11 Best Free SMTP Servers: Send Up to 12k Emails/Month Free

Sending emails from your website like customer updates, marketing emails, transactional emails or website notifications can be tricky. Sometimes they don’t get delivered, go to spam, or just disappear. That’s where SMTP servers help. 

SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It’s the standard communication protocol that email providers use to send, receive, and relay outgoing email messages. You can think of SMTP as a digital version of postal service.

The good news? You don’t have to spend money to get a good one. In 2025, many free SMTP relay servers will work great for marketers, business owners, developers, and anyone who needs to send emails.

But with so many options, it can be hard to choose. That’s why we’ve made this guide. We’ll show you the best free SMTP servers, what they offer, and who they’re best for, so you can find the right one without the hassle.

Let’s get started!

11 Best Free SMTP Servers: A Quick Overview

Let’s start with a quick comparison of these free SMTP relay servers before we break them down in detail

SMTP Provider	G2 Rating	Best Feature	Number of free Email	Paid Plans Start from	WordPress Integration
FluentSMTP	4.8	Multiple SMTP connections and smart routing	Based on the email service connection’s plans	Free	✅
SendPulse	4.6	Multi-channel marketing email	12000  emails/month	$8/month
MailerSend	4.2	Optimized email delivery	3000 emails/month	$ 28.00 /month	✅
SMTP2GO	4.7	Fast delivery	1000 emails/month	$15/mo	✅
Mailtrap	4.8	Comprehensive email sandbox	1000emails/mo	$15per/ month	✅
Amazon SES	4.3	automated deliverability optimization	3,000 emails/month	$0.10/1000 emails	✅
Mailjet	4.0	Easy SMTP setup process	6000 emails/month	$17/month	✅
Brevo	4.5	All-in-one marketing automation	300 emails/Day	$8.08/month	✅
Postmark	4.6	Fast transactional email sending	100 emails/Month	$15.00/month	✅
SendGrid	4.0	Reliable email delivery at scale	100 emails/Day	$19.95/ month	✅
Elastic Email	4.4	Reliable email delivery at scale	100 emails/Day	$29/ month	✅

11 Best Free SMTP Service Providers You Can Use to Ensure Email Deliverability

Let’s explore these free SMTP relay services for sending your email, so you can get started quickly and send messages confidently and without any cost.

FluentSMTP – Best Free SMTP Plugin for WordPress

FluentSMTP is a powerful, free WordPress plugin designed to make your website emails more reliable and deliverable. WordPress’s default wp_mail() function often fails to deliver emails properly, leading to lost messages and a poor user experience. 

But FluentSMTP solves this by connecting your site to trusted email service providers (ESP) like Google Workspace, SendGrid, Mailgun, Amazon SES, and more—using SMTP and email API sending or even Outlook/Office 365 protocols.

You can also use its multiple connection features to configure multiple email services for different needs. It also has smart routing features so your emails can reach the right destination through your chosen service!

It skips the default PHP mail function and uses secure SMTP servers with high email deliverability. Currently, it’s the go-to free email delivery service among the best free SMTP servers, offering seamless SMTP integration which is perfect for bloggers, businesses, and developers alike.

Pros & Cons for FluentSMTP

Pros	Cons
Add multiple connections	Limits come from the service you pick
Works smoothly with big email-sending services	Needs another SMTP email service provider to work
Raises your email deliverability rate	Setup might confuse beginners
Shows logs to check email bounce rate and fix issues	Limits come from the service you pick
Forever free SMTP plugin
Smart routing
Email log for performance monitoring

Free Plan Limits

FluentSMTP is completely free to use with no built-in SMTP email limits. Since it doesn’t send emails itself, the limits depend entirely on the SMTP email service provider you connect it with. 

For example, SendGrid offers 100 emails/day on its free plan, while Amazon SES allows up to 62,000 emails/month when sending from AWS EC2, a great email throughput for a free SMTP for WordPress.

What is FluentSMTP Best For?

FluentSMTP is ideal for WordPress users who want a free and flexible way to send emails using email providers like SendGrid, Mailgun, Amazon SES, Outlook, or Gmail. It’s perfect for those who want full control over their email delivery without relying on costly third-party plugins or managed services.

SendPulse

SendPulse is a reliable SMTP service that doubles as an all-in-one marketing tool, making it one of the best free SMTP servers. It’s built to handle transactional and promotional emails with ease, offering a free SMTP server for marketing emails or quick notifications like sign-up confirmations.

With its SMTP server with a high deliverability rate, SendPulse helps businesses and developers send emails quickly through a simple SMTP client setup. It’s a cloud-based SMTP that also pairs with email automation platforms, giving you more bang for no bucks.

