Fix WordPress Email Delivery Using SMTP Plugins (Free & Fast)

Why Your WordPress Emails Aren’t Being Delivered

If your WordPress site isn’t sending emails, whether it’s contact form submissions, order confirmations, password resets, or admin alerts, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common issues WordPress users face. The problem is often invisible until it starts costing you real business: emails land in spam folders, or worse, they never arrive at all.

The root cause is that WordPress doesn’t send emails the way your email service expects. Instead of using authenticated, secure methods like SMTP, it defaults to PHP’s basic mail function, which many hosting providers either misconfigure or disable entirely.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• Why WordPress fails to send emails reliably
• What SMTP is and why it solves the problem
• The best free WordPress SMTP plugins to restore reliable email delivery

It doesn’t matter if you’re running a store, publishing content, or managing client sites. WordPress email failures cost you trust. So here’s what you need to know about them and how to fix them for good.

Why WordPress Doesn’t Send Emails Reliably

Out of the box, WordPress doesn’t send emails the way modern mail servers expect. That’s because it uses a built-in function called wp_mail(), which relies on the underlying PHP mail() function.

It’s simple, but doesn’t support proper authentication out of the box. On top of that, many hosting providers either disable mail() it by default or fail to configure it correctly. Some allow it, but with restrictive limits.

Either way, your WordPress site ends up sending emails that look suspicious to receiving servers. As a result, they’re often blocked, flagged as spam, or silently discarded without any notice that delivery failed.

That’s why there are lots of incidents where contact form submissions don’t arrive or WooCommerce order confirmations never show up.

If you want your emails to actually land in inboxes, you need a better way to send them. That’s where SMTP comes in.

What SMTP Is and Why It Solves the Problem

SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It’s the common way to send email, and unlike the default PHP mail function, it authenticates every message.

When WordPress sends email via SMTP, it uses a real provider like Gmail, Outlook, Amazon SES, or SendGrid. These services verify your email and deliver it through secure, trusted servers.

That simple switch improves deliverability, avoids spam filters, and gives you control.

Why SMTP is better:

• Authenticated delivery. Emails are verified and trusted.
• Proper headers. Includes the metadata providers expect.
• Error reporting. Know what failed and why.
• Works with major services. Route email through Gmail, Outlook, Mailgun, Amazon SES, and more.

With SMTP, your site is using a purpose-built email infrastructure instead of relying on your hosting server to send emails. That makes all the difference.

Next, we’ll show you how to set up SMTP on your WordPress site using the most recommended free plugins available today.

Free WordPress SMTP Plugins to Fix Email Delivery

Now that you know what to look for, here are the top free SMTP plugins to consider.

➥ FluentSMTP

If you want a powerful SMTP plugin that just works, without paying a premium, FluentSMTP is a great option. It’s fast, lightweight, and 100% free, packed with features you’d normally find in paid tools.

Free features:

• Native API support for Gmail, Outlook, Amazon SES, SendGrid, Mailgun; SMTP support for Zoho Mail and others.
• Secure OAuth 2.0 authentication for Gmail and Microsoft Outlook integrations.
• Comprehensive email logging with detailed insights and real-time error notifications via Slack, Telegram, or Discord.
• Smart routing: Configure multiple SMTP connections to send different types of emails, such as marketing, transactional, or support, through designated providers.
• Fallback SMTP: Automatically switch to a backup connection if the primary provider fails, ensuring continuous email delivery.

Pros:

• No paid upsells, everything’s free
• Clean, modern UI
• Developer-friendly with filters and actions
• Regular updates and excellent documentation

Cons:

• No built-in email testing tool (requires sending a real test email)
• No premium support (community and docs only)

Recommended for:

• Site owners who want full email control without paying for a premium plugin
• WooCommerce stores, contact forms, and membership sites
• Developers managing multiple SMTP connections

We’re proud to count FluentSMTP among our Certified Partners. It’s the clear winner if you’re looking for a free, robust solution built by a trusted team. FluentSMTP sets the standard for what an SMTP plugin should be.

