Improvements in email marketing systems are driven by advancements in technology and evolving consumer expectations. While there are Webmail-style systems available, you should look at SNMP servers for an avenue that enables greater control and strategies that include custom application development.
Here is our list of the best SMTP servers for email marketing:
- SMTP2Go EDITOR’S CHOICE Reliable SMTP server with high deliverability, real-time tracking, and strong customer support. Easy setup, ideal for small businesses.
- SendPulse Offers SMTP server alongside multichannel marketing (SMS, push notifications). Great for small to medium businesses needing a simple, integrated platform.
- Brevo (formerly SendinBlue) Excellent balance of SMTP for transactional emails and email marketing automation. Affordable and scalable for small businesses, with added SMS functionality.
- Mailjet SMTP server with strong collaboration tools and high deliverability. Suitable for marketing and transactional emails. Excellent for teams and small businesses.
- AhaSend Basic SMTP service for transactional and marketing emails. Affordable and simple, great for small businesses.
- SendGrid Powerful SMTP server with advanced analytics and high deliverability. Ideal for both marketing and transactional emails.
- Elastic Email Budget-friendly SMTP service with good deliverability. Offers strong email marketing tools. Ideal for small businesses and startups.
A major trend in email marketing is the rise of hyper-personalization, where emails are tailored to individual recipients based on their behavior, preferences, and past interactions. This goes beyond simply addressing the recipient by name; it uses data analytics and AI to create highly relevant content that resonates with each user. AI can analyze customer data to predict future behavior and recommend products or services accordingly. This level of personalization enhances user engagement and significantly boosts conversion rates.
Another key development is the integration of advanced automation techniques. Modern email marketing platforms can automate complex workflows, such as sending a series of onboarding emails to new subscribers or re-engagement campaigns to inactive users. These systems can also trigger emails based on specific actions, like abandoned cart reminders or follow-ups after a purchase.
There are a lot of techniques that SNMP servers can help with when you are crafting your marketing campaign and behind-the-scenes protocols can help your email get through spam filters to reach inboxes instead of junk folders.
The Best SMTP servers for email marketing
SMTP servers have broad capabilities that can enable different email marketing strategies. As you would expect, they don’t all have the same capability. So, we decided to look for the most flexible tools that can adapt to any marketing strategy.
Our methodology for selecting an SMTP server for email marketing
We reviewed the market for SMTP servers for email marketing and selected tools based on the following criteria:
- Templates that can automate email content and substitute sections and values according to the user’s characteristics.
- Easy-to-use design interface for end-user involvement.
- A rate that is levied according to volume, so small companies don’t have to pay the same rate as large-volume users.
- A server complies with relevant regulations and standards, such as GDPR, to avoid legal issues and maintain trust with your recipients.
- The ability to integrate with verification protocols to avoid emails being classified as spam.
- A free edition or a free trial that enables potential buyers to test the tool before paying.
- Value for money from a price that is affordable considering the amount of services that are being offered.
All the tools that we recommend are cloud-based systems.
1. SMTP2Go
SMTP2Go is a reliable email delivery service specializing in transactional emails and SMTP relay, but it also offers features suitable for email marketing. Known for its high deliverability rates, detailed tracking tools, and easy integration, SMTP2Go is a popular choice for businesses looking to ensure their emails reach inboxes rather than spam folders.
Key Features:
- High email deliverability: Ensures marketing emails land in inboxes, not spam folders.
- Real-time analytics: Track open rates, clicks, and bounce rates for data-driven decision-making.
- SMTP relay service: Reliable for marketing and transactional emails, with easy integration into existing systems.
- DKIM and SPF support: Boosts email authentication, improving deliverability and security.
- Email testing: Preview emails and test for potential issues across different platforms.
Why Do We Recommend It?
SMTP2Go is recommended for its top-tier deliverability and reliable SMTP relay, making it an excellent choice for businesses that need both transactional and marketing email solutions. I found that its real-time analytics help optimize email marketing performance, ensuring better engagement and customer reach.
