Looking to start your email campaign, but are on a budget? Below are some of the best free SMTP servers that allow you to send completely for free, and grow into your email budget.
1. MailerSend
MailerSend is a standout free SMTP server thanks to its simplicity, robust features, and focus on providing value even within its free plan. The free tier includes up to 3,000 emails per month, making it ideal for small businesses or startups testing the waters with email campaigns. Its sleek dashboard supports both technical and non-technical users, while advanced tools like real-time analytics and A/B testing are usually found in paid services, adding unique value to the free offering.
Key Features:
- Generous Free Plan: Send up to 3,000 emails monthly without additional costs, ideal for small-scale campaigns.
- Real-Time Performance Metrics: Monitor email delivery, opens, and clicks as they happen.
- A/B Testing Included: Optimize email campaigns by comparing variations for better results.
- Dual Purpose Functionality: Send both transactional and marketing emails from one easy-to-use platform.
- Modern Dashboard Design: Intuitive interface caters to beginners while offering advanced tools for power users.
Why do we recommend it?
MailerSend is recommended for its excellent balance of ease of use, advanced features, and a generous free plan. I found that its inclusion of A/B testing and real-time analytics within the free tier offers tremendous value for users looking to optimize email performance without spending upfront.
Who is it recommended for?
MailerSend is perfect for startups, small businesses, and developers who need an affordable yet powerful SMTP solution to manage both transactional and marketing emails, especially those who want to take advantage of performance optimization tools like A/B testing.
Pros:
- Robust Free Tier: The free plan’s 3,000 monthly emails provide significant value for smaller teams.
- Comprehensive Analytics: Real-time tracking of delivery and engagement metrics helps fine-tune campaigns.
- Developer-Friendly API: Developers can easily integrate MailerSend into existing systems with detailed documentation.
- A/B Testing Capability: Enhance email performance with built-in split testing tools.
Cons:
- Free Plan Limitations: Larger businesses may outgrow the free tier quickly due to its email cap.
- Limited Support Channels: Lacks phone support, leaving email and chat as the only options for assistance.
2. SMTP2GO
SMTP2GO is a reliable SMTP server solution that excels in providing seamless email delivery with a strong focus on deliverability and ease of use. Its free plan supports up to 1,000 emails per month, making it accessible for small-scale users while offering advanced features like delivery tracking and reputation monitoring. The platform’s global network of servers ensures fast and dependable email performance, particularly beneficial for businesses requiring consistent delivery across regions.
Key Features:
- Generous Free Plan: Send up to 1,000 emails monthly, perfect for small businesses or trial purposes.
- Delivery Tracking Tools: Monitor email delivery statuses and gain insights to improve success rates.
- Reputation Monitoring: Keep tabs on your sender reputation to avoid being flagged as spam.
- Global Server Network: Emails are routed through a worldwide infrastructure for optimal speed and reliability.
- Detailed Activity Reports: Access comprehensive logs to analyze email performance and troubleshoot issues.
Why do we recommend it?
SMTP2GO is recommended for its reliable performance and focus on email deliverability, combined with a solid free plan. I noted that its reputation monitoring and global server network make it particularly appealing for users who prioritize consistent delivery and email success rates.
Who is it recommended for?
SMTP2GO is ideal for small businesses, startups, and users seeking a dependable SMTP server for transactional emails, especially those needing deliverability assurance and reputation management within a manageable free tier.
Pros:
- Focused on Deliverability: Advanced tools ensure high delivery rates, even for users with minimal technical expertise.
- Reputation Management: Proactively monitor your domain reputation to maintain credibility.
- Global Infrastructure: Distributed servers reduce latency and improve email delivery times worldwide.
Cons:
- Free Plan Limitations: The free tier caps usage at 1,000 emails monthly, which might be insufficient for larger users.
- Limited Customization: Lacks some advanced email personalization features offered by competitors.
3. Elastic Email
Elastic Email is a versatile SMTP server solution that combines affordability with powerful features, making it an excellent choice for users looking to scale their email campaigns. Its free plan allows users to send up to 100 emails per day, making it suitable for individuals and small businesses just starting. Standout features include advanced email analytics, contact management tools, and an easy-to-integrate API, all tailored for effective campaign management.
Key Features:
- Free Daily Email Limit: Send up to 100 emails per day at no cost, perfect for low-volume users.
- Advanced Email Analytics: Gain detailed insights into delivery, open rates, and clicks to improve performance.
- Contact Management Tools: Manage email lists with segmentation and automation features.
- Developer-Friendly API: Simplify email integration with robust and well-documented API support.