➥ WP Mail SMTP

With over 3 million active installs, WP Mail SMTP is the most widely used SMTP plugin for WordPress. It’s backed by WPForms, offers strong documentation, and has both free and pro versions.

It’s designed to be beginner-friendly while supporting all major email providers. Some great features though, are locked behind a paywall.

Free features:

• Easy setup wizard with built-in support for major providers like Gmail, SMTP.com, Sendinblue, and Mailgun. Microsoft 365 and Amazon SES require the Pro version.
• OAuth 2.0 support for Gmail is available in the free version for secure, passwordless authentication.
• Weekly summary showing the total number of emails sent from your site.
• Integration with popular plugins like WPForms and WooCommerce

Pros:

• Trusted by millions of users
• Beginner-friendly with an excellent setup flow
• Excellent documentation is available
• Compatible with all major SMTP services (some integrations are limited to the Pro version).

Cons:

• Many key features (like logging, reports, and backup connections) are Pro-only
• No built-in support for multiple connections in free version
• No error notifications or alerts in the free version
• The interface feels upsell-heavy in the free version

Recommended for:

• Beginners who want a guided, hassle-free setup
• Site owners willing to invest in advanced features and priority support
• Agencies or teams managing high-volume or business-critical email traffic

WP Mail SMTP is the go-to plugin for many WordPress users thanks to its ease of use and strong support. But you’ll need to upgrade to Pro to unlock its full potential.

➥ Easy WP SMTP

Easy WP SMTP lives up to its name. It’s one of the most lightweight plugins on this list, offering a quick and straightforward way to configure SMTP on your WordPress site.

It’s ideal for users who don’t need advanced features like logging or multiple connections, and just want to get their emails working again.

Free features:

• Supports standard SMTP authentication, allowing connections to Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, and any custom SMTP server.
• Features a user-friendly configuration screen with a guided setup wizard
• Built-in email testing tool, allowing you to send customizable test emails to verify your SMTP configuration.
• Built-in debug logging and error handling, allowing you to monitor email sending errors and activities to troubleshoot delivery issues.

Pros:

• Lightweight and resource-friendly.
• Compatible with most SMTP providers.
• Very easy to set up for beginners.
• Free version includes all essential features needed for reliable email sending.

Cons:

• No OAuth 2.0 support (less secure with providers like Gmail)
• Basic logging is available, but lacks detailed reports and resending features.
• No advanced features like fallback SMTP or smart routing

Best Suited For:

• Simple WordPress sites or personal blogs
• Users who need basic SMTP without advanced configuration
• Lightweight setups using a single email provider

If all you need is straightforward, reliable SMTP delivery, Easy WP SMTP is a strong option. Just keep in mind its limitations with OAuth, smart routing, or fallback support.

➥ Post SMTP

Post SMTP goes far beyond basic email delivery. It’s built for users who need detailed diagnostics, failover options, and advanced control, especially valuable for developers and agencies managing complex WordPress sites.

A standout feature is its companion mobile app, which sends push notifications when email delivery fails, keeping you informed in real time.

Free features:

• OAuth 2.0 authentication for Gmail and Microsoft 365/Outlook.
• Integration with all major email services, including Gmail, Microsoft 365, Amazon SES, Mailgun, SendGrid, and more.
• Comprehensive email logging with full message diagnostics.
• Fallback SMTP support, allowing automatic resending of emails through a secondary SMTP server
• Robust notification system, offering email, Slack, and mobile app push notifications for instant alerts on email delivery failures.
• Built-in connectivity tester to diagnose SMTP configuration issues. Email address validation is not included and requires a separate plugin.

Pros:

• One of the best plugins for troubleshooting SMTP issues
• Supports advanced SMTP flows and security protocols
• Strong fallback and failover logic
• The mobile app is a unique bonus

Cons:

• The dashboard can feel cluttered compared to newer, minimalist plugins
• Slightly more resource-heavy due to built-in diagnostic and fallback tools
• Advanced features like OAuth and fallback SMTP may require technical setup

Recommended for:

• Developers and tech-savvy users managing complex email workflows
• Sites that demand high email reliability and redundancy
• Agencies or teams handling WordPress email troubleshooting at scale

Post SMTP is built for power users. If you want full control, detailed diagnostics, and failover support, it’s one of the most capable plugins available. Just be prepared for a steeper learning curve.