Who Is It Recommended For?
SMTP2Go is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a cost-effective, easy-to-use platform to handle both transactional and marketing emails. It is especially suited for businesses focused on improving deliverability and ensuring their email campaigns land in the inbox rather than being flagged as spam.
Pros:
- API integration: Allows seamless integration with CRMs and marketing platforms.
- 24/7 customer support: Available round-the-clock to help resolve any issues promptly.
- User-friendly setup: Setting up SMTP2Go for email marketing is straightforward, even for non-technical users.
- Global server infrastructure: Ensures fast delivery across the world, improving open rates in international campaigns.
- No daily sending limits: Unlike many competitors, SMTP2Go does not impose restrictive daily sending caps.
Cons:
- Limited A/B testing features: These would help marketing campaigns.
SMTP2Go is a cloud-based platform accessible from any web-connected device. It offers a Free plan with up to 1,000 emails per month. This is a good option for very small companies, and larger businesses can use it to examine the system before paying for one of the higher plans.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
SMTP2Go is our top pick as an SMTP server for email marketing because it offers a range of features that cater to businesses of all sizes, ensuring high deliverability and strong security. One of the standout features of SMTP2Go is its high deliverability rate, which ensures that emails reach their intended recipients without being marked as spam. The platform supports essential security protocols such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, which help protect your sending domain from unauthorized use and maintain a good sender reputation. This is crucial for maintaining trust with your recipients and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. SMTP2Go also provides a user-friendly interface and comprehensive documentation, making it easy to set up and manage your SMTP settings. The service includes detailed analytics and reporting tools, allowing users to monitor email performance and troubleshoot issues effectively. Additionally, SMTP2Go offers excellent customer support, with native-English-speaking agents available worldwide.
OS: Cloud based
2. SendPulse
SendPulse is a multichannel marketing platform that provides email, SMS, and web push notifications, making it a versatile tool for businesses. While known for its multichannel capabilities, its email marketing services are reliable and feature-rich, offering automation, segmentation, and detailed analytics. With a simple drag-and-drop email builder and integrations for various platforms, SendPulse makes it easy for businesses to create and manage email marketing campaigns.
Key Features:
- Email, SMS, and web push notifications: Multichannel communication for higher engagement.
- Drag-and-drop email builder: Simplifies creating visually appealing emails without coding.
- Automation workflows: Trigger email sequences based on customer actions and behaviors.
- A/B testing: Test different versions of your emails to optimize performance.
Why Do We Recommend It?
SendPulse is highly recommended for businesses looking to combine email marketing with other communication channels like SMS and push notifications. I noted that its easy-to-use automation and segmentation tools allow marketers to reach the right audience at the right time, making it a powerful multichannel platform for increasing engagement.
Who Is It Recommended For?
SendPulse is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses that want to run multichannel campaigns without needing separate platforms for email, SMS, and push notifications. It is ideal for marketers looking for a cost-effective, user-friendly platform with strong email marketing capabilities and basic automation features.
Pros:
- Multichannel support: Integrates email, SMS, and push notifications for comprehensive customer engagement.
- Generous free plan: Free plan includes up to 500 subscribers and 15,000 emails per month, making it ideal for small businesses.
- Intuitive interface: User-friendly platform suitable for beginners without a steep learning curve.
- Responsive customer support: Provides fast and effective support when assistance is needed.
Cons:
- Reporting features could be more in-depth: Particularly for advanced campaign tracking.
SendPulse is a cloud-based platform, accessible from any internet-connected device. It offers a free plan that allows up to 500 subscribers and 15,000 emails per month, making it a great starting point for small businesses. Paid plans start at affordable rates and scale based on the number of subscribers and emails sent. Higher-tier plans include additional features like priority support, advanced segmentation, and automation workflows, allowing businesses to grow their email marketing capabilities as their needs evolve.
