements.

What you will learn

• This is how you fix problems with WordPress -e -Mail delivery problems
• Which free SMTP plugin works best for your website
• Quick function highlight for every plugin
• How to test whether your e -mails work
• What plugins work with popular e -mail services?

How I test SMTP plugins and check

As mentioned above, I will describe how I tested these free SMTP plugins so that you can see my thinking process.

In short, I test every SMTP plugin for real WordPress sites. Not just sites – actual websites with real traffic.

Here is my test process:

• E -mail delivery tests: I send test -e emails to Google Mail, Outlook and Yahoo accounts. I check whether you reach the inbox or the spam folder. I also test different e -mail types such as contact forms and passwords.
• Setup difficulty: I have time for how long it takes to configure every plugin. I find out what technical knowledge need. I also test whether beginners can set up the plugin without needing help.
• Feature comparison: I compare authentication methods, logging functions and e -mail service integrations. I also check whether you work with popular contact form -plugins.
• Real performance: I monitored the e -mail delivery prices for weeks. I pursue bounce rates and spam complaints. In addition, I test how the SMTP plugins deal with high e -mail volumes.
• Support quality: I contact the support teams with questions. I checked the response times and the quality of the solutions and also checked documentation and video tutorials.

This thorough examination helps me to recommend plugins to solve the problems with the availability of e -mails.

Why trust isitwp?

At ISITWP we have years of experience in testing WordPress plugins on real websites. Our team evaluates every tool that we recommend on actual customer pages.

By testing every plugin, hosting or tool for weeks individually before I write about it. I don’t just read feature lists. I install them and send real e -mails. I also pursue delivery rates and monitor the performance over time.

We only recommend plugins that we would use on our websites. If a plugin does not work well, we don’t add it to our leaders.

Why use a WordPress SMTP plugin

As already mentioned, WordPress has an integrated email system. But it is unreliable and often breaks.

The problem: WordPress uses your web server to send e -mails. Most hosting providers block or limit this. You do this to prevent spam. But it means that your legitimate e -mails are not delivered.

Common topics:

The solution: SMTP plugins connect WordPress to professional e -mail services. These services have a good reputation for e -mail providers.

You properly authenticate your e -mails. They also offer higher delivery rates.

Advantages of SMTP plugins:

An SMTP plugin is like a professional postal service instead of submitting letters in random mailboxes. Now let’s watch the best free professional postal service with which you can send your e -mails.

I wrote this article about setting up SMTP plugins to make it easier for you to get started. In this article, you generally become a general feeling of what you can expect with these e -mail delivery plugins in general.

Let us come to our list in our list of the best SMTP plugins that are free.

Best free SMTP plugins for WordPress

Now this list is pretty detailed and long. To find exactly that that you are looking for at a glance, read the following table.

I compare all 8 free SMTP plugins on this list side by side. I look at important functions for which it is and for which it is when it has a pro version.

If you want to skip for a section, simply click on the name of the tool in the following table.

Free SMTP comparison table

Plugin name	Key features	Best for	Free plan includes	Per version?
🥇 WP Mail SMTP	Simple setup assistant, logging, troubleshooting, wide service support	Beginners, bloggers, small companies	Mail, Outlook Support, Test -E -E -Mail -Tool	✅ starts at $ 49/year
🥈 Sendlayer	High availability, analysis, global server, fast delivery	Highly volume sender, e-commerce	200 e -mails/month, analytics	✅ starts at $ 5/mon
🥉 Simply WP SMTP	Simple UI, one-click provider setup, Fallback SMTP option	Non-tech user, Google Mail/Outlook user	Full Mail/Outlook setup	✅ starts at $ 49.50/year
4. SMTP mailer	Light, fast, clean user interface, basic SMTP -auth	Performance -oriented users	Send basic e -mails via SMTP	✅ Add-ons for $ 39.99 each
5. Brevo	SMTP + marketing, CRM, automation, analytics	Local companies, marketers	300 e -mails/day, full CRM	✅ starts at $ 8.08/Mon.
6. Post SMTP	Detailed protocols, diagnostics, OautH2, encryption	Member pages, advanced users	Protocol, queue MGMT, Gmail Support	✅ starts at $ 59.99/year
7. Mail SMTP	Native Mail Integration, Simple Setup, Google Infrastructure	Mail user, freelancer	Mail-based delivery	❌ No Pro version
8. Mailgun	Pro infrastructure, delivery analysis, API, high volume	Developer, SaaS platforms	100 e -mails/day	✅ starts at $ 15/Mon
SMTP.com (bonus)	Delivery, persecution, security, 50k test emails in corporate degrees	Saas, large locations, mission -critical use	50,000 emails (30-day free trial version)	✅ starts at $ 25/mon

