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/ SMTP Mailer

SMTP Mailer

By Noor Alam

Communication & Messaging / Transactional Email

Reviewed by Abdul Hameid

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

SMTP Mailer Review - In-Depth Analysis

SMTP Mailer allows you to configure a SMTP server for sending emails from your WordPress site. It replaces the default PHP mail function with SMTP for reliable email delivery.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.93/10

User Rating

4.6/5 (based on 67+ reviews)

Active Installations

70,000+

Update Frequency

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

Security Score

7.1 / 10 (High Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

SMTP Mailer plugin allows you to configure a mail server which handles all outgoing email from your website. It takes control of the wp_mail function and uses SMTP instead.

This plugin provides various settings to customize your SMTP configuration, including SMTP host, authentication, username, password, encryption type, and port. You can also set the From email address and name for outgoing emails.

Once configured, you can send test emails to ensure everything is working correctly. The plugin is compatible with other popular contact form plugins, making it a versatile choice for email delivery.

Comparing to Alternatives

SMTP Mailer is a straightforward SMTP plugin focused on reliable email sending with minimal bloat. It competes with several other SMTP plugins that offer varying features and complexity.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Simple and effective with a clean user interface
Excellent SMTP transaction logging for troubleshooting
Lightweight and focused on core SMTP functionality
Quick setup and compatibility with popular form plugins like WPForms and Contact Form 7

Weaknesses

Recent update introduced a new top-level menu item, which some users dislike
Has had a high severity security vulnerability in the past, though fixed in latest version
Limited advanced features compared to some competitors
No pro version with extended capabilities

User Sentiment Analysis

With a high overall rating of 4.6 from 67 reviews, most users praise SMTP Mailer for its simplicity and reliability. However, a minority express concerns about recent UI changes and past security issues.

Positive highlights

"It just works with a nice UI." – Matthias Kittsteiner
"Best SMTP transaction logging out there!" – Andrzej Klasén
"Lean, mean, and focused on doing one thing exceptionally well." – leemon
"Simple needs, simple to use." – rochrunner
"Simple Setup, Works Great with CF7." – Jason Wong

Common complaints

Settings menu moved to a new top-level menu item, cluttering the admin backend

Weaknesses

Past high severity security vulnerability (fixed in version 1.1.25)
No advanced features or premium support options
Some users dislike recent UI/UX changes

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a lightweight, no-frills SMTP plugin that reliably sends emails and offers detailed SMTP transaction logs for troubleshooting.

Not ideal for

Those who prefer a plugin with advanced features, premium support, or who are concerned about past security vulnerabilities and prefer plugins with a spotless security record.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version provides all core SMTP mailing functionality with detailed transaction logging and compatibility with popular form plugins.

Final Verdict

SMTP Mailer stands out as a simple, reliable SMTP plugin that excels at its core function with excellent logging and ease of use. Its high user ratings reflect satisfaction with its performance and straightforward design.

However, users should be aware of a past high severity security vulnerability that has been fixed, and some may find the recent UI changes intrusive. Those needing advanced features or premium support might consider alternatives. Overall, it is a solid choice for users prioritizing simplicity and reliability.