The Ultimate Easy WP SMTP Review & Setup Guide (2025)

An SMTP plugin is the standard fix when your WordPress site stops sending emails. You’ve already done the hard part and correctly diagnosed the need for one. 

Now you’re looking at Easy WP SMTP as a potential solution. Picking the right tool is important, so it’s good that you’re doing your homework first.

This Easy WP SMTP review provides a no-fluff look at its features and setup, helping you decide if it’s the right fit for your site.

TL;DR: The free plugin gets your emails sending, but make sure you use a backup plugin first to be safe, in case it clashes with your theme or another plugin. You’ll really want the Pro version for its email logs; otherwise, you have no idea what’s actually being delivered.

Easy WP SMTP review at a glance

First impressions

The Easy WP SMTP interface is clean and uncluttered. It feels like a native part of WordPress, which means you won’t waste time learning a confusing new system.

Upon activation, a setup wizard launches immediately, guiding you through the essential steps. If you’ve used its sister plugin, WP Mail SMTP, the layout is nearly identical, which provides a sense of familiarity and trust.

However, let’s be clear: the free version is extremely basic. It solves the core problem of email delivery by routing your emails through a proper service, but it offers no monitoring tools. For any real control or insight, you’ll need to upgrade.

What Easy WP SMTP does

The plugin’s functionality is split between its free and paid versions. Here’s what you should know.

Mailer Integrations

The plugin connects to all major email services like SendLayer, Brevo, and Mailgun. This flexibility means you can use your existing email service. Note that the one-click setup for Gmail and Outlook is a pro feature.

🖥️ Note: A WordPress staging site is the ideal place to test this integration with your existing service. You can configure and test Easy WP SMTP without any risk to your live website or your current email setup, ensuring everything works perfectly before you deploy.

Reliability Tools (Pro) 

For any business website, this is your insurance policy. The plugin can automatically use a backup mailer if your main service fails, and you can create rules to send certain emails (like order receipts) through specific providers.

Email Logging (Pro)

This is the single most important reason to upgrade. The pro version records every email sent from your site, giving you proof of what was sent, what failed, and why. 

Much like a WordPress activity log tracks every user change for security, this feature provides a complete audit trail for your communications. Without this, you’re just hoping your emails are arriving.

Email Test Tool

The plugin includes an essential Send a Test tool to confirm your setup works. The setup wizard runs an automatic test to give you immediate proof that the configuration is correct.

After setup, you can also send a manual test email at any time from the plugin’s settings. This is perfect for double-checking your configuration if you ever make changes to your site. 

If any test fails, the plugin provides a clear error message and directs you to begin troubleshooting within the plugin. This is crucial because it doesn’t just identify a problem; it guides you toward the solution. This tool is included in both the free and pro versions.

🔌 Note: If the error is unclear or you suspect a deeper plugin conflict, knowing how to fix common issues can help you diagnose the root cause beyond just your email settings.

The setup process

Thanks to the wizard, getting started takes only a few minutes.

📝 Quick note: We highly recommend backing up your WordPress site before installing any new plugin. This provides a one-click restore point, giving you peace of mind in case of any conflicts or errors during the setup process.

1. Launch Wizard. It starts automatically right after you activate the plugin.

2. Choose Your Mailer. Select the email service you want to use.

3. Configure Settings. Here, you’ll enter the credentials (like an API key) from your email service. Both the plugin and your mailer provide clear instructions on where to find this.

4. Send a Test. Use the built-in tool to send a test email. If it arrives, your problem is solved. If not, you can try troubleshooting it by clicking on the Start Troubleshooting button.

Key limitations to consider

While effective, the plugin has important limitations, especially if you want to stick to the free version.

Pricing: Free vs. Pro

Pricing tiers for Easy WP SMTP add advanced features and site licenses, while the full feature set is consistent across all paid plans.

Feature	Free Version	Pro Version
Email Logs	No email logs.	Records all outgoing emails.
Email Reports	No email reports.	Comprehensive delivery and tracking reports.
Delivery Tracking	No open or click tracking.	Tracks email open and click rates.
Backup Connections	Single mailer connection.	Automatic failover to a backup mailer.
Smart Routing	No conditional email routing.	Routes emails based on custom rules.
Failure Alerts	No instant notifications.	Sends alerts for failed emails.
Gmail Setup	Manual configuration required.	One-click OAuth setup included.
Advanced Mailers	SendLayer, Brevo, Mailgun, others.	Adds Gmail, Amazon SES, Microsoft 365.
Email Controls	Basic From address override.	Fine-grained control over notifications.
Bulk Actions	No bulk email actions.	Bulk resend, export, and delete.
Premium Support	Community support forum only.	Access to priority support.

Is Easy WP SMTP for you?

☄️ Note: Before you install a plugin, having a reliable backup strategy is non-negotiable. It’s the foundational safety net that protects your site from any issue, giving you the confidence to manage and grow your site effectively.

This plugin is a great choice if:

You should look at alternatives if:

Top alternatives to consider

• WP Mail SMTP plugin: The most trusted choice in the ecosystem, with over 3 million active installations. This massive user base ensures it is incredibly well-tested across countless themes and plugins, making it a more reliable and stable option for most users.

• Post SMTP: A powerful free plugin known for its excellent delivery reports. It also stands out for its secure setup options, allowing you to connect to major mailers without storing your password in the database.

• FluentSMTP: A fast and modern option that offers robust logging and multiple mailer connections for free.

Final Verdict

Easy WP SMTP lives up to its name: it’s simple and effectively solves email delivery. However, its free version is too limited for any serious website due to the lack of email logging in the free version. It’s best viewed as a great pro plugin with a free trial; competitors offer better free solutions.

FAQs