➥ Gmail SMTP

If you only plan to send emails from your WordPress site using a Gmail or Google Workspace account, Gmail SMTP is a plugin built specifically for that purpose. It uses OAuth 2.0 to securely connect to your Gmail account without storing passwords, which is essential due to Google’s tightened security policies.

Free features:

• Secure OAuth 2.0 authentication for Gmail and Google Workspace accounts
• OAuth 2.0 for secure token-based authentication, eliminating the need to store Gmail passwords.
• A setup wizard to help configure Google API credentials
• Provides detailed app setup instructions for Google API credentials.
• Works with contact forms, WooCommerce, and core email functions

Pros:

• Built specifically for Gmail integration
• Uses secure, modern authentication
• Eliminates “less secure app” warnings
• Generally reliable once configured properly

Cons:

• Exclusively supports Gmail. Lacks compatibility with other SMTP providers.
• Setup requires Google Cloud Console access and creation of API credentials.
• Potential confusion due to similarly named plugins. Ensure referencing correct documentation.

Great Fit For:

• Users who only want to send email through Gmail or Google Workspace
• Site owners comfortable setting up Google API access
• Smaller sites or solopreneurs with a single domain and inbox

Gmail SMTP is a solid option for WordPress users seeking a secure, no-frills way to send email via Gmail or Google Workspace. Just be prepared for a more hands-on setup process involving Google API configuration.

➥ SMTP Mailer

SMTP Mailer is a straightforward solution for configuring SMTP in WordPress. Designed for users seeking minimal setup, it focuses solely on the essentials. Enter your SMTP credentials, and you’re ready to send emails.

Lightweight and efficient, it avoids unnecessary features, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Free features:

• Provides a straightforward interface to configure SMTP settings, including host, authentication, username, password, encryption type, port, and sender details.
• Compatible with any SMTP server, including Gmail, Outlook, Mailgun, and more.
• Includes a built-in tool to send test emails, allowing users to verify SMTP settings.
• Clean interface without any branding, advertisements, or upsell prompts
• Aligns with GDPR principles by minimizing data retention and exposure.

Pros:

• Extremely lightweight, ideal for performance-focused sites
• Clean UI with no distractions
• Free and open-source with no hidden limitations
• Perfect for staging or dev environments, too

Cons:

• No OAuth 2.0 support (username/password only)
• Lacks logging, fallback, or advanced diagnostics
• No official support channel beyond the WordPress.org forum

Use It If:

• Optimizing a WordPress site’s performance
• You are a developers who want a minimalist SMTP setup
• You already know your SMTP credentials and don’t need guided setup

SMTP Mailer is ideal for those who value simplicity and speed over features. It’s not for everyone, but if you want a plugin that stays out of the way and just works, it delivers.

Comparison Table: SMTP Plugins at a Glance

✓ = Fully supported
X = Not supported
? = Basic or limited support
Pro only = Feature available in paid version

Plugin	Free/Paid	OAuth 2.0	Logging & Alerts	SMTP Fallback	Great Fit For
FluentSMTP	100% Free	✓	✓	✓	Site owners who want full control without paying for premium features
WP Mail SMTP	Free + Pro	✓	?	Pro only	Beginners who want guided setup and support
Easy WP SMTP	Free + Pro	X	?	X	Users who want a basic, lightweight plugin
Post SMTP	Free + Pro	✓	✓	✓	Developers who need diagnostics and fallback
Gmail SMTP	100% Free	✓	X	X	Sites sending exclusively through Gmail
SMTP Mailer	100% Free	X	X	X	Performance-focused setups needing minimal config

Make WordPress Email Work

WordPress’s default email method isn’t reliable. It lacks proper authentication and often fails silently.

Using an SMTP plugin fixes that. It connects your site to real email providers and ensures messages get delivered every time. Pick the right plugin, set it up once, and leave email issues behind.

Reliable email is just one part of a healthy WordPress site.
With Pressidium, you get enterprise-grade hosting that handles performance, security, and email deliverability.