SMTP Mailer
View on WordPress.orgScores higher than 91% of indexed plugins
About
Configure a SMTP server to send email from your WordPress site. Configure the wp_mail() function to use SMTP instead of the PHP mail() function.
Security History
What It Does
SMTP Mailer reconfigures WordPress to send outgoing email through an SMTP server rather than relying on the default PHP mail() function. Once configured, all emails sent by WordPress, including password resets, contact form submissions, and WooCommerce order notifications, are routed through your specified SMTP host. The plugin acts as a thin replacement for the built-in wp_mail() behaviour.
Who It's For
This plugin suits site owners on restrictive or misconfigured hosts whose transactional emails are landing in spam or failing entirely, and who want a no-frills, focused solution without extra logging or marketing features. It is a reasonable pick for developers or technical users comfortable entering SMTP credentials and verifying deliverability themselves.
Who Should Skip It
Anyone who needs email logging, open and click tracking, backup mailers, or integration wizards for providers like SendGrid, Amazon SES, or Gmail OAuth should skip this plugin. Non-technical users and high-volume senders will be better served by a more full-featured alternative.
The Bottom Line
SMTP Mailer is a lean, recently maintained SMTP plugin that will reliably replace PHP mail() on a WordPress site, earning an overall quality score of 82.7 out of 100. Its main weakness is the absence of any visible support activity and a small ratings pool, so buyers should be comfortable troubleshooting on their own. If you just need SMTP routing and nothing more, it is a solid, no-cost choice, otherwise the alternatives above offer more features and bigger communities.
Related Plugins
Pick this when you want the largest install base, polished setup wizards for Gmail and Outlook, and built-in email logging with a generous free tier.
Choose FluentSMTP if you need native, first-class integrations with Amazon SES, SendGrid, Mailgun, or Postmark and want detailed logging without a paid add-on.
Choose Post SMTP when you require a backup SMTP server, failure alerts, or a mobile app for monitoring deliverability on the go.
Pick Mailchimp for WordPress instead when your priority is newsletter list management and Mailchimp integration rather than transactional SMTP delivery.
Choose Easy WP SMTP if you want a similar minimal SMTP plugin but with a longer track record, email logs, and more than seven times the install base.