WP Mail SMTP - Complete Description
Category: Productivity • Platform: WordPress Plugin
WP Mail SMTP is a highly trusted solution, used by 3+ million websites, that fixes WordPress email deliverability issues by reconfiguring WordPress to use a proper SMTP provider when sending emails.
❓ What is SMTP and the Problem it Solves
- SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): The industry-standard protocol for sending emails. Proper SMTP configuration adds authentication to outgoing emails.
- The Problem: WordPress defaults to the PHP mail function (
wp_mail()). However, most WordPress hosting companies do not have their servers properly configured for this, causing emails to be delivered to the SPAM folder or to disappear entirely, as popular email clients require proper authentication. - The Solution: WP Mail SMTP resolves this by changing the way the
wp_mail()function operates, using proper SMTP host credentials or a dedicated SMTP mail provider's direct API for reliable delivery.
⚙️ How WP Mail SMTP Works
The plugin replaces the unreliable default PHP mail function. With built-in integrations, emails are often sent using the provider's direct API, ensuring successful delivery even if your web host blocks standard SMTP ports.
Supported SMTP Mailers
WP Mail SMTP supports numerous mailers, with dedicated API integrations for high deliverability.
| Free Version Mailers | Recommended Mailers | Pro-Only Integrations |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail SMTP (Google Workspace, G Suite) | SendLayer (#1 Recommended) | Microsoft SMTP One-Click Setup (Outlook.com, Office 365) |
| Elastic Email | SMTP.com | Amazon SES SMTP |
| Mailgun SMTP | Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) SMTP | Zoho Mail SMTP |
| Mailjet SMTP | ||
| SendGrid SMTP | ||
| Postmark SMTP | ||
| SparkPost SMTP | ||
| SMTP2GO | ||
| Other SMTP (Generic) |
💎 WP Mail SMTP PRO Features
The Pro version unlocks advanced features crucial for serious business operations and troubleshooting:
| Feature Category | PRO Features | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Email Logging | Email Log Details (subject, sender, status, open/click rates), Resend Emails (individually or in bulk), Store attachments, Export logs. | Archive, audit, resend, and test email delivery and formatting. |
| Reporting & Tracking | Email Reports, Weekly Email Summary, Track Email Opens and Clicks. | Monitor deliverability and engagement (open/click-through rates) without logging into WordPress. |
| Reliability & Alerts | Backup Connection, Email Alerts (via Slack, SMS, Discord, etc.). | Automatically switch to a secondary mailer if the primary fails; instantly notify you if emails stop sending. |
| Performance & Control | Smart Conditional Routing, Rate Limiting, Optimized Email Sending (Queuing), Manage WordPress Emails and Notifications. | Route specific emails through different providers; stay within provider rate limits; improve site performance by queuing emails; disable unwanted default notifications. |
| Multisite | Network Settings, Multisite Email Logs. | Centralized SMTP configuration and log management for all subsites in a WordPress Multisite network. |
White Glove Setup
Available for recommended mailers (SendLayer, Brevo, and SMTP.com), this service includes professional installation, configuration in WordPress, DNS setup, and testing.