- Customizable Templates: Access pre-designed email templates to streamline your campaigns.
Why do we recommend it?
Elastic Email is recommended for its focus on scalability and cost-effectiveness, coupled with a robust suite of features for email campaign management. I learned that the free plan provides an excellent starting point for low-volume users, while the platform’s analytics and contact tools offer significant value for improving performance.
Who is it recommended for?
Elastic Email is perfect for individuals, small businesses, and developers requiring a cost-efficient SMTP solution to handle smaller campaigns, particularly those who value analytics and contact management tools to enhance their outreach efforts.
Pros:
- Generous Free Daily Limit: Ideal for users with minimal daily email needs who want to avoid upfront costs.
- Detailed Analytics: Provides actionable insights into campaign success through comprehensive tracking.
- List Management Features: Built-in contact tools simplify organizing and targeting email recipients.
Cons:
- Restrictive Free Plan: The 100-email daily limit may not meet the needs of larger operations.
- Pay-As-You-Go Costs: Beyond the free plan, pricing can escalate quickly for higher-volume users.
4. Mailjet
Mailjet is a versatile SMTP server solution that emphasizes collaboration and ease of use, making it ideal for teams managing email campaigns. Its free plan supports up to 6,000 emails per month (200 emails daily), offering ample room for small businesses to test campaigns. With features like real-time email tracking, a drag-and-drop email editor, and multi-user access, Mailjet stands out as a user-friendly option for collaborative email marketing.
Key Features:
- Generous Free Plan: Send up to 6,000 emails per month (200 daily), giving small users room to experiment.
- Collaborative Email Editor: Team members can collaborate in real time to design and edit email campaigns.
- Real-Time Tracking: Monitor email performance metrics, including delivery, opens, and clicks, instantly.
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Easily create professional emails without technical skills using a simple visual editor.
- Multi-User Access: Manage email campaigns collaboratively with team-specific permissions.
Why do we recommend it?
Mailjet is recommended for its collaborative tools and ease of use, making it a standout choice for teams working on email campaigns. I discovered that the generous free plan and intuitive editor ensure accessibility while enabling effective campaign management.
Who is it recommended for?
Mailjet is ideal for small businesses, startups, and teams that prioritize collaboration in email marketing. It’s especially useful for non-technical users who need a straightforward platform to design and send emails efficiently.
Pros:
- Team Collaboration Tools: The platform’s shared email editor fosters collaboration across teams.
- Real-Time Performance Metrics: Immediate insights into email performance allow for quick adjustments.
- Beginner-Friendly Interface: The drag-and-drop editor makes campaign creation accessible to non-technical users.
Cons:
- Daily Limit on Free Plan: The 200-email daily cap could restrict larger campaigns.
- Limited Advanced Features: Some tools, like advanced automation, require higher-tier plans.
5. AhaSend
AhaSend is a dedicated SMTP server solution tailored for developers and small businesses focused on transactional email delivery. Its free plan supports up to 1,000 emails per month, making it a budget-friendly option for low-volume users. AhaSend prioritizes high deliverability, speed, and ease of use, ensuring that critical emails reach recipients efficiently and reliably.
Key Features:
- Free Monthly Email Allowance: Send up to 1,000 emails per month without additional costs, ideal for small-scale operations.
- Email Tracking: Monitor email engagement with detailed tracking for message opens and link clicks.
- Email API: Access flexible and fast HTTP APIs, offering developers an alternative to traditional SMTP.
- Custom Retention Policies: Configure retention settings for email data to meet specific compliance requirements.
- Email Archiving: Store emails securely on compatible block storage services for compliance and record-keeping.
Why do we recommend it?
AhaSend is recommended for its developer-focused tools, reliable transactional email delivery, and a free plan that offers a generous starting point for small businesses and startups. I observed that it’s a practical solution for users requiring efficient and straightforward email handling.
Who is it recommended for?
AhaSend is ideal for developers and small businesses looking for a dependable SMTP server for transactional emails such as order confirmations or password resets. Its ease of setup and compliance-focused features make it especially suitable for users who prioritize security and high deliverability.
Pros:
- Generous Free Plan: A 1,000-email monthly allowance is perfect for small businesses and developers starting with transactional emails.
- Developer-Focused Tools: Features like detailed APIs and support from engineers make it highly developer-friendly.
- Free Dedicated IPs for High Volumes: Users with larger email volumes receive dedicated IPs at no extra cost, improving deliverability.
Cons:
- Transactional Emails Only: The platform is designed exclusively for transactional emails, not marketing campaigns.
- Limited Visibility on Deliverability: Deliverability data isn’t readily shared, which may be a concern for users needing precise performance metrics.
