WP Mail SMTP is the strongest WP SendGrid SMTP alternative for most sites, supporting many mailers and adding email logging that a single provider plugin lacks. FluentSMTP is the best free option with no paywalled features, while Post SMTP stands out for detailed delivery logs and mobile alerts. We ranked these from our index of 55,000+ WordPress plugins.

Why people switch from WP SendGrid SMTP

• WP SendGrid SMTP only connects to SendGrid, so people wanting a choice of providers move to WP Mail SMTP or FluentSMTP.
• Users who want to log and troubleshoot every email move to Post SMTP or WP Mail SMTP.
• Those sending only through Google Workspace prefer a dedicated tool, so they move to Gmail SMTP.
• Site owners wanting a fully free, no upsell mailer move to FluentSMTP or SMTP Mailer.

WP Mail SMTP – Overall replacement

WP Mail SMTP from the WPForms team is the most popular SMTP plugin, supporting many providers including SendGrid, plus email logging and delivery controls. Against WP SendGrid SMTP, it frees you from a single provider and adds troubleshooting tools. The drawback: features like full email logging, more mailers, and alerts are reserved for the paid tiers.

Choose WP Mail SMTP if you want the most widely supported SMTP plugin with room to grow.

Post SMTP – Logging and alerts

Post SMTP is a free, actively developed SMTP plugin with detailed delivery logs, failure alerts, a backup connection, and a companion mobile app. Against WP SendGrid SMTP, it adds far more visibility into whether your emails actually send. The drawback: its interface is less polished than the commercial options, and some notifications rely on add-ons.

Choose Post SMTP if you want strong email logging and failure alerts for free.

Gmail SMTP – Google Workspace sending

Gmail SMTP is a focused plugin for sending WordPress email through Gmail or Google Workspace using OAuth authentication. Against WP SendGrid SMTP, it is the better fit if Google already handles your mail. The drawback: it only supports Google, and setup requires creating API credentials in the Google Cloud console, which can be fiddly.

Choose Gmail SMTP if you send exclusively through Gmail or Google Workspace.

FluentSMTP – Free, many providers

FluentSMTP from WPManageNinja is a completely free SMTP plugin supporting Amazon SES, SendGrid, Mailgun, Postmark, Google, and more, with routing across multiple connections. Against WP SendGrid SMTP, it offers far more provider choice and email logging at no cost. The drawback: it is purely a delivery tool with no marketing extras, and there is no paid support tier if you need hands on help.

Choose FluentSMTP if you want a genuinely free plugin that works with almost any provider.

SMTP Mailer – Simple generic SMTP

SMTP Mailer is a lightweight plugin that routes WordPress email through any generic SMTP server with a minimal settings screen. Against WP SendGrid SMTP, it is not tied to one provider and is quick to configure. The drawback: it is bare bones, with no email logging, alerts, or advanced deliverability features.

Choose SMTP Mailer if you want a simple, no frills SMTP connection to any server.

When to stay on WP SendGrid SMTP

Stay on WP SendGrid SMTP if you already send through SendGrid and your emails are arriving reliably. A single purpose plugin is simple and does exactly one job, and if SendGrid is your permanent provider, switching to a multi provider tool adds options you will not use. If it is working, there is no pressing reason to change.

How we ranked these

Every plugin here is scored by the WPS Score, a single 0 to 10 rating built from 21 signals covering maintenance, support responsiveness, compatibility, performance, and ratings quality across our index of 55,000+ plugins. Rankings are derived from that data, not editorial preference, and no plugin author can pay to change a score. How the WPS Score works.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free alternative to WP SendGrid SMTP?

FluentSMTP is the best free alternative to WP SendGrid SMTP, supporting many providers including SendGrid with no paywalled features. Post SMTP is another strong free option, adding email logging and failure alerts. Both give you more flexibility than a single provider plugin at no cost.

Can I use these plugins with SendGrid?

Yes, WP Mail SMTP, FluentSMTP, and Post SMTP all support SendGrid alongside other providers. That means you can keep using SendGrid while gaining features like email logging and the ability to switch providers later. WP SendGrid SMTP, by contrast, is built only for SendGrid.

Do I need an SMTP plugin at all?

Most WordPress sites benefit from one, because the default PHP mail function is unreliable and often lands in spam. An SMTP plugin like WP Mail SMTP or FluentSMTP routes email through an authenticated service, improving deliverability. If your emails already arrive consistently, an SMTP plugin is less urgent but still safer.

The verdict

The best all round WP SendGrid SMTP alternative is WP Mail SMTP for its provider support and logging, with FluentSMTP the top free pick and Post SMTP the choice for detailed delivery logs and alerts. If SendGrid already delivers your email reliably, staying on WP SendGrid SMTP is a valid choice.

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