Quick recommendations according to the application

For beginners:

For high volume:

• Sendlayer – Best delivery rates with detailed analyzes
• Mailgun -Infrastructure for company quality

For Mail User:

• Mail SMTP – Direct integration into existing Gmail accounts
• WP Mail SMTP – Further functions while supporting Mail

For advanced users:

• Post SMTP – Most comprehensive logging and diagnostics
• Brevo -SMTP Plus Full e -Mail -Marketing -Suite

For performance:

For budget -conscious:

• SMTP mailer – completely free without premium printing
• Mail SMTP – Free with existing Mail Mail account

Now we come to the list.

1. WP Mail SMTP

WP Mail SMTP is the best free SMTP plugin for WordPress that I used during my test. I used it on both customers and personal websites because I have it easy to use.

What makes it special:

This plugin works with almost every E -Mail service, including Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo and professional services such as Sendgrid.

It also has the best user interface that I tested so that you can find any function without endlessly scrolling through your WordPress dashboard.

While WP SMTP Mail has a powerful premium version, the free version is quite full of functions that other alternatives even have on your Pro plugin.

Key functions in the free version of WP SMTP Mail:

• A simple setup assistant that leads you through the configuration
• Works with popular E -Mail services outside the box
• E -mail protocol for pursuing sent messages
• Test the E -Mail function to check if everything works
• Detailed error reporting if e -mails fail

My test experience: I set up WP Mail SMTP on my website after many of my contact forms land in the Spam box.

I tested it for the first time to see how it was dealt with with transaction -e emails. And to my surprise, WooCommerce -e -e -Mail solicometer problems solved without touching a code line.

Then I tested it with contact 7, as this was the biggest culprit when it came to spam delivery. This helped me to learn quickly why this form Builder did not send e -mails.

Next I wanted to test how it would work with some popular e -mail providers. So I connected WP Mail SMTP to Outlook. The setup process was super easy and comfortable.

First I was able to connect Outlook and WordPress via WP Mail SMTP with an API, but also via a one-click solution.

In 10 minutes, all e -mails reached the input entrances of the users without additional setup.

Professionals:

• Super easy to set up
• Working with most e -mail providers
• Great documentary and tutorials
• Active support community
• Regular updates

Disadvantages:

• Some extended functions require the pro version
• The free version has a limited e -mail protocol

Best for: Small businesses and bloggers who want a reliable e -mail delivery. It’s perfect when you start. The free version meets the most basic requirements.

Pricing: The free version contains basic SMTP functions. It works with Google Mail, Outlook and other standard -E mail services.

The Pro version begins at 49 US dollars a year. It adds extended functions such as E -Mail protocols and better support.

My thoughts: WP Mail SMTP is my top recommendation for beginners and pro users alike. It only works out of the box. In addition, the free version fulfills most small companies that are perfect.

2. Sendlayer

Sendlayer is a newer SMTP service that has attracted my attention. Although it is not an SMTP plugin per se, it is a reliable free SMTP service that you can use with other WordPress tools with e -mail delivery.

The reason why I put sendlayers so high on this list is that after using a blog with a high merchant blog, I was impressed by how high my e-mail delivery rates were improved. The results really impressed me.

What makes it special: Sendlayer focuses on one thing, e -mail delivery. This SMTP service uses extended authentication and security methods to protect the call of your e -mail delivery.

In addition, the batch processing is not used, so that your users are delivered to your priority email in a matter of seconds.