3. Brevo (formerly SendinBlue)
Brevo, formerly known as SendinBlue, is a comprehensive email marketing platform that offers advanced automation and multichannel communication, including SMS marketing. It combines marketing automation, CRM, and transactional email functionality into one platform, making it ideal for businesses looking to streamline their communications. Brevo’s focus on ease of use and affordability, combined with email marketing tools, makes it a popular choice among small and medium-sized businesses.
Key Features:
- Email and SMS marketing: Allows multichannel campaigns through email and SMS for greater reach.
- Marketing automation: Automate email sequences based on user actions and engagement.
- Built-in CRM: Manage and track customer interactions within the platform.
Why Do We Recommend It?
Brevo is highly recommended for its balance of affordability and feature richness, offering email marketing, automation, and CRM functionalities in one platform. I learned that its versatility, particularly with SMS integration, makes it a top choice for businesses that want to engage customers across multiple channels without high costs.
Who Is It Recommended For?
Brevo is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable, all-in-one platform for both marketing and transactional emails. It is particularly recommended for those who need multichannel communication (email and SMS) and marketing automation features, along with CRM integration, without requiring separate tools for each function.
Pros:
- A/B testing: Test and optimize subject lines, content, and sending times for better performance.
- Landing page builder: Create custom landing pages to complement email campaigns.
- All-in-one platform: Combines email, SMS, automation, and CRM tools for a cohesive marketing experience.
Cons:
- No free trial for the paid plans: Use the Free edition instead.
Brevo is a cloud-based platform and its console can be accessed through any standard Web browser. The free plan allows unlimited contacts and up to 300 emails per day. Brevo’s pricing is flexible and designed to accommodate both small businesses just starting out and larger companies that need more email marketing and CRM tools.
4. Mailjet
Mailjet is an all-in-one email marketing and transactional email platform that focuses on collaboration, scalability, and ease of use. Known for its intuitive drag-and-drop editor, real-time collaboration features, and high deliverability rates, Mailjet is an excellent choice for businesses looking to manage marketing and transactional emails in one platform. Its versatility makes it ideal for teams working together on email campaigns or developers seeking a reliable SMTP relay service.
Key Features:
- Real-time collaboration: Role-based user accounts allow team efforts and delegation.
- Drag-and-drop email editor: Build responsive, visually appealing emails without any coding skills.
- Transactional emails: Reliable SMTP relay and API for sending transactional messages like order confirmations.
Why Do We Recommend It?
Mailjet is highly recommended for businesses that require both marketing and transactional email services in one platform. I discovered that its collaboration tools are perfect for teams, while its API integration and SMTP relay ensure high deliverability, making it a versatile option for both marketers and developers.
Who Is It Recommended For?
Mailjet is recommended for small to medium-sized businesses, marketing teams, and developers who need to manage email marketing and transactional emails in one place. It’s particularly suited for teams that require real-time collaboration on campaigns and developers looking for an easy-to-integrate API solution for transactional emails.
Pros:
- No daily email limits: Allows for flexibility with high-volume email campaigns.
- A/B testing: Test different versions of your emails to optimize campaign performance.
- Segmentation: Target specific groups of customers for more personalized and effective campaigns.
Cons:
- Automation features are basic: Other systems offer better automation features.
Mailjet is a cloud-based platform, easily accessible from any device with an internet connection. It offers a free plan that allows up to 6,000 emails per month, with a limit of 200 emails per day, making it a good option for small businesses and larger companies can use it to trial the platform.
5. AhaSend
AhaSend is a versatile email marketing platform that delivers fast and reliable transactional emails. It caters to businesses of all sizes, offering a pay-as-you-go pricing model that ensures cost-effectiveness. AhaSend aims to simplify email marketing with its user-friendly interface while maintaining high deliverability and security standards.
Key Features:
- High deliverability: Ensures emails reach recipients’ inboxes without being marked as spam.
- Security protocols: Supports SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to protect your sending domain.
- User-friendly interface: Easy to set up and manage, with comprehensive documentation.
Why Do We Recommend It?
AhaSend is recommended for its high deliverability, strong security features, and cost-effective pricing model. I observed that its user-friendly interface and detailed analytics make it an excellent choice for businesses looking to streamline their email marketing efforts.
