SmartSMTP
View on WordPress.orgScores higher than 25% of indexed plugins
About
Reliable Email Delivery with SmartSMTP
Security History
What It Does
SmartSMTP is a WordPress plugin that handles outbound email delivery by routing messages through an SMTP server rather than relying on the default PHP mail function. It aims to solve common deliverability issues such as emails landing in spam or failing to send at all from WordPress sites. The plugin is positioned as a lightweight alternative in a category crowded with more established tools.
Who It's For
This plugin suits small site owners or developers who need a simple SMTP solution without the complexity of larger plugins. Given the very low install count of 2,000 and zero support threads, it works best for technical users comfortable troubleshooting on their own. It is a reasonable option for sites where minimal feature scope is preferred over depth.
Who Should Skip It
If you run a business where email deliverability is mission critical, such as e-commerce order confirmations or membership access emails, you should not rely on a plugin with no visible support presence and only 2,000 installs. Site owners who need email logs, backup SMTP, or native integrations with providers like SendGrid, Mailgun, or Amazon SES should also look elsewhere.
The Bottom Line
SmartSMTP earns an overall quality score of 70.74 out of 100, driven mostly by recent maintenance and broad compatibility, but held back by extremely low adoption and zero support history. The 94 rating is statistically meaningless with only 3 votes. For most site owners, the established alternatives in this category offer far more proven reliability and community backing.
Related Plugins
Pick this if you want the most battle-tested SMTP plugin with 4 million installs, extensive provider integrations, and a large support community.
Pick this if you want native integrations with Amazon SES, SendGrid, Mailgun, Postmark, and Gmail without monthly sending fees.
Pick this if you need advanced features like email logs, failure alerts, backup SMTP routing, and mobile monitoring.
Pick this if your primary need is connecting WordPress forms to Mailchimp rather than configuring a general SMTP relay.
Pick this if you want a beginner-friendly setup for Gmail, Office 365, or a custom SMTP server with built-in logging.