6. Mailgun
Mailgun is a developer-centric SMTP server that excels in delivering scalable and reliable email solutions. Its free plan includes 5,000 emails for the first three months, making it an excellent option for startups or businesses testing its robust features. With tools like email validation, advanced analytics, and flexible API integration, Mailgun is a powerhouse for transactional and programmatic email sending.
Key Features:
- Free Trial for New Users: Send up to 5,000 emails in the first three months, perfect for testing the platform.
- Email Validation: Verify email addresses to improve deliverability and avoid bounces.
- Advanced Analytics: Access detailed metrics for email performance, including engagement and delivery rates.
- Developer-Friendly API: Integrate seamlessly with applications through a highly flexible and well-documented API.
- Scalability: Designed to handle both low and high email volumes, making it suitable for growing businesses.
Why do we recommend it?
Mailgun is recommended for its developer-focused design, scalability, and advanced features like email validation and analytics. I noticed that it’s an excellent solution for businesses needing a customizable and robust email delivery system.
Who is it recommended for?
Mailgun is perfect for startups, developers, and growing businesses that require scalable transactional email solutions and detailed analytics to optimize their campaigns. It’s especially useful for teams with technical expertise to take full advantage of its API.
Pros:
- Generous Free Trial: The initial 5,000 emails provide a great opportunity to explore the platform’s capabilities.
- Powerful Developer Tools: The API and SDKs make integration easy for custom email workflows.
- Email Validation Feature: Helps maintain a clean email list and improves sender reputation.
Cons:
- Short Free Period: The three-month trial may be limiting for users looking for long-term free options.
- Complex for Beginners: Non-technical users may find the API-focused setup challenging without developer assistance.
7. Inboxroad
Inboxroad is a scalable SMTP server platform designed to enhance email deliverability and engagement for businesses of all sizes. It offers a free plan that allows users to send up to 1,000 emails per month, making it suitable for small businesses and startups. With features like personalized weekly advice from email delivery experts and 24/7 support, Inboxroad ensures that your emails reach their intended recipients’ inboxes effectively.
Key Features:
- Scalable SMTP Infrastructure: Send from 1,000 to over 10 million emails per month, accommodating both small and large-scale email campaigns.
- Personalized Weekly Advice: Receive actionable insights and optimizations from email server experts to enhance your email delivery rates.
- 24/7 Support and Monitoring: Access round-the-clock assistance through channels like WhatsApp, phone, or email, ensuring continuous monitoring of your email delivery.
- High Deliverability Rates: Benefit from a focus on achieving the highest email deliverability, with detailed insights on bounces and deliveries to identify and overcome bottlenecks.
- User-Friendly Interface: Navigate through an intuitive platform that provides clear summaries of your email deliverability performance.
Why do we recommend it?
Inboxroad is recommended for its scalable infrastructure, personalized expert advice, and dedicated support. I found that it is a reliable choice for businesses aiming to improve their email deliverability and engagement.
Who is it recommended for?
Inboxroad is ideal for small to large businesses seeking a dependable SMTP server with a focus on high deliverability rates, personalized guidance, and 24/7 support to ensure effective email marketing campaigns.
Pros:
- Generous Free Plan: The free tier allows sending up to 1,000 emails per month, ideal for small businesses and startups to test the platform.
- Expert Guidance: Personalized weekly advice helps optimize email delivery rates, providing a partnership approach to email marketing.
- Robust Support: 24/7 assistance through direct channels ensures prompt resolution of issues and continuous monitoring.
Cons:
- Limited Free Plan Features: Some advanced features may be restricted in the free plan, requiring upgrades for full access.
- Learning Curve for Beginners: New users might experience a learning curve when navigating the platform’s comprehensive features.
8. Gmail SMTP
Gmail’s SMTP service is a reliable and widely accessible option for sending emails, particularly for personal use and small-scale operations. Its free plan allows users to send up to 500 emails per day for free, making it ideal for low-volume senders. With robust security features, simple integration, and the power of Google’s infrastructure, Gmail SMTP is a practical choice for basic email-sending needs.
Key Features:
- Free Daily Limit: Send up to 500 emails per day for free, perfect for personal or small-scale email campaigns.
- Easy Integration: Compatible with most email clients and applications, simplifying the setup process.
- Google-Level Security: Benefit from strong encryption and spam protection to safeguard your emails.
- Wide Accessibility: Available to anyone with a Gmail account, removing barriers to entry for new users.
- Reliable Deliverability: Emails are backed by Google’s robust infrastructure, ensuring consistent delivery.
Why do we recommend it?
