by FluentSMTP – WP SMTP Plugin with Amazon SES, SendGrid, MailGun, Postmark, Google and Any SMTP Provider is a powerful and highly flexible WordPress plugin developed to improve the email deliverability of WordPress websites. It allows site owners to send emails reliably using trusted third-party email service providers like Amazon SES, SendGrid, Mailgun, Postmark, Gmail (Google Workspace), Outlook, and any other SMTP server.
📧 Why WordPress Needs SMTP Plugins
By default, WordPress uses the wp_mail() function, which depends on the PHP mail() function. Unfortunately, this often results in emails being marked as spam or not being delivered at all because many hosting environments are not configured for reliable mail delivery. This is especially problematic for transactional emails such as password resets, order confirmations, contact form submissions, and newsletter subscriptions.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) solves this issue by using authenticated email servers that are trusted by inbox providers like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook. FluentSMTP bridges this gap by connecting WordPress to reliable SMTP services.
🚀 Key Features of FluentSMTP
1. Multiple Email Service Provider Support
FluentSMTP supports integration with many leading transactional email providers:
- Amazon SES
- SendGrid
- Mailgun
- Postmark
- Gmail / Google Workspace
- Outlook / Microsoft 365
- Any Custom SMTP
You can configure one or multiple providers and switch between them as needed.
2. Email Routing and Fallback Mechanism
One standout feature is the ability to configure multiple connections. You can set rules to route certain types of emails (e.g., transactional, marketing) through specific providers. If one provider fails, FluentSMTP can automatically route the email through a fallback provider, ensuring high deliverability.
3. Email Logging
FluentSMTP logs all outgoing emails, providing transparency and the ability to:
- View email subject, recipient, and status
- See delivery results
- Resend failed emails
- Debug and troubleshoot issues
This is particularly useful for tracking important communications and resolving support issues.
4. Modern UI with Real-Time Stats
FluentSMTP features a clean, modern UI within the WordPress admin dashboard. You can view:
- Deliverability reports
- SMTP connection status
- Send/receive metrics
- Email history and logs
All data is presented in a user-friendly format with filtering options.
5. Asynchronous Email Sending
To optimize performance, FluentSMTP supports background (async) email sending. This prevents your site from slowing down during email-heavy operations, such as bulk user registrations or order notifications.
6. No Third-Party API Calls
Unlike many other SMTP plugins, FluentSMTP does not route emails or logs through the developer’s servers. Everything happens within your WordPress installation, ensuring privacy, security, and speed.
7. Developer-Friendly Hooks & Filters
FluentSMTP provides a range of WordPress hooks and filters, making it extendable for developers. You can:
- Programmatically change email routing
- Hook into the email sending process
- Customize logging and reporting
🔧 Supported SMTP Services at a Glance
| Provider | API / SMTP | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon SES | API | Fast and cost-effective, but requires AWS setup |
| SendGrid | API | Easy setup, free tier available |
| Mailgun | API | Advanced analytics and deliverability |
| Postmark | API | Focus on transactional email with ultra-reliable delivery |
| Gmail / Google | OAuth / SMTP | Ideal for small sites or internal teams, limited email quota |
| Outlook / Office365 | SMTP | Common in corporate environments |
| Custom SMTP | SMTP | Use any SMTP server with TLS/SSL support |
🛠️ How to Set Up FluentSMTP
- Install and Activate
- Go to Plugins > Add New
- Search for “FluentSMTP”
- Install and activate the plugin
- Configure Connection
- Navigate to Settings > FluentSMTP
- Click “Add New Connection”
- Choose your email provider (e.g., SendGrid)
- Enter API key or SMTP credentials
- Set “From Email” and “From Name”
- Verify Email Routing
- Set fallback options if needed
- Test your connection using the built-in testing tool
- Enable Email Logging
- Go to the Logs tab and enable detailed logging
- View sent emails and monitor delivery status
✅ Pros of Using FluentSMTP
- Free & Open Source – All features are available for free. No upselling or premium versions.
- High Deliverability – Uses reliable SMTP servers or APIs.
- Secure & Private – Doesn’t send data to third-party servers.
- Comprehensive Logging – Great for debugging and customer support.
- Multi-Connection Support – Route emails through specific services.
- Lightweight & Fast – Built with performance in mind.
❌ Potential Drawbacks
- Initial Setup for APIs – Setting up services like Amazon SES or Mailgun may require some technical knowledge (DKIM, SPF records, etc.).
- No Built-in Email Templates – It’s strictly an SMTP delivery plugin; you’ll need another plugin for email design or marketing automation.
- Limited Support – While it’s well-documented, support is community-based unless you’re using FluentCRM or other related products from WPManageNinja.
🧩 Integration With Other Plugins
FluentSMTP integrates seamlessly with:
- FluentCRM – WPManageNinja’s email marketing automation plugin.
- FluentForms – Advanced form builder with direct email sending.
- WooCommerce – Reliable order and notification email delivery.
- WP Mail Plugins – Compatible with Contact Form 7, WPForms, and Gravity Forms.
🔐 Security and Privacy
FluentSMTP emphasizes self-hosted operation. It does not collect or transmit any of your data to external servers. Credentials are securely stored, and all connections use encryption protocols.
When using OAuth (e.g., Gmail API), FluentSMTP uses secure token-based authentication rather than storing passwords.
💡 Real Use Case Scenarios
- WooCommerce Store: Route order notifications through Amazon SES and marketing emails via SendGrid.
- Multisite WordPress Network: Configure different SMTP settings per site.
- Membership or LMS Site: Ensure important account-related emails reach users’ inboxes.
🌟 Final Verdict
FluentSMTP stands out as one of the most robust, flexible, and privacy-focused SMTP plugins for WordPress. It offers advanced features like multiple SMTP connections, detailed logging, and asynchronous sending — all for free.
Whether you’re running a small blog, an eCommerce store, or a complex business portal, FluentSMTP ensures your WordPress emails are reliable, trackable, and secure.
