What is the best SMTP plugin for Contact Form 7?

The best SMTP plugin for Contact Form 7, widely recognized for its reliability and ease of use, is WP Mail SMTP. This plugin addresses the common issue of WordPress emails failing to send, ensuring that messages from your Contact Form 7 submissions reliably reach their intended recipients.

Why WP Mail SMTP is the Top Choice for Contact Form 7

WordPress, by default, sends emails using the PHP mail() function, which can be unreliable. Many web hosts disable or restrict this function, and emails sent this way often land in spam folders or fail to deliver entirely. WP Mail SMTP solves this by redirecting emails through a proper SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server, which is a much more robust and secure method.

Here's why WP Mail SMTP stands out, especially for Contact Form 7 users:

• Enhanced Deliverability: It ensures that emails generated by Contact Form 7, such as submission notifications or auto-responder messages, are actually delivered. By connecting your WordPress website to an external email service, it bypasses the unreliable default PHP mail function.
• Seamless Integration with CF7: The plugin is designed to work flawlessly with all emails sent from your WordPress site, including those originating from Contact Form 7 forms. You simply configure your SMTP settings once, and all your form submissions will use this reliable method.
• Broad SMTP Provider Compatibility: WP Mail SMTP allows you to integrate your WordPress website with various external email services. Whether you prefer a dedicated SMTP provider like SendGrid, Mailgun, Amazon SES, or wish to use services like Google Workspace (Gmail) or Outlook.com, the plugin provides the necessary configuration options.
• User-Friendly Setup: Despite the technical nature of SMTP, WP Mail SMTP simplifies the setup process with a guided wizard, making it accessible even for users without deep technical knowledge.
• Improved Email Reliability: Using an external SMTP provider via WP Mail SMTP ensures that your emails are authenticated and sent from a reputable server, significantly reducing the chances of them being marked as spam or blocked.

Key Features and Benefits

Implementing WP Mail SMTP with your Contact Form 7 setup brings several advantages:

• Reliable Email Sending: Guarantees that important lead notifications from your contact forms arrive in your inbox.
• Reduced Spam Risk: Properly authenticated emails are less likely to be flagged as spam by email providers.
• Email Logging (Pro Feature): The Pro version offers email logging, allowing you to see if emails were sent successfully, troubleshoot issues, and even resend failed emails. This is invaluable for tracking Contact Form 7 submissions.
• Email Test Tool: A built-in tool lets you send a test email to confirm your SMTP settings are working correctly.
• Open and Click Tracking (Pro Feature): Gain insights into whether your Contact Form 7 auto-responder emails are being opened and links are clicked.

How it Works with Contact Form 7

When a user fills out and submits a Contact Form 7 form on your website:

1. Contact Form 7 prepares the email based on your form settings.
2. Instead of WordPress attempting to send the email directly using the problematic PHP mail() function, WP Mail SMTP intercepts this request.
3. WP Mail SMTP then routes the email through the external SMTP provider you've configured (e.g., Mailgun, SendGrid, your Gmail account).
4. The external SMTP provider sends the email securely and reliably to the recipient's inbox.

This robust process ensures that every valuable lead or inquiry submitted through your Contact Form 7 form reaches you without fail.

Comparing Default WordPress Mail vs. WP Mail SMTP

Here's a quick look at why using an SMTP plugin like WP Mail SMTP is crucial for reliable email delivery compared to the default WordPress setup:

By switching to WP Mail SMTP, you equip your Contact Form 7 forms with a powerful and dependable email delivery system, ensuring that no message is lost.