Important functions of the free version of Sendlayer:

• High delivery rates (I saw 98% inbox)
• Real-time email tracking and analysis
• Several server locations worldwide
• Advanced spam protection
• Simple WordPress integration

My test experience: I used Sendlayer on an E -Commerce site that sends 500 order confirmations a day. The biggest problem with which this online shop was confronted was that too many integrations were set up.

As a result, communication between WordPress, WooCommerce and Wpforms was not smooth. As a result, it was a chaos to follow the actual e -mail openings and find implementable knowledge.

Sendlayer has integrated analyzes, so the first improvement was the pursuit of metrics.

Afterwards it is easily associated with many contact forms and E -Commerce platforms such as WooCommerce, which enabled us to set up everything in just a few clicks.

But perhaps the biggest challenge with which I stood was the connection of e -mail DNS with WordPress because I use cloud flare than my CDN.

Sendlayer generates the E -Mail -Dns codes after connecting your website and displaying you exactly how to connect it to Cloudflare.

After switching to Sendlayer, the delivery rose to 96%. Customer complaints have also stopped via missing e -mails.

Professionals:

• Excellent delivery prices
• Detailed analytics dashboard
• Fast international delivery
• Good customer support
• Adequate pricing

Disadvantages:

• Newer service with a smaller user base
• The free plan has low e -mail borders

Best for: Websites that send many e -mails. Think of membership pages, online stores or newsletter. It is also great for international companies.

Pricing: The free plan contains 200 e -mails. This is perfect for small contact forms. Paid plans begin at 5 USD for 1,000 e -mails. The pricing is fair compared to other services.

My thoughts: Sendlayer is ideal for companies that require reliable e -mail delivery. With the analytics you can follow the performance. The international servers also make it perfect for global websites.

3. Simply WP SMTP

Simply WP SMTP is developed for WordPress users who want to work e -mails without a technical headache. I used it on dozens of customer pages on which simplicity is most important.

Do you remember Sendlayer, the free SMTP service that we discussed above? Simply WP SMTP is now the real free plugin that you have created.

Therefore, WP Easy SMTP connects your WordPress site with Sendlayer with SMTP registration information. Sendlayer then deals with the actual sending and delivering of your e -mails.

This creates a beautiful E -Mail delivery ecosystem that works in the background. It leads your messages with precision, skip spam folder and land exactly where you belong.

What makes it special: This plugin eliminates confusing settings. You select your e -mail provider from a dropdown menu and enter your e -mail and password. That’s it. Simple and to the point.

Key functions of the free version of WP Easy SMTP:

• One-click setup for popular e-mail providers
• Simple interface without confusing options
• Integrated email test function
• Support several authentication methods
• Delete error messages that help

My test experience: I installed simple WP SMTP to connect to the Google Mail SMTP in 3 minutes.

Despite the lightness of the furnishing process, Google Mail SMTP has a call for poor delivery.

So I added Sendlayer as a SMTP fuse in this setup to improve the delivery. If the SMTP failed from Google, the e -mails were quickly redirected to the alternative.

Professionals:

• Incredibly simple setup process
• Works excellently with Gmail and Outlook
• No technical knowledge required
• Strong free version
• Good basic e -mail delivery

Disadvantages:

• Limited to basic e -mail providers in the free version
• Extended functions require a pro upgrade
• Fewer adaptation options
• Basic error reporting outdoors

Best for: Small business owners and bloggers who do not want to deal with technical setups. It is perfect if you use Gmail, Outlook or Yahoo for Business -E emails.

Pricing: The free version takes over the basic SMTP functionality perfectly. It works with Google Mail, Outlook, Yahoo and other Standard -Mail services.

The Pro version begins at $ 49.50 per year. It adds e -mail protocol, extended authentication and priority support.

My thoughts: Simple WP SMTP is perfect for users who want to work an e -mail without complexity. The free version meets most small corporate requirements. In addition, the simple setup means that you send e -mails in minutes and not in hours.