Free Plan Limits

SendPulse’s free plan lets you send up to 12,000 emails per month—way more than most free email delivery services. That’s a hefty email throughput for small campaigns, though it caps at 500 subscribers, so it’s best for focused lists.

Pros & Cons of SendPulse

Pros	Cons
Sends tons of emails with high deliverability	500-subscriber limit cuts best SMTP for bulk email potential
Easy SMTP integration with tools like WordPress	The free plan lacks some developer-friendly SMTP extras
Tracks email bounce rate and opens simply	Deliverability can dip without an SMTP authentication setup
Generous free SMTP server for small teams

Free Plan Limits

SendPulse’s free plan lets you send up to 12,000 emails per month—way more than most free email delivery services. That’s a hefty email throughput for small campaigns, though it caps at 500 subscribers, so it’s best for focused lists.

What is SendPulse Best For?

SendPulse is great for small businesses, marketers, or startups needing a free SMTP server for marketing emails with a big monthly limit. It’s a top email-sending service for growing your reach affordably.

MailerSend

MailerSend is a reliable SMTP service built as a free SMTP server for transactional emails like order confirmations or password resets. This time, it shines in SMTP server comparison with its simple SMTP client setup, fast delivery rate, and no daily limits. 

This cloud-based SMTP relay service is a solid email-sending service for developers, small business owners, or e-commerce sites needing a free email delivery service to handle transactional vs promotional emails with ease.

Pros & Cons of MailerSend 

Pros	Cons
Sends emails quickly with high deliverability	3,000 emails may not be enough for sending bulk emails
Easy SMTP integration with WordPress	The free plan lacks advanced email automation features
Tracks open and email bounce rates in real-time	Support is basic unless you opt for a paid plan
No daily sending limits—perfect for high email throughput

Free Plan Limits

With MailerSend’s free plan, you get 3,000 emails per month with no daily limit. This flexibility makes it a standout SMTP server with high deliverability, perfect for managing email throughput without daily restrictions.

What is Mailersend Best For?

MailerSend suits small business owners, developers, or e-commerce sites needing a free SMTP server for transactional emails. It delivers a strong monthly limit and reliable SMTP service for consistent performance.

SMTP2GO

SMTP2GO is a free SMTP server designed for high deliverability, using a global network to send emails smoothly. It’s a reliable SMTP relay service that’s easy to use, making it a better free SMTP server for small teams or marketers. 

Though it’s not an open-source SMTP server, it includes SMTP authentication (DKIM/SPF) in the free tier, ensuring a steady email-sending service for a free SMTP server for marketing emails.

Pros & Cons of SMTP2GO

Pros	Cons
Ensures high deliverability with a global       server setup	1,000 emails per month isn’t ideal for larger email volumes
Simple email tracking and bounce rate monitoring	Lacks advanced features for developers
Fast setup process with clear, easy-to-follow steps	Tracking features are basic compared to paid tools

Free Plan Limits

With SMTP2GO’s free plan, you can send up to 1,000 emails per month. While this works for small needs, it’s lower in SMTP server comparison to some email service providers (ESP) with higher SMTP email limits.

What is SMTP2GO Best For?

SMTP2GO works best for small teams, freelancers, or marketers needing a free SMTP server for marketing emails. It offers basic email testing tools and trustworthy delivery for smooth campaigns.

Amazon SES

Amazon Simple Email Service (SES) is a cloud-based powerful tool from Amazon Web Services (AWS) that makes sending and receiving emails easy. It’s affordable, reliable, and perfect for businesses of any size. Amazon SES handles everything, so you don’t need to set up a complex email system.

Pros & Cons of Amazon SES

Pros	Cons
High deliverability with advanced filtering and spam compliance	Requires technical setup
Flexible sending options via SMTP and API	Strict sending limits
Seamless AWS integration	No email testing/previews before sending
Supports attachments up to 10MB per email	No visual email builder (must code HTML or use external tools)
Automated bounce handling via SNS notifications	Unsubscribe links must be added manually
Dedicated IP option for better sender reputation control	Needs external CRM/database

Free Plan Limits

Amazon SES offers a free tier so you can test its email services without cost. For the first 12 months, you get 3,000 message credits per month—covering both sending and receiving emails. If you use Virtual Deliverability Manager (VDM), each sent email counts as 2 messages (since it improves deliverability).

Example:

• Send 1,000 emails (with VDM = 2,000 credits)
• Receive 1,000 emails (1,000 credits)
• Total = 3,000 (still within the free limit)

Basically, you can send your email based on your email clients and in that case, each will receive one email.

What is Amazon SES Best For?

Amazon SES excels for reliable, low-cost email. It’s ideal for automated system emails. Think receipts and password resets. High-volume sending works well too. Newsletters are possible with basic HTML. Developers benefit from its AWS-friendly email API.

Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)

Brevo(formerly Sendinblue) is an email marketing and automation platform that offers transactional emails, SMS campaigns, and basic CRM features. 

While it’s a solid option for small to mid-sized businesses, some users may find its pricing or deliverability limitations restrictive compared to other providers. If you’re exploring alternatives, here are some options that might better fit your needs.

Pros and Cons of Brevo

Pros	Cons
Easy setup & beginner-friendly	Limited features in the free tier
Good deliverability for small senders	Pricing gets expensive at higher tiers
Includes email, SMS & basic CRM	Support can be slow for free users
No hidden costs, transparent pricing	Advanced features require higher plans
Built-in email templates & automation	Dedicated IP only on premium plans

Free Plan Limits

The free plan includes 300 daily emails via SMTP and offers unlimited contact storage—though only 2,000 unique contacts can be used for marketing automation. It’s designed for single users, and all outgoing emails will feature the Brevo logo.

You won’t have access to send-time optimization or a dedicated IP (emails are sent via a shared IP). Support is primarily self-service, and API access is limited to basic SMTP functions.

What is Brevo Best For?

Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is ideal for small businesses and solopreneurs who want an easy, all-in-one solution for basic email marketing and transactional emails. Its free plan (300 emails/day) works well for newsletters, order confirmations, and simple automation, especially if you also need SMS or a basic CRM.

Mailjet

If you’re looking for a reliable and easy-to-use free SMTP server, Mailjet is a great place to start. It helps you send emails quickly, track how they perform, and improve your deliverability—all without needing complex setups. 

Whether you’re a beginner or just want something that works out of the box, Mailjet keeps things simple and smooth. 

Pros and Cons of Mailjet

Pros	Cons
Easy to use for beginners	Free plan caps at 200 emails/day
High deliverability rates	Limited templates and forms
Unlimited contacts on all plans	Automation lacks advanced options
Affordable for small senders	Support slow for free users
Strong API for developers	No A/B testing in the free plan
Multi-language email support	Advanced analytics need paid plans

Free Plan Limits

With the free plan, you can send at most 200 emails each day, and the monthly total can’t go over 6,000. You also can only store up to 1,500 contacts. Powerful features like A/B testing and any kind of automation for your emails aren’t included. 

You won’t have options to segment your contacts either. Only one person can use the account. Plus, the Mailjet logo will be on all the emails you send. If you need help, it’s mostly just basic email support. Lastly, you won’t get your own dedicated IP address for sending emails.

What is Mailjet Best For?

Mailjet is best for small businesses or startups who need an easy, affordable way to send emails. It’s great if you’re just starting out, want a simple drag-and-drop editor, and don’t need fancy features like advanced automation or tons of templates. 

Mailtrap

It’s a question that plagues developers and marketers alike: “Is my email even getting through?” Well, that’s where Mailtrap steps in, offering a clever solution.

As a robust email delivery platform, Mailtrap enhances your revenue with reliable SMTP relay services, coupled with a strong focus on email analytics and deliverability.

For example, a GlockApps test showed a 93.2% inbox placement rate (Inbox + Tabs) with their SMTP.  So, that’s not just talk, that’s proof they’re serious about getting your emails where they need to go.

Pros & Cons of Mailtrap

Pros	Cons
Easy setup process with clear guidance	Free plan limited to one user
Dashboard with in-depth analytics and performance tracking	Deliverability can be a bit up and down (more on that later)
Email logs to track the setup’s performance	Hassle for beginners to learn
Drag-and-drop template builder	Comprehensive email marketing features may be found lacking
Separate streams for transactional and bulk emails	The email analytics dashboard isn’t very user-friendly

Free Plan Limits

Mailtrap’s free plan gives you 1,000 emails monthly (200/day), 1 sending domain, and 1 user—no team invites. Enjoy 3-day log retention and 100 email tests, with no dedicated IP or SSO. You still get SMTP + API access, bulk streams, email analytics, webhooks, and a template builder—all for free! A solid start indeed.

What is Mailtrap Best For?

Mailtrap is ideal for developers, marketers, startups, and small businesses needing email testing and reliable SMTP services. It’s perfect for those seeking a balance between email sending and testing in a secure environment.

Postmark

Postmark is highly regarded as a transactional email service, known for its rapid delivery times and good support team. 

It specializes in transactional emails such as password resets and order confirmations and is praised for its reliability. 

Also, the service offers a bulk stream, which allows you to send marketing emails, newsletters, promos, etc. Now, here are the key features to consider:

• SMTP and API service.
• Detailed deliverability analytics.
• Separate streams for different email types.