Gmail SMTP is recommended for its accessibility, ease of use, and secure infrastructure. I noted that it is a great option for individuals and small businesses needing a reliable, no-cost email-sending solution.
Who is it recommended for?
Gmail SMTP is perfect for personal users, freelancers, and small businesses with basic email needs, especially those looking for a secure and straightforward way to send transactional or occasional bulk emails.
Pros:
- Generous Free Limit: The 500-email daily cap is ideal for personal users and small-scale operations.
- Robust Security Features: Gmail ensures email security with encryption, two-factor authentication, and spam detection.
- Universal Compatibility: Easily integrates with various applications and email clients.
Cons:
- Daily Sending Cap: The 500-email daily limit may not suffice for businesses with larger email-sending needs.
- Not Built for Bulk Emails: Lacks advanced features for managing or tracking large-scale email campaigns.
9. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
Brevo is a versatile SMTP server solution designed for both transactional and marketing emails, offering advanced features and scalability. Its free plan allows users to send up to 300 emails per day, making it a practical choice for small businesses and startups. Brevo’s robust platform includes tools for email personalization, automation, and in-depth analytics, providing a comprehensive email solution that caters to various business needs.
Key Features:
- Free Daily Email Limit: Send up to 300 emails daily without cost, ideal for small-scale campaigns.
- Advanced Email Personalization: Customize emails dynamically to create more engaging and targeted messages.
- Marketing Automation: Automate email workflows, from welcome sequences to follow-ups, saving time and improving efficiency.
- Detailed Analytics: Track performance metrics such as open rates, click-throughs, and conversions for campaign optimization.
- All-in-One Platform: Manage transactional emails, marketing campaigns, and even SMS from a single interface.
Why do we recommend it?
Brevo is recommended for its blend of powerful features and an accessible free plan. I learned that it is a top choice for businesses looking to manage both transactional and marketing emails in one platform. Its personalization tools and automation capabilities are standout features.
Who is it recommended for?
Brevo is perfect for small businesses, startups, and marketers seeking a scalable solution for email campaigns. It’s especially suited for those looking to combine marketing automation with transactional email capabilities on a user-friendly platform.
Pros:
- Generous Free Plan: The daily allowance of 300 emails provides a great starting point for small businesses.
- Comprehensive Features: Combines transactional and marketing tools, making it versatile for different email needs.
- User-Friendly Interface: The platform’s intuitive design allows even beginners to navigate and manage campaigns with ease.
Cons:
- Daily Limit on Free Plan: The 300-email cap may not suffice for larger campaigns or growing businesses.
- Limited Features on Free Tier: Advanced automation and additional support options are restricted to paid plans.
10. SendPulse
SendPulse is a versatile SMTP server platform designed for both email marketing and transactional emails, offering a mix of user-friendly tools and advanced automation. Its free plan allows users to send up to 15,000 emails per month to a maximum of 500 subscribers, making it a cost-effective choice for small businesses and startups. With features like multi-channel marketing, advanced analytics, and a drag-and-drop email editor, SendPulse is a well-rounded solution for businesses seeking to enhance their communication efforts.
Key Features:
- Generous Free Plan: Send up to 15,000 emails per month to 500 subscribers without cost, ideal for small campaigns.
- Multi-Channel Marketing: Manage email, SMS, and push notifications from a single platform for a comprehensive approach.
- Advanced Automation Tools: Create automated workflows for email sequences and customer engagement.
- Drag-and-Drop Email Editor: Design professional emails with ease using an intuitive visual editor.
- Detailed Analytics: Monitor open rates, click-throughs, and campaign success metrics in real time.
Why do we recommend it?
SendPulse is recommended for its combination of a generous free plan and multi-channel marketing capabilities. I discovered that it’s an ideal option for businesses looking to manage email, SMS, and push notifications in a user-friendly environment.
Who is it recommended for?
SendPulse is perfect for small businesses, startups, and marketers who need a cost-effective solution for managing multiple communication channels and creating automated email workflows. It’s especially beneficial for teams looking to expand their reach beyond email.
Pros:
- Generous Free Plan: The ability to send 15,000 emails per month is a standout offering for small businesses.
- Multi-Channel Integration: Consolidate email, SMS, and push notifications in one platform for streamlined marketing.
- Beginner-Friendly Design: The drag-and-drop editor and pre-made templates make campaign creation simple for all skill levels.
Cons:
- Subscriber Limit on Free Plan: The cap of 500 subscribers may be restrictive for growing businesses.
- Advanced Features Require Upgrades: Some tools, like advanced segmentation and priority support, are limited to paid plans.
