WP Mail SMTP is a WordPress plugin that sends the site's emails through an SMTP server or an email service provider instead of the default PHP mail function. It is used by site owners whose contact form, order or password emails are not being delivered reliably. If you only need part of it, you can get a focused plugin built for your own site and pay once.
WP Mail SMTP: $49 a year for one site (Pro).
Your own plugin on Pluginora: from $9 once, with 5 free changes. Try it first for $1.
What WP Mail SMTP does
- Send WordPress email through SMTP or providers such as SendGrid, Mailgun, Amazon SES and Gmail
- Email logging
- Email open and click tracking
- Backup connection if the main mailer fails
- Smart routing of emails to different mailers
- Failure alerts
- Email reports
Free version: Yes, WP Mail SMTP (Lite) on WordPress.org.
What you can build instead
A Pluginora plugin does one job for your site. For WP Mail SMTP, that could be:
- Route all site email through one SMTP server
- Set a fixed From name and From address
- Log sent emails to a simple admin table
- Send a test email from a settings page
A small custom plugin would not replace WP Mail SMTP's many provider API integrations, backup mailer, smart routing or tracking and reports.
Related plugins you can build:
Cost over 3 years
| WP Mail SMTP | Your own plugin | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $49 | From $9 |
| Year 2 | $99 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $99 | $0 |
| 3-year total | $247 | From $9 |
When WP Mail SMTP is the better choice
- You want ready-made integrations with many email providers and an easy setup wizard
- You need email logs, open/click tracking, backup connections and failure alerts together
- You want white-glove setup or vendor support for DNS and deliverability problems
When your own plugin makes more sense
- You use one or two of its features, not the whole package.
- You would rather pay once than renew every year.
- You want it to work exactly the way your site needs, and to change it on request.
How to get your own
- Describe it. For example: “Send all my site's emails through my Brevo SMTP account and keep a log of the last 100 emails sent.”
- See the plan and price. Ora replies with what it will build and a fixed price. Nothing is built until you approve.
- Try it for $1. Test it on a practice site for 7 days, then keep it and pay the rest once.
Questions
Is there a free alternative to WP Mail SMTP?
Yes, WP Mail SMTP (Lite) on WordPress.org. Free plugins from other makers may cover part of it. A Pluginora plugin costs from $9 once and does exactly the job you describe.
How much does WP Mail SMTP cost?
It costs $49 a year for one site (Pro), as listed on wpmailsmtp.com on 20 October 2026. introductory price $49/year, renews at $99/year; 1 site. Prices change, so check their pricing page.
Will my own plugin do everything WP Mail SMTP does?
No. A small custom plugin would not replace WP Mail SMTP's many provider API integrations, backup mailer, smart routing or tracking and reports. It does the focused job you describe, built for your site.
Does Pluginora copy WP Mail SMTP?
No. Ora builds a new plugin from your description. It does not copy any code, text or design from WP Mail SMTP or any other product.
Can I try it before I pay the full price?
Yes. For $1, Ora builds your plugin and you test it on a private practice site for 7 days, with 2 changes. If you keep it, the $1 comes off the price.
Product names are trademarks of their owners. Pluginora is not affiliated with or endorsed by Awesome Motive. The name WP Mail SMTP is used only to describe the product being compared.