Who Is It Recommended For?
AhaSend is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses and startups that need a reliable and scalable email marketing solution. Its pay-as-you-go pricing is particularly beneficial for businesses with fluctuating email volumes.
Pros:
- Fast delivery: Quick email delivery times, ensuring timely communication.
- No lock-In: Flexible plans with no long-term commitments.
- Detailed analytics: Provides insights into email performance and delivery metrics.
Cons:
- Limited advanced marketing automation features: Provides basic automation that should be sufficient for most companies.
AhaSend offers a straightforward deployment process with a user-friendly dashboard. It provides a free plan that allows sending up to 1,000 emails per month, making it accessible for startups and small businesses.
6. SendGrid
SendGrid is a powerful email marketing platform known for its high deliverability. Acquired by Twilio, SendGrid integrates seamlessly with other communication tools, making it a versatile choice for businesses aiming to enhance their email marketing efforts.
Key Features:
- High Deliverability: Ensures emails reach recipients’ inboxes, reducing the risk of being marked as spam.
- Security Protocols: Supports SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to protect your sending domain and maintain a good sender reputation.
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy to navigate, with a drag-and-drop email editor and comprehensive documentation.
Why Do We Recommend It?
SendGrid is recommended for its exceptional deliverability rates and user-friendly interface. Its detailed analytics and scalability make it a reliable choice for businesses of all sizes. I noticed that Security features, including support for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC protocols, help protect your sending domain from unauthorized use and maintain a good sender reputation.
Who Is It Recommended For?
SendGrid is ideal for businesses of all sizes. Its user-friendly interface, featuring a drag-and-drop email editor, makes it easy for users of all skill levels to create and manage email campaigns. The comprehensive documentation and 24/7 customer support for paid plans ensure that any issues can be quickly resolved, minimizing downtime and disruption. It’s also suitable for developers looking for seamless API integrations.
Pros:
- Strong Integration Capabilities: Easily integrates with other tools and platforms.
- Reliable Uptime: Ensures consistent email delivery without interruptions.
- Detailed Analytics: Provides insights into email performance, including open rates, click-through rates, and deliverability metrics.
Cons:
- No phone or live chat support for free plans: Support for paid plans is responsive, however.
SendGrid offers a straightforward deployment process with a user-friendly dashboard. It provides a free plan that allows sending up to 100 emails per day, making it accessible for startups and small businesses.
7. Elastic Email
Elastic Email is a flexible and cost-effective email marketing platform designed to cater to businesses of all sizes. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including automation, A/B testing, and design tools, making it a versatile choice for marketers looking to enhance their email campaigns. With its intuitive interface and robust support, Elastic Email aims to simplify the complexities of email marketing while ensuring high deliverability and security.
Key Features:
- High Deliverability: Ensures emails reach recipients’ inboxes without being marked as spam.
- Automation: Supports automated workflows for tasks like welcome emails, follow-ups, and re-engagement campaigns.
- A/B Testing: Allows users to test different email versions to optimize performance.
Why Do We Recommend It?
Elastic Email is recommended for its high deliverability, automation features, and cost-effective pricing. I found that its user-friendly interface and comprehensive analytics make it an excellent choice for businesses looking to streamline their email marketing efforts.
Who Is It Recommended For?
Elastic Email is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses and startups that need a reliable and scalable email marketing solution. Its affordable pricing and flexible plans make it particularly suitable for businesses with varying email volumes and budgets.
Pros:
- Affordable Pricing: Offers competitive pricing plans that cater to different business needs.
- Design Tools: Provides a drag-and-drop editor and customizable templates for creating visually appealing emails.
- Detailed Analytics: Offers insights into email performance, including open rates, click-through rates, and more.
Cons:
- Primarily focused on transactional emails: Fewer features for bulk marketing campaigns.
Elastic Email offers a straightforward deployment process with an intuitive dashboard. It provides a free plan that allows sending up to 100 emails per day, making it accessible for startups and small businesses.
