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WP Gmail SMTP

By inkthemes

Communication & Messaging / Transactional Email

Reviewed by Abdul Hameid

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

WP Gmail SMTP Review - In-Depth Analysis

Connect your WordPress site to Gmail for sending emails using the WP Gmail SMTP plugin. It bypasses the default mail function for reliable email delivery.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.68/10

User Rating

3.2/5 (based on 5+ reviews)

Active Installations

1,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

With the WP Gmail SMTP plugin, you can connect Gmail to your WordPress website for sending emails. This plugin bypasses the normal WordPress mail function and sends emails using the Gmail service.

Simply add your Gmail username and password to start delivering emails through Gmail. You can also customize the From Email address and From Name for better branding.

To start using the plugin, you need to configure several settings, including the hostname, SMTP username, and password. If you need assistance, refer to the documentation on changes in Gmail settings.

Note that there is a limitation of sending 500 bulk emails via Gmail. For larger email campaigns, you may need to purchase SMTP services from various providers.

You can also test the email functionality to ensure your configurations are correct. For hassle-free email marketing, consider reliable and cost-effective bulk email marketing services.

Comparing to Alternatives

WP Gmail SMTP is one of several SMTP plugins available for WordPress, offering Gmail integration for email sending. It competes with a variety of SMTP plugins that provide similar functionality with different features and reliability.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Simple and easy to use interface
Supports Gmail SMTP integration
Lightweight with minimal configuration options
Free version available with basic functionality
Positive user feedback on ease of setup

Weaknesses

Known security vulnerabilities with no fixes
Requires less secure app access in Gmail, which is a security compromise
Limited advanced features compared to alternatives
Reported issues with sending test emails and lack of support

User Sentiment Analysis

The plugin has mixed reviews with a 3.2 out of 5 rating based on 5 ratings, including 40% 5-star and 40% 1-star reviews. Positive feedback highlights ease of use, while negative reviews focus on errors and lack of support.

Positive highlights

"Did the job great" - jivyb
"Good job, very easy to use!" - pedjawp
"Very easy to configure" - marty39

Common complaints

No response from plugin author on support requests
Plugin fails to send test emails and enters an infinite loop
Concerns about the plugin being a virus collecting email information

Weaknesses

Security vulnerabilities remain unpatched
Requires enabling less secure app access in Gmail
Lack of developer support for issues

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who need a simple, straightforward SMTP plugin for occasional email sending via Gmail and are comfortable with the security trade-offs.

Not ideal for

Users requiring robust security, active support, or advanced SMTP features should consider other alternatives due to known vulnerabilities and lack of support.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

Basic SMTP functionality with Gmail integration and simple setup.

Pro version

Premium features typically include enhanced support, additional configuration options, and improved deliverability, though specific pro features are not detailed.

Final Verdict

WP Gmail SMTP offers a simple and easy-to-use solution for integrating Gmail SMTP with WordPress, making it suitable for users with basic email sending needs. However, its known security vulnerabilities and lack of developer support are significant drawbacks that cannot be overlooked.

Given the availability of numerous alternatives with better security and support, users should carefully consider their requirements before choosing this plugin. Those prioritizing security and reliability may find better value elsewhere.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free WP Gmail SMTP plugin.

Gmail SMTP

SMTP service

Email delivery

Screenshots

FAQ

Upload the plugin to your WordPress site.
Activate the plugin.
Set the options like From Email, From Name, Return Path, Username and Password etc, inside the plugin options by going to Admin Menu -> Gmail SMTP
Send a test email to check everything is working properly.
Enjoy