GoSMTP – SMTP for WordPress
Plugin Review
AI-ResearchedWhat is GoSMTP?
GoSMTP is a WordPress plugin that replaces the default PHP mail function with SMTP or API-based email sending. Developed by Softaculous, it has been available for 3 years and currently has over 500,000 active installs. The plugin holds a 4.3 out of 5 star rating from 10 reviews, with 80% of users awarding five stars. Its primary goal is to improve email deliverability by bypassing restrictive hosting server configurations.
Many hosting providers impose strict limits on the PHP mail function, which can cause emails to land in spam folders. GoSMTP connects your WordPress site directly to third-party email services like Sendgrid, Mailgun, or Gmail SMTP. This direct connection ensures transactional emails, password resets, and notifications reach user inboxes reliably. The plugin supports 17 different email providers, including custom SMTP configurations.
Key Features of GoSMTP
- Email Logging – View all outgoing emails from your site for auditing and debugging purposes.
- Resend Emails – Retransmit any single email or bulk-select multiple emails from the log wizard.
- Smart Routing – Automatically choose which SMTP provider to use based on email content, isolating transactional messages from marketing emails.
- Failure Notifications – Receive alerts on Mail, Slack, or Discord when an email fails to send.
- 14 Free Mailers – Connect to providers like SMTP.com, Sendinblue, Mailgun, Sendgrid, Sparkpost, Sendlayer, Postmark, and Maileroo at no cost.
- Premium Provider Support – Access Gmail, Google Workspace, Outlook, Office 365, AWS, Zoho, Resend, and MailerSend with a Pro license.
- Email Reports – Generate reports on sending activity and delivery status (Pro feature).
- Forward Emails – Redirect incoming emails to another address for centralized management (Pro feature).
Who Should Use GoSMTP?
GoSMTP is designed for site owners who experience email delivery failures or spam placement due to shared hosting restrictions. The plugin suits beginners, as setup requires only selecting a provider and entering API credentials. It is equally useful for developers managing multiple client sites, given the 500,000+ install base indicates broad compatibility. Sites that send user registration emails, order confirmations, or password resets benefit most from its direct SMTP connections.
Small businesses and e-commerce stores running on budget hosting are the primary audience. The free tier covers 14 mailers, which is sufficient for most traffic levels. Administrators who need to audit sent emails or resend failed messages will find the logging feature essential. The plugin also appeals to agencies that require smart routing to separate transactional alerts from marketing campaigns.
Installation & Setup
Install GoSMTP directly from the WordPress plugin repository by searching for "GoSMTP" in the Add New screen. The setup wizard guides you through selecting an email provider and entering your SMTP or API credentials. Users with basic WordPress experience can complete configuration in under 5 minutes, as no coding is required.
Support & Community
Support data for the last 2 months shows 1 open thread and 0 resolved issues, resulting in a 0% resolution rate. This suggests the free support forum receives minimal attention from the development team. The 10% one-star rating indicates some users encounter unresolved problems or configuration difficulties. Paid users can access a premium ticket system at Softaculous’s deskuss portal, which may offer faster response times.
Documentation is available on the official GoSMTP.net website, covering setup guides for each supported provider. The plugin credits its mailer API connectors to Fluent SMTP, indicating shared foundational code. For critical email setups, users should test delivery thoroughly before relying on the free support channel.
Pros & Cons
- With 500K+ active installs and an 80% 5-star review rate, GoSMTP is a widely trusted SMTP plugin for WordPress email deliverability.
- It supports 17 email providers including free options like SMTP.com, Sendinblue, and Mailgun, plus custom SMTP for flexibility.
- The plugin bypasses hosting PHP mail limitations, reducing the chance of emails landing in spam due to poor server reputation.
- Pro version adds email logging, bulk resend, and failure notifications, which are useful for debugging and record-keeping.
- Only 1 support thread exists and none are resolved (0% resolution rate), indicating minimal or absent free user support.
- The 0% is relatively high for a plugin with 500K installs, suggesting some users encounter persistent issues.
- Advanced integrations like Gmail, Outlook, AWS, and Zoho are locked behind the Pro version, limiting free users to fewer options.
Technical Details
- Requires WordPress
- 5.5+
- Requires PHP
- 5.5+
- Tested up to WP
- 7.0
- First Released
- 2023 (3+ years)
- Support (last 2 months)
- 0 threads
Feature Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, GoSMTP is free and available on WordPress.org. It was first released in 2023 and has over 500K active installs.
GoSMTP has over 500,000 active installs according to WordPress.org data. This makes it a widely adopted plugin for email delivery.
GoSMTP requires WordPress version 5.5 or higher to run. Most modern WordPress installations will meet this requirement.
Yes, GoSMTP is actively maintained and was last updated on April 13, 2026. The current version is 1.2.0, showing consistent development.
GoSMTP requires PHP version 5.5 or higher. This ensures compatibility with most hosting environments.
GoSMTP offers community support through WordPress.org forums, but note that only 0% of support threads were resolved in the last 2 months. For faster help, you can use the premium support ticket system at Softaculous.
Yes, GoSMTP is beginner-friendly as it lets you choose from popular providers like Gmail, Sendgrid, or Mailgun with simple setup. The plugin also has official documentation at GoSMTP.net to guide you step by step.
GoSMTP supports 17+ email services including SMTP.com, Mailgun, Sendgrid, and custom SMTP providers. It replaces your hosting's PHP mail function to improve deliverability and prevent emails from landing in spam folders.