4. SMTP mailer

SMTP mailer is a light SMTP plugin that focuses on speed and simplicity. I have tested it on several high-quality websites where performance is important and found high delivery prices without e-mail queues.

What makes it special: SMTP Mailer uses minimal server resources. As a result, it quickly loads and does not slow down your website. In addition, it has a clean surface that beginners are not confused.

Key functions for SMTP Mailer free of charge:

• Ultra lightweight code that is loaded quickly
• Simple setup with popular e -mail services
• Basic SMTP authentication
• Minimal effects on the performance of the location
• Clean, clear interface

My test experience: I used SMTP Mailer in a news blog that receives heavy traffic. I was worried about plugins that slow down the website because they were hosted on a cheap platform.

After installation, I could not measure any performance effects. The contact forms worked perfectly. In addition, the side charging and operating times remained the same.

Professionals:

• Super light and fast
• You will not slow down your website
• Easy to configure
• Completely free
• Works with large e -mail providers together

Disadvantages:

• Only very simple functions
• No e -mail protocol

Best for: Small websites that must maintain the speed. It is perfect for blogs, small companies or anyone who wants reliable e -mail without any additional inflation.

Pricing: Quite free of charge without a premium version. This makes it ideal for users who want basic functions at no persistent costs.

However, SMTP Mailer offers two premium add-ons, reply-to and email loggers, both for additional functions 39.99.

My thoughts: SMTP Mailer is perfect if you wish something quick and easy. No feature competitions are won, but e -mails are delivered. In addition, your site speed will not suffer.

5. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)

Brevo is more than just an SMTP plugin. It is a complete e -mailing platform with WordPress integration. I used it for customers who want to expand their e -mail lists and at the same time resolved delivery problems.

What makes it special: BREVO combines SMTP functions with e -mail marketing tools. You will receive a reliable e -mail delivery and the option of sending newsletters.

It also includes contact management and automation functions.

Key features of the free version of Brevo:

• SMTP delivery for WordPress -E emails
• E -mail marketing campaigns and newsletter
• Contact list management
• E -mail automation -Workflows
• Detailed analysis and reporting

My test experience: I set up Brevo for the website of a local restaurant. They needed contact form -E emails to work reliably. But they also wanted to send weekly specials to customers when newsletter explosions.

As a result, they needed a solution that could collect user information and at the same time reliably send mass -e emails.

Brevo solved both problems. Since it is a small local restaurant, Brevos 300 e -mails a day worked perfectly for you.

In addition, they were able to store up to 100,000 contacts from their hiking and food delivery customers in Brevos CRM.

Then automate your e -mail explosions using the SMTP function from Brevo, so that your contact form delivery works better.

Professionals:

• Combines SMTP with e -mail marketing
• Generous free planning authorization
• Professional e -mail templates
• Good available rates
• All-in-one solution

Disadvantages:

• More complex than basic SMTP plugins
• Learning curve for marketing functions
• The free plan has the Brevo -Branding

Best for: Small companies that want to carry out e -mail marketing. It is perfect for restaurants, shops or service providers who need both transaction -e e -emails and newsletter.

Pricing: The free plan includes 300 e -mails every day. That covers most small companies perfectly.

Paid plans start per month at $ 8.08 for advanced functions and higher shipping limits.

My thoughts: Brevo is perfect if you want to repair an e -mail plan that offers you space for growth. You will also receive professional tools without several subscriptions.

6. Post SMTP

Post SMTP is a feature -rich plugin that appeals to users who want detailed control. I used it on client websites on which the e -mail monitoring is of crucial importance and love how detailed the metrics are.

What makes it special: This plugin offers expanded logging and diagnosis. You can see exactly what happens to every e -mail that sends your website.

In addition, it contains security functions such as OautH2 authentication and e -mail encryption.

Key functions for SMTP post free of charge:

• Detailed e -mail protocol and course
• Extended authentication methods, including OautH2
• E -Mail -Kartschlangenverwaltung
• Comprehensive error reporting
• Safety -oriented design with encryption
• Several e -mail service integrations

My test experience: I installed Post SMTP on a membership page that lost important e -mails. The logging function showed exactly which e -mails failed and why.