Pros & Cons of Mailtrap

Pros	Cons
Awesome deliverability (94% inbox rate)	Stingy free plan—100 emails/month
Simple setup + user-friendly interface	Price: $15 for 10K emails
Separate streams for transactional & bulk	No drag-and-drop editor
45-day message retention	Support’s only 9-6 EST weekdays
Easy Postmark email testing via API	Thin analytics & training resources

Free Plan Limits

Postmark’s free plan doubles as a free trial for all paid plans. You get 100 free emails per month, with full feature access including SMTP, API, and templates. No extra users or add-ons—just the essentials to get started. Perfect for developers looking to test the service!

What is Postmark Best For?

Teams focused on transactional email delivery over volume. Ideal for developers needing email testing, SMTP authentication, and high deliverability rates in a secure, API-driven setup.

SendGrid

When your email list explodes, you need a system that can handle the surge. That’s SendGrid‘s specialty.

They’ve built a cloud-based email powerhouse, ready for high-volume sends, whether they’re transactional alerts or massive marketing campaigns. 

With robust SMTP features, flexible APIs, and detailed reporting, they provide the infrastructure and insights needed to optimize your email strategy.

Pros & Cons of SendGrid

Pros	Cons
Killer deliverability + 99% uptime	Free plan’s tiny—100 emails/day
Scales for big SMTP server volumes	Paid plans start high (50K emails)
Integrates with tons of apps	Analytics are tricky for newbies
Dynamic templates for personalization	Support’s slow on the free tier
Solid email deliverability rate	Customization needs tech know-how

Free Plan Limits 

With SendGrid’s free plan, you get 100 emails per day forever and a 30-day trial with 40,000 emails. It includes basic SMTP integration and email analytics to get you started without breaking the bank.

What is SendGrid Best For?

SendGrid suits businesses handling bulk promotional emails and developers who value SMTP vs API flexibility. It’s also a solid free option for small-scale WordPress email needs.

Elastic Email 

Elastic Email is a reliable SMTP service provider that’s been around since 2010, helping businesses send emails with ease. 

As a cloud-based SMTP provider, it supports both transactional and promotional emails, making it a strong contender among the best free SMTP servers in 2025. 

Whether you’re sending order updates or marketing campaigns, its high-deliverability SMTP server ensures your messages reach inboxes effectively. 

With an easy SMTP client setup and robust integration options, it’s a great pick for small businesses or developers looking for a free email delivery service that scales with growth.

Pros and Cons of Elastic Email

Pros	Cons
High deliverability and fast email sending	100 emails/day cap isn’t ideal for bulk senders
Simple SMTP integration with apps like WordPress	No access to email automation tools on the free plan
Real-time bounce and delivery tracking	Support may be slow for free users
No setup fees, completely free to start	Shared IPs can affect email deliverability

Free Plan Limits

Elastic Email offers a free plan that allows up to 100 emails per day (or 3,000 emails per month). While this limit is suitable for low-volume users, it’s less generous than some competitors like MailerSend or SMTP2GO.

What is Elastic Email Best For?

Elastic Email is best suited for small businesses, startups, or developers who need a free SMTP server for transactional emails or light marketing campaigns. It’s a dependable option for those just starting out or working with a tight budget.

How to Choose the Best Free SMTP Server?

When choosing a free SMTP server, there are a few essential factors to ensure your emails are delivered effectively. Here’s what you should focus on to make the right choice:

• Deliverability: You must ensure that the server has a high deliverability rate, so your emails avoid the spam folder and land directly in your recipients’ inboxes.
• Daily/Monthly Sending Limits: Secondly, look for a service with reasonable sending limits. This ensures you can send a large number of emails without running into restrictions that could affect your communication.
• API and Integrations: An SMTP server with easy API access and smooth integrations with your current tools will make your email operations much more efficient and streamlined.
• Ease of Setup: Select a server that is user-friendly, with a simple setup process and an intuitive dashboard. This will help you get up and running quickly, with minimal hassle.
• Customer Support: Reliable customer support is key. Choose a provider that offers quick, helpful support in case you run into any issues during your email campaigns.

Choose Your Free SMTP Server and Simplify Email Workflow

By focusing on these key factors, you can find the best free SMTP server to meet your email-sending needs efficiently and reliably.

If you want better conversion rates and a smoother customer experience, it all starts with sending the right emails at the right time. Whether you’re using the Advanced plan or just getting started, sending UNLIMITED emails feels pretty great, right?

Make sure your confirmation email is clear and friendly, it’s often the first one people see. And don’t forget to set up automatic emails to save time and keep your audience engaged without doing everything by hand.

A strong deliverability rate means your emails land in inboxes, not spam. That’s why Choosing the right email client helps make that happen. All of this boosts your email response and helps your emails do their job.

Now go ahead, set things up, hit send, and watch your emails work perfectly.