We discovered that your hosting provider blocked certain e -mails. After switching to Gmail SMTP via this SMTP plugin, the delivery improved drastically. In addition, the owner could monitor the e -mail service every day.

Professionals:

• Excellent logging and diagnostics
• Extended security functions
• Detailed error reporting
• Strong free version
• Ideal for troubleshooting

Disadvantages:

• The interface can be overwhelming for beginners
• More complex than basic plugins

Best for: Website owner who have to follow the e -mail service. It is perfect for members of the member, online courses or companies that send important notifications.

Pricing: The free version contains basic SMTP functions and logging.

It works well for most small websites. The Pro version begins annually at 59.99 US dollars.

My thoughts: Post SMTP is perfect if you have to monitor the e -mail performance exactly. The logging functions are unsurpassed in the free version.

The Pro-upgrade also adds professional functions for serious companies.

7. Mail SMTP

Mail SMTP Is perfect for users who already use Mail and other work areas for companies.

I like to use Mail WorkSpace to set up professional e -mails and then connect to Google Mail SMTP to keep everything in the same ecosystem.

What makes it special: This SMTP plugin places directly connected to your Gmail account. You do not need a separate E -Mail service. It also uses Google’s reliable E -Mail infrastructure for delivery.

Key functions for Gmail SMTP free of charge:

• Direct integration of Mail Mail account
• Use the E -Mail server from Google
• Simple authentication process
• Reliable delivery by Google Mail
• No additional e -mail service required

My test experience: I used Gmail SMTP for the portfolio site of a freelance photographer. She already used Mail Mail for customer communication because it is the e -mail platform that it uses every day.

Her problem was that there was a big separation between your e -mails and your WordPress site. This means that you had to manually add contacts from a form to a table before sending you e -mails manually.

While this worked when she got less than 5 contacts a day, it was not scalable with growth.

Since she is not technically versed, she needed a way to communicate better with her customers while using tools with which she is already familiar.

The Gmail SMTP plugin is connected to your account in 5 minutes. Your contact form e -mails were displayed in your regular Gmail mail mailbox. In addition, customers could respond directly to their business email.

Professionals:

• Works with your existing Mail Mail account
• No additional e -mail service costs
• Simple setup process
• Reliable Google infrastructure
• Confident Mail Mail interface

Disadvantages:

• Only limited to Mail User
• Daily sending of borders via Google Mail
• Less suitable for sending high volume

Best for: Small businesses and bloggers who use Mail as the main -e email. It is perfect if you want to send WordPress -E emails via your existing Mail Mail account.

Pricing: To use completely free of charge with your existing Mail Mail account. You only pay for Google Mail if you use Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) for Business -E emails.

My thoughts: Mail SMTP is perfect if you already use Mail Mail for companies. It’s easy to judge and completely free. You will also receive the E -Mail deliveries from Google without learning new systems.

8. Mailgun

Mailgun is a developer-friendly email service that works excellently at WordPress. I used it for customers who need reliable e -mail delivery with detailed tracking.

What makes it special: Milgun focuses on e -mail delivery and analysis. You will receive detailed reports about any email sent. It also treats high volumes without sweating.

Key functions of the free version of Milgun:

• Professional e -mail infrastructure
• Detailed delivery analysis and persecution
• High-volume email handling
• Advanced spam filtering
• Reliable API integration

My test experience: I have set up mailgun for an online course platform to test the professional e -mail infrastructure.

This was an revealing test because the platform sends thousands of registration and lesson emails every day.

Since Milgun can only send 100 emails a day, we use it in such a way that only system-critical messages such as account activities and passwords are sent.

While the rest was guided by a secondary SMTP service.

Her former system had delivery problems and poor persecution. After switching to mailing, delivery prices rose to 98%.

In addition, she could open in real time, track clicks and bounces. After this experiment, the online course platform converted completely to Mailgun, which helped them improve their e -mail marketing.

Professionals:

• Excellent delivery prices
• Detailed analysis and reporting
• Processed high e -mail volumes
• Professional infrastructure
• Good API documentation

Disadvantages:

• Further technical setups required
• The free plan has low ongoing boundaries

Best for: Growing companies that send many e -mails. It is perfect for E -Commerce website, SaaS platforms or member pages with an active user base.

Pricing: The free plan contains 100 e -mails a day.

Paid plans start per month at 15 US dollars for 10,000 e -mails. The pricing reflects professional service quality.

My thoughts: Milgun is perfect for companies that need a professional e -mail delivery. The analytics help you to optimize performance. It also scales well and your e -mail volume grows.

Premium bonus SMTP option: SMTP.com

SMTP.com offers a professional email delivery service with a user-friendly WordPress plugin. I tested it on several client websites that needed reliability at the company level, and it was delivered.

What makes it special: SMTP.com focuses on everything else on the availability. You have partnerships with large e -mail providers to ensure that it works perfectly, regardless of what you have set up on your website.

Its infrastructure is also built for sending high volume.

While SMTP.com is not free, it offers a 1-month free test version. The reason why I added it to this list is that you can send up to 50,000 e -mails with the free test version.

This is an incredible offer not to try, especially when you consider how expensive email delivery services with high volume are emails.

Important functions that you get with SMTP.com free test version:

• 50,000 e -mails
• Professional e -mail infrastructure
• High delivery rates for large providers
• Real-time delivery tracking
• Extended authentication protocols
• Dedicated IP addresses available

My test experience: I used SMTP.com for a customer’s SaaS platform. They broadcast users on board e -mails and notifications. As expected, they had a very high number of e -mails.

After the negotiation period, this SaaS company SMTP.com fully adjusted due to the increased e -mail delivery and simple use.

Professionals:

• Reliability at the company level
• Excellent delivery prices
• Professional support team
• Detailed analysis and reporting
• Good free plans

Disadvantages:

• More expensive than basic alternatives
• The setup requires technical knowledge

Best for: Growing companies that send important e -mails. Think of online stores, members of the member or service provider. It is also perfect for websites that cannot afford e -mail delivery errors.

Pricing: The free test version has 30,000 e -mails for 30 days. Paid plans start at 25 per month for 50,000 e -mails. The pricing reflects the service quality of the company quality.

My thoughts: SMTP.com delivers a professional email service. The reliability is worth the cost of important business emails. The free test version also offers the opportunity to test the water.

This is for my list of the best free SMTP plugins. I hope you have found someone who works for you. If something is unclear, read the frequently asked questions below.

FAQs: The best free SMTP plugins

Last judgment: Are WordPress SMTP plugins worth?

Absolutely yes. SMTP plugins solve one of the biggest problems of WordPress -unreliable e -mail delivery.

I tested all these plugins on real websites. The difference is day and night. Before using SMTP plugins, my customers constantly complain about missing e -mails.

Contact forms did not work. Password reset. In addition, important notifications went to spam.

After installing SMTP plugins, these problems disappeared. E -mails reliably reach inbox. Contact forms work every time. In addition, customers stop calling myself for e -mail problems.

My top free SMTP recommendations:

• For beginners: Start with WP Mail SMTP. It is easiest to work with all popular E -Mail services. The free version fulfills most small companies that are perfect.
• For high volume: Choose Sendlayer As your SMTP service when you send many e -mails. The delivery prices are excellent. Analytics also helps them to pursue performance. You can use this SMTP service with reliable free SMTP plugins for the best delivery prices.
• To simplicity: Choose Simply WP SMTP If you want something basic that just works. It establishes a connection to Mail Mail in minutes without confusing settings.
• For advanced users: Go with Post SMTP If you need detailed logging and diagnostics. The free version contains professional functions that cost money elsewhere.

I always recommend starting with the free version of a plugin. You can always update later when you need more functions. It is important that you now fix your e -mail delivery.

Take a look at this article about how to set up an SMTP plugin to get started. Also use our free E -Mail Care Care Tool to create more appealing newsletters.

Apart from that, there are other articles where you can read.

These articles help you to select the right tools for your e -mail marketing campaigns and to get more high -quality leads.